↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Off Topic > Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 255 of 265 <123 ... 254255256 ... 263264265>
Print this entire topic · 
diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6031

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Main dealers
I've been assured by a good friend that all new dealers are like this now, but I had the unfortunate need to go into my local new shiny JLR dealers today (Grange in Swindon)

I need a Td5 rear crank oil seal. I have a shtpart one but not going to trust it.

I stroll into said dealers in work kit (dickies steel capped boots, dickies black trousers, fleece with comany logo on)
Straight away I get looked at by the two (seemingly ex doctors surgery receptionists judging by their attitude) as if I'm here to clean the windows.

"Where's the stores/parts department?" says I?

she laughs back... "what?" "stores?"

err yes....

"what for?"

"um... to buy some spares for my defender"

Now I know that asking for defender parts in a modern LR "customer experience center" (aka showroom) is akin to selling a signed picture of Jimmy Saville on mumsnet, but jeez is it that hard?

she picks up the phone to ring the stores. no answer.

"I'll email them"....

if she got her fat arse off the seat she could waddle the 100' back to where this horrible oily smelly rat infested "stores" thing is, and get them.

no, so I loiter for about 8~10 minutes. offered a coffee and a sniff of their comfy sofas and a read of the FT/country life/other Censored publications that are on offer.
The coffee area is about the size of a costa outlet.. 2x coffee machines, biscuits, sweets, juice etc. I suspect out the back there was also a yoga area.

I said to the receptionist (loudly) "this place is nowhere near like TH Whites used to be" (if anyone knew it, in wootton bassett, you coudl go into the stores office and have a chat and laugh with the staff there)

Eventually Vicky comes out (I know her from Whites),bloody hell I say, this place is like fort knox!

I ask for a the seal. give her the part number.

"I'll have to order it anyway", says she, "don't carry Td5 or much defender stuff"

FFS.....

I lost count of the number of 12 year olds with their designer gelled hair prancing about with ipads trying to look important. they're just sales people for god sakes!

Although I did overhear one taking a middle-to-older aged gent out to "sort your navigation system out", him with his man bag and scarf on (it was about 18 degrees today and sunny)

Maybe he wanted to find the stores as well to buy some designer RR sport sunglass holders?

Banging Head Banging Head Banging Head
Post #769008 17th Apr 2019 8:34pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Rashers



Member Since: 21 Jun 2015
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3334

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
Bow down Bow down Bow down an amazing post diesel_jim.

I’m afraid you have seen the future and the future is not a happy place Shocked
Post #769027 17th Apr 2019 9:38pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
williamthedog



Member Since: 29 Dec 2012
Location: south wales
Posts: 3441

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 PU Tamar Blue
^^^^ people actually do work on their own vehicles..... No thats not allowed 🤣🤣🤣
Post #769045 18th Apr 2019 6:30am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5084

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
Ask one of those trendy looking sales staff the simple question ‘why did they stop making Defenders then?’ and the resulting answer is priceless though first, you have to take in the look of panic that crosses their face, then listen wide-eyed to the answers, such as ‘no one wanted to buy them anymore’ , ‘aluminium is becoming very rare’, ‘the biggest buyer was the army and they did not want them anymore’ and perhaps the best answer ‘we had to as too many people were getting injured so it was mainly a safety issue forced on JLR by the government.

As for Main Agent's parts dept. A total waste of time, never have the part in stock or after spending twenty minutes on Micro Cat informs you the part is on back order, or we have not seen that part for years.
If you want a real treat try asking for any part for a series 2 or a 101….best of luck! For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #769099 18th Apr 2019 12:53pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Rashers



Member Since: 21 Jun 2015
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3334

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
Aluminium becoming rare??

Priceless Laughing

Considering it is one of the easiest metals to recycle........
Post #769102 18th Apr 2019 12:59pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
duckworthparts
Site Sponsor


Member Since: 30 Jun 2011
Location: Market Rasen
Posts: 631

United Kingdom 
Quote:
If you want a real treat try asking for any part for a series 2 or a 101


but your VIN doesn't work on my system?! Laughing



I wonder how many dealers still actually have the physical books https://www.facebook.com/duckworthparts

Send a paypal payment direct using this link www.paypal.me/duckworthparts

www.duckworthparts.co.uk
My Direct Line: 01673 849873
Email: danroberts@duckworthlandrover.co.uk
Supplier of Genuine Land Rover & Jaguar Parts For All Models

Can also supply OEM & Aftermarket parts

Post #769105 18th Apr 2019 1:02pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

United Kingdom 
Your local parts manager at the local independent Land Rover specialist should be one of your best friends!

At our local specialist I can/am allowed to walk into the actual store area. Yes I ignore the desk!

Listen to what they say and exchange information with them. They can be quite a fountain of knowledge, you might change a part once every few years whilst they might be dealing with that issue every month so will know if after market will suffice or you are better off with genuine LR part.

Going on a trip? Then take them some local beer in as a thank you. Thumbs Up

Works wonders! Whistle Whistle

Brendan
Post #769141 18th Apr 2019 9:05pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6031

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Yes I agree Leeds..... when TH Whites had the LR franchise (they had it for donkeys years here), I was in there all the time.... it's about 3 miles from my house.
I've spend a tidy sum in there over the years getting parts and had 3x brand new defenders from them (and my dads old RR classic back in the 90's)

I finished building my current 110 in 2010. So not really had the call for much in the way of parts. the odd thing now and then. in that time, Whites lost the franchise and Grange took it over becoming JLR and aiming for the kind of people that go to the dealers to have their ashtrays emptied.

As you say, I used to go straight to the stores dept, chew the fat with the guys, they'd even give me the latest microcat discs as I had the cracks to get them running on my laptop. they'd ring me if they ever had any *special* stuff in (like a brand new LT230 still in the crate for some beer money Whistle )

Alas that has all gone with the new place. Although I went there today to collect my Td5 oil seal.. had to wait in a queue at reception along with a chap dropping off some body panels, as "stores are in a meeting".... Rolling Eyes

So I helped myself to coffee and biscuits this time.

It's still no way to run a dealership.
Post #769153 18th Apr 2019 10:25pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

United Kingdom 
Main JLR dealership sucks to put it mildly

Sales people last week selling Fords, this week JLR, next week Toyota

At a main dealer we had to show the salesman where the battery was because he thought the Defender battery was under the bonnet!


Brendan
Post #769156 18th Apr 2019 10:35pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19531

United Kingdom 
Sick of the standards of the roads these days around here.

Today I was coming back around the lanes, someone came the opposite way both about 15 -25mph only. Single carriage way hedges each side etc. They pulled up fine. So would I have if it wasn’t for a damn pothole and drain cover sunken in it and grit all over the place.
Skidded straight across the top of the damn drain and and a foot or two over the tarmac.

Still pulled up fine, nothing too hairy but it’s so bloody aggravating especially when you have a misery going the opposite direction who didn’t even thank me for reversing up for them either.

Last year I had much the same again only instead I was towing.

If anyone was on a motorbike...

The roads are terrible, patches and patches put on top of repairs on top of repairs. Surfaces too smooth in places, too much loose chippings and loads of grit in others. Roads with “tram lines” on them dipped each side. Potholes filled with water, those not filed with water. Cracks and splits in the road, usually from their so called repairs. Joints in surfaces not even level so like a ramp instead of a surface transition.

It goes on and on, yet in the city nearly A1 condition. Rolling Eyes

Rant over. Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧
Post #779700 30th Jun 2019 9:16pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Rashers



Member Since: 21 Jun 2015
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3334

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
I feel for you custom90steve.

In Norfolk, the big wigs at the council have been (or at least getting their sub-contractor minions) to put signs up on some side roads stating that they are unsuitable for motor vehicles. My mate lives on one.

In essence, the sign says that the local highways are going to do didlysquat from now on to the road so if you use it, knacker your motor, don’t try taking them to court.

The great thing is, Norfolk council tax has had an enormous reduction due to the fact they are not spending out money on these roads........ not.

Still plenty of money for new cycle lanes in Norwich that 80% of cyclists don’t use Thumbs Up They would rather cycle on the road than use the cycle lanes and pathways. Only they know why?
Post #779701 30th Jun 2019 9:34pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Swine&Small



Member Since: 20 Mar 2017
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 1223

United Kingdom 
So they can cycle 2/3 abreast and hold up the other road users Rolling Eyes 1983 Series 3 Pick up in Marine Blue
1967 Morris Traveller
1966 Morris Convertible
2012 VW T5 Camper
Quod Abundat Non Obstat.
Post #779722 30th Jun 2019 11:36pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19531

United Kingdom 
Yeah, or a chain around 6 in a group at least. Another favourite! Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧
Post #779723 30th Jun 2019 11:47pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
shropshiredefender



Member Since: 05 Jun 2017
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 832

England 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Instead of a "Bull Bar" maybe someone could manufacture a "Cycle Bar" for the front of my Defender.

It would gently scoop up offending lycra louts and propel them at a sensible (for a Defender) speed to my destination (hopefully a long way from their destination).

Think "Cow catcher" on old American steam locos.
Post #780626 8th Jul 2019 3:34pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
windy81



Member Since: 14 Mar 2018
Location: North Wales
Posts: 311

Wales 1992 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Firenze Red
Thing is, I cycle as did my old school friend, but unfortunately he died when he got hit from behind by a car. I don't know why i felt to say that, but the anti cycle thing is just pishhh...Roads are for everyone.
Post #780666 8th Jul 2019 7:01pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 255 of 265 <123 ... 254255256 ... 263264265>
All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums