Does nobody want any business?!

[jcwads]

Well here comes my first rant on this forum.

I have contacted some contractors for a number of things in the last few weeks. I contacted a canvass maker who I have used before to do some repairs to my covers where there are some broken seams and zips etc. They said they would take a look over a week ago. They never got back to me despite chasing up and leaving messages. I contacted someone recommended to me to do a full replacement of my swim platform teak and full restoration of the teak in the cockpit, but silence for over a week now after the boat being looked at. I contacted a separate provider of synthetic teak to quote my boat being done but no call back. And finally I have been in touch several times will a well known instructor company who just didnt get back to me when they said they would about giving me a days tuition.

Am I just massively impatient or are people just not needing the work anymore?!

So, if anyone knows anyone decent in the Southampton / Hamble area for jobs mentioned above let me know as I am giving up on the people I have contacted.

 

[stelican]

Well here comes my first rant on this forum.

I have contacted some contractors for a number of things in the last few weeks. I contacted a canvass maker who I have used before to do some repairs to my covers where there are some broken seams and zips etc. They said they would take a look over a week ago. They never got back to me despite chasing up and leaving messages. I contacted someone recommended to me to do a full replacement of my swim platform teak and full restoration of the teak in the cockpit, but silence for over a week now after the boat being looked at. I contacted a separate provider of synthetic teak to quote my boat being done but no call back. And finally I have been in touch several times will a well known instructor company who just didnt get back to me when they said they would about giving me a days tuition.

Am I just massively impatient or are people just not needing the work anymore?!

So, if anyone knows anyone decent in the Southampton / Hamble area for jobs mentioned above let me know as I am giving up on the people I have contacted.

try again in the New Year

They have all started their Xmas holidays

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

try again in the New Year

They have all started their Xmas holidays

Or, much more likely imho, they are all under pressure to get stuff out for existing customers before the Christmas break starts at the end of next week. I get that the OP is feeling a bit let down, and I'm not unsympathetic, but trying to get anyone interested in new work in the three or four weeks before Christmas is always going to be tricky.

 

[BruceK]

Don't ever come North. ...sure we will do it but not today, not tomorrow, not next week or month and never on Tuesday, Thursday's or any day the Liverpool Arms is open for business. It's chronic

 

[Dill et Bound]

try again in the New Year

They have all started their Xmas holidays

So they are not busy then.

I am afraid the tradesmen of today are not of the same calibre of those old school artisans that used to put the customer first.

I have given up trying to get simple jobs done on the house and boat in the last couple of years.

I have an opinion that if there is nt an App for it then it is unlikely to get done.

I have taken to doing the work myself...

Its quicker.. And it avoids the feeling of needing to punch someone.

 

[stuartwineberg]

JB Yacht services, in my view the best canvas man around. However as others say, he will be flat out trying to finish the run up to Xmas. He will certainly talk to you though,

 

[oldgit]

I am afraid the tradesmen of today are not of the same calibre of those old school artisans that used to put the customer first..

Doubt much has changed since those mythical "Halcyon Days" that many wish for a return to.
With so many methods to contact a company requiring little effort and therefore commitment, suspect that many companies who services are in demand, may unintentionally do some sort of vetting.
Would especially apply to small bespoke companies supplying a local niche market.
Anybody actually calling in definately gets their full attention, after that ?

 

[Dill et Bound]

Anybody actually calling in definately gets their full attention, after that ?

I have a problem with that too..
The normal response after you have explained what you need done starts....
What you need to do is.........
At that point I already need to punch someone.

 

[burgundyben]

JB Yacht services, in my view the best canvas man around. However as others say, he will be flat out trying to finish the run up to Xmas. He will certainly talk to you though,

Defo JB. He is THE man for covers.

For the teak, try Martin Mitchell. http://www.mrmitchell.co.uk/

 

[Scubadoo]

I know how you feel had a similar problem last year, tried to get a quote from a local company in my marina, after speaking to him he never got back to me, after a few chase up emails etc, gave up, simply poor customer service. I suspect he was so busy it didn't matter to him, lost quite a bit of future business from me. Anyway, found another company and simply great work and now gets my business for anything I need doing.

 

[oldgit]

I have a problem with that too..
The normal response after you have explained what you need done starts....
What you need to do is.........
At that point I already need to punch someone.

Have just tried to get response from a upholstery company in Bristol, no luck so far.....will probably summon up the courage to ring fairly soon

 

[jcwads]

I think the problem for me is good old fashioned communication. I phone and speak to people in my communication and when they say they will do something you have an expectation that it will happen.

I don't understand why people cant just say "not this side of New Year" or " I cant get to you for x amount of time due to work commitments".

But hey ho, I will leave it for now, get some good old gaffa tape and seal up my covers as best I can, scrap using by boat over xmas as want tuition and ignore the teak platform that is full of wood filler and rubbish such as that and wallow in the poor customer service of boating contractors I have been in contact with.. !

Rant over lol.

 

[Firefly625]

JB Yacht services, in my view the best canvas man around. However as others say, he will be flat out trying to finish the run up to Xmas. He will certainly talk to you though,

never phoned me back after speaking to his wife several times...

 

[Jim@sea]

If you are stuck for a Canvass Maker you could try people who repair Horse Rugs, the cheaper rugs are made from canvas.

 

[Montemar]

I have found that tradesmen rarely if ever call back with a price or whatever.
Is there a Checkatrade for marine suppliers?
We are just having a new CH boiler fitted by a chap who had a top Checkatrade rating and he is excellent from turning up to quoting to working efficiently. It is so refreshing to find it is possible.

 

[petem]

I took a call yesterday from a customer who was having a hell of a job even getting a price from a competitor of mine. Was great to be able to give them a price on the phone and send them artwork within the day.

 

[stelican]

Marine Check a trade never!

 

[volvopaul]

Hi Johnathan.

Karen at A1 covers for your canvas repairs , always been reliable I’ve used her for years.
You will find that companies you ask for repairs put you to the bottom of the Q , I’ve been there with others mentioned in posts , waste of time , they just want to make new ones .

Teak I’ll send you Steve Brickwoods number he’s brilliant .

Glad you don’t need any VP work I’d hate to see my name on here !!

 

[SEARANGER ANCASTER]

welcome to the world of marine suppliers ! Found this problem years ago and as I run my own business and jump at any enquiry , if they dont reply to me first time , I go elsewhere. Ridiculous having to chase people to give them business but seems pretty common in the boating world for some reason.

 

[Spring_Breeze]

It's really hard to get tradesmen this time of year. I've had the same problem.