CAFmodel La Bellle

[Dematosdg]

I think Dirk was asking at the first place a full replacement of the kit

Or I am misunderstanding this issue or Tom (CAF) did a translation mistake from Chinese to English.

Let me see if this is correct :

1) The Long Boat that Dubz Modelling World got has some laser cut issues. Same as some parts of my Granado ~5 years ago.
2) my Granado affected parts were replaced immediately, free of any costs. At that time we didn't pay taxes in USA for goods below $800.
3) From the CAF email Posted on the Link above (see Dubz Modelling World posting above) looks like CAF, for small products will not send the affected parts, will just "Replace the Full Product", in this case the full Long Boat Kit. (6：We generally do not do after-sales processing for small products. You need to destroy the product and take photos for confirmation. We will directly refund the full amount.)
4) There isn't anything wrong with replacing the "Full Kit" for free. BUT !!!! here is Dubz Modelling World point. He will have to pay again all his country "fees" = $20 Euros.
5) The 190 mm long Boat kit price is $57.75 dollars (as it is show on my phone).
6) Now I understand why Dubz Modelling World isn't interested in getting the "full kit again". He will has to pay again the $20 Euros in fees. All this means that he will be spending almost the price of a FULL Kit on fees ($20 x 2 ). This doesn't make to much sense for him.
7 ) on a situation like this one, I believe that it will be better for CAF to send (replace) the affected parts only. I want to think that CAF will be saving in shipping cost too. And Dubz Modelling World will pay a smaller fee because the declare value of the shipment will be small.

My apologies to Dubz Modelling World for misunderstanding the postings. Let me know if I am correct now.

Nevertheless, CAF policy is what it is. If your country for a ~$60 kit charge you $20Euros, that's a lot. But it is what it is. And those $20 Euros represents a big chunk of "Your Kit Cost".

Anecdotically, I bought a Chines kit from Dry-Dock Models. It was around $200-250 Dollars. It was last year 2025, at the start of the TARIFFS with China. Was at the peak of the trade war between US and China. Nevertheless, I wanted the kit so I placed the order. 2 weeks later, DHL sent me an e-mail saying " You have 5 business days to pay $21 dollars in TARIFFS or the kit will be returned to China" . Of course I paid it ASAP and in 2 days the kit was at my door.

Bottom line, that was the first time, I paid such high tax (before we were exempt up to $800). Being China the country with the highest Tariffs imposed by our government, I only pay $21 out for a $200-250 kit. That was a surprise for me. I was expecting more.

Again, $20 Euros for a $60 kit is a lot and now I understand your position.

Nevertheless, and "based on my experience" I will continue buying and recommending CAF models.

Best !
Daniel

 

[Dubz Modelling World]

6：We generally do not do after-sales processing for small products. You need to destroy the product and take photos for confirmation. We will directly refund the full amount.
7：Regarding full refunds, we are only responsible for refunding the amount you paid to our store. Unable to bear customs duties, taxi fees and other secondary expenses.

Guys you should READ what CAF is saying!!!!

Buy something small and there is NO responsibility of them to replace ANYTHING! So they send crap and you will loose import tax and handling money.

You think that is fine? Serious?

 

[Dubz Modelling World]

3) From the CAF email Posted on the Link above (see Dubz Modelling World posting above) looks like CAF, for small products will not send the affected parts, will just "Replace the Full Product", in this case the full Long Boat Kit. (6：We generally do not do after-sales processing for small products. You need to destroy the product and take photos for confirmation. We will directly refund the full amount.)
4) There isn't anything wrong with replacing the "Full Kit" for free. BUT !!!! here is Dubz Modelling World point. He will have to pay again all his country "fees" = $20 Euros.

My apologies to Dubz Modelling World for misunderstanding the postings. Let me know if I am correct now.

Thanks for your apologies Daniel, but it is even worse CAF will send NOTHING! No replacing of the full kit, no replacing of parts. Even IF I would pay another 20.- EUR (what indeed would sux).

Dirk

 

[Dematosdg]

Thanks for your apologies Daniel, but it is even worse CAF will send NOTHING! No replacing of the full kit, no replacing of parts. Even IF I would pay another 20.- EUR (what indeed would sux).

Dirk

Ok... sorry, again I missunderstood your posting. It wasn't the $20

CAF (Tom) will not send you a full kit if you request that instead of the full refund neither the affected parts only. That is really very strange.

On his policy he also states :

5：If you have any questions about product quality, please contact me and we will take photos of product parts for your confirmation

Have you discussed with CAF this option :

a) CAF wants to refund the full amount after you show that the kit was destroyed, correct ?
b) After you get the full refund you can buy again the kit, but this time, before paying, as per CAF policy, you can request images of the product he is shipping to you.
c) Unfortunately you will have to pay again your country fees. Not nice but at least you get images of your kit showing there isn't any issue at all,.......If i understood correctly point #5 of his policy.

Daniel

 

[CAFmodel]

I just built the Granado from CAF. There were two minor defects, and they were replaced without any fuss and at an impressive speed. CAF, along with Vanguard Models, probably has the best customer service. Based on my experience, I can absolutely recommend buying model ships from CAF.

Thank you so much.

 

[Signet]

I also recently finished CAF's Granado. When I broke some tiny parts, they were replaced at no cost. (I do think the zig-zaggy parts look pretty bad, but they're also really small, so it's hard to tell how much that will affect the part.) After doing this a couple times, Tom asked (if possible - did not require) for help in paying shipping, which I did (my error, so...). I do realize that not everyone has the same experience, I can just comment on my own.

Tom has provided truly excellent, and personal, customer service throughout my build. At the time, I didn't have to pay any import duty, but that probably won't be the case for future shipments. I've already had to pay duty on ACRE monographs. And ANCRE's shipment was damaged, and they have just ignored my pleas.

I hope to again be building a CAF model and have no doubt I will be happy with the service and quality then as well.

 

[Dematosdg]

I also recently finished CAF's Granado. When I broke some tiny parts, they were replaced at no cost. (I do think the zig-zaggy parts look pretty bad, but they're also really small, so it's hard to tell how much that will affect the part.) After doing this a couple times, Tom asked (if possible - did not require) for help in paying shipping, which I did (my error, so...). I do realize that not everyone has the same experience, I can just comment on my own.

Tom has provided truly excellent, and personal, customer service throughout my build. At the time, I didn't have to pay any import duty, but that probably won't be the case for future shipments. I've already had to pay duty on ACRE monographs. And ANCRE's shipment was damaged, and they have just ignored my pleas.

I hope to again be building a CAF model and have no doubt I will be happy with the service and quality then as well.

Same as my experience. Very nice customer service from CAF

 

[CAFmodel]

Thank you very much for your support. Friends who have purchased my products know that as long as you make Kit normally, you only need to tell me the parts you need, and you can usually receive them for free within 1-2 weeks, without paying for parts.
Regarding Dirk, I don’t want to make any malicious speculations. If you buy my product and question the quality of the product, no problem. I will give you a full refund, but please help me destroy the product.
Does your refund require me to not only refund the fees you paid me, but also refund the fees you paid to other companies, and then continue to keep my products?
As for your need for my after-sales service, maybe you forgot your first letter to me. From the beginning, you expressed dissatisfaction with all the parts. In addition, you also complained about paying 3 euros in customs duties and an additional 12 euros in fees paid to the courier company. Therefore, you will not be satisfied with the after-sales service I provide you again, and you may have to pay additional fees.
So the full refund currently offered to you is the best option，But please help me destroy the product。
I don't know why you keep vetoing this plan

If there is a mistake in this, then it is all my fault and I should not have sold the product to you。

 

[Dubz Modelling World]

I never complained about duties and FedEx Handling!

I asked for replacement as almost all parts are badly zig zag lasered. Don't change the narrativ.

You never offered a customer oriented solution. Why I keep vetoing? Serious? You sent a bad manufactured product knowingly (no quality control!) and don't take responsibility and I should just loose money. There were never anything like "I am sorry you got a bad produced product, I understand your disappointment, I am offering you a (partly or full) refund." Nope, destroy it and I don't care of your extra costs.

I am happy for all other customers, and I will specify my recommendation, NEVER buy a small kit from CAF, no quality control, no refund. Congrats Tom and all the best.