Rigger , Non-Replies, What ?
 

Ahoy All ,,,, I can't understand just why, when we send enquirey and subsiquent orders for rigging supplies, we are neglected, because of rigger over-load of business ?

My suspecion is that riggers are "garnering" their business,,, or of course that they are very overloaded and claim "swamped" , or other reasons, for their, un-ability, to help sailors get , back under-way, again !

Is it wrong for us boat owners, to have, to wait, for a rigger to be available, to help us ? ,,, just why do we feel , negelected, when we need help and support, the most ?

Maybe it is because sailing is just a sport, and quality riggers are in very short supply,,,, I don't know the answer , but I am hurt , because no rigger seems to respond, effectively ! to my needs !

Recently, I placed an order for new spreaders, only to find that the rigger, will order the new spreaders from "Forespar", they have, which has already neglected my previous spar orders, and shined me on !

Sorry, that I am pissed, because it seems to me that ALL riggers are over booked, and under prepared to help the after market needs of their sailors .

We want to sail , but are denighed, because their after market service is insufficient to handle the load !

What to do next ? Encourage New Riggers and Spar Makers to get into the field,,,, the mark - up is very sufficient to support you !

Where are, the rigging parts that I need, guys ? Why are you sooooooooo over booked as to not be able to handle my simple order ?

Douglas , in need ,,, tired of waiting ,,, for winds that have passed me by, and sailing days, that are missed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahoy Douglas,

Just a note of slightly baffeled sympathy. Most global sailors are their own riggers and find, fabricate or jury-rig whatever they need.

I don't know if your problems are Singapore-related - like import duties or customs or shipping issues that most US and European dealers don't deal with. Why not get some suitable aluminum tube an use your old end-fittings or even make something novel of wood, at least to get to a more yacht oriented port in Australia or something?

Anyway,

Fair winds & G'luck

Ian
S.V. Marmalade

Dear Douglas,
I know that this is strictly against the ethic of Spartalk but you seem to be in extremis so, if you want to drop me a line on joe@fpw.net.au with your requirements, I will do my best to fill your order.

At the very least, if I can not help you I will tell you straight away so as to avoid exacerbating the daisy-chain you seem to be caught in!

Regards,
Joe Henderson.

Delays? Riggers?
 

Hello,
And ouch. I recommend that you take Joe up on his offer. I'd help you myself, but we are, um, swamped right now.
Seriously, I don't know that there's anything intrinsic to the trade that inclines riggers to be slow in filling orders, but I have two only-moderately-defensive observations. One is that I often get requests for rerigs with very, very short notice. The idea seems to be that it's only rigging, so how long could it take? In the past I have gotten into some interesting jams trying to please such clients. This mistake, coupled with my own considerable talent at misunderestimating things, can be disastrous. The other excuse I might make has to do with our dependence on suppliers. If we get delays on having things shipped, or if the wrong things are shipped, we are the ones who have to tell the client that things will take a bit longer.
After much work, and thanks to our new partners, who actually have a head for business, we have addressed both problems. For scheduling, other people's notions about how long things should take are not our fault; we tell them when we can do something, and we deliver emphatic warnings about the possibility of unexpected evolutions, once we get into the job. Regular communication with clients during the course of the job helps keep everyone aware of what is going on, so we are big on that, too.
As for suppliers, we make every effort to find and hang onto people who are reliable, who care about getting the right things to us, on time. Sometimes they slip up, but we have definitely reduced incidences of delays.
As for the reasons that you suggested, I do not know what "garnering" business is, but my impression is that there is not so much a shortage of good riggers -- though that is also true -- as a shortage of good riggers who also know how to run a business. It took me close to 40 years to get a notion of that.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Venting Frustrations
 

Hi Brion, I appologize to you and the forum, for getting upset and venting my frustrations in print, but I do think that I am not alone with spar problems, that aren't getting fixed in a timely fashon.

I mean things like Alan Massy of Forespar saying the soonest he could supply a new repacement 45' mast would be 8 months. Then he stopped replying to my email queries.

Joe , mentioning a "Daisy Chain" , of problems with getting rigging help and or supplies, is exactly what I have been dealing with, here in SE Asia .

I think your last three sentances in your reply sums it all up:

" As for the reasons that you suggested, I do not know what "garnering" business is, but my impression is that there is not so much a shortage of good riggers -- though that is also true -- as a shortage of good riggers who also know how to run a business. It took me close to 40 years to get a notion of that."

Thank You for your reply, although you were not the target of my antipathy . I will remember to count to 10 next time I get upset like that again .

Douglas

frustration
 

Hey Douglas,
sorry to hear things are getting so tough for you.
If I can say, once you have surmounted your challenges you will be more accomplished for it. That is the way one can look at adversity.
From what you told me of the distances you have travelled, you have, no doubt, faced your share of challenges and have probably grown as an idividual for it.
Hang in there. The fair winds will continue to blow as long as the earth turns and so will be waiting for you.
Mike