Interesting R620 for sale!
Discussion
ghibbett said:
This sort of thing really annoys me. From experience I would bet money that there are likely a number of Caterham Engineers who would give their right arm to attend the show, but are deemed not to be the 'face' of the company and as such do not get invited. The irony of it is that the customers would likely prefer to speak to the Engineers rather than Sales & Marketing types.
I'll take that bet - manning the Caterham stand at Autosport show ranks as one of the most tedious, p1ss-boiling days of my life. 8 hours on your feet with a never-ending queue of people to tell you what Caterham are doing wrong, and how they would do it better. Mix that with the 'how fast does it go mister' brigade, the 'it's not even got a stereo' muppets and all of the engineers I know at Caterham (all of them) could find something better to do with their time.
sfaulds said:
I'll take that bet - manning the Caterham stand at Autosport show ranks as one of the most tedious, p1ss-boiling days of my life. 8 hours on your feet with a never-ending queue of people to tell you what Caterham are doing wrong, and how they would do it better. Mix that with the 'how fast does it go mister' brigade, the 'it's not even got a stereo' muppets and all of the engineers I know at Caterham (all of them) could find something better to do with their time.
I agree Stuart, but I don't think ( I hope!) that I don't fall I to any of those categories, I was a potential customer with a genuine interest, and because of the lack of information made available, when I asked a genuine question, it does make me wonder what Caterham were thinking!Also the reason a company like CC attend show like this is for presence and PR right? Well what do you think threads like these, and peoples comments on such threads do for that PR?
I am just saying I wonder if they think these things through?
And I am not here to tell Caterham what they are doing wrong, and I don't profess to try and tell a company such as CC, or any company how to do it better!
But correct me if I am wrong, why when an existing and loyal,owner and customer comes on your stand, who has been a supporter and genuine customer for almost 20 years, and has spent the best part of £130k+ on the company product, do you not even do the most basic of sales jobs! and ask them why they want to know about X?
And at the very least take their name, and number and promise them you will call them back with the info the had the common decency to ask in all honestly of the comp at they thought might even care about them as a customer!
Sorry rant over,but I mean, really!!
We all take our cars seriously and there is not really an viable option to CC when all is taken into account, presumably passion is what drives the company and the customers, return on their investment? spending enough to get it right 1st time? actually tooling up and making it? rather than buying in and assembling it? being at the mercy of suppliers and the accountants that put accounts on stop ETC, it's very very personal and I wonder with the 620R what the numbers are to break even? If you don't like the staffs attitude and it does look like it was not the best encounter then who knows what must be done, do Caterham really survive upon repeat business alone, or those with the money and the desire?As always perhaps the best way is to say YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT, order it and build it, Euro babble permitting that is! No matter what, it's nice to be nice even if some are not, did I hear envy being mutted?
k20erham said:
We all take our cars seriously and there is not really an viable option to CC when all is taken into account, presumably passion is what drives the company and the customers, return on their investment? spending enough to get it right 1st time? actually tooling up and making it? rather than buying in and assembling it? being at the mercy of suppliers and the accountants that put accounts on stop ETC, it's very very personal and I wonder with the 620R what the numbers are to break even? If you don't like the staffs attitude and it does look like it was not the best encounter then who knows what must be done, do Caterham really survive upon repeat business alone, or those with the money and the desire?As always perhaps the best way is to say YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT, order it and build it, Euro babble permitting that is! No matter what, it's nice to be nice even if some are not, did I hear envy being mutted?
Sorry, your posts don't seem to make a lot of sense, perhaps it's your poor syntax and grammar, not sure but I am guessing English is not your first spoken language?So if that is the case, perhaps you can explain what you mean by what I assume would be " your envy being muted " which I might or might not have adjusted for correct English and grammar?
sfaulds said:
I'll take that bet - manning the Caterham stand at Autosport show ranks as one of the most tedious, p1ss-boiling days of my life. 8 hours on your feet with a never-ending queue of people to tell you what Caterham are doing wrong, and how they would do it better. Mix that with the 'how fast does it go mister' brigade, the 'it's not even got a stereo' muppets and all of the engineers I know at Caterham (all of them) could find something better to do with their time.
Fair enough. Shame though.If I was a serious buyer of a top end spec, plus being an existing owner of a Caterham already , I would consult my trusted professional race car specialist (who use to work for the company) and pay a premium for the build and spec to be correct, and limit any warranty work even if it cost 10% or more.
The envy was of the people with negative vibes towards caterham and the exhibitors at the show! it's easy to put anything, down and hard to defend if your comunicating with a "muppet" which I think the Stand at the show must attract. But you are not and the CC Rep no matter what his position is within CC was should have been able to you were or could be genuine. That was my point when I talked about numbers and the bottom line. Matbe they just don't have to treat folk well, they sell all they can and get away with it? Did I hear they could/must try harder? Sorry English is not my first tongue true, I'm from Yorkshire.!!
k20erham said:
The envy was of the people with negative vibes towards caterham and the exhibitors at the show! it's easy to put anything, down and hard to defend if your comunicating with a "muppet" which I think the Stand at the show must attract. But you are not and the CC Rep no matter what his position is within CC was should have been able to you were or could be genuine. That was my point when I talked about numbers and the bottom line. Matbe they just don't have to treat folk well, they sell all they can and get away with it? Did I hear they could/must try harder? Sorry English is not my first tongue true, I'm from Yorkshire.!!
Ok fair point, I have to agree, that any PR is bad PR,, and when it come to situations like this CC, have never done themselves any favours.In all honesty because the product has such cult status, I virtually sells itself, they don't really need skilled and experienced sales people, and in the twenty years I have dealt with CC south and midlands, that has almost always been the case!
Sorry was not meaning to be rude about your posting style, they were probably done like most of mine, when a few glasses of vin rouge have been consumed and you are less than capable, and if using an iPad like I mostly do that makes it even harder to get things looking perfect in type!
And there is nothin wrong with Yorkshire, my dear old mum was born and raised in Saltaire!
To the best of my knowledge, Caterham, like the majority of the motor industry, has never had a strategywhihc considers 1) how to sell effectively, 2) how to create a good customer experience. When it has happended, it has probably been accidental.
It's all about the bottom line at Caterham, and representation by individuals who do not understand how to determine real prospects from the chaf, and have no product knowledge beyond what could be read in the brochure is a great example of the "cost reduction over service" culture many of us have experienced over the years. This is why they will never become more than a niche company which struggles to survive.
Using Nige as an example ;-), he should have been easy prey. Lets face it, he's a succesful guy, got loads of capital tied up in an R500 which would make a suitable trade in/deposit, relishes recognition within the 7 community by buying the best/limited edition models. If ever there was someone for whom a 620R would be an easy sell, its Nige. It could even have the same colour scheme and same reg number as his current car, so Mrs Pugh wouldn't notice :-0 .
It's all about the bottom line at Caterham, and representation by individuals who do not understand how to determine real prospects from the chaf, and have no product knowledge beyond what could be read in the brochure is a great example of the "cost reduction over service" culture many of us have experienced over the years. This is why they will never become more than a niche company which struggles to survive.
Using Nige as an example ;-), he should have been easy prey. Lets face it, he's a succesful guy, got loads of capital tied up in an R500 which would make a suitable trade in/deposit, relishes recognition within the 7 community by buying the best/limited edition models. If ever there was someone for whom a 620R would be an easy sell, its Nige. It could even have the same colour scheme and same reg number as his current car, so Mrs Pugh wouldn't notice :-0 .
TeflonT said:
To the best of my knowledge, Caterham, like the majority of the motor industry, has never had a strategywhihc considers 1) how to sell effectively, 2) how to create a good customer experience. When it has happended, it has probably been accidental.
It's all about the bottom line at Caterham, and representation by individuals who do not understand how to determine real prospects from the chaf, and have no product knowledge beyond what could be read in the brochure is a great example of the "cost reduction over service" culture many of us have experienced over the years. This is why they will never become more than a niche company which struggles to survive.
Using Nige as an example ;-), he should have been easy prey. Lets face it, he's a succesful guy, got loads of capital tied up in an R500 which would make a suitable trade in/deposit, relishes recognition within the 7 community by buying the best/limited edition models. If ever there was someone for whom a 620R would be an easy sell, its Nige. It could even have the same colour scheme and same reg number as his current car, so Mrs Pugh wouldn't notice :-0 .
Have to agree Arnie old chap, but then we do have the benefit of working for major manufactures in the IT business, where lets face it,,if you don't bring your very best A game, then customers will vote with their feet!It's all about the bottom line at Caterham, and representation by individuals who do not understand how to determine real prospects from the chaf, and have no product knowledge beyond what could be read in the brochure is a great example of the "cost reduction over service" culture many of us have experienced over the years. This is why they will never become more than a niche company which struggles to survive.
Using Nige as an example ;-), he should have been easy prey. Lets face it, he's a succesful guy, got loads of capital tied up in an R500 which would make a suitable trade in/deposit, relishes recognition within the 7 community by buying the best/limited edition models. If ever there was someone for whom a 620R would be an easy sell, its Nige. It could even have the same colour scheme and same reg number as his current car, so Mrs Pugh wouldn't notice :-0 .
I suppose I am an easy target, but can't believe they did not try a bit harder.
As far as being someone who relishes being recognised as a peer in the seven community for having the best, I was not even sure I came across that way, but perhaps you have observed something I don't see myself. I do have a worrying personality triait that I seek perfection in all things, people and products, why would anyone not accept anything but the very best fro the products and the people who are selling the very best too!
They had an area setup a bit like a posh dining room with leather sofas etc, I assume it was reserved for VIP clients, but I did not see anyone sitting there, as it was roped off.
Now as far as getting a 620r in the same colour scheme as my current R500, so that Mrs P won't notice, now you might be on to something there!
The area descibed as VIP area was used to offer a drink to people who identified themselves as 7 owners (as per the invitation on facebook) on the Friday I attended, don't know if the same applied on the weekend. Also had good conversations with clearly knowlegable staff that day - again it may be that busier public days over weekend meant more people manning the stand which could have diluted the knowledge base.
TeflonT said:
Are you telling me you were denied access to the VIP area? Lets face it, you've on bought two R500's in the last 5 years. Perhaps if you'd leased half a dozen Airbus' you may have been more successful?
Yes I had assumed that area was reserved for Tony Fernandez bringing his F1 sponsors on to the stand!Of course he has leased more aeroplanes that most people, so perhaps that's what I need to do!
The funny thing was it was actually Tom who had noticed my car on the large plasma screen that was running a looped video of the Caterham DNA film when my car was with the F1 team at Jerez.
I commented to the marketing guy, that it was my car in the video etc etc, he did not even seem to know anything about it or be remotely interested!
tin duck dave said:
The area descibed as VIP area was used to offer a drink to people who identified themselves as 7 owners (as per the invitation on facebook) on the Friday I attended, don't know if the same applied on the weekend. Also had good conversations with clearly knowlegable staff that day - again it may be that busier public days over weekend meant more people manning the stand which could have diluted the knowledge base.
Perhaps it was because I was with my son Tom then, I also identified myself as an owner by showing my Caterham Lanyard and ignition immobiliser fob!I was offered a drink, but decided to only have a drink of water.
Perhaps you need to have a current order placed to get behind the velvet rope!
Oh well never mind, I was more concerned that the information that I most wanted to get a better understanding of was not available at the time!
All of the rhetoric has made me think about service levels from CC In general and more specifically CC Mids as my local supplier.
I was always very happy with the advice, support and assaitance I had Fromm Nick Potter at CC midlands, for many many years.
Of course neither nick or Brett for service are now employed by CC, so I can not rely on their personal service.
My real,worry is how CC has built is service model in light of all these changes.
As I have previously stated I believe I am quite a loyal and valuable CC customer, having built multiple cars, and purchased many cars and products over 20 years.
What really disappointed me was, not long after the management changes at CC, and the departure on Ansar and Nick, I got a call for the new sales but at CC Mids.
His call to me started as follows, " hello mr Pugh we have seen that you have downloaded information fro the CC website , is there anything I ca do to get you more info about caterham cars?"
I said thanks for the call, but know I think I am quite well informed, and if you car to check, I have purchased 5 new cars fro you directly, and always use you for servicing of those cars too.
His response was astounding And staggering in equal measures, he had no info about me as a customer ( really!) and was just responding to my web visit.
I politely mentio. You should check your database to see what car I had, and have previously owned.
His response was, of course let me see what I can find on our system, and I will call you straight back.
That was October 2013, and as of today I have no call or email fro CC Mids! or CC south.
Do I need to explain any more?
I was always very happy with the advice, support and assaitance I had Fromm Nick Potter at CC midlands, for many many years.
Of course neither nick or Brett for service are now employed by CC, so I can not rely on their personal service.
My real,worry is how CC has built is service model in light of all these changes.
As I have previously stated I believe I am quite a loyal and valuable CC customer, having built multiple cars, and purchased many cars and products over 20 years.
What really disappointed me was, not long after the management changes at CC, and the departure on Ansar and Nick, I got a call for the new sales but at CC Mids.
His call to me started as follows, " hello mr Pugh we have seen that you have downloaded information fro the CC website , is there anything I ca do to get you more info about caterham cars?"
I said thanks for the call, but know I think I am quite well informed, and if you car to check, I have purchased 5 new cars fro you directly, and always use you for servicing of those cars too.
His response was astounding And staggering in equal measures, he had no info about me as a customer ( really!) and was just responding to my web visit.
I politely mentio. You should check your database to see what car I had, and have previously owned.
His response was, of course let me see what I can find on our system, and I will call you straight back.
That was October 2013, and as of today I have no call or email fro CC Mids! or CC south.
Do I need to explain any more?
Once on the hook it's near impossible to get off!, CC would appear to be looking for other fish to fry! they know well it's more than just a car. It does make you wonder what exactly the staff do every day to earn the salary, wouldn't take much to make you a very happy man, try an new approach with a new name!!
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