Parts must go

[rascalvan]

having had another week from hell, trying to sell rather than give away parts, it looks like the only way to get rid of the parts is to scrap the lot.
Problem : we can sell, but example 1.
Chap wants rear door card/panel. I have several.
Price, £5 each.
Customer, went mad, £5 you must be joking, i will re-use my broken one. time spent with customer, 15 mins.
Customer goes home without part. ( after a few words from me)

Problem 2.
Customer : I need 2 front doors, but they must be absolutely immaculate, no rust, nothing.
My asking price, just £25 per door.
Customer not happy that I don't have anything perfect, after looking through stock, we finally sell 2, but time taken , 2 hours !!.

I am sad to admit, I am at the end of my tether, so have decided to dispose of the lot over the course of the summer.
Some bits will be on e-bay, some bits will be weighed in for scrap.

It is such a shame because I have really tried to help keep the vans alive, but everyone has their limits !!!.

Also my long standing problem of free advice has got much worse, we are now getting phone calls from people asking us if the parts they have bought elsewhere are at the right price !!!.
I am simply lost for words on this one.

Sorry to go on, but If anyone would like to take this spares business on please get in touch.
Regards Tim
01249 721350

[electrospanner]

Tim

I am involved in the sale of consumer electronics for one of my businesses and we get exactly the same sort of rubbish.

Someone will come in and ask if we have an old TV for sale for their kids bedroom "Doesn't have to be a flat screen mate just one of the old types will do" So we show them something and say you can have it for £15.00 and they turn their noses up and say "well its a bit pricey mate ( i hate it when someone i don't know calls me mate) i was thinking more like a fiver or something" Then they wonder why i get upset and show them the door.

Or they want a flatscreen lcd for half the price they've seen it on the internet. Again this upsets me for some reason?!! Don't know why??


The other thing is people want free advice they come into the shop ask a million questions get a demonstration pick it up prod it poke it (scratch it) sniff it and then decide they'll get it from Argos because they will give them a 14 day money back guarantee if they change their minds and decide they don't want a new tv after all and i very unreasonably they feel WONT.

Keep smiling Tim

Andy

[duncanamps]

It's a sign of the times I'm afraid and getting worse IMHO.

Those who own the rascals and derivatives need to understand that their survival is underwritten by just a small handful of dedicated people that don't need to kicked in the teeth.

[claire]

I totally agree.

[chris (zaphod)]

Tim, if I were you, and we have had many conversations about this, haven't we, have done with it, and scrap the lot. It is not as if there hasn't been fair warning, and, TBH you have put yourself out for far too long, at your personal expense and time; the status quo regarding those,who merely run rascals et seq., cf. the profile, love and attitude of the small number of genuine enthusiasts for their vehicles (although this may be growing),simply has not changed.

Then, sigh a huge sigh of relief. ;D

As for phoning for 'free' advice', I would set up a premium phone line - calls costing so much a minute, which should recompense your time and expertese, justly.

[rascalvan]

Thanks Chris, sorry to moan a lot lately, but you are spot on.
Actually I have decided everything will go this year.
One way or another.
Positive side, no more "how do I do this ?" .

I am determined to produce some really great little campers, so time to move on. Like you say, i have been saying this for years and it hasn't meant a rush to my door from people needing spares.
Building a lovely 55 plate carry MPV, only 20K on the clock, it is for a customer, but i will be putting it on our website.
Thanks for all comments, nice to know we have some friends out there.
Regards Tim..
Ps Just had to reject an offer from a buyer on e-bayer, offered 50% less than my asking price of £12 !!.
Now , must phone my shrink.

[bambiowner]

Jun 5, 2011 14:58:23 GMT 1 chris (zaphod) said:

Tim, if I were you, and we have had many conversations about this, haven't we, have done with it, and scrap the lot. It is not as if there hasn't been fair warning, and, TBH you have put yourself out for far too long, at your personal expense and time; the status quo regarding those,who merely run rascals et seq., cf. the profile, love and attitude of the small number of genuine enthusiasts for their vehicles (although this may be growing),simply has not changed.

Then, sigh a huge sigh of relief. ;D

As for phoning for 'free' advice', I would set up a premium phone line - calls costing so much a minute, which should recompense your time and expertese, justly.

People want whatever they can get for as cheap as they can get it so while you were prepared to hold a large stock of things it was easy for them not to bother with keeping spares, there are not many in certain clubs who really look after their motors they much prefer to run them until they go wrong then start to worry about getting it fixed. If I had the space ( I am down sizing to a nice small two bed bungalow) I would buy all of your old stock lock it up in a garage and throw away the key.
As to all the free advise that you give out I think that Chris has a valid point its fine to offer some advise for free but when it comes to nearly talking them through a job its a bit much some people just take the biscuit.
Just wish you luck when you have finally moved on to some thing that will give you a lot of pleasure and not so many moaning people who just want some thing for nothing.
Bambiowner