[Paul Coleman]

Yes that's about the only downside I can think of - not being able to match the supply to the demand.  It is an important one as well for a business.

Although not having a particular pole in stock is inconvenient, there was something else I noted the other day that was a bit more alarming.  It concerns the SL2 modular poles.  I noticed that it was out of stock too.

Potentially, this is a different issue and perhaps needs addressing.  IMO, when someone buys such a pole, it would be reasonable to expect to be able to buy a replacement section within a very short time span.  This is because the money has already been laid out for the pole, part of someone's business has already been geared up to need this pole, yet a breakage of one section would make the entire pole unusable.  This is different to a telescopic pole simply being out of stock because it would be possible to purchase elsewhere (perhaps a heavier/lower quality pole  ) if the need was urgent.  It would be a bit irritating to have to lash out money elsewhere for a whole pole because of the unavailability of one section of an SL2 modular.
I suppose that one wav around this would be to buy two SL2s at a time (the second one up to section 6) and therefore have some spare sections.

I don't doubt that Alex is aware of this perceived shortcoming and will take steps to address it.  I imagine that the sections between section zero (connector section) and sections 2 or 3 are the most vulnerable ones as they are the thinnest.

So, in case anyone thinks I have rose tinted glasses, I am aware of possible pitfalls too 

Hi Paul

I also do not have rose-tinted glasses when it comes to our company  and when constructive genuine criticism is given I always try to take it on board and learn from it.

Your comments are quite correct. Selling out of stock is not a good situation for our clients or for us - particlularly when it comes to spares. We are nearly there when it comes to stock on our telescopic poles, within a few weeks there will be stock again in all sizes and no waiting lists - this will be good for us and even better for our patient clients.

With regard to the Super-Lite this has been very annoying to us. If the factory had delivered batches on time we would have had no shortfall on any of the spares as they had all been ordered in good time and of sufficient quantities. Unfortunately the factory had some production line issues which kept pushing back the production date - as 'Nick' might say this is really irreleavant to the end client though. It does mean however that we are aware of the problem and have taken steps to ensure this does not happen again. We have a full stock of Super-Lite spares arriving from the factory today, so this will have sorted this situation out at last.

I cannot guarantee though that we will never sell out of a particluar size of pole etc ever again. Production runs take about 3 months from ordering to receiving them whereas customer demand can quadruple in just one month, this means there is always the potential for 'selling out'.

It is something we are working on because the more continous our supply stream of all sizes the happier our clients are and also the happier the bank manager is 

Alex.  With a great answer like that, we will probably start being accused of a fresh "cash for questions" scandal (ref: Prime Minister's Question Time several years ago) .
I'm glad to see that the SL2 spares issue has been addressed - and I'm not particularly surprised by that either.  I'm sure it can be difficult getting things when you want them when there are a number of links in the chain - the chain only being as strong as its weakest link (the factory in this case).

A more general question about pole manufacture.  I'm assuming that the cross section shape of a pole is always circular because there is a spinning motion involved??  However, if this is not the case, would there be a way of making poles slightly ovular (or even hex- or oct-agonal) in order to prevent the possibility of sections spinning as they wear?  I'm surely showing a total lack of knowledge of the process but thought it might be worth putting out there.

[Paul Coleman]

Why do feel sorry for me mate; if they've never got any poles in stock when I need one I wont know what I'm missing will I.

If I was for ever going to Sainsbury for beans and they were always out of stock I'd go to Asda instead, no matter how good Sainsbury beans were.

Poles are no different

Ah yes, but Gardiners give a 50% discount on poles when they're out of stock 

[mlscontractcleaner]

Oh good; I'll take two please .............................. I'll expect delivery in six months shall I :

[Richard 01903]

How long is the wait for a pole now Cant get through on pone!

[Gardiner Admin]

How long is the wait for a pole now Cant get through on pone!

For most of the pole sizes the wait is only about 10 days as we actually have stock in for most sizes -  we have just suspended on-line sales until the workshop has caught up with the hundreds of pre-orders.

If the phone is not answered first time please leave your name and a contact phone number and a member of staff will get back to you.

[Richard 01903]

Thanks for that, I will leave message 

[Nick Wareham]

I think Nick Wareham must have a personal grudge for some reason.

No, I dont have any grudge at all.

I've never ordered anything of gardiners (which is probably just as well because it looks like I'd have grown old by the time it finally was in stock), and I have no opinion about his products one way or the other.  They might be wonderful they might be rubbish, I dont know and don't much care.

All I said was, a company not answering their phone is poor service, plain and simple.  And sorry, but a great long, and totally uninteresting explanation about why that is, by both him and his missus hasn't changed my mind.  That might not bother you, and if so great.  But to me it creates an impression of a company that is not really a serious business, and for that reason I'm not suprised to hear all this about the stuff not being stock for months.

I think that if a company can't manage a simple thing like answering their phone, then its a poor show.  I would think the same of any business, no matter what they sold.

[Mrs A]

I think Nick Wareham must have a personal grudge for some reason.

No, I dont have any grudge at all.

I've never ordered anything of gardiners (which is probably just as well because it looks like I'd have grown old by the time it finally was in stock), and I have no opinion about his products one way or the other.  They might be wonderful they might be rubbish, I dont know and don't much care.

All I said was, a company not answering their phone is poor service, plain and simple.  And sorry, but a great long, and totally uninteresting explanation about why that is, by both him and his missus hasn't changed my mind.  That might not bother you, and if so great.  But to me it creates an impression of a company that is not really a serious business, and for that reason I'm not suprised to hear all this about the stuff not being stock for months.

I think that if a company can't manage a simple thing like answering their phone, then its a poor show.  I would think the same of any business, no matter what they sold.

Gutted 

[alanwilson]

well for the record my history with Gardiners is as follows:

Rang first time, no answer - leave message.
Next day phone rings and its gardiners - I'll have 4 slx poles please which arrive following week.

second time I rang - no answer, leave message.
Phone rings ten mins later, gear ordered - job done.
Gear arrives 3 days later.

overall opinion - decent service, great products.

My only real complaint is they are too far away from me to call in and see the products - why don't they do road shows like Ionics.

[Pittmonkey]

Nick, I take it you run a business. So you are saying if your phone rings you guarantee to answer it?

[Neil Gornall]

I am surprised at the response this thread has had, although I guess Gardiners has become a very popular supplier so people feel very strongly about them. Good or bad.
But as they say... all publicity is good publicity so in effect I have made matters worse for myself as this thread has probably just sold ten more poles and made the wait longer 

When I never got a response to my call last week I sent an email, it was not responded too as quickly as I had hoped so I called again and left another message this time ensuring I left ALL my contact details.
About 2 hours later I had a call from Gardiners and my request was dealt with.
2 hours after that they called again "to deal with my request"  :

That I imagine was down to one person dealing with calls the other emails. So not an issue.

My opinion..... A few small hiccups made worse by my not leaving a clear message is nothing to get worked up about.
Sure I wish they could deliver what I want next day every time, but I live in the real world and run a business myself, therefore realise things happen that are sometimes out of my control so I have to make the best of it.

Gardiners are in business to make money (as much as possible I imagine) therefore will be doing everything they can to resolve any issues.
I have been using wfp for many years, and having 3 full time vans on the go means I have been through LOTS of poles. Gardiners are so far the best we have used, for many reasons. So I for one will put up with the wait and in future will be ordering before I need them.

[Frankybadboy]

but of cause when you phone british gas,elec companys you get though staight away,



i dont think so.

ive allways found that once i leave a message then they get back to me within the day.

old saying is,if it worth waiting for wait for it.



ps MRS A free pole please just send direct.oppppssss you already have .

[Nathanael Jones]

I've never ordered anything of gardiners (which is probably just as well because it looks like I'd have grown old by the time it finally was in stock), and I have no opinion about his products one way or the other.  They might be wonderful they might be rubbish, I dont know and don't much care.

That's where you're going wrong,.. had you tried their products you'd be willing to crawl over broken glass to get more,.. a simple phone issue would be nothing! 

[H S and Son]

All I said was, a company not answering their phone is poor service, plain and simple.

Well, no-ones perfect hey Nick, I mean Ewan.

[SunShineCleaning]

I've never ordered anything of gardiners (which is probably just as well because it looks like I'd have grown old by the time it finally was in stock), and I have no opinion about his products one way or the other.  They might be wonderful they might be rubbish, I dont know and don't much care.

That's where you're going wrong,.. had you tried their products you'd be willing to crawl over broken glass to get more,.. a simple phone issue would be nothing! 

It is a little suspect that those who dont have or have never ordered from Gardiners seem to have the greatest issues. Mmmm

As a business owner I carry my own spares for poles, pumps, and hose fittings that will cover most eventualities. Even to the point of having older poles I could use in an emergency.

I think as a business owner you have to take your own responcibility for your own equipment and have in your own stock sufficient spares and knowledge to find a work around for all eventualities.

I sometimes think folk on here dont ever think about having a plan B.

[Perfect Windows]

It is a little suspect that those who dont have or have never ordered from Gardiners seem to have the greatest issues. Mmmm

As a business owner I carry my own spares for poles, pumps, and hose fittings that will cover most eventualities. Even to the point of having older poles I could use in an emergency.

I think as a business owner you have to take your own responcibility for your own equipment and have in your own stock sufficient spares and knowledge to find a work around for all eventualities.

I sometimes think folk on here dont ever think about having a plan B.

Ain't that the truth.

I have a spare of every single item on the van bar the tank and my long pole.  Also a toolkit good enough to carry out a decent repair job on most items.

The other week I discovered something I didn't carry two of when the lever (not the whole clamp) on one of my poles broke, so I ordered half a dozen replacements instead of just the one I needed immediately.  That way, if there ever is a problem at Gardiners (my supplier of choice) I can survive.

More fool anyone who leaves the running of their business in someone else's hands, even someone as generally responsive as Gardiners.

Vin

[spudd]

BOTTOM LINE.... Use a gardiners pole and your'll see why were all willing to wait 

[bumper]

When i ordered mine ONLINE no contact, delivered within a couple of days well i did spend over £500 

[zeusweiler]

This is so unrealistic it is unreal. and of all my years on the forums this has to be the highest form of sheer muppetry I have ever had the unpleasant task of reading.

Have you ever tried to call bt, they specialise in the telecommunications industry and can't get call answering right. How can you honestly attack the customer service of a company based on a few simple missed calls.

There are alternatives out there for anyone wishing to spend there hard earned. However many choose to wait not simply because the product is good but because the back up and customer service is always excellent.

Ionics have also suffered from the same supply and demand issues  of the grafter pole recently however there is no comment attacking there customer service.

Where else can you honestly say you get as much info, and continuous support for products out of office hours. And have an issue with a product resolved within minutes on this forum. The truth is the competition simply aren't in the same league as far as customer support.

When you buy a product from gardiners you are not just buying the product you are buying the piece of mind that your product has guaranteed support for issues and good sound advice and will have spares backup for many years to come. A company can in no way be blamed for the simple incompetence of the client to not carry spares or at least a backup. No one is capable of predicting the future if we could we would all be millionaires so how can a company predict the demand for a product increasing in such a short space of time.

I have asked questions of other suppliers openly on the forum before and gave them the chance to respond however I am still waiting months on. With alex you simply get honest professional  feedback  and a quick response. He simply takes a genuine interest where others fail to do so  and has an enthusiasm to make our industry a better one with ongoing innovation and design and supply of very sound reasonably priced products.

You are never going to please everyone as this world is far from perfect but I'm sure as a company they will continue to thrive and long may it last for the benefit of us all the truth is they prob don't need your custom anyway but as professional as they are they would never look at it in that way.

 Maybe alex is a casualty of the sheer volume of backup he provides on here and other forums and I am surprised he even bothers at times there are simply other nicer more appreciative forums out there sadly. I wouldn't blame him for simply disappearing to the background like all the others.

Where else do you get a care user guide  for a pole you purchase.

[Lee GLS]

This is so unrealistic it is unreal. and of all my years on the forums this has to be the highest form of sheer muppetry I have ever had the unpleasant task of reading.

Have you ever tried to call bt, they specialise in the telecommunications industry and can't get call answering right. How can you honestly attack the customer service of a company based on a few simple missed calls.

There are alternatives out there for anyone wishing to spend there hard earned. However many choose to wait not simply because the product is good but because the back up and customer service is always excellent.

Ionics have also suffered from the same supply and demand issues  of the grafter pole recently however there is no comment attacking there customer service.

Where else can you honestly say you get as much info, and continuous support for products out of office hours. And have an issue with a product resolved within minutes on this forum. The truth is the competition simply aren't in the same league as far as customer support.

When you buy a product from gardiners you are not just buying the product you are buying the piece of mind that your product has guaranteed support for issues and good sound advice and will have spares backup for many years to come. A company can in no way be blamed for the simple incompetence of the client to not carry spares or at least a backup. No one is capable of predicting the future if we could we would all be millionaires so how can a company predict the demand for a product increasing in such a short space of time.

I have asked questions of other suppliers openly on the forum before and gave them the chance to respond however I am still waiting months on. With alex you simply get honest professional  feedback  and a quick response. He simply takes a genuine interest where others fail to do so  and has an enthusiasm to make our industry a better one with ongoing innovation and design and supply of very sound reasonably priced products.

You are never going to please everyone as this world is far from perfect but I'm sure as a company they will continue to thrive and long may it last for the benefit of us all the truth is they prob don't need your custom anyway but as professional as they are they would never look at it in that way.

 Maybe alex is a casualty of the sheer volume of backup he provides on here and other forums and I am surprised he even bothers at times there are simply other nicer more appreciative forums out there sadly. I wouldn't blame him for simply disappearing to the background like all the others.

Where else do you get a care user guide  for a pole you purchase.

Yeah, what he said.