Spares service /breakdown service

[triumph192]

Hi All,
Having just rejoined the register I have noticed that there is a spares group, however I can only find one reference to it and no spares.
How does this group work and how do we buy spares or doesn’t it exist anymore?

In addition I have been looking back at old sixappeals to remind myself what went on before and I came across the club breakdown service where members signed up to help fellow members across the country. They offered various levels of input from minor help like getting petrol or a more elaborate service depending on member’s commitments. Is this still in operation? If this has lapsed would it be worth reinstating?
I look forward to your comments.
Kind regards
Terry Storey member no 2799

[Alan Chatterton]

Terry

The spares group is a separate entity to the Register, it was formed to look into having hard to obtain items re manufactured.
Like most things, due to lack of people wanting to get involved, it is suffering. Ted Taylor is the main organiser of it and I'm sure he will pop on here and tell you all about it!
As for the breakdown list, we tried to revamp it a while ago and got 4, yep, 4 responses. We presume from this that no one is interested.

[johnconradlee]

Not quite true...I count 5 responses from 2013!!
I think part of the problem may be that not many people look in the "members only section" as the forum doesn't automatically log you in.

[Alan Chatterton]

That was something new we tried on the forum, I was talking about the last time we tried a proper breakdown list.
We had a separate flyer inside SIXappeal, for members to complete and return giving contact details and what they could offer (spares, tech help, call out, distance etc) from that we would compile a uk wide list to distribute to all members. This had 4 responses!
Maybe it is time to revisit this, but most insurance policies come with free breakdown cover, is it needed?

[triumph192]

I think that is a good point you make about most insurance companies having a breakdown service but I think our own cover would give an edge to the club which may also attract more members. I would think any edge we can offer would be welcome by members who may not be very good with a spanner. I would be more than happy to help out here in the wilds of Kent. We must have a lot of members who travel to Dover who may need help quickly rather than wait hours for the mainstream services especially if they have a simple problem we might be able to solve.
If memory serves the original list said what members were prepared to offer e.g. towing, fuel, fetch and carry etc.
Re the spares group what can members do to help? It seems like a good idea, could we join forces with the Stag club for instance or Club Triumph etc to make this a viable service to members. As the numbers of cars gets less over the years collaboration may be the way forward on many fronts. I hope this is not too much of a contentious issue for members to contemplate but it happens in many areas that were a no go area in the past. As I said anything to give the club an edge so people want to join. I hope this is helpful.

Terry Storey member 2799

[Alan Chatterton]

It's something to consider. Of course, we would need someone to step up and take control of the project and do it...........

[Mike Stevens]

I'm a member of the SOC 'Knighthawk' register and would be very happy to offer similar assistance to any Register member requiring help.

We're a few minutes off the A34 near Didcot. Mind you, with all the roadworks around at present, those few minutes have become quite a few more!

To be honest, I don't remember a recent flyer in SixAppeal. Maybe I blinked. Or just getting old. After all Alan, you did think I had retired the other weekend!

Cheers,
Mike.

[TedTaylor]

I am afraid that the Spares Group is about to be formally closed down (a busy two weeks with the family has held up the formal process) after a request to paid up TSG members to come forward and be involved with the management had no result. It needed people to be involved and help run it - Dave Maton and I had been trying hard to make it work for nearly 18 months but bottom line is that there is a limit to what we could do.

Linking up with other clubs is not a viable option having looked into it. Each model has its own requirements for non-available spares, and where there is a crossover of parts (therefore ready sales) there are suppliers already making them available. Chris Witor has done much personal investment in supplying quality spares, and if he has not had things made it is often due to lack of demand or potential high price because of limited sales so people will not buy items.

The only positive thing is that I am still providing an option for windscreens. I am about to formally announce that I am taking orders for another re-run of heated front screens (about £310 depending upon clear/tint), and although I 'advertised' that the Spares Group were able to order heated saloon rear screens and assessing interest in estate heated rear screens which I will continue to honour, response has been near abysmal.

Lloyd (Reed) is dealing with panels and he has worked hard at it but people do not seem to want to pay the 'at cost' prices that he is arranging.

MUT

[triumph192]

Hi Ted,
Sorry to here that the spares group is closing down and that there was limited help its a shame I re joined a bit too late. I take your point re investment in tooling and collaboration.
I thought I would ask these questions to get myself up to speed with happenings within the club.
Good luck with the screens though sounds a good idea. I didn't know anyone did a heated front screens I may need one as mine seems to have a myriad of stone chips which I had not noticed until recently.
Anyway thanks for the update.
Kind regards
Terry
member 2799

[mikew]

Ted,

thats a real shame. I wish I could have helped more, but with work, and recently family commitments I simply couldn't do it.

Its a sad reflection upon the 2000 register, especially when ( as a member ) of the far smaller Dolomite Club I see the quantity and quality of their spares - run by the club, and have used the spares the club itself makes. that list is now about 4 pages long !! it includes panels and lots of other items , and they continue to produce new spares in response to club members demands, recently having had headlamp panels made.

Dolomites must thus have a far more secure future, than 2000s

What a lamentable state of affairs

I hope that register members reflect upon this

mike