We recently took a radiator into one of the well known radiator specialists for a new core to be fitted and some alterations (to be fitted into a shortened shell).
We were quoted in excess of £1800 for the whole job to which our customer agreed with.
After 2 months I phoned them to see how the job was progressing and was told that the core was on order and they would get back to me with a completion date. After another 2 weeks I called again and was told the core would be another 2 weeks from there suppliers.
I thought if I leave it for another month they should have the core and job would be well on its way. So after another month I called and was told still no core, the core suppliers were on shut down for 2 weeks and would be back on Monday. By this time, as you can imagine, I was getting disappointed as I felt I was getting the run around, so I left it another few days and called again. To my disbelief I was told that they still had no answer on the core When I mentioned it has been 4 months since I dropped the radiator off and could I please have a date for completion, to my horror I was told rather curtly "you better come and collect it and get some one else to do it". To top it all off when the bit's where collected they were just dumped on the counter rather rudely and the person then just went off and hid away - not an apology in sight!
We have had radiators re-cored by them in the past and their work is very good but it just goes to show some people clearly are too busy and don't need the business.
Ross - check the VSCC forum for recommendations on radiator specialists. I've use Anglo European Rads in Farnham - brilliant! and old car nuts themselves. Also Star Engineering are really good at the trickier jobs...
If the facts are as you say (and I have no reason to think that they are not) is there any reason why you should not mention the name of the firm involved. If it puts any people off using them, maybe they will "up their game" a bit when their workload falls away.
I have used Jess Dilley at C.P.A. Services in Grantham. He did an excellent job with my Austin 7 radiator at a reasonable price and understands old cars. He is on the suppliers list.
I had my M Type radiator recored by Glasgow Radiators - they manufacture cores including honeycombs. I had a modern core fitted but have a false honeycomb to the front. I was told honeycomb cores aren't too efficient and are susceptible to damage from stones etc. I don't recall the exact cost but it was about £150 with a two day turn round. The only critism I have is they replaced the original, soldered on makers badge with one of their own. I don't know what an original core would have cost but I suspect it would be more than £150!
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Posted - 01/07/2012 : 20:46:53
