LIBS The Other Side

[JonBrooks]

Having just got back from LIBS and read some of the postings regarding it, I thought I would post from an exhibitors point of view.

We (Icom) found the show great from many angles:-

Getting in and setting up was so much easier and faster.

The fact that it is all on one level meant we got a steady stream of customers all day rather than waiting for 2-3 hours for people to come upstairs then surging onto the stand!.

The show was far better attended than last year, even without the offcial figures it was easy to see.

The staff at Excel are far more helpful and easy to get on with, not so many "JOB-WORTHS" If you had a problem they did everything they could to help.

The whole feel of Excel is that of a modern, fresh venue.

Downside:-
Opening hours, National Boat Shows should listen to the exhibitors and not be concerned with greed (IMHO) Late night's don't work well.
Not one exhibitor I know likes the opening hours!

After hours facilties were a little poor if you were staying in the Hotels near Excel.
We were fortunate to be in Canary Wharf so had all the Bar's etc in walking distance.
Also not many of you guy's came and said "hello" would have been good to meet a you, are well.

In all, a well set out and well attended show, a new lease of life into a old show.

Just the thoughts of a humble exhibitor.

Regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[ChrisE]

I'm glad that you found the new venue an improvement, as did I an attendee. Please don't dump the late nights though, for those of us who work in London the late night Thursday is our only chance to visit

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[tcm]

Re: icom

aha! i was gonna come and see you! where do i get one of those teeny bits of plastic on an M1V that holds in the battery - cos the screws have pulled through on one of mine, and now i've lost the blimmin tiny bit of plastic too ...

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[Sinbad1]

Re: icom

You were lucky you didn't!!!

I waited on their stand for 20 mins whilst they chatted to their mates who were occupying two of the only 3 seats they had available and when I politely asked if someone could sell me their products they said no....you have to go to one of the dealers!

A waste of time.

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[JonBrooks]

Re: icom

sorry you feel you have had a bad experience from us.

this is not normal, if they were "mates" then they would have been left waiting whilst the custmer (you) was delt with.
we try to have a laugh and a joke with everyone we don't reserve this for "mates"
I would hope that they were other customer that were being delt with.
If not I will take it in a very dim light as my staff on the stand will confirm!!

In the same way that you can not buy direct from Furuno, Raymarine, Simrad and Garmin ( to mention a few) we do not sell direct to the public but support the huge number of dealers around the UK.
This is everyone from small boat yards and chandlers right through to large super stores.

But unlike some if you by an Icom in the UK the you are one of my customers and are treated as such.

This is the same in every walk of life, you can't buy a Focus direct from FORD, you can't get a cooker from NEFF, you can't buy a phone from NOKIA.

Once again sorry you felt you had a rough ride.

Best regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[tcm]

In praise of ICOM

well, jb has just helped me out with the bits needed to restore my vhf to pefect condition, and it's pretty good he puts his head above the parapet here too. So 10/10 for icom in my book.

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[Cantata]

Re: In praise of ICOM

I live not far from ICOM's base in Herne Bay and have found their service dept utterly brilliant. No I don't work for them and I don't often utter praise either!

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[Novice]

Re: Sorry, but I had a bad experience too

I went to the LIBS on the first Saturday. Having bought an ICOM601 at SBS last year, I was interested in details of the new handheld, and I also wanted to know what sort of speaker is needed in order to use the foghorn and hailer functions. In spite of looking pointedly at the handhelds on display, the staff remained huddled around the desk in the corner and ignored me. I left the stand after 5 mins. There was no-one else on the stand when I was there.

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[bob_tyler]

Re: Sorry, but I had a bad experience too

Surprised that you did not think of saying "excuse me" or similar. Having worked in many shows in many different industries, including LIBS & SBS, I know that a good number of visitors just like to "survey" and will ask for help when needed. I hate pushy salesmen in shows.

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[Novice]

Re: Sorry, but I had a bad experience too

Why is it then that on a lot of the other stands the people manning them would have no problem coming up to me as I walked onto the stand and greet me in some way? I consider this standard practice at this kind of event.

Perhaps I caught them at a bad time - noon on the first Saturday? I posted to this thread, because something wasn't right on the Icom stand, and wanted to give the feedback. It doesn't mean that I'm so upset I'm going to warn people off Icom from now on, or rubbish their gear, I simply would like to help improve their customer service.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Re: Sorry, but I had a bad experience too

Slightly earlier in the day we wandered to the Blakes Lavac Taylors stand to look at a Lavac and received totally the opposite experience. Obviously the stand was quiet, but the guy spent an excellent 15-20 mins talking to us, although we would not be buying through him, but from a dealer. First rate.

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"

 

[robp]

Re: Sorry, but I had a bad experience too

No, don't agree. I've run more shows than I care to remember. I also know that as a visitor, I don't like being approached too early. I want to be allowed to look first. It's a fine line and if someone on my stand begins to look at all expectant, I will simply say "shout when you need us". Then he/she should get near as possible immediate attention.

Full marks for being on here too.

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[JonBrooks]

Re: Sorry, but I had a bad experience too

Whilst I am sorry for those who feel we let them down because we did not pounce, I have to say in our experence it is better to let the customer have a nose first.
It is a very fine line and sometime we get it wrong, sorry.

We get moaned at for letting people browse, we get moaned at for not letting them browse. dammed if you do dammed if you don't I guess.
I don't like to be pounced on as soon as I walk on a stand or into a shop.

We pride ourselves on the service we give and work hard to reach and maintain a very high standard.
I will take all the comments on board and look at improving things for next year.
Maybe a sign " If you need help ask, we don't bite, well only after a few beers!"
or something simular but I will look at it with the team I take.

If any of you have un-answered question please feel free to contact me of list.
Happy to help.

If you need help then ask. There is plenty that do including the rude ones who butt in whilst you are mid flow with a customer, I really hate that with a passion.

Once again all I can say is sorry at this time and promise to work at it for our next exhibition.

Best regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[robp]

Re: A sign

As I was making my post, I made a mental note for exactly that! Next show in my game, will be signs, "If you need us just shout"

We all learn in our early days - Never ask "Can I help you?". So it gets a bit tedious coming up with lines like "That's a fine wig you're wearing sir, I bet our 6 Watts of audio power could blow it away in a jiffy!".

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[JonBrooks]

Re: A sign

the other one to break the day up is the "word of the day" game.
you task the staff with fitting in a strange word during conversation with the customers.

highly amuzing at times.

Regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[TheCount]

Re: Sorry, but I had a bad experience too

I also bought an Icom 601 from Southampton last year and it was incredibly difficult to find out from anyone about the loudhailer. I managed to find the exact thing this year at LBS on the SW Group stand (Made by Eagle and less than £30-a proper job!) also got the Icom 31 handheld from them. Top marks to Kevin (I think) at SMG and also to Icom for their products if not always for their attention. If you want SMG Phone no. Contact me and I shall look it out. I noticed other outfits doing them as a complete package at the show-aerials and all!!

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[Rabbie]

Simple suggestion to exhibitors at LBS

'Excuse me Sir. May I help you in any way or would you just prefer to browse'. Its not rocket science.

<hr width=100% size=1>There is nothing wrong with sex on television. Unless you fall off!..

 

[robp]

Re: A sign

Ah yes, I knew someone who worked in a chandlery and did this. Surprised he didn't get hit at times!

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[TheBoatman]

Re: In praise of ICOM

I have to agree!
My YC uses Icom equipment and whilst I have to buy it from a "dealer" I have been to the Herne Bay site and have always been welcomed with open arms and dealt with quickly.

Well done lads?

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