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So I was thinking…
It’s about time we got this show on the road with the technical information thing, I mean it’s only a matter of time before we did it, but I’m thinking we should get started.
What I need is a list of people to write to with a questionnaire perhaps requesting the companies official standing on offering the independent traders technical information. Service managers or director’s names would be good, but a list of addresses and companies is essential that should be approached.
I also need to concoct a standard letter that will get their attention for information as well as spares pricing and discounts.
K.
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
To start maybe it would be best just to mailshot the Repairs@ members as they know who UKW are in the first instance. The letter would need to be worded so that the opinions are fenced into 2 camps – the Yes or the No. Also I think that it should exclude the information gleaned from the likes of TDS and Whirlpool software as they are purchased information – only available to those who pay each year. The PCB fault code diagnostics and EEprom reprogramming software is the main area that needs to be open to the trade: be it chargeable or not, we should at least have a choice to obtain it if we need it.
The WP’s should support this as their reputation and integrity rests largely with the engineers in the field.
I’m not sure how we could approach the spares discount bit just yet – I think we need to generate a sizeable level of support on the tech info first and then move onto that with the faithful. 😉Steve.
Ah, you got me wrong Steve…
I wanna have a go at the manufacturers not the guys and I don’t want to frig about doing it either. 😉
K.
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
OK – now I see what you mean!! Therefore, are we going to base our case on the motor industry one that was passed around at Sibson? It would be interesting to know how they started the ball rolling. Did that case set a precedent? If so, then that would make it a direct comparison with the whitegoods trade. That would surely put it within the remit of the OFT, would it not?
Steve.
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
🙂
What I’d suggest is giving them enough rope to hang themselves by asking the policy on technical information to traders as well as public and the same on spares as well as spares pricing. Basically, make the b4$t4rd$ squirm a bit as it will be worded as though we are already talking to the OFT/CC.
So yes, basically what we’re looking for is enough evidence to force the OFT to investigate it all under the same regulations as govern the motor trade.
I think I know how to get the ball rolling but we need some evidence to get it on the road.
K.
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
I hope this will include Miele – getting asked more and more about repairs to them. Usually, I just pass them on ATM.
And I don’t like that…… 👿This should be interesting…… :dark:
Steve.
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
What we need is a customer to request that an Independent repairer repair they’re appliance rather than the Manufacturer. If we had a customer onboard also willing to ask the OFT why they’re forced to go to the Manufacturer for a repair U/G, rather than use they’re trusted repairer that they’ve used for 20 Yrs…… then that would be a massive plus!
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
Hi
I know its a bit out of character for me but maybe a softly easy going contfrontation at the first instance may be a better option.
Lets treat it like injuries: ( slowly catch a monkey)
If its a gentle graze then it’ll get no real responce. (dull niggle)
Second one will be a paper cut (sharp and painfull)
Third then cut a finger off ( very painfull )If we can show that we have tried the easy,hard andformal action steps with them taking no notice then that would be in our favour and we would then have more evidence to supply if an action was taken either against us or them.
I would also advise recorded postage if sent to the relivant manufacturers to show a consistant and detailed request record to produce if nessesary.
Bryan
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
John suggested something like that Ade and the trouble would be two-fold, finding some poor sod that would do it and then the time/expense of it but, in principal, yes it is s fine idea.
You are correct Bryan, the idea is to trap them into answering or to provide a negative response which can then be used to lever the OFT. We have no power to tell them what to be doing but two people do, the government and their customers, especially trade customers.
K.
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
kwatt wrote:the trouble would be two-fold, finding some poor sod that would do it and then the time/expense of it but, in principal, yes it is s fine idea.
We’re assuming that this customer has to be totally unrelated to this trade? If I buy a Hotpoint fridge tomorrow, I now become a customer of Hotpoint regardless whether I repair appliances or not, I would have the same consumer rights as Mr never touched an appliance!
Why should I have to wait 10 days + to get the unit repaired? Just because I’m in the trade 😕 Why couldn’t us repairers act as the customer also? I’m sure a few of us have appliances of our own that we can’t repair under waranty?Re: Guerrilla Tactics
Have to agree with Bryan and Ken. We have to put our battle plan together very, very carefully. All the variables need to be lined up in our favour first before we enter the fray.
It goes without saying that we will only get one pop at this so we have to be dam sure we get it right first time.
We need to build up a full arsenall of sustained, rejected, reasonable requests for technical help/information on their products from manufacturers. Without tipping them off as to what we are doing and why.
At some stage we also have to challenge manufacturers on their spares pricing policy.
Sean
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
No argument Ade, but we have to make it look as if it isn’t constructed as rightly or wrongly a lot of this is about how we make it look. If we look as if we’ve set out to trip them up then it could be seen as us taking a liberty and the point is then lost.
Care is needed IMO if we are to succeed.
K.
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
Agreed Ken, what’s the first move then? I presume we need someone with a genuine technical enquiry for a genuine repair to approach a manufacturer for info and get told to ‘opp it’?! Am i right in thinking we will need a case before any questions are asked to any manufacturer?
Think I need some education on this mission! 8)
Re: Guerrilla Tactics
No probs.
My first thought is to write to them all and and request the process by which the independents gains tech info and, if that is not something that they are prepared to provide can they please explain why. Obviously we await answers within a reasonable time, say 28 days in honour of Danny Boyle, then we write again and request a little more forcefully. Still no answers then we start to refer the matter to AMDEA and ask them for their official stance and, once we get blown off there we go to the OFT with a basic, “come on guys, this is just not fair..” type thing.
The point being that we have then exhausted every avenue we have available and gotten stonewalled and, we have it in writing that we’re basically to “go forth”, including from the manufacturer’s own association.
Meanwhile we need to research how it is done in Europe especially but we can wind up some of the Aussies as well for good measure and then start screaming from the rooftops that they’re all taking the wee.
At least, were I a devious underhanded b4$t4rd that’s how I’d do it. 😉
Don’t give the b00gers anywhere to run or hide and box them into the corner you want them in.
K.
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