Warranty Policy and Additional Information

Last updated 240915

Not every installation goes well and not every product is perfect. Failure is frustrating.

DCC Decoders manufacturers understand this but please understand each manufacturer has their own unique policy and procedures. This page is provided by SBS4DCC as a reference only to consolidate this information for the product lines we represent. This information is subject to change and the manufacturers information is always the primary resource.

Please understand this information is provided by the manufacturer and their respective website is always the official source of information. SBS4DCC will work diligently to provide direction, guidance and information to assist you in resolving these situations as best we can. SBS4DCC does not intervene in the warranty process except as noted and will never usurp the manufacturers policy nor be liable for products beyond the manufacturers stated policy.

Please understand, DCC products are made of components that are subject to the invisible forces of electricity. Returns will only be accepted for new and unused product. Open items not returnable or refundable. Any issue with an open item must be resolved through the warranty process. Discrete electronic components including capacitors, LED's and resistors as well as electro-mechanical components including relays and speakers are not covered by any manufacturers warranty. Loading of sound files on DCC decoders is a free service offered only for the buyers convenience and is not a warrantable service.

Please note, the buyer is responsible for all shipping charges associated with warranty submissions to SBS directly. This includes all charges associated with shipping to and from the manufacturer as well as to and from SBS4DCC. Charges are based on the USPS market rate at time of shipping and the actual charges incurred by SBS4DCC as part of the warranty submission process.

Please note and please understand that once a product is removed from the OEM packaging, even a decoder for programming, the product is classified as used. Defective open items are subject to warranty and are not eligible for return or replacement. These are the manufacturers terms not ours. Additionally, when you purchase DCC products from SBS4DCC, you are expecting to receive a new item (unless stated otherwise). You would not want an open, used item either.

Digitrax

https://www.digitrax.com/support/returns/

Digitrax "No Worries" Warranty

Digitrax offers a one year "No Worries" Warranty against manufacturing defects and accidental customer damage on all Digitrax command stations, boosters, throttles, decoders, power supplies and layout control devices.

That's it! A simple, straightforward warranty with no tricky language!

All warranty matters are handled by Digitrax directly. Please use the link above for details and instructions about the process.

ESU

http://www.esu.eu/en/support/warranty-repair/

http://www.esu.eu/en/contact/

https://sbs4dcc.com/pages/more-info/contact-us.html

ESU products are warrantied for 2 years after date of purchase by end user. Please note that only claims with proof of purchase can be accepted. ESU LLC will be unable to process warranty claims if the customer cannot provide documentation.

ESU - Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH & Co. KG: Repairs

In the 3rd year after purchase products can still be sent in for repair. ESU will charge a Repair Service Fee for this service. Proof of purchase is mandatory.

ESU - Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH & Co. KG: Decoder, Programmer

We are proud to offer our customers one of the best warranty policies currently available on the market.

You can return the decoder to this store or to ESU directly for evaluation / warranty.

SBS4DCC is skilled to troubleshoot and is authorized to evaluate and process warranty claims in house. You can also contact ESU Support to evaluate your circumstances and determine the best solution for your situation. Products being submitted for consideration under the Repair policy and subject to the Repair Service Fee should be coordinated with ESU directly.

Please include a brief description of the problem (a copy of this email is sufficient) and you MUST include proof of purchase with the shipment. ESU will not accept any warranty submission without proof of purchase. Requests for repair or replacement of eligible products should be sent to ESU directly.

Please ship in a box or other rigid package. Decoders and connectors are easily damaged in padded envelopes and other similar mailers. I will not evaluate or warrant a decoder that is obviously damaged in shipping due to improper packaging.

If returning SBS4DCC directly, please include $10 per decoder for shipping and handling. Payment can be by check or by PayPal to this email address or it can be made online… CLICK HERE.

The shipping information follows.

Bryan Vianco

Streamlined Backshop

22638 Pin Oak Dr

Athens, AL 35613

Warranty matters can handled by SBS4DCC directly or by contacting ESU Support to resolve the issue. Please use the links above for details and instructions about the process.

New ESU Ship-To Address EFFECTIVE August 19, 2024

ESU LLC
3625 Betty Dr

Suite A

Colorado Springs, CO 80917

Finally, before returning for evaluation, here are a couple of basic/common trouble shooting steps you should consider that may or may not apply to your situation.

Try to do a decoder reset (CV8=8 then cycle power to decoder) and to manually write firmware using the menu option in LokProgrammer if available.

Double check all connections to be sure it is not a continuity issue. This is a common problem and there are usually at least six connections between programmer and decoder (PC – LokProg/CommStat – Track – Wheels – Pickups – Pickup Wires – Decoder), sometimes more.

Be sure the decoder is programmed with a sound file. ESU decoder ship to us blank (or mute, or no pre-loaded sound file, or...) unlike other decoder options that we offer. The ESU Sound File Library offers hundreds of highly detailed and extremely precise sound options for North American and European prototypes for modelers to choose from. Each decoder is tested for motor sound (F8) and Horn (F2), motor control at SS4 in FWD, and front headlight control (F0) after programming to insure the file loaded properly. If you do not request a file when ordering, the decoder will be mute (or maybe only make some random sounds used for testing in manufacturing).

Many ESU decoder models are actually a decoder mounted on an adapter board. Be sure the decoder part of these models is properly seated in the connector. For example, model 58921 is actually a model 58928 Nano decoder mated to an adapter board in the same way a 58429 21MTC decoder mates to an adapter board.

It’s always a good idea to reseat the decoder on the adapter board and double check for “sneak shorts”, places where it is not obvious but the edge of a board or component with exposed electrical trace is making contact with something it shouldn’t.

For ESU N Scale “drop-in” decoders, be sure the motor and speaker contacts/solder pads as well as any exposed “programming pads” are properly insulated from the models frame and that the power contacts/solder pads are making good contact with model’s frame.

NCE

https://www.ncedcc.com/system-registration

https://www.ncedcc.com/service-information

Decoder Warranty

Decoders are fully factory tested and warranted against manufacturing defects for a period of 1 year. As the circumstances under which a decoder is installed can not be controlled, failure of the decoder due to installation problems can not be warranted. This includes misuse, miswiring, operation under loads beyond the design range of the decoder or short circuits in the locomotive manufacturer’s factory wiring. If the decoder fails for non-warranted reasons NCE will replace the decoder, no questions asked, for $10 U.S. plus $2 shipping. For warranty or non-warranty replacement send the decoder (and any payment, if required) to:

NCE Warranty Center

82 East Main Street

Webster, New York 14580

NCE is a small company and as such we do not have automated package tracking or RMA systems. There is no need to call, or email before sending something in for repair.

All warranty matters are handled by NCE directly. Please use the links above for details and instructions about the process.

SoundTraxx

https://soundtraxx.com/support/support-staff/

https://soundtraxx.com/content/decoderservice.pdf

SoundTraxx Decoder Warranty Policy

Each SoundTraxx Digital Sound Decoder is tested thoroughly before it is shipped and warranted to be in good working order and free of manufacturing defects. However, in the event that a mistake does occur during installation within the first 90 days, SoundTraxx will cover the repair under our ‘Safety-Net’ Service Warranty.

If during the first ninety (90) days you damage your Digital Sound Decoder or it fails to operate, SoundTraxx will repair or replace the system free of charge if:

The original sales receipt showing purchase from an authorized SoundTraxx dealer accompanies the decoder. Receipt must show purchase date to be within the last 90 days. Your original receipt will be returned with your repaired unit.

There is no damage resulting from unauthorized repairs or modifications. This includes but is not limited to:

Removing the shrink tubing from the decoder

Drilling or enlarging circuit board holes

Cutting or trimming the circuit board

The Digital Sound Decoder is returned properly packaged, postage paid, and insured- SoundTraxx is not responsible for product lost or damaged in transit.

Recommended Shipping Package - Packaged in a protective box and insured. Reminder: sometimes markers will 'bleed' in the rain - put a piece of clear tape over the address to protect it!

Exclusions - Onboard locomotive speakers are not covered by this warranty. SoundTraxx will not warranty nor repair any product returned in an envelope which does not provide proper protection during transit (e.g. No. 10 envelope). This warranty does not cover damage resulting from accidents, fire, floods, or other acts of God.

Limits of Liability

The foregoing shall constitute the sole and exclusive remedy of any owner of this product for breach of warranty including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness. IN NO EVENT SHALL SOUNDTRAXX BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS OF RETAIL SELLERS.

All warranty matters are handled by SoundTraxx directly. Please use the link above for details and instructions about the process.

TCS

https://tcsdcc.com/warranty

Our Famous "GOOF PROOF" Warranty

WARRANTY PROCEDURE: All decoders are covered by a one year goof proof warranty. Please return in a small box.

1. You MUST register the failed decoder on our website at www.tcsdcc.com. If you do not have access to a computer you MUST call to register your warranty at: (267) 733-3408

2. Print out a copy of the Warranty Registration and include it in the box with the decoder(s).

3. Return decoder(s) directly to TCS using the address below.

Train Control Systems

P.O. Box 341

845 Blooming Glen Rd.

Blooming Glen, PA 18911

All warranty matters are handled by TCS directly. Please use the link above for details and instructions about the process.

ZIMO

http://www.zimo.at/web2010/sales/kundendienst_EN.htm

http://www.zimo.at/web2010/sales/Reparatur-Formular_en.pdf

The fastest way to get it back and the cheapest is if you send it to ZIMO directly. There is no fee, other than the shipping charges both ways (ZIMO does not pay for shipping). ZIMO has a pretty good warranty but not an "idiot proof" warranty, meaning that you may have to pay a small fee if you did damage it. The amount is usually determined during the repair but is usually around $15.00 - $20.00.

They have a special repair form to fill out but it is in German, so I would not bother with it. You can send a short description with the following info:

1. Of course, your name, email address and shipping address.

2. Date when you bought the decoder (month/year is close enough) 3. ZIMO dealer you bought it from 4. What kind of DCC system you are using 5. A brief description of what failed: motor outputs, function outputs etc.

6. "Warranty expected" if you think it should be covered by warranty

You can send it in a padded envelope directly to:

ZIMO ELEKTRONIK

Kundendienst

Schoenbrunner Straße 188

A - 1120 Wien

Austria

Be sure to declare a low customs value, under $50.00. In this case, for a "dead" decoder, I would enter $10.00. If you enter more than $50.00 they may charge duty, which ZIMO would not accept and the decoder would be returned without repair.

We can assist you with managing the warranty process for ZIMO but please understand, the buyer is responsible for all shipping charges associated with warranty submissions to SBS directly. This includes all charges associated with shipping to and from the manufacturer as well as to and from SBS4DCC. Charges are based on the USPS market rate at time of shipping and the actual charges incurred by SBS4DCC as part of the warranty submission process.

All warranty matters are handled by ZIMO directly. Please use the link above for details and instructions about the process.