The piper in peacetime

 Machine Mart unanswered letter

I phoned at the end of October to be told a letter was on its way.  Nothing arrived.

I was at the experimental stage this summer regarding generators and have in contact with Machine Mart  over the text which follows. My normal way of commenting on specific products is to involve the retailer or manufacturer.  There is far too much unconsidered comment on the Internet about people and products.  Most of the time, those or that under comment cannot reply in defence.    Machine Mart had every opportunity to put the matter right.


18 October 2012

 

Text Box:  Mr S Carnell

Machine Mart Ltd

211 Lower Parliament Street

                         

     
Nottingham NG1 1GN




Dear Mr Carnell

Clarke Generator 1000 

Your staff in the Gloucester branch have been competent and sympathetic in my dealings over the purchase of the generator depicted.  However, when it comes to re-imbursing this customer in the case of the machine not performing to his requirements, Kayne, the manager, was unable to act.  Hence this letter. 

To cut a long story to its minimum, I have tried more than one version of the generator.  The one that sits in the Gloucester branch was also returned as it does not charge my motorhome.  My first course of action was to have the van checked by two reliable motorhome dealers and the normal charging by mains electricity works fine. 

The second stage of trying to use the generator was to wait until the van needed charging and then use the machine.  This was done on several occasions.  The machine never came up to expectations.  While it was running at the correct settings, I tried a low-wattage microwave oven.  It worked, I estimate, at quarter its expected outcome.  When connecting the generator directly, the outcome was at half expected. 

The third stage of the process involved several very experienced generator-users who participated in the tests and they agreed with my results.  Some of their generators were connected and worked well.  I have decided on another make which suits my purpose and hope to be re-imbursed. 

You can see one of the contexts of my use of a generator at  http://thepiperinpeacetime.yolasite.com/42.php   I aim to provide a good story on two subsequent pages.  It may be limited to the facts of the situation but, between us, we can give an interesting account.  Already and further facts of the situation, emails are arriving wondering what is to follow..  I have involved the people who have helped me at events and they are included in the recent emails. 

At very large events, security can be problematic.  Some smaller events lock the gates at, say, 2300.  Although this annoys some campers, everyone can rest with reasonable assurance that nobody will wander in and take things.  

I made a small adjustment to the machine I last used which was at a large event.  With security in mind, I needed a chain-fixing as the handle has no metallic interior and a chain through the handle just slips off the machine.  The bolt under the removable panel on the back was replaced with one shaped in the form of a strong eyelet. That jutted out sufficiently to attach the chain. It was necessary to enlarge one of the ventilator slits in the removable panel.  The panel can easily be replaced.  

I am quite willing to demonstrate my invention when, with your kind consent, I return to Gloucester for the re-imbursement.  Kayne can be notified in order to have the appropriate camera etc to record the action on the machine.  The photos etc can be posted to my website and Machine Mart can use the idea in conjunction with Clarke.  If the offer is declined, I trust that the transaction can take place without travelling to the shop. 

You can view aspects of what I propose to say to my website readers on a presently-hidden page -   http://thepiperinpeacetime.yolasite.com/43.php  The sales graphic needs to be replaced with your logo.  My IT skills are limited to what you already see. After that, there is http://thepiperinpeacetime.yolasite.com/44.php    

The information you have already is via Customer Number 0051525.  I have posted a prĂ©cis on page 44 on how I view the transactions. 

I look forward to a favourable and mutually beneficial outcome to this letter.  The possibility of a credit note is good if I needed anything near the amount.  However, I do not, thank you. 

Yours truly 

Alan F Harrison (Prof)

 I considered it prudent to collect the generator in mid-November.  Let's see if anything comes of this website section. A review was added here on 28 Nov.  Let's see if it is published. Update March 2013 - nothing to report so no more updates.