Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: CARPET KNIGHTS on May 20, 2008, 04:40:11 pm

Title: Poor service!
Post by: CARPET KNIGHTS on May 20, 2008, 04:40:11 pm
About two weeks ago now i rang ashbys asking about their new powerclean truckmount! (had my i on these tms for some time as i think they have the right ingredients) Anyway i asked them to send me out some information about one of them along with price guide etc. etc. was told that it would be in the post and on its way as soon as!

Guess what, Two weeks later and had nothing from them! You would of thought that if launching a new product you would take care and look after every enquiry.

I have never done any business with them before but it looks like all that has been said in the past with regards to there service is right.

Sorry but no matter how much i like your tm i will not be buying it from you! if you cannot be bothered to look after a new enquiry what will you be like with the after sales.

Disgruntled

Goron
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: lands on May 20, 2008, 05:22:39 pm
Worst thing is Goron, they will never  realise this because they do not read this forum and when I mentioned this to the Son of Derek (Martin I think) he just laughed and said "thats a bit geekish" he also said that the ccdo was probably like going to a wake.

It's a shame because the technical guy (Bart) is very helpful.

Pete
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: spencer davies on May 20, 2008, 05:45:09 pm
Just think how long it would take to get parts for your lovely new truckmount  ::)


S
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Mike Osbourne on May 20, 2008, 05:58:02 pm
Best thing that could have happened to you. Just imagine if you had bought one.

Bit suprised because Martin is pretty on the ball when it comes to selling you something. It's once the cheque's cleared they don't want to know. ;D
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Karl Wildey on May 20, 2008, 06:15:04 pm
I have been in this business 2 decades, and in that time Ashbys has always had first class products and a lousy service, you would have thought they would have learnt along the way. I only order off them if no choice, once in the last 5 or so years.
Long live the geeks
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Straker Cleaning on May 20, 2008, 06:17:48 pm
Used to be other way round ....... express interest and get bombarded but have a problem ............... tumbleweed smiley needed  :o
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: carpet guy on May 20, 2008, 06:30:30 pm
Tend to agree about the Ashbys, they were so damned tight fisted, they refused to honour the day's free training when I bought the complete system, including the in line heater, dry solvent package, extra upholstery tools, gum removal wand and more.

Derek came across as a gent, but had I spoken to his son before buying, I'd never have dealt with them
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Mike Halliday on May 20, 2008, 06:51:38 pm
in my Yps there are 25ish companies, only 2 of them are members of any forums, this is why companies like Ashbys will always flourish, most carpet cleaners don't communicate with each other, so they don't find out about bad service.


I'm sure Ashbys know this so don't see any threat from these forums.
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Len Gribble on May 20, 2008, 07:16:46 pm
Did have a time delay with them the other week (Ed well perhaps not Ed but the workforce get the whip out) a part from that never had a problem. Oh there was 3 other cc in the shop Dartford one came from Gatwick area, but we never spook :D


Goron

Brian Willis has a nice setup for sale and servicing can be done locally to you.

Rob

Now that surprises me I sent my lad on it 6 months after I had brought it.

Len
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Peter Blackburn on May 20, 2008, 07:53:40 pm
Never had a problem with Ashby’s in the past. Great service, fast delivery and great products. Granted, they are quite expensive but so am I, so that offsets that issue. I never buy crap.
Martin and gang have always been very friendly towards me in the past and have always done their best to meet my expectations.

I use Ashby’s and Spurgeons on a regular basis and they both do me well.

I also used to like ********* for there service but there chemicals were abysmal and almost ruined me back in 2004 with the micro splitting fad. Managed to regain all lost commercial contracts though, but had to prove myself.

Pete
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: carpet guy on May 20, 2008, 07:56:58 pm
Surprised me too Len, but Martin ( I think ) came across as penny pinching guy who should not be answering the phone or dealing with customers.

Reminded me of my mother in law ( great at the practical side of the business but an absolute nightmare on the phone or dealing with clients)

The value of the one day course was only around £95

Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Mike Halliday on May 20, 2008, 07:59:02 pm
Peter, I though Spurgeons had stopped trading, do they still go under the name 'sparkles' and sell bane chemicals?

got their number?
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Nigel_W on May 20, 2008, 08:12:21 pm
Goron,

I have had exactly the same problem with Alltec 3 weeks ago (still no response). It beggars belief that these suppliers who  teach carpet cleaners how to market are unable to respond to their clients when they are waving 20k in front of their faces :o

Nigel
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: mark shannon on May 20, 2008, 08:37:16 pm
Good service story. Took my Recoil machine into A&M WATFORD late Thursday afternoon with pump problem. Engineer Graham worked late so i could have it back for a 5 bed house i had booked for Friday  PHEW :)

Mark
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Len Gribble on May 20, 2008, 09:12:11 pm
Pete

You were using them incorrectly! 8) Have you tried pure clean?

Rob

I’ve got a good telephone manor but can be abrupt at times, got a job in Teynham next week do you want me to call in 80-20 in my favour :D

Nigel

Wave all you want let me cash it first ;D

Mark

Sound like they we gagging for the work ;)

Len
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Ian Gourlay on May 20, 2008, 09:16:59 pm
Funny thing is had ALLTEC phone me today to ask if they could send me some information.
What i thought stange was they are going to have me as a Captive for 8 hrs in two weeks time.

the other Day i went to but Chemicals and no one attempted to convince me I need upgrade

A few years back there was a post on the Forum and Ashbys did try to get it removed

Martin is silly about Carpet Cleaners Day out as if they had been asked to  Exsibit they had more potential customers than any organized pro event


when I was considering buying from ashbys I was bombareded with phone calls maybee they stick to Carpet Cleaning Virgins
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: elliott cleaning on May 20, 2008, 09:37:34 pm
Goron
Very relaxed & laid back way of doing business.  Allow 2 weeks to pass & then just complain on a forum.
If I really want something then I go out and get it. I don't wait for it to come to me.   If I hadn't had price/details as requested from Ashbys after 3 days, I'd be on the phone to them causing mayhem, not complaining on a forum.   If they were unable to get their act together sharpish, then move on to the next supplier even if it means looking overseas.
Perhaps that they hadn't heard from you for 2 weeks made them regard your enquiry maybe 'not to serious'?
Must admit never dealt with that supplier
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: mark_roberts on May 20, 2008, 09:51:23 pm
Maybe it got lost in the post.  Im sure we all have customers who thought our service was poor.  You cant please 100% of the people all the time.

Peter Blackburn - are you saying you lost contracts because you used microsplitters!!!!!!!!!!! If it didnt work after 5 min would you not have changed product?? 

Are you sure if wasent your cleaning ability??

Sounds a bit odd.

Mark
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: CARPET KNIGHTS on May 21, 2008, 08:15:36 am
elliott cleaning


Yes anyone that knows me knows exactly how laid back i am!

In my opinion, if i want something i will approach the company and ask for it, once. If they are not forthcoming with the information or not organised enough to keep the request in a safe place then they do not deserve my business and if it is something that i really want then there are ways and means of getting it elsewhere!

What sort of relationship would it be if i eventually went ahead and bought a machine from them having had to ring up screaming and shouting that i wanted the information that i requested!

On the other hand.... Hydramaster near me have always bent over backwards to help me keep my old spitfire running. Also Solutions service has always been impeccable even down to supplying loan machines when in need! Both companies from the outset treated me with great respect, respect that has earned them continued custom from me.

Shame hydramaster don't do a small water cooled machine!

Cheers Goron
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: carpet guy on May 21, 2008, 08:46:39 am
Len

On the phone I am generally  polite and quiet spoken, my clients generally seem to think I'm well spoken and knowledgable, which has opened more doors over the years than any advertising I've ever done.

I have a personality flaw, which causes me to always go the extra mile and do a bit more than necessary, but it's been good for business over the years and I've been involved in a few.

Some think you are soft if you behave that way................I don't.















Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: 1aacclaim on May 21, 2008, 11:28:26 pm
Mike

Spurgeons r still trading - brought some chemicals of them last week

Robert can be contacted on 01293 437511

regards
terry
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: V_Purcell on May 22, 2008, 11:04:32 pm
Sparkles have closed there dorrs due to a fire they had at there factory unit in Manor Royal Crawley
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: mark_roberts on May 22, 2008, 11:13:02 pm
V Purcell

Are you the same guy who was developing a new wand some time ago.

If so is it out, whats it look like etc.

Mark
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: spindle on May 23, 2008, 07:57:42 pm
starting to wonder about ashbys............did upholstery course  beginning of last month..

still waiting for attendance certificate!!!(run out :o ??? :-X_
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: Len Gribble on May 23, 2008, 08:21:12 pm
Chris

I here you fell a sleep  ::) so you have got to do it again. ;D

Len
Title: Re: Poor service!
Post by: spindle on May 23, 2008, 08:32:55 pm
well there was only 5 of us... :o :o.........

i am not complaining better for me...........

almost fell asleep on way home ......was "smoking" in car ;D ;D


i think that they forgot i was even there..........except i got a wand with 20% discount(ex display)
and then they chased me up for unpaid bill :o(ashby giving credit :o)..........paid in feb but sent bill again in april saying unpaid..........all resolved now