Please take the time to read this informative service outline, before contacting me on any project you would like to order, thank you.

 The Kit Factory, is a small, "one man" operation, and produces only a few pieces every year. I worked several years as a Prop Maker, and Scenic Artist, in the media business. Which included Theater, Film, and TV production work. Clients included Paramount Studios, Warner Brothers, MTV Productions, Disney Productions, New Groove Concert Productions, Chevrolet Motors, Rorer Pharmaceuticals, Hawaiian Tropic, and many others. Scenics and Set work for musical acts, Neil Young, Steve Winwood, London Symphony Orchestra, Foreigner, The Moody Blues, Cheap Trick, Jefferson Starship, The Untouchables, Mister Mister, Iggy Pop, The Pretenders, and Alice Cooper. Scenic and Set work for Theatrical productions, Cats, Big River, and 42nd Street.

 A lot of patience is required from clients, this is not a fast  process. Prop Reproductions can take several hundred, or even thousands of hours, and they can be expensive. Less complex projects can be quite reasonable in cost, but if you want something truly amazing, the price will be set per hours required, materials used, and complexity of the project.

A date is set for production, that depends on how many other projects are in line already. The production schedule is always being filled by various types of projects from clients, media, and other sources, that require this type of work. Wait times of 1 to 3 years are standard, this should tell you that the items created here are in very high demand.  Beware of sellers who promise items of this type for extremely low prices, and promise to send them completed in a few weeks, you are very likely being ripped-off. This is the reality of shopping online in these times. Ask the right  questions, weigh the answers given, know what you are really ordering before sending any form of payment. "Buyer Beware", is still a very good piece of advice.

The Kit Factory is a fully licensed, and certified LLC. After a decade in this business, we can supply many references from satisfied clients! My personal promise to every client is that you will not be disappointed! Just read the "Client Comments" page, to hear what just a few clients had to say about their special order projects!

Clients usually submit the kit to be produced, and describe the options they want. Some kits are rare, and hard to find. Others need to be created, as they are quite unique and sometimes, very expensive. On these occasions, I have several suppliers who specialize in obtaining, or creating, these items. Just ask, if it's available, I can obtain it for you.

 A 50% deposit is required from clients who wish to reserve a time slot for the production of their project. For clients who pay with a mailed in cashiers check, or money order, rather than a Pay Pal payment, the mailed deposit must arrive within 10 days of completed negotiations, or the build will not be posted on the production schedule.

The other 50%, shipping and packing fees, are due upon completion of the project. Shipping is not included, and we only use UPS Overnight Air Express, or Air Saver Express, as 2 to 3 day Ground transports, and other less efficient methods, will destroy these very fragile constructs, no matter how good my packing methods are. Shipping prices always include insurance for the full retail value of the item.

As wait times can be in years, as these items take a lot of time to create, and demand is very high, I can also offer payment plans. Clients who are serious about ordering, but cannot pay the 50% deposit at that time, can choose this option. Depending on the project, clients can opt to send in a 15 to 20% deposit, and make monthly, or bi-monthly payments, of no less than 250.00.

This can make the purchase easier, and clients who choose this option can use the wait times to their advantage, and work within their desired budget. Clients must agree to pay at a regular time, and not turn me into a bill collector. The other advantage of this option, is that you reserve your slot, and lock in the the time that your project will start, and end. As orders are sporadic, and large projects can add several months, or even a year, in wait times, this ensures you will not wait even longer, should another project be scheduled. This option is not for everyone, but it may work for you.

Money orders, bank/tellers checks, must be made out to Simon Mercs. No personal checks please. Pay Pal payments can be issued by using the e mail: smercs32118@gmail.com

Once the project is completed, it must be paid off within 14 days of the notification of it's full completion. If you are unable to do this, due to an unplanned event or problem, simply contact me to work something out. If you do not make the effort to contact me before the 14 days expire, this will be considered a forfeit, and you will lose your deposit.

Once the item is shipped, it is your responsibility to unpack it carefully, following my instructions. Items are thoroughly tested and are intact upon shipping. If you discover any damage to the item during unpacking, call me immediately to work out details for repairs, or filing a claim. Thankfully, this is not a problem that occurs very often. Considerable care and attention is devoted to packing the item, so that it arrives safely to it's destination. I am not responsible for shipping damages caused by poor handling during transit. You are always welcome to pick up the item here, providing the distance does not prohibit you from doing so.

You will always be treated fairly,  and former clients will happily vouch for my integrity, and the quality items they received. Once we have agreed on a price and options you desire, the deal is set, no "last minute" changes are permitted once the project begins production. You can change options, as long as I have not yet begun building your project.

If we have only e-mailed each other in the initial stages of contact, the next step is a phone conversation, to finalize the details of your order. It's much more efficient to iron out details in one phone conversation, than hundreds of e-mails.  I can be reached at the service number or you can provide a contact number, and the best time for me to call you.

Clients get a weekly notification of their project's progress by e-mail, of new updates posted on the Workbench page. This gives you an "inside" look at how these detailed build-ups are created, and some tricks and tips for your own use. I also provide a CD-Rom of all images taken of the project, and a signed certificate of authenticity.

I  always request that you to read this policy statement before ordering.  By sending a 50% down payment, you confirm that you understand how the service works, and that you have taken the time to read and understand these "common sense" guidelines, by which it operates.   

 As this is a small operation, the production slots are few, and I can only produce a few quality pieces each year. Although rare, cancelled projects cause a lot of problems. Once a client makes an order, supplies needed to create the model or prop, are ordered immediately.

So if you order, please be sure about your purchase and your desired options. Deposits and payments, for production time slot reservations, are non-refundable.

In a case where a client wishes to delay their order, for whatever reason, an equivalent value credit, will be issued. This can be used at a later date, should you decide to put your project temporarily on "Hold", for an unforeseen situation. This credit can be used whenever a production slot becomes available, and results in no monetary loss to you.

Please order responsibly, to avoid delays, or other unforeseen situations. This is supposed to be a very enjoyable process, not a stressful incident.

 These are each unique "works of art", and are made for you, using your own personal specifications. Contact me for more information, on this unique Model, and Prop Display, building service.   

Simon "Papa Smurf" Mercs

OUR SHIPPING ADDRESS:

THE KIT FACTORY LLC

2665 NORTH ATLANTIC AVENUE

PMB # 338

DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32118

E MAIL: SMERCS32118@GMAIL.COM

WE ALSO PROVIDE CONSULTATIONS, TO MEDIA AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, THAT UTILIZE SPECIALTY LIGHTING, AND MINIATURE TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR CREATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS.

MODELING ADVICE TO NOVICE AND AMATEUR BUILDERS IS, AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN, FREE OF CHARGE.

CONTACT US FOR HOURLY RATE QUOTES FOR PROFESSIONAL APPLICATIONS.

1-386-295-7997 M - F 9AM - 3PM EST

PUBLISHED ARTICLES OF KIT FACTORY PROJECTS BY

SIMON MERCS

CLICK ON IMAGES TO PURCHASE THESE BOOKS AND MAGAZINES FROM REPUTABLE ONLINE SELLERS.

HIGH QUALITY BOOK ON TYPE VII-C U BOATS BUILT BY TOP NOTCH MODELERS. EXCELLENT REFERENCE MANUAL FOR U BOAT ENTHUSASTS. MANY COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS OF SUPERB MODELS BUILT BY ADVANCED MODEL AND PROP ARTISTS, FROM AROUND THE WORLD. MY ITALIERI VERSION IS COVERED, WITH ASSEMBLY PICTURES AND AN IN DEPTH ARTICLE.

HIGH QUALITY MAGAZINE OF THE INTERNATIONAL PLASTIC MODELING SOCIETY, PUBLISHED IN 2008. MANY IMAGES OF ADVANCED MODELERS AND THEIR TECHNIQUES. MY STAR TREK U.S.S. ENTERPRISE REFIT PROJECT, IS THE COVER STORY. VERY DETAILED ARTICLE ON THIS UNIQUE PROJECT'S CONSTRUCTION, AND SUPERB IMAGES OF THE PROCESS.

THE JUST RELEASED SCI FI AND FANTASY MODELER MAGAZINE VOLUME 27, (OCTOBER 2012) . THIS FANTASTIC MAGAZINE, IS A HARD BOUND BOOK STYLE, QUARTERLY RELEASED PUBLICATION FROM THE UK. BEAUTIFUL QUALITY IMAGES, ONE OF THE FINEST SF AND FANTASY MAGAZINES IN THE WORLD TODAY. PART 1 OF MY DETAILED U.S.S. ENTERPRISE E PROJECT IS IN THIS ISSUE. PART 1 COVERS ASSEMBLY AND LIGHTING TECHNIQUES. IN THE UPCOMING VOLUME 28, THE SECOND PART OF THIS ARTICLE, I COVER DETAILING, AIRBRUSH AND OTHER COSMETIC APPLICATIONS.

THE SECOND PART OF THE STAR TREK ENTERPRISE E PROP REPRODUCTION PROJECT ARTICLE, IS NOW OUT ! CONTAINED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF SCI FI AND FANTASY MODELER MAGAZINE, VOLUME 28, (JANUARY 2013). THIS SECOND PART OF THE CONTRUCTION DIARY COVERS THE EXTERIOR DETAILING DONE WITH AIRBRUSH EFFECTS, AND MINUTE HAND DETAILING. ALL THE ELECTRONIC TEST STAGES, AND ACTIVATION, ARE COVERED IN DETAIL. MANY HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES OF THE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES, AND FINAL BEAUTY SHOTS OF THIS ONE OF A KIND DISPLAY!