Info on Huet Switchers?

Hi, Everyone,

I'm one of several who have paid Gerard Huet in full for switchers, and right now I'm seeking information from anyone who has either....

a) actually received a switcher, or

b) can put me in contact with someone from (a), or

c) has seen photos of the switchers, outside of the single photo on the Huet website.

Like many, I know that delays can be expected, and I've waited longer than expected for painters or kitbashers to finish work, but my growing concern is that I have seen no evidence that these switchers exist, and am hearing concerns from many on this and other forums that Huet has gone silent. I have emailed Huet asking for some photographic proof (he has not replied since October 4 to previous queries), and have not heard from him. Can anyone help?

Brian

Further to John's suggestion (thank you!), may I suggest that anyone wishing to contact me privately can do so at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I have already been in touch with some privately, and wish to hear from anyone involved in any fashion with the Huet switchers.

I will respect confidentiality and assemble a list of information about prospective buyers, amounts submitted as a deposit or as the balance (my case!). May I also remind anyone who has used a credit card as downpayment that quite often credit card companies can assist in refunding your money and/or preventing unwanted charges.

To keep this in perspective: it may well be that Mr. Huet is hard at work with every intention of filling orders. However, until we see some evidence that the switchers are built or nearly-built, or hear from a satisfied customer who can provide us some photos and commentary on the product, it would be good to assemble information in case it must be used as part of an action.

I am interested in knowing the dates and specifics of any correspondence you have had with Mr. Huet, in particular any mention of dates of delivery, reports of progress, and/or new problems. I'd like to assemble a timeline to check for consistency.

Thank you,
Brian Wickers

Brian,
This is both a sad situation, and a frustrating one since some are most likely a bit peeved if not down right angry about the total silence from the man.

There is a faint chance that he is either deathly ill or even deceased at this point.
I wish him neither, but I must side with all the others in that he should at the very least say something to either confirm the project is still in the works or he is not able to finish it at this point.

I have my fears that this could be a situation where the money has been received but there is no intention to deliver product. I sincerely hope that is not the case.

We would all like to believe that all Z scalers are honest upstanding individuals.
Of course we know that is not the case in real life. There are scoundrels all around us.

I once sold a RC boat on Ebay only to have the buyer turn out to be a total rip off artist. I wasn't sure until I compared other feed backs from prior customers and that confirmed that the guy was a liar and cheat.

Let's keep crossing our fingers and hope for a peaceful resolution to all this.

Silence may be golden sometimes, but it can also be very cowardly.

Loren

Hello Brian, I've replied to your e-mail, but I'm getting a message "Delivery to the recipient has been delayed."

I think I've already provided you my information in dealings with Huet. I paid the deposit for a single switcher. I paid by personal check to his daughter in Pennsylvania.

Communications with Huet was fine and responses were quick... up to the point of him confirming that my deposit had been received by his daughter. After that... nothing.

I've tried to be patient about this. But, more and more... the negatives are quickly adding up. Honestly, I don't expect to ever see a switcher and that I'm out my deposit. Very disappointing, to say the least.

Unfortunately, this is not the first scam in the Z world. There are a few members here on ZCS and Trainboard and the yahoo group that can name names of others that have stolen money and not delivered product.

I still hope Huet comes through and all of this has been a big misunderstanding. Oh, for those of you who might chime in and mention something of a "language problem"... uh, no... there was no language problem up to and receiving the deposit.

Thank you, everyone, for your replies. I'm collecting information. I too have the daughter's address in Pennsylvania. Wednesday I will send Mr. Huet another email, showing him what I will publish on the boards 24 hours after that if I do not see evidence or hear that a refund is coming.

I'm especially troubled by the fact that there is new activity on his website--but no contact with his customers. Please let me know what you hear.

Cheers,
Brian

Alex, was the daughter here in the US? If so, I would start there. If you don't have a phone number for her, I am sure we can find one. I bet if she started receiving phones calls from inquiring Z scalers, she would be asking Dad right away what is going on. Also, any payments received by a US address fall under US law and this could be considered mail fraud if the payment was sent via check.

I am still hopeful that Gerad will come through. But like everyone else, it has been a while since I heard from him.

Rob

@@@@@ Huet's address is:
### @@@@@@@@@@ @@@@, @@@@@@@@@ ###
@@@@@ @@@@@@@, @@@@@@@@@@@@
@@@ @@@@@

Gerard's is:
@@@@
@@@@@@
@@@@@@-@@@@, @@@@@@

I don't have either phone number.

Brian

[Editor's Note]
I appologize for the address editing. I am doing this, to NOT encourage hate mail, or create an online witch hunt. You may share their addresses, phone numbers, or any other private information, offline. And if other parties do wish for that information, please have them contact you.

At this stage of your fact gathering you are still unsure of how Mr. Huet's daughter is affiliated, other than acting as an agent. I realize the duress of the situation, and the best wishes are to a quick resolve of either receiving said product, or 100% refunds.

John Kellett

Alex has provided me the daughters name and address and I already have come up with a an email address for her. I have passed this on to both Alex and Brian. While we hope it does not come to this, mail fraud is a very serious matter. If any of you sent money via US mail for a service or product not received, the US Mail has an online form that you may submit. Here is the link:

postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

Rob

Just to let everyone know, Gerard has posted some photos on his website of the CN and CP switchers he is making for me (you'll need to click on the categories to see the pictures). I will let you know when I receive them how they run, et cetera.

Brian

Hi Brian
I have been following this subject and i hope things do work out for everyone. I just looked at the photos posted on his site and if you look closely, those are just shells. Thef there are no wheels or gears hanging down from the shell hiden behind the wheel side rails that are there. From everything ive read, the chassis has been the problems and these photos wouldnt help me feel more confident if i had layed out money for one of these switchers. Just my two cents worth. Good luck!!

proto87.team.pagesperso-orange.fr/Zscale_4.html



Steve aka "Slugger"

Looks like the same principal like Lajos "old" SW1.

Hi, Everyone. Mr. Huet has posted two Youtube videos showing a CN and CP switcher running. The titles of the videos are "SW900 CN" and "SW900 CP" They are looking good.

Brian... Any updates or progress? Have you received your two units?

Mr. Huet has posted a new video of a BN SW-1, along with an announcement of a price increase effective February 1.

You know, I just don't get it why Huet is so silent on answering any emails. Something is very fishy here unless this fellow just does not believe in communicating in the normal manner in which we are accustomed to.

If I had put money down on one of these, I'd sure be suspicious.

I'll hold out for Lajos and his workmanship.....besides I know where Lajos lives and can always pay him a visit late at night with my cousin Vinnie

Loren

You know, I just don't get it why Huet is so silent on answering any emails. Something is very fishy here unless this fellow just does not believe in communicating in the normal manner in which we are accustomed to.

If I had put money down on one of these, I'd sure be suspicious.

I'll hold out for Lajos and his workmanship.....besides I know where Lajos lives and can always pay him a visit late at night with my cousin Vinnie

Loren