Chatfield Bronze NZ -- how come they're still in business?

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Back in the middle of the year we were considering adding Chatfield bronzeware to the range of products we offer to our customers. So I emailed Chatfield Engineering in NZ to ask them for a catalogue.

Chatfield didn't reply. Instead, I got an email from a company calling themselves Southern Seas Marine here in Oz, saying that they were Chatfield's Australian distributor, and offering to send me a catalogue and price list.

I accepted the offer. No catalogue. I prompted them again. Still no catalogue.

So I wrote to Chatfield once more saying that if we were to do business with them it would have to be direct (and implying that I didn't think their local distributor was representing their interests very well.)

Still no answer from Chatfield, but another reply from this SS Marine, with the same offer as the first time. The reply was from the same person there, and he'd clearly forgotten entirely about my earlier request.

So again I accepted his offer. And again I've heard nothing further from him.

Now, as we know, we Forumites collectively represent the largest single concentration of users of marine bronze products anywhere in the world. So my question to you -- not entirely rhetorical -- is, if the non-existent service I've outlined here is typical, how have Chatfield and its local distributor managed to stay in business into the 21st Century??

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Back in the middle of the year we were considering adding Chatfield bronzeware to the range of products we offer to our customers. So I emailed Chatfield Engineering in NZ to ask them for a catalogue.

Chatfield didn't reply. Instead, I got an email from a company calling themselves Southern Seas Marine here in Oz, saying that they were Chatfield's Australian distributor, and offering to send me a catalogue and price list.

I accepted the offer. No catalogue. I prompted them again. Still no catalogue.

So I wrote to Chatfield once more saying that if we were to do business with them it would have to be direct (and implying that I didn't think their local distributor was representing their interests very well.)

Still no answer from Chatfield, but another reply from this SS Marine, with the same offer as the first time. The reply was from the same person there, and he'd clearly forgotten entirely about my earlier request.

So again I accepted his offer. And again I've heard nothing further from him.

Now, as we know, we Forumites collectively represent the largest single concentration of users of marine bronze products anywhere in the world. So my question to you -- not entirely rhetorical -- is, if the non-existent service I've outlined here is typical, how have Chatfield and its local distributor managed to stay in business into the 21st Century??

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Back in the middle of the year we were considering adding Chatfield bronzeware to the range of products we offer to our customers. So I emailed Chatfield Engineering in NZ to ask them for a catalogue.

Chatfield didn't reply. Instead, I got an email from a company calling themselves Southern Seas Marine here in Oz, saying that they were Chatfield's Australian distributor, and offering to send me a catalogue and price list.

I accepted the offer. No catalogue. I prompted them again. Still no catalogue.

So I wrote to Chatfield once more saying that if we were to do business with them it would have to be direct (and implying that I didn't think their local distributor was representing their interests very well.)

Still no answer from Chatfield, but another reply from this SS Marine, with the same offer as the first time. The reply was from the same person there, and he'd clearly forgotten entirely about my earlier request.

So again I accepted his offer. And again I've heard nothing further from him.

Now, as we know, we Forumites collectively represent the largest single concentration of users of marine bronze products anywhere in the world. So my question to you -- not entirely rhetorical -- is, if the non-existent service I've outlined here is typical, how have Chatfield and its local distributor managed to stay in business into the 21st Century??

[John B]

You get into them Mike. I gave you that contact didn't I? Did you get anywhere with the Montrose mob?
Chatfields are a very old and established firm with a good reputation for product.they've made a few bit's for me over the years.
evidently their sales/ customer service skills isn't as good as it should be. You see that a bit these days, don't you.
why don't you ring em up .

[John B]

You get into them Mike. I gave you that contact didn't I? Did you get anywhere with the Montrose mob?
Chatfields are a very old and established firm with a good reputation for product.they've made a few bit's for me over the years.
evidently their sales/ customer service skills isn't as good as it should be. You see that a bit these days, don't you.
why don't you ring em up .

[John B]

You get into them Mike. I gave you that contact didn't I? Did you get anywhere with the Montrose mob?
Chatfields are a very old and established firm with a good reputation for product.they've made a few bit's for me over the years.
evidently their sales/ customer service skills isn't as good as it should be. You see that a bit these days, don't you.
why don't you ring em up .

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Not that I want to hijack this thread, but I feel for you... I ordered a set of gaskets for my CC engines through Chriscraftparts.com.. well respected... got sent the wrong set of gaskets, and only partially complete. Phoned, told them what was missing, promised me shipment that day... nothing. Bought a intake manifold used for a hefty price, (best I could find) from a Canadian company well known for CC parts. Three weeks later, phone them again, yep yep will paint and get it out to you. I said.. I've got paint just ship it asap. One week later phone again, yep yep.. finally they shipped it today. :mad: I know in my business (car sales) if I behaved like that, I would starve to death. I agree with you.. How do these companies survive? :rolleyes:

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Not that I want to hijack this thread, but I feel for you... I ordered a set of gaskets for my CC engines through Chriscraftparts.com.. well respected... got sent the wrong set of gaskets, and only partially complete. Phoned, told them what was missing, promised me shipment that day... nothing. Bought a intake manifold used for a hefty price, (best I could find) from a Canadian company well known for CC parts. Three weeks later, phone them again, yep yep will paint and get it out to you. I said.. I've got paint just ship it asap. One week later phone again, yep yep.. finally they shipped it today. :mad: I know in my business (car sales) if I behaved like that, I would starve to death. I agree with you.. How do these companies survive? :rolleyes:

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Not that I want to hijack this thread, but I feel for you... I ordered a set of gaskets for my CC engines through Chriscraftparts.com.. well respected... got sent the wrong set of gaskets, and only partially complete. Phoned, told them what was missing, promised me shipment that day... nothing. Bought a intake manifold used for a hefty price, (best I could find) from a Canadian company well known for CC parts. Three weeks later, phone them again, yep yep will paint and get it out to you. I said.. I've got paint just ship it asap. One week later phone again, yep yep.. finally they shipped it today. :mad: I know in my business (car sales) if I behaved like that, I would starve to death. I agree with you.. How do these companies survive? :rolleyes:

[WRB]

Hey Mike, I had a similar problem with Otter nails. I wanted to buy bulk rivits and roves but, was put onto their local sales agent, who is unable to send me product information, just a dollar-per-kilo figure for copper with a minimum of 5 kilos of any one product... no info on sizes available. I will end up importing directly from the UK and otter will go on not selling copper nails.

[WRB]

Hey Mike, I had a similar problem with Otter nails. I wanted to buy bulk rivits and roves but, was put onto their local sales agent, who is unable to send me product information, just a dollar-per-kilo figure for copper with a minimum of 5 kilos of any one product... no info on sizes available. I will end up importing directly from the UK and otter will go on not selling copper nails.

[WRB]

Hey Mike, I had a similar problem with Otter nails. I wanted to buy bulk rivits and roves but, was put onto their local sales agent, who is unable to send me product information, just a dollar-per-kilo figure for copper with a minimum of 5 kilos of any one product... no info on sizes available. I will end up importing directly from the UK and otter will go on not selling copper nails.

[john welsford]

I've printed this of and will send it to the boss there, sounds bad but I have to defend them in saying that if a company has a distributor appointed fot an area it is normal policy to send any enquiry back through that distributor. In this case it seems that the distributor is not doing their job and Chatfields are not neccessarily to blame.
Like John B I have had a few bits cast by them and have enjoyed good service, I have also had the priveledge of having a dig aound in their pattern store and can tellyou that you'd need a catalogue like the Encyclopaedia Britannica to list them all.

I'll suggest that they contact you direct.
JohnW

Originally posted by Wooden Boat Fittings:
Back in the middle of the year we were considering adding Chatfield bronzeware to the range of products we offer to our customers. So I emailed Chatfield Engineering in NZ to ask them for a catalogue.

Chatfield didn't reply. Instead, I got an email from a company calling themselves Southern Seas Marine here in Oz, saying that they were Chatfield's Australian distributor, and offering to send me a catalogue and price list.

I accepted the offer. No catalogue. I prompted them again. Still no catalogue.

So I wrote to Chatfield once more saying that if we were to do business with them it would have to be direct (and implying that I didn't think their local distributor was representing their interests very well.)

Still no answer from Chatfield, but another reply from this SS Marine, with the same offer as the first time. The reply was from the same person there, and he'd clearly forgotten entirely about my earlier request.

So again I accepted his offer. And again I've heard nothing further from him.

Now, as we know, we Forumites collectively represent the largest single concentration of users of marine bronze products anywhere in the world. So my question to you -- not entirely rhetorical -- is, if the non-existent service I've outlined here is typical, how have Chatfield and its local distributor managed to stay in business into the 21st Century??

[john welsford]

I've printed this of and will send it to the boss there, sounds bad but I have to defend them in saying that if a company has a distributor appointed fot an area it is normal policy to send any enquiry back through that distributor. In this case it seems that the distributor is not doing their job and Chatfields are not neccessarily to blame.
Like John B I have had a few bits cast by them and have enjoyed good service, I have also had the priveledge of having a dig aound in their pattern store and can tellyou that you'd need a catalogue like the Encyclopaedia Britannica to list them all.

I'll suggest that they contact you direct.
JohnW

Originally posted by Wooden Boat Fittings:
Back in the middle of the year we were considering adding Chatfield bronzeware to the range of products we offer to our customers. So I emailed Chatfield Engineering in NZ to ask them for a catalogue.

Chatfield didn't reply. Instead, I got an email from a company calling themselves Southern Seas Marine here in Oz, saying that they were Chatfield's Australian distributor, and offering to send me a catalogue and price list.

I accepted the offer. No catalogue. I prompted them again. Still no catalogue.

So I wrote to Chatfield once more saying that if we were to do business with them it would have to be direct (and implying that I didn't think their local distributor was representing their interests very well.)

Still no answer from Chatfield, but another reply from this SS Marine, with the same offer as the first time. The reply was from the same person there, and he'd clearly forgotten entirely about my earlier request.

So again I accepted his offer. And again I've heard nothing further from him.

Now, as we know, we Forumites collectively represent the largest single concentration of users of marine bronze products anywhere in the world. So my question to you -- not entirely rhetorical -- is, if the non-existent service I've outlined here is typical, how have Chatfield and its local distributor managed to stay in business into the 21st Century??

[john welsford]

I've printed this of and will send it to the boss there, sounds bad but I have to defend them in saying that if a company has a distributor appointed fot an area it is normal policy to send any enquiry back through that distributor. In this case it seems that the distributor is not doing their job and Chatfields are not neccessarily to blame.
Like John B I have had a few bits cast by them and have enjoyed good service, I have also had the priveledge of having a dig aound in their pattern store and can tellyou that you'd need a catalogue like the Encyclopaedia Britannica to list them all.

I'll suggest that they contact you direct.
JohnW

Originally posted by Wooden Boat Fittings:
Back in the middle of the year we were considering adding Chatfield bronzeware to the range of products we offer to our customers. So I emailed Chatfield Engineering in NZ to ask them for a catalogue.

Chatfield didn't reply. Instead, I got an email from a company calling themselves Southern Seas Marine here in Oz, saying that they were Chatfield's Australian distributor, and offering to send me a catalogue and price list.

I accepted the offer. No catalogue. I prompted them again. Still no catalogue.

So I wrote to Chatfield once more saying that if we were to do business with them it would have to be direct (and implying that I didn't think their local distributor was representing their interests very well.)

Still no answer from Chatfield, but another reply from this SS Marine, with the same offer as the first time. The reply was from the same person there, and he'd clearly forgotten entirely about my earlier request.

So again I accepted his offer. And again I've heard nothing further from him.

Now, as we know, we Forumites collectively represent the largest single concentration of users of marine bronze products anywhere in the world. So my question to you -- not entirely rhetorical -- is, if the non-existent service I've outlined here is typical, how have Chatfield and its local distributor managed to stay in business into the 21st Century??

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

JohnB --

Yes, from what little I've been able to find out, Chatfield's products are quite good. That's one of the reasons we were considering handling them. But clearly we can't offer them to clients till we know what they can supply. You wouldn't think it would be all that difficult for them to send one of their catalogues across the Tasman would you? (Hell, we sent one of ours to Bulgaria two days ago.)

Abbotts sounded okay. BUT they don't have a catalogue at all, just a roomful of patterns apparently. And nor did they answer a few questions I put to them about some specific fittings I wanted information about. But at least they did talk to me,,,,
_________

Peter --

It's pathetic isn't it? As you say, if we treated our clients like that we wouldn't last a twelve-month.
_________

Warren --

Otters are okay if you know how to handle them. (I'm sitting here looking at one of their catalogues right at the moment.) I agree that their 5 kg minimum for nails can be a bit of a bind. But good suppliers are prepared to stockpile at least a few of the more commonly-used sizes, letting you have just the amount you want in return for their mark-up. Also, importing's expensive. So email me with what you want before you go getting stuff from the UK, and I'll see if we can't help .
_________

By the way, I should make it clear that we already handle excellent bronzeware from our local foundry here in Melbourne. (Quite a lot of it has gone to the States, some as far afield as Anchorage.) But a bit of competition's not a bad thing, and I would anyway expect two foundries to provide a more comprehensive range of fittings to choose from than just one.

But given this experience, it looks like we won't be marketing any of Chatfield's products for them.

Mike

[ 12-17-2002, 07:57 AM: Message edited by: Wooden Boat Fittings ]

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

JohnB --

Yes, from what little I've been able to find out, Chatfield's products are quite good. That's one of the reasons we were considering handling them. But clearly we can't offer them to clients till we know what they can supply. You wouldn't think it would be all that difficult for them to send one of their catalogues across the Tasman would you? (Hell, we sent one of ours to Bulgaria two days ago.)

Abbotts sounded okay. BUT they don't have a catalogue at all, just a roomful of patterns apparently. And nor did they answer a few questions I put to them about some specific fittings I wanted information about. But at least they did talk to me,,,,
_________

Peter --

It's pathetic isn't it? As you say, if we treated our clients like that we wouldn't last a twelve-month.
_________

Warren --

Otters are okay if you know how to handle them. (I'm sitting here looking at one of their catalogues right at the moment.) I agree that their 5 kg minimum for nails can be a bit of a bind. But good suppliers are prepared to stockpile at least a few of the more commonly-used sizes, letting you have just the amount you want in return for their mark-up. Also, importing's expensive. So email me with what you want before you go getting stuff from the UK, and I'll see if we can't help .
_________

By the way, I should make it clear that we already handle excellent bronzeware from our local foundry here in Melbourne. (Quite a lot of it has gone to the States, some as far afield as Anchorage.) But a bit of competition's not a bad thing, and I would anyway expect two foundries to provide a more comprehensive range of fittings to choose from than just one.

But given this experience, it looks like we won't be marketing any of Chatfield's products for them.

Mike

[ 12-17-2002, 07:57 AM: Message edited by: Wooden Boat Fittings ]

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

JohnB --

Yes, from what little I've been able to find out, Chatfield's products are quite good. That's one of the reasons we were considering handling them. But clearly we can't offer them to clients till we know what they can supply. You wouldn't think it would be all that difficult for them to send one of their catalogues across the Tasman would you? (Hell, we sent one of ours to Bulgaria two days ago.)

Abbotts sounded okay. BUT they don't have a catalogue at all, just a roomful of patterns apparently. And nor did they answer a few questions I put to them about some specific fittings I wanted information about. But at least they did talk to me,,,,
_________

Peter --

It's pathetic isn't it? As you say, if we treated our clients like that we wouldn't last a twelve-month.
_________

Warren --

Otters are okay if you know how to handle them. (I'm sitting here looking at one of their catalogues right at the moment.) I agree that their 5 kg minimum for nails can be a bit of a bind. But good suppliers are prepared to stockpile at least a few of the more commonly-used sizes, letting you have just the amount you want in return for their mark-up. Also, importing's expensive. So email me with what you want before you go getting stuff from the UK, and I'll see if we can't help .
_________

By the way, I should make it clear that we already handle excellent bronzeware from our local foundry here in Melbourne. (Quite a lot of it has gone to the States, some as far afield as Anchorage.) But a bit of competition's not a bad thing, and I would anyway expect two foundries to provide a more comprehensive range of fittings to choose from than just one.

But given this experience, it looks like we won't be marketing any of Chatfield's products for them.

Mike

[ 12-17-2002, 07:57 AM: Message edited by: Wooden Boat Fittings ]

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

JohnW --

Thanks for your input. You were busy posting while I was still writing.

I understand your comments about distributors. But if I had a complaint from someone who wanted to deal with one of our distributors and wasn't able to, I'd sure as hell want to know all about it. Personally.

The other thing is, of course, that if we had to cover their distributor's mark-up as well as our own, on top of the import costs, the product might anyway become uncompetitive. But of course we won't know unless and until we can can get some hard information.

Anyhow, anything you feel able to do that might help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

JohnW --

Thanks for your input. You were busy posting while I was still writing.

I understand your comments about distributors. But if I had a complaint from someone who wanted to deal with one of our distributors and wasn't able to, I'd sure as hell want to know all about it. Personally.

The other thing is, of course, that if we had to cover their distributor's mark-up as well as our own, on top of the import costs, the product might anyway become uncompetitive. But of course we won't know unless and until we can can get some hard information.

Anyhow, anything you feel able to do that might help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

JohnW --

Thanks for your input. You were busy posting while I was still writing.

I understand your comments about distributors. But if I had a complaint from someone who wanted to deal with one of our distributors and wasn't able to, I'd sure as hell want to know all about it. Personally.

The other thing is, of course, that if we had to cover their distributor's mark-up as well as our own, on top of the import costs, the product might anyway become uncompetitive. But of course we won't know unless and until we can can get some hard information.

Anyhow, anything you feel able to do that might help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[PeterSibley]

Hello WRB,
why don't you try Sam Allen Wholesalers in Brisbane for your nails and roves.I don't have their phone number but directory info will have it.If they can't help email me directly and I'll do a search through my paperwork.They do stock copper nails and roves.
Peter

[PeterSibley]

Hello WRB,
why don't you try Sam Allen Wholesalers in Brisbane for your nails and roves.I don't have their phone number but directory info will have it.If they can't help email me directly and I'll do a search through my paperwork.They do stock copper nails and roves.
Peter

[PeterSibley]

Hello WRB,
why don't you try Sam Allen Wholesalers in Brisbane for your nails and roves.I don't have their phone number but directory info will have it.If they can't help email me directly and I'll do a search through my paperwork.They do stock copper nails and roves.
Peter

[WRB]

Thanks Mike and Peter,
I will send you a list , Mike, in Feb... after I pay for Christmas :confused:
I will also check out your wholesaler when I am in Bribane over the Christmas period, Peter
(total 6 days on the road with 2 rugrats under 6 :eek: :confused: :rolleyes: :mad: )

cheers

[WRB]

Thanks Mike and Peter,
I will send you a list , Mike, in Feb... after I pay for Christmas :confused:
I will also check out your wholesaler when I am in Bribane over the Christmas period, Peter
(total 6 days on the road with 2 rugrats under 6 :eek: :confused: :rolleyes: :mad: )

cheers

[WRB]

Thanks Mike and Peter,
I will send you a list , Mike, in Feb... after I pay for Christmas :confused:
I will also check out your wholesaler when I am in Bribane over the Christmas period, Peter
(total 6 days on the road with 2 rugrats under 6 :eek: :confused: :rolleyes: :mad: )

cheers

[ion barnes]

As an alternative, try
www.PortTownsendFoundry.com (http://www.PortTownsendFoundry.com)

[ion barnes]

As an alternative, try
www.PortTownsendFoundry.com (http://www.PortTownsendFoundry.com)

[ion barnes]

As an alternative, try
www.PortTownsendFoundry.com (http://www.PortTownsendFoundry.com)