Perkins versus volvo.

[volvopaul]

Its not very often I compare services publically, however in my job I always have to discuss and defend Volvos pricing and service qualities.

Reason for this post is to tell all volvo engined boaters that you can 99% expect your parts the next day without fuss, however if you have a perkins and want/need geniune parts these days then forget it unless its either in stock at the dealer or at Finnings at Poole, or Diperk at peterborough, though they tend to refer you back to Finnings.

I have to date had 3 gaskets on order over a week now and still no sign of them about £5.00 in all, I ask myself why are they not in stock? surely the carriage from Belgium outweighs the cost of stock keeping especially as they are for the latest phaser based 225mti.

The still called dealers have to put up with this all the time, so a great step in the right direction for Perkins as they were aquired by Cat???

Summary, if you want it quick then make sure its green!

 

[Pendana]

I think I agree with you Paul. I tend to buy VP parts from Volspec and they usually come the next day. Even obscure things like the fuel line between the filter and the injection pump or shims for bearing box on sterndrive only took a couple of days.

I'm quite pleased with the parts service that volvo deliver.

Eddie

 

[Sneds]

2nd vote for Volspec from me!

 

[omega2]

Summary, if you want it quick then make sure its green

Do ford Sabre's count then? they are green, underneath the oil film!!

 

[burgundyben]

Summary, if you want it quick then make sure its green

Do ford Sabre's count then? they are green, underneath the oil film!!

I think in your case its 'If you want it quick head to the agriculture dealer'

I get my Perkins bits from commercial vehicle and the local farm machinery place.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Reality though is that Volvo can afford to hold stock at the utterly laughable prices they charge can't they?

I have a Perkins, and bar the few bits that are marine specific, frankly I just nip to the motor factors, and get them badged Austin, at 10% of the price of Perkins, let alone Volvo, and off the shelf....

I had to laugh last year when replacing the exhaust water injector elbow when I saw the Volvo prices. triple that of Perkins for the same part... and as for their clutch plates.... bloody hilarious! (I mean... who pays £599 for a bleedin clutch plate for a 50hp engine?).......

I can understand why you defend Volvo, but personally I am deeply offended by their extraordinary prices.... to the extent that I would NEVER buy a boat with a Volvo in it....

 

[volvopaul]

Still as of this time today, no parts dealer blaming royal mail now.

 

[shetland]

As a matter of interest how do Volvo arrive at the prices they charge for parts??

 

[late-night-lochin]

I've not had any problems with the supply of Perkins Sabre parts and they seem to be quite reasonably priced.

The current postal dispute may not be helping your case, some letters are taking five days at the moment!

 

[Latestarter1]

Perkins parts availability

With all deference to Ben you cannot get many of the 2000 Series six pot parts from ag dealer.

Sabre used to be brilliant until absorbed by CAT. Parts guys in Poole were true enthusiasts. Then the corporate CAT stuff kicked in. Ever tried having sensible discussion about Perkins Sabre with Finning in Cannock. Forget it!

If you are running equipment with large downtime penalties the cost of individual parts is pure semantics if you cannot obtain them. In the U.S next day before 10 AM parts availabilty is logistically difficult and expensive. In Europe it is the minimum standard. Years ago Volvo did a major push on parts availability next day, if parts did not show by promised time you did not pay. Truck operators still rated Volvo #1 for parts availability long after program ended. Smart marketing.

I am no lover of the green engines, but moan and groan they are #1 in Europe and not by chance.