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Does anyone with closer links to Marlin know whats really happening down there?
Having ordered back at the beginning of September, my delivery date has kept slipping from the end of October, due to them having problems with moving. But I regularly get assurances that the building is their No.1 priority to get back in to business and they are working all hours they can to do this, including through christmas.
Imagine my surprise (well partial surprise) when I rang today and found they are on Holiday already through til early Jan...
I am begining to wonder if the problems are more than just an severe inability to estimate the time to build a workshop.
I am begining to wonder if the problems are more than just an severe inability to estimate the time to build a workshop.
Well they do estimate that you can build a 5exi in four weekends!
I'm sure they must be focussed on finishing their move because their cash flow must be going seriously negative.
Well I hope all is in order, as my car's "expensive tent" should be arriving on Friday.... ! There's my new rear suspension too...... which I was meant to collect at the Exeter Kit Car show.
Have you got their mobile numbers? Try 07967 594 502.
I was speaking to another manufacturer today. They are having 3 days off over Xmas as they are too busy to allow themselves and their staff any more time.
It is a shame that there is not a representative from Marlin that frequents this forum.
In their defence, I am aware they are having some issues with their new building . . . . . . but I'm not sure how they can afford to stop or slow down production for so long.
Yeah the bit that got to me about the 3 week holiday was I was absolutely assured by Terry that they wouldnt be taking a 3 week holiday and that every possible hour they would be concentrating on the building instead. Hence why they would not be able to facilitate me collecting the donar parts which is not dependant on the physical building.
Thanks for the offer Rich but at the moment I am still wanting to build rather than buy.
Although as I have already lost 4 solid weeks of build-time I had the plan is well out of the window for getting it ready for the 2009 season...
If they dont get their act together soon I will due to the way my leave years work not have any leave until September time. In which case I may well add to their financial worries by pulling out and getting my money back and re-evaluating the build later in the year.
Thanks for the mobile number I will give that a try.
As above really it's marlin and too me they have never really come across as wanting to make money.
The amount of business/money they have lost from people going elsewhere must be huge which is why people said on the 'what would you do differently thread' buy as little as possibly from marlin.
Thats good news , gives me hope that somethings happening. Hey who knows maybe the card through my door from parcelforce saying they tried to deliver something means it could be the chassis
I have been in exactly the same position as you - ordered in Sept, had three delivery dates, none met. Like you, I phoned for an update and got the auto text response 'on holiday 'til 3.1.08'.
I have never tried to do business with a more unproffessional and uncommunicative company in my life. I figured three strikes and your out, so I have cancelled and asked for my deposit back.
I notice your based in Suffolk - me too. I have some bits if you are interested - brand new VVC engine and PG1 box, pedal box, cooling fan, front wheel bearings and front and rear discs and calipers - all brand new never used. Let me know.
Good luck with your order - I reckon you'll see something end Jan.
Its a shame that this has happened but on the other hand it is poor that you've been waiting since september for the kit.
If Marlin can fit a complete new back-end onto marks race car and swap everything over and have it running 4-5 weeks later, why cant they produce the kits quicker?
Were you told about the move when placing the order and the possible delays?
I was told when I phoned them on 31/10 when the kit should have been ready! Terry said they were moving and things would be delayed until end Nov. Then that changed a week later to end Dec.
If Marlin can fit a complete new back-end onto marks race car and swap everything over and have it running 4-5 weeks later, why cant they produce the kits quicker?
Surely that is quite a long time. They could have completed a whole car in that time - working weekends only!
If Marlin can fit a complete new back-end onto marks race car and swap everything over and have it running 4-5 weeks later, why cant they produce the kits quicker?
Perhaps that's rhetorical - the race car is prioritised, at the expense of kits?
I can understand how irritating it is to be kept waiting as I am sure any of the builders who have been let down have felt. Perhaps this action you have been forced to take will make Marlin consider how they deal with customers in the future. The compant I work for have a clear process in place for compensation when the agreed customer dates are allowed to slip, and for business customers this can be signifant if they can prove loss of revenue due to the delay.
Alas, I feel this will just fobbed off as not thier fault no doubt, but this may start a chain reaction.
Hope you find another dealer who can provide the service expected.
I've got the impression that the kit car side of the business is taking second place to the race side. Seems a shames as with a little more development and proper customer service it could be a very good product.
I have never tried to do business with a more unproffessional and uncommunicative company in my life. I figured three strikes and your out, so I have cancelled and asked for my deposit back.
QUOTE]
Interesting reading about this and your deposit senario..... Hmmm spoke to another builder who will remain anonymous in same situation....let us all know how you get on??
Was rung by Terry this morning. The salent points of the update were:
Apparently it was only Terry who was off over Christmas the rest remained working.
The build is still behind, the concrete walls need to be put in place followed by the roof followed by the floor and the electrics.
I gather they have been very poorly let down by their contractors.
Terry was mentioning it should all be in place by end of Jan.
Terry has committed to contacting all customers weekly on an Monday to give them an update.
I did try suggesting that they may need to consider alternative courses such as temporary accomodation to do jobs that dont need the heavy machinary, but they dont seem too keen on this approach at the moment.
Personally its getting rather close to the wind for me, as the absolute latest I can really take delivery of the kit is mid-feb. I think it will all depend on progress over the next two weeks, or steps towards increasing my confidence such as starting some form of temporary operation.
Thanks to all for your commiserations and interest. In answer to an earlier request, I recieved the following from Marlin today...
Dear Charles,
Thank you for your email. I would like to clarify the situation regarding
both the building work and Marlin Sports Cars as a company.
As with any growing company circumstances dictate that things change in
order to progress both commercially and financially. This has necessitated
our move to a purpose built premises in order to continue developing our
products and support our customers which is of paramount importance to us.
When any building work is involved there are inevitable delays which are
caused by the planning process, legal issues and other suppliers from which
none of us are immune. It is unfortunate that the purchase of your kit
coincided with this period when circumstances beyond our control meant that
we could not deliver your kit when anticipated. As a company we continued
working up until Christmas so as to get as much done as we possibly could
followed by the period between Christmas and New Year when our contractors
were on shut down.
I am sorry that this has caused the delays you have experienced however
Marlin as a company will emerge stronger and better able to support our
customers in every way. I understand your reasons for not wishing to wait
any longer and will return your deposit monies. I would like to take this
opportunity to wish you every success with whatever car you now decide to
build.
Does anyone who frequents this forum live close to Marlin's new factory. It would be interesting to eyeball it and perhaps take some photo's so we can see the progress for ourselves.
I hope their prediction on build time doesn't follow that for building my Marlin or the factory might not reopen until next year (2009) lol.
but at the moment I am still wanting to build rather than buy. 
, gives me hope that somethings happening. Hey who knows maybe the card through my door from parcelforce saying they tried to deliver something means it could be the chassis 