3 weeks to even look at it!

[Theocus]

I have just taken my grandfathers Stihl pressure washer to my local Stihl dealer in Cheltenham to be fixed under warranty and was informed that it will take them 3 weeks to even look at it let alone fix it!

This is the reason why i do not take my saws to them! Useless!

[Steve Bullman]

they're obviously very busy...good for them

[pleasant]

I would say that is quick given the time of year.

 

Personally our lead time is at least three weeks and is increasing daily.

 

Gardenkit (arbtalk member) is quoting 6-8 weeks

 

We are getting more work in every day than we can possibly cope with in a day, so the waiting list increases. This is due, mainly to foolish customers who put their broken equipment away in the Winter and remember to get it repaired the day before they want to use it- no foward planning. Likewise we get shed loads of get going work because customers are too ignorant to read their handbooks or take our advice when purchased and don't run their machinery dry before laying it up, which causes starting problems at this time of the year.

 

We ALWAYS have two weeks worth of work at any one time of the year- the difference to the customer is that in the winter it doesn't matter to them if we take ten weeks to fix it as they don't need it.

 

Customers always ask me when the best time of the year to bring their machinery in is, and I always tell them "when you don't need it for two weeks"

 

We currently are getting an average of 35 jobs in a day. Each service takes around two hours for each of our three mechanics. Doesn't take a genius to work out they can only service/repair around 4 machines each per day= 12 machines per day. Therefore for every day we are open at this time of the year we are receiving 2 1/2 days work, so it's bound to back up.

 

.....and you simply cannot employ a dozen mechanics for three months of the year and then lay them off every time. I certainly wouldn't work for a company if they did that on a regular basis.

 

Before you chastise your dealer, I would strongly suggest you check the lead time with other, similar companies first, as three weeks this time of the year is good.

[Theocus]

Fair enough if 3 weeks is the norm then thats fine by me, I just assumed it would be a faster turn around than that given that its a small machine. Saws i can fix, water pumps i cannot so i will have to wait!!!

[Johny Walker]

its lawnmower seaseon ,so there busy wi them

[GardenKit]

Gardenkit (arbtalk member) is quoting 6-8 weeks

 

.

Sorry pleasant, you mixed me up with someone else who posted last week. I am not 6-8 weeks and heaven forbid I ever will be, but 2-3 weeks just like you.

 

It is manic busy this time of year, mostly because people leave it much too late to get their machines in.

 

By the way, apart from being wrong about my lead time, you are spot on with the rest of your post. Very well put.

Edited March 31, 2012 by GardenKit

[pleasant]

Sorry for taking your good name in vain- could have sworn it was you.

[GardenKit]

Sorry for taking your good name in vain- could have sworn it was you.

Just checked, it was on Spuds thread last saturday and it was Jamie1.

[pleasant]

Right- thanks. Apologies.

[Jonesie]

We are running about 2-3 weeks at the moment, pro users a week. The problem with this time of year is 2 x 4 day weeks and them another one at the start of May. We are constantly playing catch up, 5 of us start at 6am and still get in more in a day than we can turn outlay, I might be able to get a few guys in over Easter to ease the backlog.

 

Anyone out there need a job, we are currently 11 staff but need at least one more. Either in the workshop or the shop floor, PM me if you interested.