Cheddar Valley Steam – is there a problem?

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Cheddar Valley Steam – is there a problem?

This topic has 56 replies, 19 voices, and was last updated 7 July 2017 at 23:06 by David Standing 1.

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13 April 2017 at 16:45 #293242
Phil Catchesides
Participant
@philcatchesides15448
I have used CVS to make boilers for me and have one on order for 'Locomotion' but CVS isn't answering the phone or emails – does anybody know if Tim is poorly or the company has gone or whatever. It would be a great shame to loose CVS as Tim is an excellent craftsman
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13 April 2017 at 16:45 #25181
Phil Catchesides
Participant
@philcatchesides15448
14 May 2017 at 06:34 #298052
Robert Thompson 11
Participant
@robertthompson11
Good Morning Phil,

I too have posted another thread (Cheddar Valley steam somerset) i take it you havent had any luck yet?

Bob Thompson
14 May 2017 at 09:05 #298059
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Ohil, see what I said about searching in the other current thread, several posts back over a few years, all having difficulty making contact.
14 May 2017 at 16:56 #298120
Phil Catchesides
Participant
@philcatchesides15448
I spoke to him early this year and we resolved an issue with the 'Locomotion' drawings and he was going ahead with the build in the following week , also he was going to check with Reeves to check to see if any drawing amendments had been made; I didn't pick up any hint of problems. Just hope there isn't illness, accident or bereavement. I am still hoping he comes back so haven't made any other boiler build arrangements but have parked Locomotion for now and making an IC engine (Matador 60/60) instead.
15 May 2017 at 06:14 #298170
Robert Thompson 11
Participant
@robertthompson11
It certainly is a very strange situation, I in fact ordered a 5" Speedy boiler in June 2015 for delivery in June 2016 but nothing was forthcoming and contact was difficult and sporadic then.

When i eventually made contact I had laid Speedy to one side and had progressed to boiler stage with a 3 1/2" Bantam Cock and so changed my order as Tim had confirmed he hadnt even started on Speedy.

I am therefore almost resigned to the fact that I am going to have to seek an alternative builder.

Bob
18 May 2017 at 12:16 #298654
Edward Winchester
Participant
@edwardwinchester22526
Hi Folks, just to add to the misery, I ordered a King boiler Jul 2016 for delivery Jul 2017. I too cannot make any contact by phone and am waiting to see if I get a response from mail. Spoke to Tim in January to discuss variations to drawings and no hint of difficulty at that point. Pity as the delay is annoying. Ted.
19 May 2017 at 06:04 #298722
Robert Thompson 11
Participant
@robertthompson11
Hi Edward,

I have just cancelled my order with CVS. I have done it by E Mail and now sent a copy by Recorded delivery requesting my deposit be returned.

Watch this space.

Bob
19 May 2017 at 09:01 #298750
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
If a supplier has difficulties, such as illness, asking for return of deposits might close the door on things getting sorted out.

A letter might be a good idea as this will almost certainly be opened by someone if the recipient is unable to do so for themselves. Others may not have access to email and might not no where to start when faced with a full answerphone.

Neil
19 May 2017 at 09:26 #298760
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
It must be a long illness, as I said in the linked to similar post above a search will show similar posts going back 5yrs or more about problems getting any answer from them!
19 May 2017 at 09:31 #298761
Edward Winchester
Participant
@edwardwinchester22526
Hi Rob,

I have written, waiting to see if I get a response. Still trying phone but no luck there regardless of time of day. Looks as though it may be a case of DIY as quotes on timescales are becoming ridiculous and I've already lost best part of a year. As you say, watch this space. Ted
19 May 2017 at 09:51 #298765
KWIL
Participant
@kwil
Phil, you have a PM
19 May 2017 at 09:58 #298767
Watford
Participant
@watford
A quick Google on Cheddar Valley Steam website indicates a postcode of BS26 2RH. However this is not the post code for Unit 4, Castle Mills Industrial Estate which has a postcode of BS26 2RE. 2RH is actually half a mile up the road at another "industrial" looking shed!

Enquiries of J.Puddy Body Repairs 01934751319 or Castle Mill MOT Centre 01934 750663, both adjacent units on same Castle Mills Estate might provide information..

Has anyone tried his mobile 07789 681977 ?

And I don't even do steam

Mike
19 May 2017 at 11:00 #298777
Baz
Participant
@baz89810
I have been trying to contact Cheddar valley steam via their website for the last month, all I get is server error 404. Haven't dealt with him since the days of Cheddar models, both Tim and Claire are lovely people, I hope they are OK.
19 May 2017 at 14:51 #298842
Robert Thompson 11
Participant
@robertthompson11
I have today received confirmation that my letter has been received and signed for by someone at BS26 2RH .

The printed name was STEAM.

So we will see what ,if anything, happens now.

Bob
23 May 2017 at 20:09 #299387
Robert Thompson 11
Participant
@robertthompson11
Just a quick update. I have received no contact from CVS following their receipt of my letter on the 19th May. I have also been in touch with my bank who have told me that i would have needed to get in touch with them at the time the delivery date had been passed, hence they were unable to help.

Typical bank cop out but nothing more than i expected from such an organisation.

So i guess CVS should be treated with extreme caution

Bob
24 May 2017 at 19:36 #299489
brian NYE
Participant
@briannye52349
Tim said he would build me a fowler 2" boiler I paid my deposit £200 on august 2016 tried to contact him no luck going up to his work shop tomorrow 25/05 /17 see what happens or not
25 May 2017 at 12:00 #299542
brian NYE
Participant
@briannye52349
went to see Tim today at cheddar valley steam . he is a little bit behind. but very well health wise . on catch up
25 May 2017 at 13:54 #299550
David Standing 1
Participant
@davidstanding1
Posted by Baz on 19/05/2017 11:00:19:

both Tim and Claire are lovely people.

I struggle to identify people that ignore customers and run a business with crap communication as 'lovely'.

if you can't run it properly, give up and go run something simpler like a whelk stall.
25 May 2017 at 13:57 #299552
Baz
Participant
@baz89810
Thanks David, that puts me in my place doesn't it.
25 May 2017 at 14:02 #299553
Robert Thompson 11
Participant
@robertthompson11
Hello Brian Glad to hear Tim is ok but i think "a little bit behind " is to say the least a bit of an understatement.

I estimate he is at least 2 years behind but obviously that only applies to me i dont know how many others are in the same boat.

Even so when customers phone,leave messages, send e mails and recorded deliveries, something doesnt quite ring true. Not even acknowledgement of my letter requesting the return of my deposit even though i have written evidence that he has received it.

I still think one should proceed with caution

Bob
25 May 2017 at 15:18 #299570
David Standing 1
Participant
@davidstanding1
Posted by Baz on 25/05/2017 13:57:11:

Thanks David, that puts me in my place doesn't it.

Baz

It was a reflection on the service others have got from CVS, not a criticism of you .

My background is corporate insolvency and debt collection, and so I probably have a lower tolerance threshold, as sadly I have heard all the excuses as to why businesses or people do not deliver, a million times over.

If it is a one off delay, that may be excusable. If there are serial issues, and there are apparently as there are a number of unhappy customers on this thread alone, making delivery promises and failing to meet them, or ignoring customers, and keep taking on new orders with no real chance of meeting them within two years or so and not making unacceptable lead times clear up front, is straying into deception territory. It may not be deliberate, but the outcome is the same.

Edited By David Standing 1 on 25/05/2017 15:26:13
25 May 2017 at 15:41 #299577
David Standing 1
Participant
@davidstanding1
Posted by Robert Thompson 8 on 25/05/2017 14:02:39:

Hello Brian Glad to hear Tim is ok but i think "a little bit behind " is to say the least a bit of an understatement.

I estimate he is at least 2 years behind but obviously that only applies to me i dont know how many others are in the same boat.

Even so when customers phone,leave messages, send e mails and recorded deliveries, something doesnt quite ring true. Not even acknowledgement of my letter requesting the return of my deposit even though i have written evidence that he has received it.

I still think one should proceed with caution

Bob

I doubt there is anything mysterious as such.

By all accounts nobody has any complaints about his boiler building skills, just his business skills. It isn't uncommon in extreme situations like this one that the person just buries their head in the sand, in 'la la, I can't hear you' fashion. If you can't see or hear the problem, there isn't a problem. Invariably you cannot change this behaviour in an individual that acts like this, unless you take away the factors that lead to the behaviour in the first place, which aren't easy.

It becomes a fire fighting situation – you are behind with orders, people are chasing you. You stop and deal with the people that are chasing you, you get even more behind, so the only option is to ignore the people that are chasing you and try and fulfil your orders, but then the baying gets louder………..

The obvious solution is to employ another boiler maker, or stop taking orders until existing ones are fulfilled, but if that is your only source of income, that then creates other issues.

Rarely in my experience is it possible to simply work your way out of a situation like this, without some sort of changes.
25 May 2017 at 19:06 #299595
Baz
Participant
@baz89810
David, I agree entirely with you, but what is the answer? Employ another boiler maker, so immediately you get in to PAYE, you have to offer them the workplace pension, give them 4 weeks holiday, that is assuming you can find one. If you stop taking orders there is a fear that you won't get work again when you need it. I can understand the head down and get on with it attitude, if you can ignore the phone calls etc you get more done. What is needed is a Public relations person to take the calls and keep all the customers happy, but they also need PAYE, workplace pension etc and don't increase productivity, also despite us all paying a couple of thousand pounds for our boilers I doubt if there is a great profit margin to cover these costs. I think we have to be thankful Tim is still trading, maybe not as efficiently as some would like, and having very extended deliveries, the only real alternative is to make a set of flanging formers and have a go yourself.
25 May 2017 at 19:34 #299599
Robert Thompson 11
Participant
@robertthompson11
Sorry Baz i dont buy that argument. We are not talking about pennies here and anyone who runs a business has responsibilities and regulations that have to be addressed and dealt with. If you cant do that then you shouldnt be in business.

Do we actually know when a boiler last came out of the premises?
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