Can they do this?

[Simpo Two]

In 2012 I bought a boat direct from the manufacturer ('S'), and during the course of the work the business owner told me who he used for the upholstery ('Q').

Fast forward to 2015 and I've decided that I want to replace some of the cushions with different ones. I contact 'Q' and they think I should refer it back to 'S', as they do a lot of work with them and don't want to risk upsetting the relationship. Furry nuff. 'S' can be middleman and make a few hundred quid but he will have to do the running about. His choice.

So I contact 'S' on 15 April and he says 'Yes we can help' and says he will be at the marina soon, to see another boat, so he can measure mine up then. I send him a couple of polite reminders without reply, and then on 30 April find out he visited the marina but hadn't bothered to tell me. ('S' has a reputation for very flaky customer service)

8 weeks later I still need some cushions. I call 'Q' again and they are still hesitant to deal.

Question is this - if 'S' isn't interested in the work, can he forbid his suppliers to deal with me? Is it 'restrictive practice'...?

[Cyberprog]

I don't think he could stop them dealing with you, but he could stop giving them the work.

Personally, if I was Q then I'd refer you to S in the first instance, and then if you came back some time later and said S had not gotten back to you, I'd infer from that action that S was not interested and it was fair game to deal direct. After all, I'd have done my bit by referring to S, and as a result wouldn't want to lose the work totally.

[Turn7]

Frankly, if businesses dont work for the businees, then they dont get my dollar tbh.

S isnt interested, Q are messing about, go elsewhere - is what Id do, but I have no patience.

[Ean218]

Simpo Two said:

So I contact 'S' on 15 April and he says 'Yes we can help' and says he will be at the marina soon, to see another boat, so he can measure mine up then.

If the bloke has to measure up anyway what is the advantage of using the old upholsterer?

You might as well use someone local.

[Simpo Two]

It's not an easy job and not everyone can do it - and using the original people will mean it's an exact match with other upholstery.

Ultimately if 'Q' is too afraid to deal then so be it, and I will have to go elsewhere, and I will enjoy sending 'S' a rocket when all is done.

[Simpo Two]

I don't know that they've been expressly forbidden, but they are unwilling to trade without permission from S. Anyway, as you suggest, I've mailed Q to the effect that S is buggering us both about and told them I'll pay cash on the day - which I know is more than S does! So we shall see...

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Cushions can be tricky little feckers

[Piersman2]

Must rank as a contender for the 'first world problems' thread.

However, 1 more call to 'Q', if they still dick around, then go and find 'N'.

Frankly, I'd have been off to N after the first second call to 'Q'. Probably get the whole lot replaced for the same price as top ups from 'Q'.

Is it always this gentlemanly in the boating world?

[Simpo Two]

Piersman2 said:

Must rank as a contender for the 'first world problems' thread.

To be fair my original question was to determine whether S was contravening any particular law ('EU Free Trade' or whatever) by stopping a company trading with a prospect. The rest of the politics I can handle.

The job is tricky and I am fussy; I can crap in all directions but the boating world is a small one and I don't want to end up with half my boat in bits for ever, as it is currently. So I'm prepared to play the long game and use others' embarassment/guilt/hypocrisy/laziness/incompetence etc to my ultimate advantage