I think one of the main issues is that Bemo virtually hold a monopoly on the HOm market (and its derivatives like your HO gauge versions, along with HOe conversions) as far as Europe is concerned. *Some* of their stuff is okayish - about €75 for a passable coach (tending to be on the rather light side but I've not had issues derailing on my quite uneven trackwork). I should mention, I only really started to acquire Bemo because I'm joining in the Hornby TT:120 venture and HOm uses the same gauge track and I've got lots of Swiss HO and N standard gauge. I've got some pretty decent stuff second hand for the €35-€45/coach price mark (which is what they should cost new). I got what must be a pretty old Fürka-Ober alp loco that runs impressively well for €85. I'm sorry you have been so disappointed (so would I have been paying full price and getting what you got). That being said, depending on your set-up, if you're not 100% too bothered by what-should-go-with-what, you can have some fun in the gauge and not feel totally ripped-off by being patient with the second-hand market. As a potentially viable caveat, Bemo *may* argue that their target market is small compared to 16.5mm, etc. and that's why their stuff is so expensive/lower quality... But that would seem a pretty poor excuse...
And here is the answer from the retailer in Germany after contacting BEMO. " The body of the coach is normal like this and it not a reason for a reclamation. If you don't want to keep the cars you can of course send them back" In short according to BEMO quality standards, the bulging of side walls is normal.
Peter, if you're being told that the bulging of the side walls is normal, then you have been lied to - either by the dealer or from Bemo if the dealer did really contact them. The bulging of the side walls is not normal Bemo quality! I have over 80 Bemo passenger cars and they do not have bulging side walls. This is a fault. Also, Bemo does not have working close coupling on any of it's models. That design you show of the couplings is exactly the same as the HOm models.
I do understand your feelings, those situations are always very disappointing but, for me this is sold as it is for some reasons I’m going to explain better: I’ve seen It’s sold at St. Moritz Bahnhof and I’m induced to think that all others Glacier’s Bahnhöfe are reselling it. This package has been made for tourists, not real-modellers, and obviously this is , as far as I can imagine, a very “ toy souvenir for reach people “, and considering the ticket prices for train on panoramic cars, is it simply on the same spot. Just my 2 cents.
