Forum Replies Created
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Alex
ParticipantRe: ZANUSSI DISHWAHSER DE6965
Rather than the valve alone, the Integrated Water Management System is probably blocked. The one you require will depend on the production number. This comes with a valve.
There are a few modifications as well which complicates things.
Alex
Alex
ParticipantRe: Junk Mail/Calls/Faxes
Yes & we use the service.
It eliminates nearly all junk faxes and if we get an unsolicited phone call we quote we are part of the Telephone Preference Service and request the phone number & names of the caller as well as the team leader. Gets rid of them every time.
Calls & faxes outside the UK are not included, and some companies are wise to this.
Alex
Alex
ParticipantRe: working together
Just to take this one stage further. I sat next to Mr Gobshite accuser at the Sardinian Do, and had a long question & answer session with him. (I was going to say probing session, but you are bound to take that one the wrong way).
I used the Candy example of when the work from that lot disapperaed, how did they manage and what about the staff? He said they carried the staff and pulled through.
I then turned the thread into an NESN discussion, asking if he was an agent, and whether he is affected by the loss of work recently. He was concerned regards that and then asked me questions regards my work providers etc. He was particulaly interested in CDSL. Therefore I painted a very rosy picture indeed. He told me he didn’t trust Dave Parker, and was happy that NESN were straight. He would not admit or deny any payment issues, so I didn’t push it.
I brought up UKW but he told me he wasn’t a fan and had heard lots of negative things. Regretfully I couldn’t get a lot out of him despite lots of common denominators as my Daughter lives in his area, and we know some of the same people.
He made such an issue out of people being honest, and he was above reproach & holier than thou etc. I was suspicious.
Alex
Alex
ParticipantRe: forum sponsors
johnmac11 wrote:Nice to see than Ken & co are out chasing sponsors for the site.
Took a look at the Taliban site and am sure I recognise some of the members.
JohnI would have thought a better sponsor would have been George Dubya himself. With an election due, he needs the publicity.
Oh B.T.W. Welcome to John Mac.
Alex
Alex
ParticipantRe: DASA
I assume from that Ken, some unqualified statement has been made and let me guess, from somebody who had never even looked at the site.
Just watch out for body language at the AGM and maybe we can pinpoint who we are thinking of. Last year one member of DASA got up & walked out at the AGM as soon as the topic of UKW was brought up.
Alex
Alex
ParticipantRe: DASA
Dave_Conway wrote:
From what I hear one less “gobshite” present at the AGM won’t be missed by some
Dave.Hello, has someone been casting aspersions regards some of the passionate & vociferous members members of this site?
I hope any such comments can be justified by whosever that may have been, and not a throw away remark from someone shooting from the hip; person or persons maybe who has never even looked at this site.
Outrageous I say.
Alex
Alex
ParticipantRe: Zanussi Condenser TC 470 not drying
Give Dave 1st option as he puts a lot of work into the spare parts side of this site. If not we can.
01278-434978 9am to 12 or 2 to 4.00.
Quote the part number and ask for trade. (Has been agreed by the boss). With your address and card details we can get is sent straight to you from Distriparts.
There used to be instructions included.
Alex
Alex
ParticipantRe: Looking for fully intergated dishwasher
We can do you a Zanussi.
Height 818 to 878 mm. Width 596 mm. Depth 555 mm
There is a choice of fully Integrated or Semi-integrated depending whether your door is full height.
There is a wide choice of model numbers and I suggest you contact 08705-727727 option 1 for a brochure. To give you a clue on prices Model ZDT6041 Fully integrated is £463 Delivered to you.
Model ZDi6041 Semi integrated is £420 Delivered to you. This model is available in a choice of fascia colours. All prices include VAT.There is a wider choice but I’ve given you the no whistles and bells does what it says on the tin types.
Hope that helps. If interested give us a call on the main office number 01278-424550
Alex
October 12, 2004 at 2:24 pm in reply to: Wanted: Zanussi Gas Cooker GC9557 glass hob lid – help! #117952Alex
ParticipantRe: Wanted: Zanussi Gas Cooker GC9557 glass hob lid – help!
Bad news. Part number 5730000037009 Obsolete
Alex
ParticipantRe: DASA
Reading this lot tells me the biggest asset DASA has to offer is the passionate members. These are being eroded away and with the thoughts that has been shown in this debate, there is life in the association.
I sincerely hope this debate takes place at the AGM where it should be tabled and moved forward.
We live in hope.
Alex
Alex
ParticipantRe: DASA
Any trade organisation needs two things to make it successful,
1. A person at the head with a good understanding of the industry and with some drive and energy to keep up with all the requirements and needs expected by the members in the association.
2. A membership that is prepared to support the association and it’s aims and to ensure it remains fully funded.
It seems to me that DASA had lost it’s way on both counts, and maybe that was nobody’s fault. Things in these types of associations can go a bit stale, but it’s important to find the right balance so that the person leading is fully motivated, and that the membership gets pay back from being part of the association.
There is need of innovation from a good trade association; bearing in mind that the unique individual “one brand only” service company/manufacturer has almost gone. It’s all multi-brand now so consumer identity and choice is all different now.
Also in the past few years there’s been a complete change of mind set by some of the insurers on how to get their work carried out. Even they’re not looking for branded service to make their repairs and they’ve been quite happy to pass over their service liabilities to a number of “managing agents”.
I maybe wrong but I feel that these recent years would have been a “real opportunity” for DASA to be leading from the front on behalf it’s members and in fact possibly expanding it’s aims to establish itself as a major player in the “managing agents” market. Whilst it means making a considerable investment to make it work. The long-term benefits are there to be had; and at least any profit stays within the association and the industry, so it can promote itself to the wider consumer base for the long-term benefit/dividend of the members.
If I have any advice to offer the council of DASA it should establish what the members want before you appointing a new leader, as any new head of DASA needs to know what the aims for the future are.
The statement you have just read is an extract from an e-mail I received from one of the founder members who was in on the conception of DASA in the 70’s. He told me he was quite saddened by the way the association has been left with no purpose.
I see there has been some movement regards appointing Steve Roachford to lobby members and look for input. Regretfully that will not even scratch the surface. A telephone call to a busy office like mine with questions and asking input may seem like a good idea, but in reality it doesn’t work. In my case I was caught on the hop and at a busy time, the result was I was left thinking on my feet and despite being quick minded there may have been one or two points I didn’t come up with on the spur of the moment.
What DASA needs to do is appoint 3 or 4 people to cover various areas. These need to personally visit members and prospective members on a regular basis, to see what there is out there. They need to go on a recruitment drive, give DASA a higher profile and make it known across the whole industry. Pulling in more members will add to the income and will bring in badly needed new blood. The next thing is to bring the fees down to a realistic level. We’ve all seen where the likes of Hotpoint etc. priced themselves out of the market place with their charges; hence so many ex Hotpoint engineers making a living from the chargeable work. I know it costs to employ such staff and there will be the short term loss of revenue but that will come back once the profile has been raised and there are more members.
It is in the hands of DASA to pull themselves up by the socks. It is all very well for them to ask us to do more, but to date most of us lack the enthusiasm due to the inertia demonstrated to date. DASA cannot expect us to do any more until they have become pro-active themselves and demonstrated there is a way forward.
It is a sad sate of affairs indeed. Chris Hayter was removed and I thought the blockage had been cleared, now they are running around like headless chickens. One reason being that because C.H. was running the whole operation, there was almost nothing put in place to cover his departure.
I look forward to the meeting at York and will be interested to see what the new constitution will be. I’m sure that I speak for many others that I need some serious convincing to keep my membership, and I’m travelling right up the country to get this input. What about all those dispassionate members who will not bother? they will simply walk away from DASA. What doesn’t appear to get through is that DASA is in deep crisis, and it all their own doing. They only have themselves to blame, the cancer has set in deep and the cure is evading them daily. They are haemorrhaging members and as a result losing their image, credibility, revenue stream and above all respect in this industry.
Alex Reed.
Alex
ParticipantRe: The most expensive C**k up
Kitchen company on behalf of a customer phones up Summer 2003 complaining of rancid smells from a new cooker as well as smoke. They give us the model number of a built under oven, so we tell them as per the instructions to leave it set on full power for about 2 hours to let the insulation/newness burn off.
Next day we get a call to inspect a kitchen where the worktop surface had melted and the units above to the right & left as well as the cooker hood were discoloured etc.
The complaint the customer had the day before was the HOB (Solid plate) was smelling etc. Of course, that is what she put on for 2 hours at maximum setting on all 4 plates, to avoid the smell on a beautiful summers day she went out into the garden with a glass of wine.
The customer egged on by the kitchen company was trying to claim against us for all the damage. She tried giving me a hard time & I simply told her that she was the one who turned it on at full blast & left it unattended. I was having none of it as we were advised about a cooker, not an inset hob unit. Eventually all went quiet and I suppose it came off the insurance of the customer.
Alex
Alex
ParticipantRe: Amusing Ancedotes & Other Tales
Called on a guy in the mid 80’s at the start of the hole in the ozone warnings. Complaint of Fridge Freezer not cold.
I arrive to find it running, I open the door of the freezer section to find the evaporator coverd in scratches and scars as well as 3 or 4 puncture marks. It was like something out of Psycho, so I ask the guy when did he last defrost it, and he answered “yesterday, and it hasn’t worked since”. So I shows him the damage which he immediately denies was due to the defrosting method.
When I produce a bill, he then tells me it is under guarantee, and he will be suing Zanussi for his distress as their product has caused untold environmental damage. The best bit was, he did contact customer care and demanded a refund of my call-out as well as a replacement product using the threat that he was going to report Zanussi to the national press.
Don’t you just love em!!
Alex
ParticipantRe: Profit & Loss
johno1998 wrote:
❓ IM SORRY BUT IM NEW TO THIS SITE CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT ARE WPs and IMHO.
WP’s Are work providers, whether that is Manufacturers, Insurance companies or factoring agents such as CDSL, ISDA NESN et-al.
IMHO Can either be In My Honest Opinion or Humble Opinion.
There is a long list of these acronyms which are used by the likes of us and Text message freaks. There is a web-site dedicated to these somewhere & I’m sure some saddo will point us to it.
Alex
Alex
ParticipantRe: DASA
Very interesting debate this is.
I feel responsible for bringing this into the public domain last March, when I penned an open letter, “Is it all worth it?” This was posted in the DASA thread of this site, as I felt it prudent to keep it within the organisation. However little has changed on the surface, and with the recent traffic on this topic, I think it is time to open it for all to read.
Is It All Worth It?
I’ve reflected on my subscription to DASA. In particular, “Value for money”. Having just spent out £593.50 to them what have I got to show for it? I have been a member for about 10 years and cannot think of any benefit that has come my way in the last 5 or 6 of those. Being a member of Whitegoods has only cost me time, not a subscription that is becoming unrealistic. If in the future funding from members of Whitegoods will be required, then no problem, at least I see that the trade does listen to us. Nobody looks for money out of the group; we are all vying to keep ourselves in a high profile in a very low side of our industry. It is run by business for the benefit of fellow businesses. The point is; we as the Whitegoods group care and feel the need to stop the rot. It is becoming apparent the manufacturers and work providers now start to think we are serious.
The thing that has made me wonder if I may have wasted my money, was the enthusiasm and verve of the fledgling Whitegoods group. We had a good meeting and some interesting debates. Some representatives of work providers attended and enlightened us as to their side of the equation. They were very helpful and made us focus on some real issues. They have demonstrated they are willing to work with us.
Once upon a time, makers and work providers used to look at the DASA list when looking for cover in an area. Sometimes I get a phone call from a work provider asking if I know of anyone in a neighbouring postcode that can carry out work for them. Bristol and parts of Dorset seems to be particular patches where there is a shortage of service companies. If they didn’t have access or were not aware of DASA list, then I used to look myself and recommend a fellow member. It seems most work providers no longer go down that route; either because they don’t recognise DASA or take the organisation seriously. The preferred route now is Yell.com. What I’m getting at is the only benefit I had in the past, was being approached via that list. The above proves this method is no longer a considered option.
We used to look in Orbit and see lists of names of prospective new members, and we were asked our opinion. What happened to that? No new blood willing to join I suspect. Or maybe due to Orbit not being published enough. Sometimes Orbit was a reminder of what we got from DASA; the only reminder I have now is for my annual subscription. I am a member of RETRA as well as the FPB. Both organisations save me money on insurance and banking. I receive newsletters, updates on legislation and they offer legal support as well as being able to lobby parliament etc. All at a fee that is a third of the DASA figure.
I’ve attended DASA meetings and it all seems too brotherly and contained. There is no impetus or get up and go the whole organisation seems to be swathed in inertia. If any constructive comments or indeed criticisms arise, these are scorned upon and not always tabulated in the minutes. I cannot think of anything that has come out of DASA in the last few years that is even worth a discussion.
DASA I feel was once a forward thinking and recognised part of this industry. However they have stood still for many years and as a result have withered on the vine. As regards stopping the rot of our industry, it is too late where DASA are concerned; even Rentokil would throw the towel in.
I now set DASA a challenge to demonstrate where they are heading and what the future holds. I’m not alone I’m sure in these sentiments, and before anyone says, “Oh these youngsters haven’t a clue etc”. I’m in my mid 50’s and if I’m perceived as a youngster, that says it all.All the above I have to add is my personal opinion, and I have e-mailed a copy of this direct to the DASA offices. Unless I can be convinced otherwise, I shall not be renewing my subscription next year. I hope this action does not in any way affect the formation of Network DASA but they need to have concerns if longstanding DASA members are pulling out, it looks as though there is no means of preventing this slow death.
I can see both sides of this debate, but what I find really puts it all into perspective are the thought process given by 2 non-members, being Penquin & Martin. They are both spot on and yet being outsiders, it is amazing how they have grasped the situation.
I am still a member to Spring 2005 and will see what comes of the AGM in York. I suspect it will be the last one I shall attend, at this stage there would appear to be a 2-way choice as to regards why I may not be there so I will leave you to draw your own conclusions. I must say “Rome wasn’t built in a day” so DASA isn’t dead yet, but they must be close to administrating the last rites.
Alex Reed Sedgemoor Domestic Appliances Ltd.
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