[Sunbeam Talbot Email List] BAMFORTH'S

[DIn1022099 at aol.com]

Hello All,
 
Here is my humble opinion regarding our sport and the suppliers. I concur  
with Mal about anyone operating a business solely for Sunbeam Talbot owners. 
 Takes devotion and money to take care of a worldwide customer base. Just 
the  shipping dilemma can overcome many folks-not including the monetary  
exchange.
 
As an owner both originally in 1961 and now-I find myself hoarding parts  
for future use. Many times we owners we owners trade, barter or find an  
additional source (Moss, Triple AAA, J C Whitney, ETC) and pass that  
information among our group. This is necessary to get a part at an economical  price 
with acceptable quality ( nee KIP discussions on previous emails). As a  
result those of us just interested in preserving the Sunbeam Talbot venue for us 
 and future generations as opposed to making a profit on the namesake 
automobiles  sometimes do NOT share complete information about what we have or 
want to sell,  trade-this occurs on Ebay when members are bidding against 
members. I personally  have many parts and in the future will trade, sell to 
obtain items to keep my  car roadworthy.
 
My experience with the Bamforth's is limited to a couple of items  
purchased. I was satisfied with the results of the transactions and parts.  However 
I was more satisfied with Mal and Bob Hamilton not for price but  shipping 
costs (we cannot walk across the pond). Because the Bamforth's are  doing 
business in the United Kingdom the majority of their sales should be on  home 
ground. Those of us seeking parts from England must realize the costs to  
ship them and act accordingly. Of course my occupation as a Caterpillar  
dealership employee spoiled me- we could get parts overnight for a reasonable  
cost for machines that were 60 minutes old or 60 years old-not the same as our  
hobby.
 
I will continue to purchase parts worldwide for my 1951 DHC. I will support 
 the best products at the best price and best shipping costs. New 
reproduction  parts MUST cost more due to advertising, tooling costs and shelf time. 
My recent  experience regarding my sister's 1992 Ford Tempo was similar-Ford 
no longer  makes many parts-they must be scored after market.
 
Regards, 
 
Don Ingram
 
 
In a message dated 5/17/2010 7:21:08 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
shadow74 at bigpond.com writes:

Hi Sunbeam Owners, 
 
For a while now, when ever the Bamforth's name  appear, whether good 
service or bad, I have to smile.  
I commend anyone who takes on a business with so  little customer base and 
to make a living out of it.
 
My Story is a sad one. Firstly, I must say,  I have never met any of the 
Bamforth's and never been able to buy anything  from them. 
I have spoken to Tony on one occasion, I do get  feedback from Sunbeam 
Owners in this Country (Australia), mainly negative  towards them. 
It absolutely amazes me, as previously said in  this small Sunbeam World, 
why these people sometimes are so hard to get along  with. 
 
A good friend of mine who owns 3 Sunbeam  Talbot/Alpines, contacted STS to 
purchase 3 of their newly produced rear  Number plate light lens, no 
squabble about the price of the lens, but was  informed, he couldn't buy 3 of them, 
only one????? No explanation of why,  "take it or leave it" was the reply. 
 
In my own case, where I restore Sunbeams and  Talbots all day, everyday, I 
have been banned from buying from them, because  of their stupidity. I am 
the bad boy of Sunbeam parts. 
 
Out of the goodness of my heart,and to help  a friend out, namely Bob 
Stewart and his small run of Sunbeam Rubbers which he  produces in his retirement 
to help keep our cars on the road. 
In the beginning Bob was the only one to take the  time and trouble to make 
the rubbers, so much so that Bamforth's purchase a  good deal of Bob's 
rubbers and where pleased with them. 
Then for Bob, I advertised a few of his rubbers  on ebay, this is when you 
know what hit the fan, with Bamforth's, according to  them, a supposed 
agreement between them and Bob, they were to be the only  outlet for his rubbers. 
There was no such agreement in place, but  from that day I am banned from 
ever purchasing anything from them, along with  a few of STAR committee 
members I believe. Soon after that   Bamforth's started advertising their Rubbers 
stating they were far better  quality, than that of other rubbers made 
overseas, as many of you know Bobs  rubbers are superb and he goes out of his 
way to make sure they are perfect  and the best quality that can be. 
 
I wish the Bamforth's the best of luck in their  new venture, but remember 
we are just a small group of people with the same  interest and any 
successful business, needs all the supprt they can get, not  to treat people as 
badly as they have done in the past, 
 
Mal  Clark.


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