Hospital food

[lanason]

Wel if you lot missed me in the last few weeksw it's because I have been in hospital for over a week. I was rushed in with a Kidney stone attack at 4am in the morning on the Saturday just over a week ago. I must say that I was in a NHS hospital and the food was excellent, seriously, for mass catering it was was really good. Nursing staff great, and the hospital layout and facilities wonderful.

However yesterday after x-rays and scans last week, and a kidney drain inserted into my back, the decision was to send me home. To come back in 4 weeks, four weeks to "see how I was getting on". I then mentioned to the Junior Doctor that I had Private Health care............ Two minutes later I met the consultant for the first time and he will operate on Friday.

Mmmmm am I being cynical or did the ££££ signs make a difference. I think the same thing happens everywhere in life .... even buying a boat - would I get different treatment from the broaker if I turned up in an old banger looking for my first boat as opposed to a flashy brand new Luxury car. Well over the years I've experianced both and too right it makes a massive difference.

So most of us who owns boats must have a healthy income to be able to indulge this pastime ....... so have you experianced a change in behaviour when they work out that you CAN afford it ???????????

Adrian

/forums/images/icons/smile.gif <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>Kelisha Pics</A> /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[lyc]

Hope it all goes OK and get well soon

 

[Johnjo]

Yes you are fully paid up member of the Cynic Society.
Seriously thou, Kidney stones very painful Ihave being told.
Don't they nuke them these days as well?
Got taken in last year in the middle of the night ,Gall stones ,
Absolute agony,
Was in within a week, Excellent treatment,really good meals,cannot praise
them enough. Good luck
Mike

 

[tcm]

Re: ailments

We boaties are very interested in ailments whether to selves or boat. I personally like it in france where the v attractive chemists girls seem to wear nothing under their white coats and whilst you attention is diverted they will sell you a chandlery-style bag of at least 20 quids worth of drugs even if all you thought you asked was the directions to the bread shop.

More seriously, I am pleased the NHS is getting better. They need to concentrate more omn nice tellys in reception, having more of the aforementiones girls in white coats and perhaps some carpet too. Unfortunately they don't need any more doctors cos of course the better the fix people up the longer they live, only to return and increase the queues by 20 years or more.

Hope you are ok anyway!

 

[TwoStroke]

Unfortunately it does matter.

When the fiancee went into hospital at the beginning of the year, the doctors were very good, but the ward where they put her was awful. Food non-existent!!! I then mentioned we had BUPA and within a few minutes had organised to move her into their BUPA ward. The treatment she received was of a lot higher standard then. It was more like a four/five star hotel.

The same goes for salesmen when they know you can afford it - although I do prefer to go in an old banger - sorts out the good from the bad. I'm experienced myself and have the perfect tale to relate:

Quite a few years ago, a gentleman walks into the showroom after parking his old car - bit of rust etc... All the salestaff don't want to approach him - dressed like a hippy, long hair, open sandles, looking a little scruffy and tired.

The daft thing is, I deal with him and buys his chosen Saab - also wants a different paint scheme which I accomodate with our bodyshop (all extra cost) plus further options not on the factory list. Brings out his AMEX card to pay for the whole deal there and then. Name on card is Lord ..... (privacy). Specialist computer consultant. Because of the way I dealt with him, he has now sent his colleagues to me for their cars.

From that day on you just never know what people are truely like.

Treat it more like a game, sitfting the good from the bad. You're the one writing the cheque and let them know that!! Especially the bad ones as you walk away and then see their faces drop.

Hope it all goes okay though!!!!

... I want to be back on the water!<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by TwoStroke on 08/10/2002 11:53 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[ari]

" The same goes for salesmen when they know you can afford it - although I do prefer to go in an old banger - sorts out the good from the bad. "

Can't quite see the logic in this....

So you turn up deliberately looking like someone who can't afford it in order to um... Nope, don't get it.

I'd much rather a salesman knew damn well I was a genuine prospect from the off personally. Bound to get better service/more attention whatever that way surely?

 

[tcm]

Re: more fun tho

Much more fun too turn up either a bit scruffy (but so they'll stil let you in) or with kids. Kids always make people look poorer, becos they look normal, and the kids muck about like they all do. Then buy the massive car or boat. This is a great hoot.

Seriously, tis true that you can find out if they are gits or not. At work the most challenging customers often aren't the rich ones but the smaller ones for whom the expenditurte is actually a (proportionally) bigger deal.

 

[TwoStroke]

Put it this way - if I have to dress up smart, turn up in an expensive car etc... and show I can afford it before the salesman will pay me any attention - I won't deal with them. Their service level is determined by how large a cheque you write. No thanks. Fine if you want a one off sale - not the way to build a long lasting business.

The good ones I've come across find out very effectively if you can afford it or not anyway. These I've found give me better service in the long run. They're not after a quick one off sale.

... I want to be back on the water!

 

[TwoStroke]

Re: more fun tho

Haven't any kids yet...

Will have to try that one though - make them work a little harder for their money!

I wonder if I can borrow the neighbours kids for a couple of hours - try this one out.

... I want to be back on the water!

 

[ari]

Fair enough.

But personally I want the guy to know from the off that I'm not wasting his time, and I'm sure they get plenty that do. I'm not really that bothered whether he is a "git" to the tyrekickers, only really interested in how he treats me to be honest.

Take it to the extreme. A couple of 17 yr old Max Power boys roll up outside a Porsche dealer one sunny afternoon in their subtely modified Nova, baseball caps on backwards, ears bleeding from the Boom Box in the back on maximum attack. They wander in and approach the salesman with a cheery "alwight mate, any chance of a blast in the 911 out the front is there?"

And imagine it is the third time it's happened that day.

Now they might have just won the lottery, or sold some fabulous computer game they invented to Sony last week, but put yourself in the salesmans shoes for a minute, what would you think..??

 

[EME]

911 Dealership

I'd think I'm really glad that I was nice to that kid from the Boy Band ho came in at 0900 , cos he's just sent his second set set of mates round and between them it looks like I've just sold 5 Porsche 911s today.

Always qualify your customers NEVER assume. i get a kick out of finding good thorough salespeople, I then KNOW I am dealing with a PROFESSIONAL focused successful company.

Sunseeker Agents ????? R U listening?

...I wanna boat please..

 

[TwoStroke]

Point taken.

Yes you do get those trying it on, and it's fun seeing how serious they really are (ve ave vays of finding out).

I've been in this industry a long time now and dealt with such a varied cross section - it's where my best sales have come from!



... I want to be back on the water!

 

[tcm]

your example is somewhat extreme. But interesting.

A few years ago i bought a jag, think i've told the tale before. I called the local dealer for a test drive. I'm sorry sir, said the salesmane, we don't do test drives.

"Okay" I said "I'll tell you a story. When he was 18, my younger brother walked into your shop. He was scruffy and young and asked about an XJ12. Your salesman was not at all helpful. A week later he returned, driving an XJ12, and asked the rather shocked salesman about servicing. Time went by and the salesman moved on. When he was 21, brother returnd to same dealership, yours, and asked about an XJS. Having parked his old car some distance away, the new salesman with unenthusiastic and laughed that XJS's were rather expensive in a very disdainful way. Brother returned again with XJS, which now 2 years later is up for sale with an offer on it. I think that you are maybe learning bad attitudes and should see each new person in new ways. I especially think that you should bring round an XK8 this afternoon, and if we like it we might buy two". And he did, and we did.

(XK8 bit crap tho after a while, and the salesman got promoted to another branch so didn't buy XKR)

But tru.

 

[ari]

Re: 911 Dealership

Ah, but did kid from Boy Band turn up in a knackered Nova??

Interesting subject, I'm not saying you're wrong. Just a different approach.

And as to finding best salesmen, well yes, laudable, right up until the point where you realise Mr. Supersalesman is selling Protons, and you wanted a Porsche. Still, he's much nicer chap and look at the trade in price he's just offered you for your Nova!!

 

[tome]

Spot on. I'm naturally a scruffy sort of dresser, and had some grief from a young Merc salesman who was rude about my trade in. So I bought elsewhere, but made a point of going back for my first service.

Ho ho ho! Should have seen his face - it was a picture, and the little a***licker followed me round trying to be nice to me. I enjoyed his discomfort but told his boss I didn't want anything to do with the little creep.

Yacht brokers don't seem so gullible in my experience - maybe I've been lucky.

 

[EME]

Gullible brokers ??....

................apart from Sunseeker agents. I know I go on about them but NEVER in my life have I met such a rude arrogant bunch. I honestly believe their sales training for new boats involves memorising pictures of F! drivers and soccer cards to identify potential customers.

Given the agencies that I have dealtwith are independent of Sunseeker International . I would seriously reconsider my sales strategy if I were a Mr Braithwaite.


Hacks me off 'cos it gave my missus perfect excuse 2 year ago not to buy one. !!

I like to thing that thebest aspects of Cutomer service are inherent in every good salesperson. Simple as that , XK8 purchaser or Proton purchaser. P.S. Good salesmen tend to migrate to best companies 'costhat's where they can make best money. I said good NOT larrupy.

...I wanna boat please..

 

[ari]

Re: Gullible brokers ??....

Aaaaahh but.

Do you ever wonder whether Mr. Proton Salesman is so good and attentive to every customer cos he HAS to try much harder to shift 'em?

It's a tricky subject though, I remember having a Japanese car some time ago, and Japanese car dealers are famous for their customer service, and rightly so in my experience. The guy I dealt with was the best ever, and a very good reason for sticking with the brand. Unfortunately I just didn't like the car (or any of the range all that much. Too bland).

Point is, much as I'd have liked to keep going back to that garage for the customer service they provide, having the car I want is much more important.

The interesting thing about this thread (and it is fascinating, I'm not trying to criticise anyones approach here) is that only last week my good lady and I went to look at a quite nice car at a quite nice car dealership.

And we conciously wore nice clothes, best Rolex etc. Not dressed up in a suit like it was an interview or anything, I'm not saying you should have to go in Sunday best, but nice shirt, expensive shoes and so on, and we did this because I didn't want any suggestion that I wasn't "in the league".

Another related point, I always make a point of being polite and "helpful" (not quite the right word) to the sales guys. "Need to take that call? No problem, we'll go and help ourselves looking at the car, come over when you are ready". Now a lot of people would be all "sod the phone sunshine, we're the customer, damn well treat us nice you lacky" but I reckon that for me, my way works best and I'd like to hope it might get me that bit better service, and maybe even that bit better deal....

Each to their own, I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong (just thinking it!! JOKE!!!)

 

[hlb]

Re: Gullible brokers ??....

Ah but. for some mysterious reason, I usualy find my self, driving past a garage with a car in it that I fancy. Now I can guarentee that I've just been taking some mucky part from work to be mended or been painting the ceiling at the time.

<font color=red> No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Haydn

 

[TwoStroke]

Re: Gullible brokers ??....

Ari, without knowing what your looking at it's difficult to advise what would be a good deal here.

From my experience, the higher up the marques you go, there is less movement on the deal - mainly because the dealerships tend to have smaller allocation slots from the factory and have to make each sale count that much more - unless you are a corporate / fleet client (which we are - not deliberately trying to blow own trumpet).

If you would like our advice as to whether a good deal is being offered. please PM me.

Service wise, if you're happy with the salesman - then he's doing his job right.

With regards to Mr Proton - I would of thought that the Mr Porsche salesman would have to try harder. There may be less competition for him but they don't sell in volume - he still has to pay his mortgage at the end of each month. Unfortunately we all know it doesn't always work like that. 'Tis a shame.

Best of luck with the deal.


... I want to be back on the water!

 

[ari]

Re: Gullible brokers ??....

Twostroke, cheers for offer of advice.

Not going to do anything about the car at the moment though, but appreciate the offer.

Ari.