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This might be worth knowing for future customers:
Von: Stefan Böhm
Gesendet: Montag, 16. Februar 2004 15:18
An: '[email protected]'
Betreff: Complaint ! - Lead times of Elise S1 body assembly
Dear Neil,
I have to complain severly about Lotus' attitude towards
loyal customers !
For the record: I own one Eclat, one 340R, two Elises and
the one and only Lotus Lada. You may call me an enthusiast.
But I am not really sure how long still !
In September 2003 I crashed my Elise and had to order a
S1 LHD body assembly (part no A111A0229J) through Brandes &
Dschuedow, Muenster. Two weeks before that, I bought a wrecked
Elise for which I ordered a S1 LHD body assembly (part no
A111A0229J) as well - this one through Auto Koenig, Munich.
So for the record: TWO body assemblies on order since mid of
September 2003 !
As I am quite aware of the poor flow of information between
Lotus HQ and the German dealers, I phoned the factory
several times to get a status for the parts.
Sep 2003: "the chassis will be delivered in 2 or 3 weeks".
Oct 2003: "the chassis are on back order and will be delivered
Nov 30th"
Dec 2003: "yes, the chassis were delivered, you should have
them by the end of December"
Dec 2003: "the windscreen frames are on back order, we'll need
two or three more weeks"
Jan 2003: "all parts are here right now, but we do not have
the time to assemble them"
Feb 2003: "mid of February"
today: "4-6 weeks"
WHAT THE HELL DOES LOTUS THINK ? Could you please give me an
official statement of this whole affair as well as information
re a binding delivery date. I am really fed up with waiting
month for month and delaying appointments with the paint shop
as well as the work shop.
This is the very best way to gain a lot of bad press !
It might be very worth knowing for your potential US customers
that parts supply is a definite no-brainer. Not only that
aftersales is just not able to get out parts in decent time
(may I remind you of issues re non-deliverable crashboxes,
clam shells and so on). They are putting on their customers re
lead times again and again ! Not to mention the ridiculous
affair concerning the footwell corrosion !
Hello Lotus - please get your things straight. I do love Lotus
cars, but I hate the way customers are dealt with. And even
being a very enthusiastic Lotus fan, I am starting thinking
about Nobles and TVRs.
I would like to inform you that this is an open letter which
I intend posting to all major Lotus-related internet BBSs as
well as sending it to major car magazines. I do think your
customers need to know how badly Lotus treats them after
having sold a car to them.
Awaiting your answer. And AWAITING THE BODY ASSEMBLIES.
Kind regards,
Stefan