I need to VENT!!! Arena surface

B

Bounty

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Joined
24 February 2006
Messages
4,231
Location
Gloucestershire
www.freewebs.com
ARRGH!!!!!!!
Have had a ********** (woodchip) surface on the arena for around 5 years now, so have had a couple of top ups in that time, and have always been thrilled with it - very rideable and minimal upkeep.
The most recent top up we have had is just awful
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Some of the wood is not so much 'chips' but more like stakes and splinters - usually around 8-10inchs long (!!). Even the smaller chips aren't as fine as they have been in previous years.
There is also a hell of a lot of plastic that has been shredded in with the wood, which has now blown all over our fields and adjoining premises
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When we went up to the manufacturers to collect some bedding on tuesday, after a very displeased phonecall, we took a carrier bag with a sample of the surface in it. It was a random sample, not one that we had gone out of our way to exaggerate.

The staff at the plant were absolutely horrified at our sample, and were very apologetic. They said it would be taken to the MD immediately......

Have received a letter this morning that says this:-

"Following your recent visit to ******* with oversized pieces of wood, I write to confirm that we have conducted an investigation into the possibility of the over-sized wood pieces being part of the product delivered to you.

I can now report that we fail to see how such large pieces of wood could have passed through our grinding system, which contains several 30ml screens.

We will provide you with 30 bales of cushionbed free of charge when you wish to collect"


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Fuming!
We are left with a surface that is practically unusable, no apology and the offer to pick up some bedding, which they could at least have had delivered to us!


How should I continue to dispute this?
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Edited as defamatory!
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I think that is the next step - they are in West Brom so not terribly local, and while the staff are horrified the MD seems totally uninterested - so think it will definitely be a case of insisting rather than inviting.

I'm gutted
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Yes i agree, my OH does arenas and he would certainly not let them get away with this. I would tell to come and have a look for themselves.
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I would contact your local trading standards department, ask their advice, then write again to the MD telling him you want a visit from him to discuss what he is going to do. Advise him that you will be taking the matter furhter should the issue not be resolved to your satisfaction. I would mention the fact that you have been totaly satisfied with the service you have received in the past and hope this recent situation is merely an oversight.

I would also advise him that should you have to take furhter action your costs invloved in clearing the unsatisafatory surface and use of alternate arenas in the meantime will be included should you claim against them.
 
ditto the others, that is not an acceptable level of service form their company. i think i would take digital pics asap then forward them onto the MD, and suggest that he makes a site visit as their quality control is not up the standard. emphasise that giving you free bedding is not good enough and that they must remove the *dangerous* surface and replace it otherwise you will be taking thigs further. also point out that you have beena loyal customer and expect to be treated accordingly.
good luck!
 
Whatever you do do not accept the bedding! If you do accept it then it can be thought that the dispute has been resolved. Go to trading standards, your local one first & they will be able to advise you if they take up the matter or the one local to the supplier.

Do nothing to your surface, leave it as it is & take plenty of photographs. When you take photographs have a ruler, tape measure iun the frame so there is something to judge size from. Once Trading Standards contact the supplier & speak to them you will be surprised how much more amenable the managing director will be. He must know that something isn't right otherwise would not have made the offer of 30 bales of bedding.
 
I would let them know that you are still not happy and surely it is not fit for the purpose it was sold for.
A few years ago we put a school down with sand from a company advertising in the H&H under "arenas and surfaces"
it was supposed to be top grade silica sand. Anyway, it always rode deep and even with the rubber on it was awful so after a year we had the sand analyised. It was single sized and not angular which meant it would never compact and would always ride deep like a "bag of marbles"
After many letters and discussions with the supplier they agreed in the end it was not fit for the purpose it was supplied for and refunded my money in full on the understanding that they didnt have to take the sand away so I agreed, we used the sand in gateways and on another old turnout menage we have and had a new Trackright surface put down.
Dont let them fob you off, stick to your guns and insist they either replace it or refund your money.
Good luck
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Thanks all for your advice. I had to go out this afternoon so haven't had a chance to do anything else as yet
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but this WILL be taken further, one way or another!
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Since it has gone down I have spent so many hours trying in vain to make it rideable, but it is just not going to happen. If I do ride on it, in walk/trot for 20mins or so it looks like I've had a herd of them hooning in it
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I've stopped using it as the risk to damage of tendons/ligaments, and confidence slipping/shuffling around in it is just too great
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Just to add - on several occasions previously we have acted as a 'showcase' arena for their product, on their request, and I have recommended their product several times over as I have always been so impressed. I hope to goodness that the people I referred to them haven't had this sort of service
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