Why can't people do things properly?

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Why can\'t people do things properly?

Agree about doing work by the time agreed - but complaining about the sheets being round the wrong sides of the shrouds has rather lost any sympathy.

 

[alldownwind]

Re: Why can\'t people do things properly?

[ QUOTE ]
I was told £150 for a shroud and this turned out to be the labour. Plus parts and VAT and the total was £247.

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Blimey I thought you had a M31 not Mirabella V !!

 

[whipper_snapper]

Re: Why can\'t people do things properly?

[ QUOTE ]
first time I tacked I found out that they'd left the genoa sheet inside the shroud.

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Personally, I would have kept quiet about that! IMHE one of the things that distinguishes good sailors from mediocre sailors is that they seem to be able to wander apparently aimlessly about the boat but instantly spot anomalies such as that. (Even without the clue that a boatyard has been working on the shroud!)

It is a state of mind worth acquiring - constantly keeping an eye (and ear and nose) on your boat. If you have ever seen a really good skipper on a really big complex boat, it is amazing how they can be sitting and sipping a cup of coffee, keeping an eye on the nav and then causally point up through a maze of identical brown ropes and say something like 'ah, I see the tops'l downhaul has got the wrong side of the mizzen stays'l halyard.' It's partly experience of what can go wrong and partly a feel for what is right.

(Sorry if that sounds patronising, I am far from perfect and have had a few nasty surprises myself. But anticipating problems rather than reacting to them is key to stress-free sailing!)

 

[wingdiver]

Re: Why can\'t people do things properly?

Well, I've just had two new masts/booms, new standing and running rigging, winches, clutches etc etc put on through Fox's Rigging at Fox's Marina, Ipswich.
Can't fault the quality of the workmanship and the knowledge and attention to detail of the staff. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Might make a difference that I'm based there. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Doesn't make any difference to the OPs story but gives a nearby viable alternative.

 

[whisper]

Re: Why can\'t people do things properly?

What an interesting set of polarised replies to your original posting.

For what it's worth my half-penny's worth is that yes you are right to complain about a) them not doing the job when they said they would and b) the shroud/sheet problem.
Both are symptomatic of where things are sliding to in many "industries" in the UK. Lack of attention to detail can lead to far more serious mistakes.
Communication of progress/lack of, is a really valuable customer relations tool. If they can't be bothered to do either correctly and as if it was their own boat, then they deserve a rollicking. The building industry is full of similar shoddy examples.

However, as said by those anti your post, then yes you should have noticed their error before setting sail. Checking their work shouldn't have been necessary but nowadays more than ever before such checks are absolutely essential.

Exits stage right to return to his old folks' home /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[kds]

Re: Why can\'t people do things properly?

" Burnham out of the system - crossed it off the list. "

Ahh... THAT was your mistake - you went to the Wrong Burnham !

Come to Burnham on Sea next time !

Ken

 

[Birdseye]

Re: Why can\'t people do things properly?

[ QUOTE ]


Yep, happens to me all the time. It's a British trait I've come to believe.......



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Rot. You've obviously not tried getting jobs done abroad. I could go on for hours about the apalling standard of work in Spanish boat yards for example. And I never found it any better in France.

 

[Sy-Revolution]

Re: Why can\'t people do things properly?

Note that I mentioned the Poles, not the Spanish.

[ QUOTE ]
Both are symptomatic of where things are sliding to in many "industries" in the UK. Lack of attention to detail can lead to far more serious mistakes.

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Time after time I find that works carried out for my hard earned money are shoddy at best (I've physically thrown builders out of my house in the past!). I doubt it's any different in the boat building/repair industry either, in fact I've had a recent experience that confirms my prejudices.


Many people don't want to do a proper job any more, they just seem to want to take the money for the minimum effort.

On the otherhand, the good Polish folks that I have working for me are dilligent, efficient intelligent and friendly and always go that extra mile without being asked, they don't seem to begrudge doing some actual work for the pay, unlike the English that I employ.

Perhaps a gross generalisation, just my perspective......

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Re: Why can\'t people do things properly?

Do you have a problem with your computer monitor, or do you have the brightness right down?

I only ask as your photos are totally blown-out and I was wondering if you are compensating with photoshop for a bust screen, this happened to me once when my old 19" CRT was sounding it's death knell.

J