John Craddock - poor service in 21st century

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Flying Scotsman!

Flying Scotsman!

Active Member
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sunderland
Need to get this off my chest...

Ordered couple of gaskets from John Craddock's on Monday and just been told that they are only being sent out today! 4 days to process an order is **** poor these days.
No apology, nothing.
I appreciate the postal system can cause delays, but that's why I ordered them 4 days ago!
In the 21st century, with POS software, stock management systems, daily courier and postal collections there is no excuse for taking 4 days just to get an item off a shelf, pack it and get it in the post.
Just have to shop elsewhere in future.
 
I agree, that is poor service. Unfortunately it seems to be a British thing. I've ordered stuff from less than 50 miles away on the same day as I've ordered stuff from China, guess which one arrived first.

Col
 
Oh I can guess. The thing is, I spent 17 years in parts trade and even back then (20 years ago) we could turn an order round inside a day. That was with a basic computer system, hand written despatch notes and hand packing. And we were turning over £1.5m a year so it wasn't a quiet place.
 
Normally they are prompt but I had a similar problem with them a few weeks ago. Told me the order would be dispatched that afternoon. Four days later nothing. Phoned up to be told that one of the items wasn't in stock but oddly it was by coincidence now in and order being dispatched. They have either inept staff or poor procedures or both. I found Paddocks faster and cheaper recently. Craddocks dispatching is rubbish.
 
I also find Paddocks much better.
I have also used the counter service at both Craddocks and Paddocks, and Paddocks wins hands down.
Items listed on the internet have not been available at the counter in Craddocks whereas Paddocks always seem to have what I want when I go in as the staff there are very knowledgeable (especially Bob but he’s retired now).
I’ve also had good experiences with DLS mail order and JGS (I think!).
I don’t bother with Craddocks any more.
Rich
 
Perhaps someone should contact the head honcho at Cradocks and tell him/her that they are being slagged off on this forum for pizz poor service.

Col
 
Flying Scotsman! said:
Oh I can guess. The thing is, I spent 17 years in parts trade and even back then (20 years ago) we could turn an order round inside a day. That was with a basic computer system, hand written despatch notes and hand packing. And we were turning over £1.5m a year so it wasn't a quiet place.
Click to expand...

Sounds like my old place before they spent millions on a fancy CRM which was great at management reports but buried everything else in a black hole
 
callisr said:
I also find Paddocks much better.
I have also used the counter service at both Craddocks and Paddocks, and Paddocks wins hands down.
Items listed on the internet have not been available at the counter in Craddocks whereas Paddocks always seem to have what I want when I go in as the staff there are very knowledgeable (especially Bob but he’s retired now).
I’ve also had good experiences with DLS mail order and JGS (I think!).
I don’t bother with Craddocks any more.
Rich
Click to expand...
DLS counter is good too
 
Colthebrummie said:
Perhaps someone should contact the head honcho at Cradocks and tell him/her that they are being slagged off on this forum for pizz poor service.

Col
Click to expand...
I'm sure john and his son jonathan have been up all night worrying :D

Last time I drove to Paddocks to collect something I was told they had in stock they hadn't, dls took twenty minutes to find a part I'd been told had been put to one side :rolleyes: so all can be rubbish
 
You have to actually have the stock in the first place to provide a service.
More and more items are being dispatched direct from the (I won't say manufacturer) agent rather than being stocked by the distributor/retailer. This must sound like a great idea to Padds and Cradds. That is until the agent screw up.
Just another set of skimming middlemen. I don't use Padds anymore. Just been let down too many times. Eventually you get sick of chasing.
 
So both aren't that great it seems. Looks like internet ordering is the worst part (no pun intended ;). I've used Craddocks for years but evertime I order on the phone I'm treated like a complete newbie. No appreciation of their customers. Hey fecking Craddocks n Paddocks and all the rest- ever thought about customer loyalty and reward? Customer discount cards, loyalty cards etc. Who's the customer and who's benefiting. If nobody ordered they'd be sunk.
 
Tiny shout out for RimmerBros - ordered a *lot* from them over past few years, found them prompt and accurate with dispatching and they seem to Actually Hold Stock, right down to random annoying little O-rings and special bolts

Disclaimer: I have no connection or interest in Rimmerbros, so this is not an advertisement (even if it reads like one ...)
 
I've had mixed service from Craddocks - sometimes they get it to me the next day, sometimes it takes ages as they are the agent as Bobsticle states. That does piss me off as they should say that when you order. Paddocks not used as much, purely down to whenever I ring nobody ever answers the bloody phone and their website isn't the easiest to use at times. But in fairness when I have bought from them it's been good. Got something on order with them at the moment that I'm waiting for delivery on, so see how it goes.
 
Mr S1 said:
I've had mixed service from Craddocks - sometimes they get it to me the next day, sometimes it takes ages as they are the agent as Bobsticle states. That does piss me off as they should say that when you order. Paddocks not used as much, purely down to whenever I ring nobody ever answers the bloody phone and their website isn't the easiest to use at times. But in fairness when I have bought from them it's been good. Got something on order with them at the moment that I'm waiting for delivery on, so see how it goes.
Click to expand...

Paddocks stuff arrived this morning....spot on !
 
Ordered a rear screen from Rimmer on Monday late afternoon, arrived 6:00pm Tuesday. Excellent, very happy.
 
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