Bad Service (no service) in Brighton

[milltech]

I had an overcharging problem and diverted to Brighton a week last Monday. I left the keys with Feltons and explained they could have the boat for 10 days, they said they would look at it for me. They told me they could not look at it immediately because their electrician was off but that he would be back on Wednesday.

Chasing to find some action I spoke with them on Tuesday and they assured me my boat would be looked at on Wednesday, (that's not the same Wednesday we've moved on a week during which nothing was done). Today is Thursday and I called for an update only to be told they couldn't deal with it because their electrician was off (again) and so they had passed the job to someone next door called Malcolm Threadgold and that I should get in touch with him.

I telephone and am told he looked at the boat Wednesday night but what he found or did is a secret he has kept to himself. Is he there today? No he isn't, can he be reached? No he can't, will I call tomorrow?

Shall I call from the train, what about the people coming with me? I don't specifically blame Malcolm Threadgold, I've never met him and he was obviously given the job at the last moment, but Feltons I do blame. To sit on a job until the 11th hour and then say they cannot handle it for a boat they know is in transit is hopeless and very blameworthy.

Why should I go on paying visitor berth rates waiting for nothing to be done. I am just a little peaked, spitting feathers actually.

Question. If I disconnect one alternator as we did at sea will I be doing any harm? The Gardners will trudge away happily without the help of electricity and the GPS can be driven on batteries anyway. I need to get on.



<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Col]

It won't hurt anything with Alt disconnected.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[mainshiptom]

I had the same problem,

Disconnected the alternator (make sure to write down colors of wires going where)Took it to car electrican fixed within a day !

Normally a diode (costs(5-7 quid)


Tom

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[David_J]

Our boat is based in Brighton. Four weeks ago we had the first service on our engine carried out by these people, just before taking the boat to the Solent for the Day Skipper practical. A week after the service we were just pulling off a fuel pontoon on the Hamble when we lost the flybridge engine control. It would go into gear and allow us to manoeuvre off but then no power. Later I found that the connection onto the engine had become detached. The connection from the lower helm position was loose as the two lock nuts were not locked and were merrily making thier way off as well.
Now checking these connections may not be on the tick box list from Volvo but wouldn't you think a decent engineer would cast an experienced eye over such things.
What the hell was he doing for the three hours of labour we got charged for. Total was over £200.
When I paid the invoice I wrote a letter explaining the situation in a polite way and asked for a reply. These people didn't even have the courtesy or decency to make a reply. Thats what really got to me.
In my work we just signed up a global co-operation with Volvo so stern letter to associates in Volvo Penta UK I think.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[milltech]

Re: Apologies may be in order

Have received a telephone call from the comapny, they too were surprised their sub had gone away and they've had someone on the boat today, so all may be OK and if it is I will come back to this on Monday and grovel and sing praises if praises there are.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Joe_Cole]

Re: Apologies may be in order

I hope so! Just hope that the overcharging of your battery doesn't become overcharging on the invoice!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[whisper]

Re: Apologies may be in order

Hang on !! The job will be atleast a week late if I read your first posting correctly. That's still poor service IMHO.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[kimhollamby]

John,

Malcolm Threadgould is a mate and one of the good ones. I know he is pretty busy this time of the year but can normally be reached -- did you speak with Sally in the office?

Sorry to hear this about Felton. That company got me out of a huge hole in 1999 when we had an engine come apart near the end of the round Britain trip and they put an engineer called John, now retired I believe, on the task of engine out, rebuild and back in all in time for Southampton.

Running an alternator disconnected generally not recommended I believe, although must confess I contrived to run one out of circuit for about four hours once thanks to wrong selection on a set of 1 and 2 battery master switches and it seemed to survive.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Col]

By disconnect, I mean remove drive belt, not wiring

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[milltech]

Re: Apologies may be in order

Well yes and no. It would seem bad practice to leave examination of the job until the last minute, but given that I told them they could have the boat ten days their time was only up yesterday, and last night they were working on it, (I'm told).

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[milltech]

Apparently Malcolm is in today and fitting regulator to BA as I write. As I was keen to say in the original post I hadn't asked him to do the work and wasn't pointing a finger, just recounting my personal experiences.

Whether this sudden burst of activity by everyone in Brighton is due to this thread, my fax to Brighton Marina, or Kim getting on the blower, I may never know but I am happier anyway.

To give them time to do the job today we decided to leave the boat until Sunday, Saturday being out for other reasons.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[whisper]

Re: Apologies may be in order

I stand corrected , again. /forums/images/icons/blush.gif. Actually, for the marine industry, doing a job within a week of the promised date is fantastic service.
I asked for something to be done before Easter and was promised it would be completed by the middle of April. Allegedly it was completed last Tuesday.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

Re: Apologies may be in order

/forums/images/icons/smile.gif however it is of course all our faults wanting everything done in April, May and Early June............

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[i_sail]

Well I know Malcolm well and can second Kim's post 110%.

Also I know Lee (manager) at Feltams well too, and he has always given me very good service. Trouble is (usually) the only situations that make the forum are the bad ones!!!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[whisper]

Re: Apologies may be in order

Yes, what an inconsiderate lot we are. We should all manage our breakdowns and disasters so that they are spread more evenly throughout the year. Perhaps other boaters in Salcombe can give me their diaries so that any problem that I can conjure up can be arranged for a week that is spare. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[milltech]

Final Report

Completion of post. Alternator finally fixed and delivered yesterday, repair was effectively organised by Malcolm Threadgould and the alternator delivered to my boat in Southampton.

The £487 bill gave me a bit of a turn for an alternator re-build, they come off the shelf in Southampton at £450 and I was hoping to save money, but he did remove it from boat, and although not a special trip he did deliver. All in all I am contented and would recommend his services should you need help in Brighton.

When I actually get the paper version of the bill I'll advise the name he trades under, having been passed on to him from one useless firm I have never known it.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by milltech on 25/06/2004 09:16 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[longjohnsilver]

Re: Final Report

Bloody hell John, that must be one hell of an alternator!

What's so special about it to cost that much? I'd have thort a new one would be £150 at the most! I replaced mine a few years ago and paid about £70.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[milltech]

Re: Final Report

It's like owning an old Bentley I think, it would be frowned on to stick a Mondeo engine in for convenience. I'm not sure about it mind you, I have no great fixation about keeping everything original, it just seemed easier at the time. I mean I didn't know it was going to cost that much when I started, it was only later when I heard another lifeboat owner had purchased a pair in Southampton this year and what they cost that I got a feeling for how much I'd need on the second mortgage.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com