F.A.O. Gaffer

[roadsweeper]

DON'T GO!
(Re topic title - just following your advice )

I can't seem to find the 'Seat Belts' thread you were talking about (I did find one but couldn't find anyone directing abuse at you or anything - do you have a link so I can see what you were talking about?) but if morons are p!ssing you off don't let them spoil it for everyone. Having someone 'close' to the factory is a valuable assets to the PH forums.

I for one value your contributions.

[PetrolTed]

I'll echo that. Please point out offending threads and I'll deal with it.

[smifffy]

Don't do it Claire!

Just draw a line under your commitments, but stick around just for the social side of PH. It's got to be worth it.

What would you do without your regular dose of CarZee, Mel, Bonce etc? (hmm, on second thoughts don't answer that)

[Gaffer]

Thanks.

I will still be lurking and reading but no more posting. Like I said...if you need me - Shout.

Ted - mailed you.

Claire

[JonRB]

Eh? Wha'? Que? Can someone point me to the thread that upset Claire so much?

Claire - don't go! We'll miss your posts and your insights into the factory.

[nubbin]

Claire, I sympathise entirely with your position. I'm getting sick to death of people who supposedly like TVR's, yet are the first people to slag 'em off. Which is why I reflexly posted a short message onto the "Tamora pricing" thread. I have just been out into Sheffield in my Tamora, and it is just a blast, a hoot, a dream, call it what you will. I commented to my girlfriend, that apart from minor trim niggles (no probs with those) it has been equally as solid and reliable as the BMW I'm running as an everday car. I looked at Lance's list of problems, and mine has less than half of his, and all of those are the minor bits that I would list as a problem only if told they are problems!

I am sick of hearing gripe after whinge after moan. If you don't like your cars, boys, sell 'em and get something you do like!! If you haven't got one, how the **** do you know what you're talking about? It seems a simple solution to me.

My car is just brilliant, and I love it to bits, and I know that there is a silent majority out there who feel the same as I do, and a not-so-silent minority who also love their car (Flasher!! ).

As for getting the press involved, hmmm, it may seem like pioneering bravado, but if you want any kind of reasonable resale value, then BIG FUCKING MISTAKE!! Maybe those who choose this course of factory coersion, are rich enough not to worry about resale, but I am not, and you're screwing it up for me, too. Well done!!

THE OFFENDING THREAD:- www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=7&t=17570&h=0





>> Edited by nubbin on Thursday 19th September 17:36

[mel]

quote:
CarZee, Mel, Bonce etc? (hmm, on second thoughts don't answer that)

Easy Tiger, I think Gaffer is one of the few people I've never insulted on PH and anyway its all done tounge in cheek from me anyway.

Oh and I think it's the "T.V.R. Engine Dilema" one thats pushed her over the edge but I can't see specifics in it ??????

Claire I have never been offensive have I ??? I'd hate to get the blame and even voted for you for a smilie please don't go.......

[plotloss]

quote:
As for getting the press involved, hmmm, it may seem like pioneering bravado, but if you want any kind of reasonable resale value, then BIG ******* MISTAKE!! Maybe those who choose this course of factory coersion, are rich enough not to worry about resale, but I am not, and you're screwing it up for me, too. Well done!!

Well fcuking said Nubbin, I thought that was right off side, sure TVR should have done something but running to the press? Well that helps no one but the press.

Matt.

[Imelda]

I think the problem was getting the press involved on the seat belt issue.

Pretty stupid when a fix is imminent. Tantamount to giving Gaffer a good kick in the 'nads really. (If she had any)

Stick around Gaffer...

[mel]

Oh with it now. Glad I'm not to blame, still I guess that's some peoples gratitude for you

[smifffy]

Nah, wasn't blaming you Mel, just citing you for being one of the regular PH nutters.

(Loads of those to choose from)

[PetrolTed]

I sympathise with Gaffer on this one. She doesn't work for TVR yet has done an immense amount to smooth the waters on their behalf.

The seatbelt issue is of course the offending item. Yes, going to the press was a bit crap as a fix was in the offing. However the way the whole matter has been dealt with could have been avoided if people had satisfactory responses to their concerns in the first instance.

This is not a 'everyone on the net whinges at TVR' or 'talking down resales' issue. The crux of the problem was once again that the customer service wasn't up to scratch, and to make it worse it was on a safety related issue.

Gaffer's been caught in the crossfire and I'm sure I'll hear some whinges about PistonHeads next time I bump into someone from TVR but as far as I can see it's their own doing.

Rant over...

[nubbin]

I agree with what you're saying ted, but this type of thread does degenerate into a anti-TVR whinge. My beef, (and I apologise for the language) is that there is an imbalance between those who complain about TVR, repeatedly, long and loud, and the cars themselves. I cannot possibly be the only one who has a reliable car, and I just feel that the sheer volume of criticism doesn't necessarily reflect the quality or otherwise, of the product. It's a lot easier to whinge, than to praise. Sure, TVR do not have the best of public relations, but using the correct channels to complain at least gives the company a chance to rectify mistakes. They probably recognise that we are the product testers, and as with most customer relations, it takes a volume of complaints to shift people into remedial action.

[PetrolTed]

Fair comment.

All car companies are having to wake up to the fact that the internet has resulted in greater attention being paid to faults in cars and to the fact that issues are coming to light a lot quicker than they used to.

Audi have people dedicated to keeping tabs on the web in order to pick up trends/faults and get them addressed before they get out of hand. They did this with the a headlamp condensation problem on the TT if I remember correctly.

That's no excuse for the whingebags who keep knocking TVR or whichever company incessantly, but equally it's no good manufacturers sitting back blaming the internet for increased hassles. Use the web, don't fight it.

[frostie]

I have to disagree with you Nubbin. I like a few others including my Dealer, have tried the official route to get problems fixed by the factory, seatbelts being of particular note. The simple fact is they do not respond. I went backwards and forwards with them on the phone for a week on this issue and the only way I could get them to admit a fix was being worked on ie there was actually a problem was by threatening to go to the Vehicle Inspectorate and force the issue. I hate having to take this route, but that seems the only way in my experience. As for people going to the press, can you blame them ? This is a serious issue with potentially lethal consequences and if the factory don't appear to take it seriously enough what choice do they have ? Has any kind of safety notice been issued ? As far as I know, No, which means there are still people ( non PH'ers ) driving around with hoods down in what amounts to a potential death trap.

Frostie

>> Edited by frostie on Thursday 19th September 18:44

[robertm]

quote:
if you want any kind of reasonable resale value, then BIG ******* MISTAKE!!

Sorry, but I don't see how bringing a potentially lethal problem to the attention of owners who may not read PH is going to affect the resale value of my car, particularly when the problem is supposedly about to be fixed?

[Gaffer]

Thanks guys, I will still be around and will still join in with the fun topics but as far as being a "Middleman" to the factory...Sorry but thats over for the time being.

I have replied to the Seat Belt Fix thread.

Sorry if it seems like I am overreacting but this has seriously upset and infruriated me.

Thanks for all the messages.

Claire

[PetrolTed]

Everyone is appreciative of your work Claire, don't lose heart.

[Podie]

quote:
Fair comment.

All car companies are having to wake up to the fact that the internet has resulted in greater attention being paid to faults in cars and to the fact that issues are coming to light a lot quicker than they used to.

Audi have people dedicated to keeping tabs on the web in order to pick up trends/faults and get them addressed before they get out of hand. They did this with the a headlamp condensation problem on the TT if I remember correctly.

That's no excuse for the whingebags who keep knocking TVR or whichever company incessantly, but equally it's no good manufacturers sitting back blaming the internet for increased hassles. Use the web, don't fight it.

At risk of getting binned or receiving abuse, I thought I'd reply to this.

I can confirm that the Blue Oval looks at website pages too... indeed I believe that the Focus brand manager regualrly chats with people on the Focus owners club board.

Now before anyone jumps in with the "it's only a Ford" line - surely if a mainstream manufacturer can do this, then smaller volume producers should perhaps make an effort?

There have been issues concerning many manufacturers cars and many people on many websites claiming "fix it now, it's not safe... recall it" etc etc. What the hell is the point on recalling a car, if there is not a fix yet?

Make the company aware, be polite and a fix will be far more forthcoming than getting any consumer programme involved.

As a general reminder.. we are all human, we are all fallable, people make mistakes and no matter how much research you do, some problems do not come to light until later in a cars life. These things are mechanical... mechanical things go wrong.

I mentioned this in another thread yesterday - when was the last time you wrote a letter to say "thanks" or "well done, top job"..? Bet it wasn't as important as the letter to complain...

:dismountsoapbox:

[joospeed]

I've mailed Claire with my thoughts on what has happened on here. as far as I can see the answer is simple, raise the rear section until the fix is out. Claire's a star.