Where a new product is trying to hit a new quality and price plateau, I feel that it is an investment for a company to bend (a little) over backwards to keep customers happy - they make or break the brand's credibility in what is arguably a close-knit community where word-of-mouth counts a lot in a product's success. While I can see Imex and Erik's position and fully emphasize their hesitation in extending a replacement (lest it opens the floodgates), perhaps some kind of engagement with Danny as a form of service recovery could win customers in the long run. Its what Erik has already been doing all this while, and frankly I was a little surprised that Danny was cut off like that. Talk to Danny - find out what happened, and discuss what could be improved. Prospective owners do not want to be in the same position as Danny, no matter how understanding they might be in understanding the business principles - they want to be taken care of, especially when they are paying a premium price.

While Danville is not a Robot-wars arena by any stretch of imagination, it is by far the hardest battlefield any 1/16th scale tank is likely to ever see in their lifetime, and if it survives there, it should survive anywhere (save for the crazy guys that insist on driving their tanks on beaches and in mud). Instead of calling Danville un-reasonable use, that should be the standard by which a competent 1/16th scale tank should be judged, and something that a manufacturer can proudly claim their product stands up to. Its not silly driving, its just scale terrain, intense combat, and any $500 tank worth its cost should be able to survive a weekend (or two) there before needing depot-level maintenance.

Seriously, Taigen, don't drop the ball now. The support has been outstanding so far. I bought stuff from Erik and he threw in extras because he felt I might find it useful (not because I had asked for it). Tamiya wouldn't do that. They are a by-the-book corporation with clock-punching employees that happen to be in the tank department by assignment and not by choice. I personally talked to Erik and I know he is passionate about tanks. Dont' let one or two cases mess up the reputation that you guys have built. Though I own an all-Tamiya fleet of tanks I dearly want to see Taigen or someone else step up and give me credible alternatives, along with the support. When I am dropping a grand on a tank, I think that is only reasonable. I wouldn't drop that kind of money on a warmed-over Heng Long and accept excuses in return.