Norfolk Marine Chandlers (Wroxham)

[SPEEDTRIPLE]

So how could I have  "been naughty" in mis quoting you then Neil, if the box contained exactly what you'd written  ?

 

I just naturally interpreted the word "Customers" as meaning all, since it wasn't qualified with the word "some".

 

But not worth arguing about really.

 

 

It was`nt meant in an offensive way Strow, just a bit tongue in cheek, and as you say, not worth arguing over. The way ppeople interpret things is always going to be a bit of a grey area, that was why i deliberately DID`NT put ALL customers, but i`l take your point and try to be a bit more precise in future posting.

[MBA Marine]

I shall not comment much on their prices its up to customers to decide to pay it  (personally I do not go in that store unless very desperate on a sunday when others are closed).  But the gentleman in question here, and we all know which of the brothers it is has attitude that sucks about 90% of the time, he does not want the custom and would rather you had not bothered to have walked in.  The shop has survived through location, range of stock  and from giving very very competitive prices to the larger boat yards.

 

Aquafax and Brian Wards for me, I like to be welcomed not abused!

 

However I would just say that Norfolk Marine does have some very helpful staff but there are actually two that are not, the other is younger with a family resemblance to the older!

[ExMemberBobdog]

Yup, agreed he's a grumpy old bugger at times and could benefit from taking some kind of course in customer relations. However, he REALLY know his stuff and if you need help/advice he's brilliant.  My guess is he gets pretty bored serving at a till when he has such skills.  Get him to splice some ropes for you, put an eye in, that kind of thing and he does a brilliant job.  He shortened my stainless steel wire forestay for me too - while I waited.

 

Agreed also NM's prices are bit on the high side, but they'll let you take stuff away, try it and see if it fits, and bring it back and change it if not, or give you your money back if the piece is undamaged.  They're also willing to haggle if you ask nicely.  I bought a couple of kayaks there earlier in the year, and asked if they would do a deal because I was buying two ... I got a couple of decent paddles, a rack to put them on the top of my car, and the webbing straps to tie them down with all thrown in for free, plus a 5% discount on the kayaks list price.

 

And the ticket on an item is always merely an 'invitation to treat'; the shop is never obliged to sell at the ticketed price.  Often a shopkeeper will accept the error in the interests of goodwill, but it does seem that the OP was a bit bombastic (threatening legal proceedings with no basis) which, given the character of this old boy, was bound to be non-productive.

[mbird]

And as I have mentioned before elsewhere, they will often price match if you can find an item cheaper (even online). Always worth asking.

[ExSurveyor]

Perhaps he is what is sometimes referred to as a colourful local character.B-)

[mickfreakley]

Perhaps he is what is sometimes referred to as a colourful local character.B-)

Otherwise known as a miserable sod

[Guest]

I'd rather be served by a knowledgeable sourpuss than a grinning idiot any day.....  

[Liberty]

Beautifully put..!

[650xs]

ere just read last two post did some one call me .........................!!!!

 

miserable ,sour puss grumpy .....ahhh we have meet befor .....................

 

yuo can,t have every thing ............"welcome to norfolk "

[therealist]

When we bought our first boat and being a bit wet behind the ears I used Norfolk Marine an awful lot as it was convenient at the time and they stocked pretty much everything I needed. I never had bad service even from the guy you are talking about and I do know who you mean, i find people like that a challenge and I make an extra effort. He was always very helpful toward me. Some of the other staff got that used to seeing me they would often ask where I had been if I hadnt been in for a few days so overall I really cant fault them. We even bought a new mercury outboard from them for our dinghy and they were happy to throw a few things in with the price. Now on our second boat and being a bit more clued up on the local suppliers, I use boulters, aquafax, ASAP and brianwards whom are all great and better priced which is always better! But I am still happy to go to Norfolk Marine if the need ever arises.

[C.Ricko]

Bit harsh publicly discussing the attributes of an individual, lets hope he does not have an interest in boating and read forums

 

perhaps if he was a member on here the attitude or capability would not be questioned as is the case.

[MauriceMynah]

Does he suffer fools gladly, Well! I should know, I've been using them for years and will continue to do so. I agree with Realist, I'll use who, as and when appropriate. I'd rather be on my boat than in my car trying to save a couple of quid.

Price-wise, I've known them to be cheaper on occasions than their competition, OK, that's rare, but it has happened. I needed 8 fenders a while back. Norfolk marine were offering 4 for the price of three, so a 25% discount. Nowhere else came close. Not only that but they blew them up for me, so that was their inflated price!

May I now direct you to my opening sentence. !

[Guest]

It's good sense to support your local businesses anyway, or face losing them.

 

If Norfolk Marine ever disappeared, it would be a real blow to so many people, and certainly me.

 

I've haunted Chandlers over many parts of the UK for many decades now, and NM's stock range is extraordinary, especially with the now fierce competition from mail order and the web.

 

The ability to drive just a few miles and actually see the stock items and not face postage delays and costs is well worth the usual MRP prices.

 

So many comprehensive local boating area Chandlers have gone under in the last 40 years or so.

 

Cowes high street on the IOW for instance, it used to have half a dozen, but now they're  all just yachtie clothing boutiques,,,,

[mickfreakley]

Can I just say that I have no issue with this company, just the miserable sod who served me, I will look to purchase elsewhere from now unless desperate.

[kfurbank]

Middle of Summer about three years ago the fridge started defrosting  The fridge was of unknown age, but I'd had it 6 years so decided it owed me nothing. Quick search of the web for the cheapest equivalent replacement I could find which was located in Essex :-( Rang Norfolk Marine and they had the same in stock for £45 more. They didn't know it but I was going to be buying that one anyway, but they agreed to price match the one on the web. A quick departure from The Bridge Inn at Acle and a cruise into Wroxham and into Norfolk Marine. New fridge purchased and they even lent me their sack barrow to wheel the fridge back to the boat. Apart from me just parting with close to £600 they didn't know me from Adam and still lent me the barrow. The guy I spoke to on the phone, who also served me and lent me the barrow appears to be the same person who features so prominently on this thread. Just goes to show.

 

About two years ago decided to replace both the heads with new Jabsco ones and again got the two with a price match for the cheapest I could see on the web.

 

Some stuff may be more expensive and I don't barter or ask for discount on smaller items but will happily use Norfolk Marine whenever I'm in the area.

[Maxwellian]

Old Indian saying (so I am told)

 

GREAT SPIRIT

Grant That I May Not Criticize My Neighbor

Until I Have Walked A Mile In His Moccasins

 

Now where are mine?

[Maxwellian]

Copied from American web site, hence incorrect spelling for this side of the pond.

[mickfreakley]

Middle of Summer about three years ago the fridge started defrosting  The fridge was of unknown age, but I'd had it 6 years so decided it owed me nothing. Quick search of the web for the cheapest equivalent replacement I could find which was located in Essex :-( Rang Norfolk Marine and they had the same in stock for £45 more. They didn't know it but I was going to be buying that one anyway, but they agreed to price match the one on the web. A quick departure from The Bridge Inn at Acle and a cruise into Wroxham and into Norfolk Marine. New fridge purchased and they even lent me their sack barrow to wheel the fridge back to the boat. Apart from me just parting with close to £600 they didn't know me from Adam and still lent me the barrow. The guy I spoke to on the phone, who also served me and lent me the barrow appears to be the same person who features so prominently on this thread. Just goes to show.

 

About two years ago decided to replace both the heads with new Jabsco ones and again got the two with a price match for the cheapest I could see on the web.

 

Some stuff may be more expensive and I don't barter or ask for discount on smaller items but will happily use Norfolk Marine whenever I'm in the area.

How do you know he was the same person, was he a miserable sod?

[kfurbank]

I don't KNOW, but by reading this thread and drawing my own conclusions, I said "APPEARS to be the same person" I have expressed an opinion of the store based upon my personal experiences and dealings with the staff.

[DaveS]

As the saying goes, "don't bite the hand that feeds you"

 

If you are in business, and wish to stay in business, then there will be times when you will have to smile and suffer a fool, as his money is as good any ones.

 

Again, as the saying  goes, "if you can't stand the heat, then stay out of the kitchen", especially when it involves a customer facing role.

 

I have nothing negative or positive to say about Norfolk Marine, as I have only dealt with them on-line, and they did no more, or no less than I would expect of a business.

 

Had I gone into the shop, and been met with the attitude of the individual referred to by several people here, then I would not have bothered with them again.

 

Within the Broads area, I have dealt with Brian Ward, who were exceptionally helpful on one particular occasion, and A.S.A.P whom I also found helpful and efficient.

 

A happy customer is likely to be a returning customer, whereas an unhappy customer, is a customer lost.

 

Dave

[Janice]

Interesting thread. There are lots of businesses going bust, they are a specialist stockist but not the only one. I know how I would treat customers if it was my shop and for the sake of £2 something I would have let the customer have it at the lower price and looked forward to seeing them come back to the shop. As a goodwill gesture.

From the shops point of view, and having experience of the retail trade, some customers can be naughty and switch price tags or can even be rude or grumpy to shop owners, don't get me wrong that does not give the shop owner the right to be rude to the next poor sod that comes into the shop but may explain a little why he seems a bit bitter/grumpy.

I tend to try and let it go nowadays if someone is a but grumpy, I have had times when for example I have had health problems and been worried and have had someone say "cheer up it may never happen" and have felt like decking them. They didn't know that I was worried sick and probably just thought I was a grump told Cow so..... who knows the man may have some sort of problem or problems. Again don't give him the right to be grumpy with others.

Has anyone ever mentioned to him that he is seen / has a reputation for being a but grumpy?

[Guest]

I doubt if there is much danger of Norfolk Marine going bust (thank goodness).

 

This chap's alleged "grumpy attitude" keeps cropping up on this forum and another.

 

There's now a risk that some people reading Broads forums will be expecting a confrontation with someone with horns and a tail, or may even avoid the place altogether.

 

I've been shopping there for well over ten years, and I've always had helpful and friendly service from him.

 

So how do I know who "him" is ?

 

Because he's the one that just answers truthfully and knows what he's talking about, but doesn't overdo the "sir" bit.  

 

As I said on this thread before, that sort of sales service is worth far more to me than the often fixed smile on the face of someone who either doesn't know their products, or tries to get me to buy the wrong item.

 

I don't know his name and he doesn't know mine, so I'm not sticking up for a mate here, just trying to redress the balance.

[Janice]

Being courteous to others cost nothing and makes the world a nicer place to be. Having knowledge does not qualify others to be superior, "take me as you like cos I know more than you"!

How would it be if we all acted like that. I go to work, have a really stressful job with lots of pressure on most days, I am not grumpy to others as I respect them and understand that they have feelings.

By the sound of the comments on this thread, it's not all just about being grumpy and yes we are not mandated to put a false smile on, we should be polite though. Taking a sticker off of an item already priced and refusing to sell it for that is not good customer service, whichever way you view it.

We will still shop there, in fact I can't wait to go there to see the "grumpy man" I may even ask for his autograph!!!!

[MBA Marine]

On a recent trip to this shop with a customer, my customer decided he wanted one of the £250 steering wheels that hang above the till. Its lucky that i wanted to check the item before leaving as these wheels require a adapter for the more standard 3/4 morse taper steering unit, these adapters are kept in a box behind the till. Did the guy whom shall not be named but we all know who forget the wheel needs this, or was he just been awkward? as most broads boats have the same steering taper and the majority of walk in trade is broads related why is this adapter not dropped inside every box?

This episode is minor but would have been a huge inconvenience if traveled we back to the customers boat to find his stoooopidly expensive wheel did not fit, would I be able to charge my customer the extra hour it would take to go back and sort the problem? No!

 

I would put good money on if I was able to get the same wheel from Tony at Aquafax or the guys at B Wards this adapter would have been mentioned or just passed over at the point of sale.  This heightened product knowledge and helpfulness is why I use these suppliers over N Marine 99 times out of 100.        

[ranworthbreeze]

Everyone has their good and bad days, he might have been on the phone dealing with someone trying to sell him advertising, gas, electric, or Dave from  Microsoft telling you have an issue with your computer

 

I know I can be pain on the phone if someone winds me up, but if in a good mood I will even lead on the sales person into thinking they have a sale.

I love speaking to companies trying to sell me Patt Testing, listening to all their patter and then I ask them how many appliances they want me to test, this is the time you can almost see the imagined cogs turning.

 

It must be down to the little devil in me.

 

Regards

Alan