Trader – does a leopard ever change it spots?

[glenndraper]

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[glenndraper]

He who has the last laugh and all that

 

[Gludy]

Thanks for all the ideas but I hope to not even be there on Trader open day - its in May and I should be down in Biscay.

Damage had been done to them and after the boat is fixed up and that just has to be within the next two weeks to even stand a chance oif organising the Cat service etc and escaping Emsworth, I shall be chasing compensation - I will report that blow by blow on the Ocean Deep forum.

I know that Trader has lost millions in sales directly due to my publication of my experiences. I have not gone out of my way to damage them for the sake of it, Only enough to ensure I get some actions. I need to continue in that vain and stay on the right side of the track for any future court case.

I really doubt if TC will agree to the compensation and refund of expenses so I do expect that to go to Court.

I have to drive down there again this weekend - lets hope I have a nice surprise and the promised jobs have been done.

Of course no one bothers to phone me to go through the list before I get there - I am a nuisance they would prefer to ignore.

I fully appreciate that the forum is just a small number of boaters but word does spread. Frankly if I had to I would place adverts pointing folks to a web site with the whole story, images and videos on it. If Trader leave me no alternative, they will find that I have many ways of publsihing thr truth to a very wide boating audience.

It would be so easy for TC to just care enough to understand just how much hell he has caused me for the last 18 months and just do the jobs and get rid of me. The fact that even now I am meeting the same old incredible attitude shows that he is really beyond hope.This is a company trying to launc new models onto the market!!! Do they not understand that repuation matters? Apprantly not.

 

[lenseman]

I notice that whilst describing the new Trader 64 on the front pf the brochure which is offered on-line, they (Emswoth), have got the wording spot on!!

And I quote:


"designed, engineered and crafted like nothing else."



See http://www.tradermotoryachts.com/range/sun64.html

 

[Gludy]

Yes- those words have never escaped me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have just remembered that others have tried the pole with a big warning notice idea.

At a Southampton Boat Show a customer walked up and down outside the Trader boats warning everyone just how bad they were. TC had him removed but he bought another ticket and did it again and was removed again. My heart goes out to that chap whoever he was. I really understand how he must have felt.

Its easy for TC to rubbish people who do things like that - have them painted as extreme, off balance etc. It does not seem to phase him. He is very experienced at dealing with unhappy customers.

IMHO to put Trader right it needs their chap out in taiwan to do his job right and ensure qulaity in build and it needs a total turn around in ownership - it coiuld be a good business.

 

[DougH]

Paul,

The sad thing is that once a Trader is properly sorted (from talking to Trader owners this takes 2-3 seasons) the boat is a very fine vessel and most owners are very satisfied.

Traders have a very loyal following which I would have liked to join but after working for 25 years in order to buy a boat such as the Trader 64 it would kill me to have the same or similar problems as you have experienced.

If Tony Chapell had attended to you boat faults to your satisfaction I would still have faith in him and would have placed my order for the Trader 64 after the sea trail.

 

[Gludy]

I agree with all of that.

The worst thing of all is the fobbing off and refusal to accept what is in front of their face. I spent 6 whole months trying to get my new boat fixed travelling down to Emsworth every weekend yet not once has anoyone actually apologised.

Even now, you would think they would be ashamed to have my boat there having major works done on it ... but no ... they do not devote the resources to it to get it all cleared and me boating.

This 2/3 years to get the boat right is not unusual, its the norm and it is a disgusting way to run a business.

My Spring plans for boat use are all upo in the air, it being impossible to plan anything in my second year of a totally new boat!

Once sorted I am sure I will like the boat - I would however never, ever deal with tarder again as the pain and amount of time you have to devote to doing their job for them is unacceptable.

I would also point out to anyone that I am not the exception.

 

[glenndraper]

Hi Paul, and all on this blog, Well what a day we have had, we have only just got back after a 4am start. We have been to see Geoff Willson at Aquastar in Guernsey.
What a delightful man he is! totally different to T.C
The Aquastar is the most wonderful craft - Geoff showed us round his factory ware he makes the boats - they are all hand made in Guernsey including the hulls - they are all hand laid glass fibre !!!! All the cabinet making is done on site and it is a truly incredible finish. The layout is perfect - large master suite across the stern and a guest suite fully transverse mid ships and a large twin in the bow.
T.C will not see us for dust - It only leaves me to truly thank you all - especially Paul for saving us from a fate worse than death itself. Paul I truly hope that your problems get sorted - and soon!!! If TC says that this blog cant hurt him - this is proof it can and has. He has lost a sale to me and I hope I never come across him again. Good luck to you all and I shall return to this blog to keep you all updated as to the build progress of our lovely new boat.

 

[SteveE]

Glen,

Good luck with your new baby.

Steve

 

[Gludy]

Glenn
I am delighted for you.

Believe me you have made the right decision. The Aquastar is a very good boat at a good price - I would love to see her when she is built.

TC refused to supply trader Wales - well the result is that he has lost the sale of another 64 - I find that truly amazing. I have done OK in business, many mistakes, many good things and overall OK but in all my experience I have never come across a company led so badly as Trader.

I have met the owner of an AquaStar and any problems he had were sorted by Aquastar without a fuss.

The Aquastar is also a much more substantial boat than the Trader 64 - its a bigger boat and they can tailor things to your requirements including low level in hull cleats like the 64 should you want them.

You actually make it 6 boats that I know about that have been lost to Trader after the buyers had read of my experience.

I am as pleased as punch for you.

I will sort the problems out and I will get compensation.

I am currently eyeball to eyeball with them. Easter is looming and its looking doubtful but I am not going to give in.

Keep in touch with her build - post photos on here, I think many would be delighted to follow the progress of her.

Look forward to sharing a drink with you one day.