Bum's Rush at the Norton Factory

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Richard Barks

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Apr 14, 2006
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On one of their numerous articles was the statement " feel free to drop by by the factory to check progess of your bike "
i tried this morning could not get within a half a mile .
Man on gate rang factory ,All visitors strictly by appointment when i explained had No. 6 Ltd On order and all i really wanted was a photo of the out side of the factory to send to my friend in the USA I got the polite f...k off.
British Customer Service is alive and well in Castle Donnington.....................
 
I recall at the NOC Donnington 'bash' last year there was to be a tour of the factory - this was cancelled due to no apparent reason - as you state PR doesn't seem to be a strong point !!!!
 
Richard,

I hope I'm wrong, but I am very skeptical of this latest Norton venture. Your experience at the factory yesterday somewhat confirms my skepticism. I certainly hope you get what you are paying for.
 
The tour of the factory during the NOC meeting was off because at that time all that existed was a big empty shed. I believe some impressive tools have now been installed?

Richard, if you have number 6 and it isn't ready yet do you have any idea when you will take delivery? I'm be very interested to find out the state of play at the moment. A recent E mail from the CEO invited me to place an order now "ready for delivery in time for the Summer 2010." so by my calculations (assuming June is Summer and all 200 SE's have been sold + about 70 others from the last show) that means 270 bikes at least to be delivered in 5 months??

I really want this to work BUT at the moment I'm not feeling confident about it, certainly not confident enough to show my money yet anyway. Keep us posted Richard and maybe Mr Skinner could enlighten us...........................
 
The honest truth is i recieved a letter dated 10/12/09 telling me my bike would be ready in 4 to 6 weeks.
that deadline has passed the inference of the letter was would i care to pay earlier ..............
as a final irony to the above story was that the security guard was wearing, wait for it......... a norton cap !!!!!!!!
 
Gino Rondelli said:
"ready for delivery in time for the Summer 2010." so by my calculations (assuming June is Summer and all 200 SE's have been sold + about 70 others from the last show) .
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They probably mean the Scottish summer Gino. Blink and you've missed it :p
 
Richard Barks said:
I got the polite f...k off.
British Customer Service is alive and well in Castle Donnington.....................
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Perhaps he told you to stand in the "far queue" :wink:
 
Gino Rondelli said:
Oh well bikes ready for the 28th of July then, thats normally Summer! :D
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all day long? :wink:

that's even worse than Colorado. Summer usually lasts the entire month of July here :!:

Debby
 
Kinda like our wintertime in Laredo, Texas; it was last week.

...well, 4 days of last week.
 
No I only joke about it to stop the tourists spoiling my fun in the best playground ever! Its Summer all the time in my mind :D

Be interesting to hear skinthespin's official factory view on production.....................
 
quote:

"The honest truth is i received a letter dated 10/12/09 telling me my bike would be ready in 4 to 6 weeks."

Back when I was a gang foreman, when asked how long a job was to take, I would always take a fair estimate and then triple it. That way any unforeseen problems could be taken care of and everyone was happy, since you beat the self-imposed deadline . Miss a deadline and you are a bum. Finish before deadline and you're a hero.
 
As an engineer, I always found that the customer would tolerate it if you were always up front with them and explained any project delays (and the valid reasons thereof) as they came up - i.e. well before the scheduled deliverables date. Trying excuses after the due date doesn't cut it, never did. Really hope I'm wrong but smells a bit fishy to me...
 
Ah, yes, summer. I've been in Shark Bay for a few days. It was 47 degrees on Monday. Celsius. Somewhere around the 120 mark in F. It was nice out on the water in the boat.
 
Looks like revolving doors at the shed in Donnington- Scratchard, the "PR"- man has left, now Peter Williams; still, I am sure this means absolutely nothing and all is well, and bikes are rolling off the production line...

Watch the BBC video- a basically empty shed with a maximum of 6 bikes in it (Kenny Dreer's leftovers?), some clothing, and somebody is machining what looks like a doorhandle? Probably with the "Norton"-logo engraved! Talking of a production line, didn't see one.

I liked the comment of the Rotary Owners Club forum on the enterprise "empty cans make the most noise".
 
ZFD said:
Looks like revolving doors at the shed in Donnington- Scratchard, the "PR"- man has left, now Peter Williams; still, I am sure this means absolutely nothing and all is well, and bikes are rolling off the production line...

I liked the comment of the Rotary Owners Club forum on the enterprise "empty cans make the most noise".
Click to expand...

Was that a reference to Stuart Garner or Peter Scatchard ? :shock:
 
Hello skinthespin (Simon),

any news from your side? It's always better to have some insider information than to try a shot in the dark.

Cheers,
Andy
 
Just 10 days away from the next bike show as scheduled on NM's web site:

If you missed the chance to see the new Norton Commando 961 range at the NEC Motorcycle & Scooter show in November, you will be pleased to know that we will be exhibiting the full range of motorcycles and merchandise at the Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle Show, London, E16 1XL, from the 4th February through to the 7th February 2010.
You will have the opportunity to meet the Norton team as well as the newly appointed UK sales manager, Chris 'The Stalker' Walker, who can talk you through the bikes spec, prices, options, delivery etc. orders can also be placed at the show, ready for delivery in time for the Summer 2010.

Wait and see?
 
Hey Richard, if you want to me to take over your deposit for the bike I am up for it. I am sure that the bikes will be ready soon, we may have to wait a bit but with the weather as it is in the UK at the moment that's not a problem.
Cheers
John
 
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