Supplier Feedback Forum Category

[Adrian Girling]

I would find it incredibly helpful if there was a forum category devoted to supplier feedback.  I've stumbled across posts which recommend suppliers of parts which has been really helpful to me, but a list of recommended suppliers and member feedback on purchases good and bad would be so nice.

So far, my experience generally is that the self proclaimed specialists are often found wanting whilst cheaper parts on Ebay have served me well as the sellers depend on good customer feedback - instead of a fancy web site.

Finally, how about some negotiation with "the usual suspects" to get a club member discount?

[yorkshire_spam]

I think it's always been a dicey subject for the club in the past due to:

1) Concerns over being dragged into slander/liable situations for negative feedback

2) The awkward situation of trying to generate advertising revenue for the club when members are critical of "certain suppliers" on the forum etc.

Having said that, I'm not a club official and imho people need to know about shonky goods/suppliers. (I just understand the clubs past caution)

 

[Wendy Dawes]

Club Triumph is run by it’s members for its members   Unlike some other clubs which are run as a business and are ltd companies, this  puts a different perspective on what the club can safely do without any potential legal issues 

there are reputable suppliers ie Canley Classics, TD Fitchetts, Chris Wittor, James Paddock to name but a few who are Triumph owners themselves and have years of experience and can advise on most issues 

 

[Clive]

The problem is that anybody who has had a poor experience, real or often unrealistic, makes a very loud noise, wheras the vast majoity of happy customers say nothing.

I rarely find ebay or amazon reviews helpful. They usually talk of delivery speed.

The main suppliers as listed above have a longstanding commitment to the Triumph brand, and I have bought from them all. I have had the occasional hiccup, but it has always been sorted efficiently and to my satisfaction. 

For any purchase, you can ask on the forum who is the best supplier, never forgetting some stuff varies in quality from batch to batch. The sellers try to only sell good stuff, but sometimes they can only sell what is available. 

Also here you will get comments from people who use their cars, and that is useful as you will want longevity.

[Darren Sharp]

We as a Club do have some support from Major suppliers through advertising in Club Torque . Like all businesses our Suppliers have to make profits and some have maximised their earnings by branching out into other areas of supply and are no longer specifically involved with just Triumph . This has diminished their expertise somewhat . Years ago many lines have become deleted because of lack of demand . Re manufacturing was no longer financially possible in the UK . A lot of spares are now sought from abroad and the quality is not always good enough although there is an argument that at least there is some availability ( even if it’s not really up to British Standards) . There are suppliers that have bucked this trend and will only supply quality parts mostly sourced in the UK . The result of this is that they tend to be slightly more expensive but as the old saying goes Caveat emptor - buyer beware . You get what you pay for .. I used to have many discussions with our suppliers and the overriding impression I was left with was that the cost of re tooling simply outweighed the possible profit margins for low volume production. Modern laser printing and CAD CAM can help as it will make it possible to re manufacture some parts without traditional expenses. 

[richard w]

As a saloon owner Chris Witor has seen plenty of business from me. Lloyd Reed is also very good and helpful to deal with.

Bits and pieces from other suppliers obviously along the way, but I did fall foul of seeing cheap basic parts on a site that shall remain nameless (but starts with E and ends with bay) - fuel filters which were dirt cheap, but the first one fitted poured petrol all over the place! Since replaced with a decent one.

As always you get what you pay for 🤔

[Rosbif]

10 hours ago, richard w said:

but I did fall foul of seeing cheap basic parts on a site that shall remain nameless (but starts with E and ends with bay) - fuel filters which were dirt cheap, but the first one fitted poured petrol all over the place! Since replaced with a decent one.

As always you get what you pay for 🤔

There doesn't seem to be a day goes by where someone reports the very poor quality and/or fake products being sold on the site you don't name 😉. I really, really am surprised that anyone buys stuff there. OK, there is a case for buying used parts from individuals and some good reliable, the numbers can be counted on the fingers on one hand probably, sellers but the majority . . Well it seems to be a real gamble. 🤞

[Howard]

When you deal with most non-classic car suppliers these days you can leave a star rating and comment on the product you have purchased. There are some items eg rubber mounts for TR7 carbs that should never be purchased, but many other items that are fine.

Maybe the club could urge the larger suppliers to provide this facility.