Order, what order?
- Thread starter FullCircle
- Start date
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Nor me, nor me Old Lad.
I could have swept impressively dressed into BYH on Saturday to all of your gasps of admiration.
Alas, I have only rags to wear.
Except for the new Crusader Magic Furl, to be delivered on time. Pity its blowing old boots this weekend, allegedly.
jellyellie
Well-Known Member
Have you told them this bit?
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
Jim, this sort of thing makes me so angry, over promising and under delivering is appalling way to treat customers.
If it's any consolation, you may find there is so much rain on Sat, that no one would have been outside watching you arrive any way.
If it's any consolation, you may find there is so much rain on Sat, that no one would have been outside watching you arrive any way.
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Stephen,
there is a lovely balcony.....
besides it don't rain much hereabouts. In my village we get less rain than Jerusalem. (True!)
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Sailfree
Well-Known Member
Is this a case of them knowing nothing until the sails are delivered from China for them to put their badge on??
Ask to see the actual sails progress if none cancel order and buy from the far east where they deliver on time.
My China sails have now done 2 seasons on the charter market and I am very happy. Bought at 60% of UK price from a UK agent that measured the boat, agreed the specification, and finally fitted sails on delivery.
I like to support my corner shop where possible but certainly when there is poor service in addition to high cost.
bilbobaggins
N/A
Don't hold your breath. According to the secretary this morning, who's been left to answer the phones, they're all out sailing - "A regatta, until next week.... They work long hours...."
Allegedly.
BlueSkyNick
Well-Known Member
My answer to this would have been "I dont care if you have started them or not, I still want my deposit back"
Poignard
Well-Known Member
I had similar trouble with a 'well known' sailmaker a few years ago. I placed the order months before the sail was needed but ended up chasing them for it at the last minute and they hadn't even started it. Then they rushed it and it came with the wrong slides fitted, causing me to lose a days holiday. I won't ever go there again. There's plenty of other places to buy sails.
Poignard
Well-Known Member
________________________________________________
Seems like a good recommendation. Would you mind giving the name of the agent?
bilbobaggins
N/A
maxi77
Well-Known Member
One suspects the reason you cannot see the sails being made is that they are being made to your sail makers design in China, apparently common these days.
Kurrawong_Kid
Well-Known Member
You should have been a Headteacher! Got the lingo. However don't lay a hand on the mamals or you know what.Pay Attention @ the back.
see my post
Ariadne
Well-Known Member
I think it just sums the ineptitude and lack of care from sail makers. I've yet to meet anybody who pleased with service and sail quality - normally one but not the other!
When I ordered a new main (from a well known sail maker in Neyland) I was promissed 2 weeks delivery - 2 weeks later no sail (the cloth suppliers cut it all wrong so we couldn't make it up), 2 weeks later it turned up (by now I was in Xhaven waiting to cross Biscay) wrong sliders fitted as they were too small, supposed to be loose footed but not, wrong shape as well. We had no choice but to sail with it but I did complain - send it back and we'll sort it out they said - at my cost!
All the sliders mast parted on the Biscay crossing - lucky we had heavy duty spares with us from the old sail.
Need a new genoa soon - any recomendations for a reliable sailmaker and a good rigger in the Ionian?
When I ordered a new main (from a well known sail maker in Neyland) I was promissed 2 weeks delivery - 2 weeks later no sail (the cloth suppliers cut it all wrong so we couldn't make it up), 2 weeks later it turned up (by now I was in Xhaven waiting to cross Biscay) wrong sliders fitted as they were too small, supposed to be loose footed but not, wrong shape as well. We had no choice but to sail with it but I did complain - send it back and we'll sort it out they said - at my cost!
All the sliders mast parted on the Biscay crossing - lucky we had heavy duty spares with us from the old sail.
Need a new genoa soon - any recomendations for a reliable sailmaker and a good rigger in the Ionian?
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Well,
as its my post originally, I will offer this.
Crusader have consistently, over 6 major transactions, been economical, helpful, on time, no screw ups, met all my wants, and have just delivered my gennaker furler - exactly on the day they said they would, with some additional Lewmar blocks fitted for me to try a rigging method for the furling we discussed on the phone. If it works, I phone them and they bill me for them, if it dont work, put them in an envelope and send them back for nought.
Cant argue with that.
as its my post originally, I will offer this.
Crusader have consistently, over 6 major transactions, been economical, helpful, on time, no screw ups, met all my wants, and have just delivered my gennaker furler - exactly on the day they said they would, with some additional Lewmar blocks fitted for me to try a rigging method for the furling we discussed on the phone. If it works, I phone them and they bill me for them, if it dont work, put them in an envelope and send them back for nought.
Cant argue with that.
Kurrawong_Kid
Well-Known Member
Sorry to learn of your disappointment! I think you are wise to await final result. "Cock-ups occur in all organisations-it's how they put them right that counts. If they do produce the sails next week with profuse apologies then all youv'e missed is what looks likely to be a windy weekend not propitious for hoisting brand new sails.
Some years ago I ordered a new genoa from an warlike sounding loft near a swimming pool. It arrived in late November and I did not hoist it until March when to my dismay I found it two feet too long on the luff! I was terrified I had stated the length incorrectly, but, no, it had been manufactured too long. Upon phoning the loft they arranged for a carrier to pick up the sail next day, returned the sail altered within 5 days, all as a matter of priority, at their busiest time of the year.
In later years I ordered another smaller genoa and a mainsail from them because I was impressed by their vigour in correcting their mistake.
Ironically I have just ordered sails from an aquatic loft that looks to be the same as yours so shall be very interested to read how you get on!
Perhaps it's the ""time of the year"! Last year I sent a fully battened in-mast furling main to a company which specialises in a very lengthy leech for servicing. Despite telephoning beforehand, when I tracked the parcel on Interlink Express, I was puzzled to find that it had been returned to depot. No reply from telephone, but left message on answerphone picked up by friend "holding the fort". Proprietor had gone on holiday for 2 weeks! Loft closed. Eventually managed to persuade Interlink to deliver to her at no extra cost but hassle for me. Did I ever get a word of apology? No! Did he get my order for a new main? No!
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
"Pass me the managing director please..."
John
John
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
It all does seem to bear out the old adage (if it's not an old adage it should be) that yottie businesses are run by yottie enthusiasts, not business people.
Robin
Well-Known Member
I've always wanted to use someone close who knows my boat and can measure up and give the best advice for what suits me.
I am lucky that Crusader are my local sailmaker. They have made now 13 sails for me over 3 different boats and every one has been excellent. In my case price is not the first requirement and I've always been prepared to pay a bit extra to get the best, but even with going for more expensive cloths and cuts (Hydranet Spectra/Dynema woven Dacron, triradial main and genoa,foam luffs, fully battened mains, even mizzen on last boat etc) I have found Crusader prices to be very competitive. They also did the complete re-rig and Furlex recondition on our current boat and the changes to 2 line slab reefing on all 3 slabs. All their sails are designed in house, cut in house and made in house and nobody speaks chinese.
I have bought boats with designer name sails but then replaced these in every case with BETTER sails fron Crusader, starting with a full suit of headsails, main and spinnaker on a half tonner, then a cruising ketch and now a fast cruiser.
I have no association with Crusader other than as a very satisfied customer for some 25 years. I have looked at and priced sails from other lofts but always kept the faith and ordered from the poeple I trust to give me what I want. There is a key here too, because IMO you need to talk openly with the people concerned so that everyone is fully aware of what you want. Some want cheap, some long lasting some pure performance but somewhere in all the compromises is one specification that really suits and (just) fits the budget!
