Why is it so difficult to buy anything these days?

[Barrowboy]

Reading on here about members' recent experiences trying to engage with a couple of RIB manufacturers and the effort they've been forced to make in order to cajole, encourage or berate the manufacturers for information in order to move to a position where they're comfortable parting with their cash, makes we wonder just how much better off we all might all be if dealers, manufacturers and suppliers actually did what they promised and returned phone calls and emails?

Without wishing to rant (honest), I've experienced a number of situations in the past few months where, to be frank, if the dealer/supplier/agent had told me to foxtrot oscar instead of promising to provide me with information, genuinely requested as a natural part of the buying process, I could have saved myself countless hours of subsequent effort!

In no particular order, the following have missed out on business over the past 8 weeks just through failing to actually phone me back or email me:

Lexus (Liverpool & Ellesmere Port)
Towerbridge Insurance (existing customer)
NFU Insurance (existing customer)
Nine (yes nine) assorted Contract Hire and Leasing companies (the industry seems to be in a desperate state)
Two trailer manufacturers

The inescapable conclusion is that they either didn't want my business, have some desperate training needs that require addressing or are so bloated with their success they think there's no need to bother following up potential new business because they're so busy.

In all honesty, I've never known it be so difficult to spend money!

The opposite side of the coin of course is that the organisations which responded in a timely and professional way have been the beneficiaries of additional business.

Good luck to them.

[CJL]

Originally Posted by Barrowboy

Reading on here about members' recent experiences trying to engage with a couple of RIB manufacturers and the effort they've been forced to make in order to cajole, encourage or berate the manufacturers for information in order to move to a position where they're comfortable parting with their cash, makes we wonder just how much better off we all might all be if dealers, manufacturers and suppliers actually did what they promised and returned phone calls and emails?

Without wishing to rant (honest), I've experienced a number of situations in the past few months where, to be frank, if the dealer/supplier/agent had told me to foxtrot oscar instead of promising to provide me with information, genuinely requested as a natural part of the buying process, I could have saved myself countless hours of subsequent effort!

In no particular order, the following have missed out on business over the past 8 weeks just through failing to actually phone me back or email me:

Lexus (Liverpool & Ellesmere Port)
Towerbridge Insurance (existing customer)
NFU Insurance (existing customer)
Nine (yes nine) assorted Contract Hire and Leasing companies (the industry seems to be in a desperate state)
Two trailer manufacturers

The inescapable conclusion is that they either didn't want my business, have some desperate training needs that require addressing or are so bloated with their success they think there's no need to bother following up potential new business because they're so busy.

In all honesty, I've never known it be so difficult to spend money!

The opposite side of the coin of course is that the organisations which responded in a timely and professional way have been the beneficiaries of additional business.

Good luck to them.

I'm experiencing similar issues at this end. Frustrating isn't it?

Chris

[mick]

It seems to be that way with everything these days
I have bee trying to get hold of an electrician for 3 weeks they must have more money than me at the mo
I always try and see people in person these days cos no fecker rings back

[Dry Run]

Can't help but sympathise, some pretty sh1t companies out there when it comes to replying to genuine enquiries. However, be thankful you don't have to deal with local government!!! Let's not go there!

Your post was kind of a rant....... Do you feel better now?

[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by Dry Run

Your post was kind of a rant....... Do you feel better now?

Nah, nowhere near.

I've poured myself a glass of Ardbeg though...

[Chris Caton]

that was definitely a rant Tony, but I'd have to agree, maybe it's just that our hard earned dosh ain't good enough!

Mick, I could ask our Andrew for you to dork your wiring, but I fear you'd just spend all day talking defenders

[tony t]

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

that was definitely a rant Tony, but I'd have to agree, maybe it's just that our hard earned dosh ain't good enough!
:

It's an AGE thing we all expect to much when you get older it's called the Victor Meldew syndrome



Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[Chris Caton]

Originally Posted by tony t

It's an AGE thing we all expect to much when you get older it's called the Victor Meldew syndrome



Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

you could be right Tony, I've noticed a big difference since I turned 21

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

you could be right Tony, I've noticed a big difference since I turned 21

That's it I'm going to stay at 20 then

Can't even get a window cleaner around here

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Most companies have staff that are so removed from company profits that they hate the owner or organisation so much that they DONT care. It's just more work for them!!

Sole Tradesmen are awful, same every time. They're generally not good with people so have no staff and don't like being told what to do, so work for themselves. Usually have an overinflated ego and self absorbed.

Had so much trouble getting calls back/turning up/quoting etc for a variety of things over the years.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Most companies have staff that are so removed from company profits that they hate the owner or organisation so much that they DONT care. It's just more work for them!!

Sole Tradesmen are awful, same every time. They're generally not good with people so have no staff and don't like being told what to do, so work for themselves. Usually have an overinflated ego and self absorbed.

I think there may be a flaw in your logic here.

[biffer]

Well, we can't use sole traders and companies are useless what's to do, can I make a proposal of a mass suicide on Brighton beach on New Year's Eve, as health and safety are trying to stop people going in the water could be our last bit of fun


Sent from my iPad using RIB Net

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

I think there may be a flaw in your logic here.

Maybe so, but it appears that I may have missed my true calling in life - Sole Tradesman.....

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

- Sole Tradesman.....

There's an "R" missing there

[willk]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

There's an "R" missing there

Who do you work for again?

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Erm... The middle ground?

Small to medium sized generally owner managed businesses, well run firms that look after staff.

A significant operation of the UK economy.

Or do you only ever see sole traders and big faceless PLCs Poly?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

Who do you work for again?

A right terwat

[tony t]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

A right terwat

You resemble that remark Dave


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[Poly]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Erm... The middle ground?

Small to medium sized generally owner managed businesses, well run firms that look after staff.

A significant operation of the UK economy.

Or do you only ever see sole traders and big faceless PLCs Poly?

No but the original issue which triggered the thread was the apparent disinterest of SME boat builders in selling boats...

Your logic though was if you are too detached from fiscal performance you don't care about service/sales but then said sole traders were terrible. You can't get closer to the financial implications than being a sole trader.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

You can't get closer to the financial implications than being a sole trader.

I hear ya. However, he's gone and confused the matter by saying Sole Trader, when he means/originally said Sole Tradesman...