Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 04:22:48 pm

Title: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 04:22:48 pm
I am a bit dissapointed to say the least at the service I have recieved from Gardiner pole systems, and thanks to them I am sitting at home not making the £430 scheduled for today. They sent the items I need for today to the wrong delivery address and when I phoned them (yesterday)I had to leave a message and they did not respond. Now I am going to have to take time off on Monday to pick them up from the courier. After the good things I had heard about them on this forum I was planning on using them quite a bit too :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: JSMC on June 27, 2009, 04:24:52 pm
they are normally top notch mate. order one day ge tit the next for me.

alex wouldn't let ya down. Genuine mistake. He will be gutted to see this i reckon as he prides himself on good service.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Steve CM on June 27, 2009, 04:37:12 pm
how do you know it went to the wrong address if you haven't spoken to them?
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 27, 2009, 04:38:46 pm
I am a bit dissapointed to say the least at the service I have recieved from Gardiner pole systems, and thanks to them I am sitting at home not making the £430 scheduled for today. They sent the items I need for today to the wrong delivery address and when I phoned them (yesterday)I had to leave a message and they did not respond. Now I am going to have to take time off on Monday to pick them up from the courier. After the good things I had heard about them on this forum I was planning on using them quite a bit too :'( :'( :'(

Sorry to hear this Tom.  I have forwarded your post to the Team in the Office so they can look into this on Monday. 

Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: LWC on June 27, 2009, 04:39:15 pm
Will second that, Gardiners are top notch and it just sounds like JSMC says a genuine mistake.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: pingu on June 27, 2009, 04:39:37 pm
Very unusual as they have a very good reputation for excellent customer service. Perhaps just a communications er....sorry to hear you could'nt do your work today...thats a bummer.

Cheers
Dave.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 04:41:17 pm
I had a seperate billing address to delivery address they sent to billing address I also had fail safe instructions for the courier to deliver to a neibouring industrial unt if no one was about. I spoke with the courier and they only had one address the wrong one also had none of my notes.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: trevor povey on June 27, 2009, 04:42:10 pm
i must admit that out of the main suppliers of waterfed poles and  systems i have used gardeniers have  been in front of the others...a genuine mistake i,d say...but can totally understand yr disapointment
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 27, 2009, 05:00:28 pm
Just checked your order Tom - ordered Thursday afternoon with different delivery address to invoice address.  I'm afraid it looks like we've made a mistake.  Many apologies.  Having spoken to one of the members of staff, they did ring back in reply to your answer machine message.  They tried both of your numbers and left a message on one of them, outlining various options for you, but had no response back from you.

A point worth bearing in mind is that although we send everything via next day couriers, they never guarantee next day delivery so something that needs delivery on the Friday (as your order did for the job on Saturday) it would be best ordered on the Wednesday or earlier.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 05:06:09 pm
Just checked your order Tom - ordered Thursday afternoon with different delivery address to invoice address.  I'm afraid it looks like we've made a mistake.  Many apologies.

Alex I appreciate your apology but does not help much with my now screwed schedule for next weekend though.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Moderator David@stives on June 27, 2009, 05:28:49 pm
Tom

Why leave it so late to order something that was so dependent on your schedule.

If something is that tight you should always have a contingency plan

Remember the 6 P's   

       Poor Planning prevents perfect performance

Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: seandyer2003 on June 27, 2009, 05:33:18 pm
Tom

Why leave it so late to order something that was so dependent on your schedule.

If something is that tight you should always have a contingency plan

Remember the 6 P's   

       Poor Planning prevents perfect performance



I thought it was perfect planning prevents p poor peformance :)
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Moderator David@stives on June 27, 2009, 05:41:07 pm
they both sound good
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Oakley Windows on June 27, 2009, 05:45:09 pm
What day and time of day did you put your order in Tom?
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 05:45:37 pm
I am used to suppliers delivering when they say they will I am new to wfp but run a cleaning company and have always recieved goods on time and to the right address, I did phone prior and was told the delivery was next day.

I expect from my suppliers what my customers expect from us, a hassle free service that performs as promissed, in this case it was gardiners that were lacking the 6 p's. I even filled out the forms for them all that was required was a tiny amount of focus to copy the details I had provided.

I now have to take responsability for this with an important new client and am going to have to offer compensation and make promises that my Company does not and will not let them down again
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Oakley Windows on June 27, 2009, 05:46:25 pm
What day and time of day did you put your order in Tom?
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: wfp master on June 27, 2009, 05:47:15 pm
Tom

Why leave it so late to order something that was so dependent on your schedule.

If something is that tight you should always have a contingency plan

Remember the 6 P's   

       Poor Planning prevents perfect performance


thats 5 p,s not 6 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 05:54:27 pm
What day and time of day did you put your order in Tom?

Matt as previously mentioned I phoned beforehand to make sure delivery would be ok for time. As said by Alex the order was made thurs afternoon. Delivery time was not the issue as the delivery WAS ATEMTED at the WRONG ADDRESS by the courier at 13.00 on friday.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: pingu on June 27, 2009, 06:10:10 pm
Not alot can be done to rectify this situation right now, best let Alex's office look into it first thing Monday morning.

I think you'll find loads of people have nothing but kind words for Alex on here...even those who have had 'issues' occur....


Good luck, Dave


Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Moderator David@stives on June 27, 2009, 07:15:49 pm
I missed the first P out ,work it out, it is something to do with P.




If i were to rely on a delivery for a job with a tight deadline, then i would deserve for something to go wrong.

You cant blame a late delivery for letting someone down.

You shouldnt promise anything until the equipment is in your hands.

I could never run my business like that.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Clive McDonald on June 27, 2009, 07:30:25 pm
While there is an element of seeing goody two shoes getting a telling off that other suppliers might see as balancing things out a bit, what a thoroughly bad tempered thread.

The supplier made a mistake and delivered to the wrong address, but this has no connection to £470 worth of work the next day that was lost.The two things are seperate.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: NWH on June 27, 2009, 07:42:10 pm
Tom

Why leave it so late to order something that was so dependent on your schedule.

If something is that tight you should always have a contingency plan

Remember the 6 P's   

       Poor Planning prevents perfect performance


That`s only 5 Dave lol. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: ftp on June 27, 2009, 07:43:00 pm
Quite agree slumpy - shouldn't even be aired on a forum. Obviously trying for some compensation - maybe two keyrings and a pen!
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: NWH on June 27, 2009, 07:45:16 pm
We all make mistakes good old Anna i`ll bet Alex is working her to hard in this heat lol. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: concept on June 27, 2009, 07:53:58 pm
I am used to suppliers delivering when they say they will I am new to wfp but run a cleaning company and have always recieved goods on time and to the right address, I did phone prior and was told the delivery was next day.

I expect from my suppliers what my customers expect from us, a hassle free service that performs as promissed, in this case it was gardiners that were lacking the 6 p's. I even filled out the forms for them all that was required was a tiny amount of focus to copy the details I had provided.

I now have to take responsability for this with an important new client and am going to have to offer compensation and make promises that my Company does not and will not let them down again


point 1-as a general rule, if you order before 12, with any supplier, you can rightly expect next day, but in my experience with suppliers of any items, if its after 12, i expect delivery the day after.

point 2-compensation, for an error?! a genuine error...are you going to pay compensation to your customer, as you made an error in leaving it very close to ordering something and relying on it for your business? imagine an italian restaurant running out of pasta, leaving it til the last minute, and ordering it, not allowing for any errors from their supplier...you get the picture...THEY left it too late...

mistakes are made, maybe we are too quick to try and point blame?

i have made 4 or 5 orders with gardiners recently, 2 of which have been wrong, one as a mix up in communication/understanding of micro/minibore, and one was just plucked from the wrong rack in the warehouse, not life threatening, and not with disparaging comments about the business, in my opinion.

if its a major component that you require for the day to day running of your business...my recommendations would be to double up on them, so that you can carry on no matter what! eliminate as many chances of letting your customers down.

Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Moderator David@stives on June 27, 2009, 07:57:21 pm
Difinately 6 p's

The last one is for your imagination
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: weetot on June 27, 2009, 07:59:10 pm
Gardiners have always been spot on for me, you cant diss them on a forum, just cos they got it wrong, wer'e only human man, wer,e supposed to make mistakes :D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 08:02:40 pm
I missed the first P out ,work it out, it is something to do with P.




If i were to rely on a delivery for a job with a tight deadline, then i would deserve for something to go wrong.

You cant blame a late delivery for letting someone down.

You shouldnt promise anything until the equipment is in your hands.

I could never run my business like that.

What a load of tat the delivery was made on time to the wrong address, the person responable did not do their job. It does not matter if I was due to do the job in two weeks the job was still not done! It is not so much the mistake that bothers me as the lack of responsability taken when I informed them of the mistake. Now you are giving me no choice but to make a mountain out of a mole hill as somehow now because one of your mates stuffed up and then made no attempt to rectify it it is my fault

As for compensation I am not interested. In new zealand people bend over backwards to ensure the customer is happy and that is why I do so well here becuase no one else cares.

It took me posting on here to get any response at all and I am sure it was not Alex or his systems at fault anyway :-X
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Russell Macdonald on June 27, 2009, 08:03:34 pm
Well i have never had a problem with Gardiners & if ur making £430 a day you can cover a day off
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: seandyer2003 on June 27, 2009, 08:09:37 pm
they both sound good

O ok, sorry i swore :)
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 08:10:10 pm
i have made 4 or 5 orders with gardiners recently, 2 of which have been wrong,

Quote

WOW 50% OF YOUR ORDERS ARE WRONG, that is really something
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: pingu on June 27, 2009, 08:11:07 pm
Tom...if it is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo good there...why not go there?

As for no one caring....very broad statement that....

Love and kisses Dave.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 08:13:15 pm
Tom...if it is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo good there...why not go there?

As for no one caring....very broad statement that....

Love and kisses Dave.

I am English but lived there for 6 years and decided to come back for the challenge of business here

Many more kisses back
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 08:16:15 pm
I must say I have got quite a lot of response out of this and am only new to this forum it took me much longer to have this kind of ding dong on a well known carpet cleaning forum ;D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: GWCS on June 27, 2009, 08:20:40 pm
Like many on here I never guarantee a job to be done on time without having the equipment to do it. I can also never be 100% sure i can get the job done without fail for too many possible variables to go wrong.

I agree that if you want next day service it needs to be ordered first thing that morning - it takes time to pick orders and get them packed for delivery. I would ALWAYS ask on the phone about next day delivery and make sure it can be made and the items are in stock. But delivery scheduling is not in the hands of suppliers - its in the hands of the couriers. Again there is still something to go wrong there. Just take their T&C's on that one

Quote
Delivery Schedule We always use first class Royal Mail and Fedex next day delivery for all of our shipping. However once a product is in the hands of the Royal Mail/Couriers we can make no guarantee about it's delivery time.

Shipping And Handling DESPATCH

Any times quoted for despatch are from the receipt by us of an order to proceed. Elapsed times of despatch are submitted without liability for delay however occasioned, but every effort will be made to achieve them.

Its NEVER possible to have a a perfect service, there is always someone let down somewhere. What sets you or them apart from the rest is how they deal with it to rectify the problem. Seems they had realised they made an error, and tried to rectify it by telephoning you and leaving a message, but had no reply from you on how to go from then on?

Ive had nothing but top class service from gardiners, and when they have not sent something or kept me waiting on something they have always been fast acting to get to the reason and get the item sent out asap.

Customer service is not only about getting it right first time every time, its also how you handle it when it goes wrong and for that my first choice for supplies will always be gardiners.

Its a shame for you, your first order was messed up somewhat by a human mistake, im sure we all make mistakes sometimes, in fact even machines make mistakes, because they are programmed by humans!

Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: daniel worgan on June 27, 2009, 08:29:25 pm
At least you got a kind apology off of Gardiners.
If you had gone to another supplier who frequents here you may have been told where to go  ;D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: concept on June 27, 2009, 08:31:30 pm
i have made 4 or 5 orders with gardiners recently, 2 of which have been wrong,

Quote

WOW 50% OF YOUR ORDERS ARE WRONG, that is really something

see what i did with selective quotes?

maybe i should work for a red top...
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Clive McDonald on June 27, 2009, 08:33:04 pm
Tom
There are often threads complaining about suppliers, sometimes unfairly. one or two always seem to get it in the neck, and things sometimes get a bit heated.

Oddly enough, the supplier you have singled out has the opposite problem.Threads started to praise his products (supalite sixty foot modular, sl2 supalite extendable, supalite brush, etc) have led to a ban on FOA  Alex posts.

The guy always gives helpfull advice, has unrivaled knowledge, and never gets drawn into personal brick bats (unlike most of us).

The worst thing that i or anyone else can say about him is that he is a right goody two shoes (and a bit tight).
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Moderator David@stives on June 27, 2009, 08:33:59 pm
Its not tat

Its common sense, if you dont know how to run your business thats nobodys fault but your own

I would never blame a late delivery for a ruined day, I would kick myself for being an idiot instead.

Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 08:40:15 pm
It is tat as you clearly don't read my posts it had nothing to do with late delivery only delivery to the wrong address and then no attempt to rectify when I informed them.

They did not ring me and leave a message I rang them and left the message
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on June 27, 2009, 08:43:40 pm
Its not tat

Its common sense, if you dont know how to run your business thats nobodys fault but your own

I would never blame a late delivery for a ruined day, I would kick myself for being an idiot instead.


second that
so many things can go wrong
i use
gardiners
cleantech
wintecs
wcw
brodex
and soap national
they have all made a mistake of some sort in last 5 years
and as for couriers well ::)
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Moderator David@stives on June 27, 2009, 08:47:30 pm
Window Cleaning warehouse once made a delivery to my worst enemy who lives about 6 doors away.

That was a really difficult situation to be in, I had to knock and ask them for my hose and hose reel, aaaaaggggghhhhhhhhh

I still use wcw for most things though, just one of them things.

Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on June 27, 2009, 08:51:29 pm
one of them things ;D
exactly
tomgower,if you cant schmooze a new client thru a problem like this then give up mate
did you not have other work that could be re scheduled for that day ???
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Steve CM on June 27, 2009, 08:52:00 pm
if i were to open up about my experiences with suppliers you may have to ask the server for more disk space! ;D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: GWCS on June 27, 2009, 08:54:46 pm
It is tat as you clearly don't read my posts it had nothing to do with late delivery only delivery to the wrong address and then no attempt to rectify when I informed them.

They did not ring me and leave a message I rang them and left the message

Well alex seems to think different, and i read his post just the same as i read yours.

Quote
I'm afraid it looks like we've made a mistake.  Many apologies.  Having spoken to one of the members of staff, they did ring back in reply to your answer machine message.  They tried both of your numbers and left a message on one of them, outlining various options for you, but had no response back from you.

Regardless of late delivery or the wrong delivery mistakes do happen and you should never rely on next day delivery to get a job done on time, you should have had the fore thought of having the equipment before you agreed to do the job.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: ftp on June 27, 2009, 09:16:30 pm
I don't think Alex is directly involved with the selling side of things and has done everything possible to sort it out. I really don't understand why you have to start a thread complaining when they haven't had the chance to sort things out with you. What more can they do on a Saturday afternoon? Someone slipped up but that's between you and them nobody else.  ???
How much time do you need to take off to get to the depot - ten minutes?
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 09:22:09 pm
It is tat as you clearly don't read my posts it had nothing to do with late delivery only delivery to the wrong address and then no attempt to rectify when I informed them.

They did not ring me and leave a message I rang them and left the message

Well alex seems to think different, and i read his post just the same as i read yours.

Quote
I'm afraid it looks like we've made a mistake.  Many apologies.  Having spoken to one of the members of staff, they did ring back in reply to your answer machine message.  They tried both of your numbers and left a message on one of them, outlining various options for you, but had no response back from you.

Regardless of late delivery or the wrong delivery mistakes do happen and you should never rely on next day delivery to get a job done on time, you should have had the fore thought of having the equipment before you agreed to do the job.

No message nothing on my call logs either!! Someone was also in the office untill 7pm on friday, anyway had enough now :)
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 27, 2009, 09:27:49 pm
No message nothing on my call logs either!! Someone was also in the office untill 7pm on friday, anyway had enough now :)

A message was left some time between 2pm and 5 pm Friday afternoon so not quite sure what's going on here Tom, but if you'd like to email me personally (alex@agardiner.co.uk), I can re-iterate the options available to you.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 09:35:01 pm
Alex,

Once again thanks for the apology, and your attempts to sort things out. The forum has got a little out of hand as I was not expecting to be linched for commenting on what I thought a perfectly acceptable thread.
 Email sent
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: mileslake on June 27, 2009, 09:36:02 pm
Well as far as I am concerned Gardiners are excellent. Some people seem to like moaning. Why didn't u order it 3 days before you needed it like normal people do.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 09:37:19 pm
Well as far as I am concerned Gardiners are excellent. Some people seem to like moaning. Why didn't u order it 3 days before you needed it like normal people do.

Your excellent too
love you
Me no more fight can't be bothered
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: mileslake on June 27, 2009, 09:38:20 pm
Ok have a nice weekend.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Steve CM on June 27, 2009, 09:39:30 pm
to be honest its the kind of thing i would do. If i get side tracked i may shoot myself in the foot and order something late. I tend to blame the dog, or the missus though, not the supplier :D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 09:40:12 pm
anyone have a smily face with a white flag?
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 27, 2009, 09:40:28 pm
Alex,

Once again thanks for the apology, and your attempts to sort things out. The forum has got a little out of hand as I was not expecting to be linched for commenting on what I thought a perfectly acceptable thread.
 Email sent

Hi Tom

Nothing's come through yet on alex@agardiner.co.uk.  
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 09:42:25 pm
Alex,

Once again thanks for the apology, and your attempts to sort things out. The forum has got a little out of hand as I was not expecting to be linched for commenting on what I thought a perfectly acceptable thread.
 Email sent

Hi Tom

Nothing's come through yet on alex@agardiner.co.uk.  
Check your junk was sent at 21:34
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 27, 2009, 09:43:18 pm
Not in junk - could you re-send?
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: luther1 on June 27, 2009, 09:44:22 pm
Its like blaming the doctor for your baby being born late/earlier than predicted. I have customers booked in for cleans and if it is too windy/wet i can't do it.Thats life.  Mistakes happen.Imo it is absolute folly to give yourself such a tight deadline to recieve the tools to do the job,quite unprofessional and amateurish.And as for making your complaint public as opposed to going direct to the supplier reeks of attention seeking. Compensation? Don't make me laugh.Its not bad service its called being human. Have a word with yourself and realise that you're making a drama out of something quite menial. I have some some huge contracts and am sometimes late due to various circumstances beyond my control and do they want compensation? Do they f@*&.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 09:44:47 pm
Not in junk - could you re-send?

sent
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 09:46:42 pm
Its like blaming the doctor for your baby being born late/earlier than predicted. I have customers booked in for cleans and if it is too windy/wet i can't do it.Thats life.  Mistakes happen.Imo it is absolute folly to give yourself such a tight deadline to recieve the tools to do the job,quite unprofessional and amateurish.And as for making your complaint public as opposed to going direct to the supplier reeks of attention seeking. Compensation? Don't make me laugh.Its not bad service its called being human. Have a word with yourself and realise that you're making a drama out of something quite menial. I have some some huge contracts and am sometimes late due to various circumstances beyond my control and do they want compensation? Do they f@*&.

Thanks darling you too xxx
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: vision tech on June 27, 2009, 09:52:42 pm
Tom,
e,mail you just sent to alex, you didnt send it to the wrong address did you? :D :D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Tom Gower on June 27, 2009, 09:53:53 pm
maybe but it is the one he gave me I will try without the random a
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: R W C on June 27, 2009, 09:54:57 pm
Tom,
e,mail you just sent to alex, you didnt send it to the wrong address did you? :D :D

pmsl
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 27, 2009, 09:55:33 pm
maybe but it is the one he gave me I will try without the random a

Got it.  Reply sent.  

(the 'a' is not random - it's my initial  ;))
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: NWH on June 27, 2009, 09:59:22 pm
Noooooo it`s not the A that`s random it`s the delivery address that`s random,a bit like a tombola i think when it comes to sending things out from that there place in Cornwall lol. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: luther1 on June 27, 2009, 10:00:43 pm
must be something in the ice-cream
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 27, 2009, 10:03:13 pm
Noooooo it`s not the A that`s random it`s the delivery address that`s random,a bit like a tombola i think when it comes to sending things out from that there place in Cornwall lol. ;D ;D ;D ;D

 ;D ;D ;D ;D  Not helping............
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: NWH on June 27, 2009, 10:08:30 pm
Just joking Alex,Tom it could have been a lot worse mate you could have paid for an Emporium pole online had the money taken and recieved nothing.Mistakes like this are bound to happen 999-1000 there service is spot on and i can say that in all honesty.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: Clive McDonald on June 27, 2009, 10:13:56 pm
Yeah, i can remember how understanding you were about that free five hundred pound reel. ;D
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: NWH on June 27, 2009, 10:18:52 pm
That was Varitech not Gardiners,never again will they get my money. >:( >:(
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on June 27, 2009, 10:23:00 pm
You don't want to say never to Gardiners as they manufacture the best poles around by a long way.  You'd be doing yourself a huge disfavor in the long run.

Simon.
Title: Re: Bad service
Post by: NWH on June 27, 2009, 10:28:47 pm
If you mean me i said VARITECH.