UK Companies are useless!! - Well some of them anyway

Z

zebedee37

New Member
BB Longman had his recent problems with "Superlites" - However is it a British thing to have lousey customer service??

I am seeking a company that can supply auxillary rear springs for my estate. I contacted by phone last week with my query one, that has been mentioned on these forums as a specialist and whose MD has made postings here. I was promised an immediate call back, I also provided my email address. I followed that up with an email.

The response so far, an automated email reply last week promising an answer within 24 hours. PAH!!

Not many organisations realise this - BUT - Good customer service results in repeat business. If customers get poor service they look elsewhere.

I always try UK suppliers before others - I am starting to ask myself WHY???????
 
If I am correct in identifying the company that you are referring to...

The managing director damaged her back last week and has been bed-ridden. I have no connection with the company, but she posts (more regularly) on another forum that I visit.
 
Hi Ralph I suspect you are correct, However it wasnt the MD who was going to respond to my query, but one of her colleagues.

Having spent weeks unable to move in the past due to a back issue - she has my sympathy.
 
my sympathy to her as well,
what she needs is a nice P6 to ride around in and not one of those little pocket rocket cars, (they are very bad for bad backs all that ducking to get in them etc,) :blues:
 
In the morning I'll be measuring the auxillary springs fitted to my old transit camper. If they are close I'll get another set and adapt them!

I have now contacted a couple of places this side of the channel. Whilst they came up trumps by actually replying - Their answer was in the negative. - But at least they did what they said they would - ie respond after checking their stock and records.
 
Hello...this is my first post to this forum. Sorry chaps, it is not too good....

As an ex-pat living in Austrlia, I am always willing to support UK companies. However, I need to be pretty convinced of good service, as follow up can be tricky.

I tried to make a purchase from a VERY well known P6 supplier in the UK a few months back. His website said he had the part I was lookiing for and that the "original" part was 35 pounds. I made enquiries as to the part, and whether it would fit my 1972 P6 (quoting parts numbers from my parts manual. I took my car's steering apart to send this supplier a photo of my part, was promised a reply and then.... heard nothing. After 2 weeks I decided to give the supplier a prompt, and was told the part would fit, but was now 65 pounds. It sounded like gazumping to me. I was so unsure of the service, I didn't bother. Surely it doesn't take much to 1) Offer the part your selling at the price you want, 2) Be prompt with answers to genuine enquiries. I'm still looking for the part, by the way! Probably NOT from the UK, which makes me feel very sad.....I have very good dealings with Books, DVDs CDs and other bits and bobs from "home"....

Rick
 
Hi Rick.

Probably the reason UK industry has gone to the dogs. UK cant compete on price so has to provide excellent Customer service which in many cases just doesnt happen.

By the way - I am still awaiting the response from the well known company I contacted twice!!

Should their MD place another post on this forum - I have an answer ready!!
 
zebedee37 said:
Should their MD place another post on this forum - I have an answer ready!!
Click to expand...
could I be going clarvoient? But I have the feeling your reply would be some what short and abrupt, maybe I should try to get a job onn tv they seem to like psychic show at the moment :cool:
 
And if they cant be bothered to reply to a query from a prospective customer. That doesnt bode well for after sales service either.

Its daft - You are shoving money under their noses and they just can't be bothered to take it!

How NOT to run a business
 
Hi Ian,

Thanks for your offer of help. Unfortunately this is probably the wrong part of the forum to answer you as it was an indicator arm!! It was the topic that caught my eye!!

However....My arm is/was just about worn out (it can happen!) but I think I've found a fix....2 part epoxy putty... At least this repair can't be seen...which is fairly important because the car still looks good after all these years..of course, it's a Rover!

Cheers,

Rick
 
On this side of the pond, in lieu of a straight answer on parts inquiries I am often told: "That thing belongs in the Smithsonian."
I will send it , if they will pay

Dick West
 
This one is aimed at Rick.
Mate, I feel your pain. Where I live in Sydney if its not a Rice Burner or Ford/Holden good luck getting bits for it! However, pop on down to your nearest Supacheap Auto and ask for the listings for the P6 and you will be pleasently surprised. I got a full set of polybushes for the new V8 I am building for $200!!!!
Magic really since they also have the contacts to get brake rotors and assorted other bits.
As for the rest in England. I WISH I could call a place down the road for parts, instead of making my own or paying through the nose for freight charges, to get heavy bits of metal shipped halfway round the world. :(
Overnight shipping would be good too...........
Cheers
GUY :)
 
I was in Germany this summer and we were discussing this subject. The anecdotal evidence was that if you send an email to a German company you get a reply almost immediatly if you send one to a UK company you might get one if you're lucky!

Not all are bad though and my attitude is if they can't be bothered then tits to them. There is usually more than one source for a product and i'd rather give my money to someone who deserves it.

I have recently been in contact with a company in Japan to negotiate the import of some motorcycle accessories. They really know how to do business. Contact is always polite, prompt and honest. It is an absolute pleasure to deal with them.

As to the springs that you're ordering Fenton. Are you referring to the person who enthusiatically talked of uprated spring kits for the P6 earlier in the year? I pointed out to them that the main hurdle to fitting uprated suspension on the P6 was the difficulty of changing the front springs. Their reply suggested the point had gone in one ear and out the other. I'd look for another supplier.

Bennet
 
Hi Bennet

It was indeed. I need auxillary springs for the rear of my estate as Im planning to add an LPG tank etc.

Called the very same company - very enthusiastic they were, promised me an immediate call back and I followed up with an email.

Call back didnt happen and all I got from the email was an automated response.

You are right though - stuff em!!
 
Now that you mention it...........I just remembered it has been months since I sent an Email to a UK company mentioned in this forum, requesting information on fiberglass front wings. Haven't heard yet, so I guess I concur with the rest of the comments here.

Dick West

(Of course I get the same treatment from my lawyer)
 
Oh I'm going for LPG too. You may be interested to know that it is possible to run the car on LPG only.

I'm fitting a system using an injection manifold and throttle body with a vaporisor on the end of it. Means you can take out the fuel tank and replace with LPG. Not to much extra weight and a lot simpler than dual fuel. Fuel lines will be left in place and the carb/fuel tank stored if I need to revert back again.

Cost is £30 for a SH manifold and throttle body and about £450 for a DIY kit to suit.

I have spoken to a number of other people who are running a similar system and are very pleased with the results. This includes someone who is running a supercharged 3.5 putting out 300 odd bhp. Still doing 16mpg on LPG!!
 
Keep me updated on your progress!

Unfortunately the powers that be over here do not allow DIY installs, and the paperwork that has to accompany the system is something else!

However with LPG at 25p a litre its worth the hassle!

I was thinking of replacin,g the fuel tank with the biggest possible LPG one in its stead and having smaller petrol tank fabricated to fit around it.

Having experienced on my last trip to the UK with my LPG camper - a dearth of LPG stations in some areas, I was glad to be able to flick the switch to petrol!
 
You could install the manifold and throttle body yourself and get a company to plumb in the rest of the kit as per a standard installation. That way you will have all required paperwork and the cost should be the same as per dual fuel.

I had exactly the same idea as you regarding the smaller petrol tank but once I found out pure LPG is possible I abandoned the idea.

Realise that you are putting yourself at the risk of running out but the LPG stations are there and you just have to plan your route to include fuel stops. Anyway if the worse did happen theres always the AA or RAC.

Let you know how I get on but it's probably a project for early next year now. I've got the manifold and throttle body on it's way from an ebay seller so there some cleaning and painting to get on with meanwhile.

Bennet
 
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