Mid-week Rant

[C.A.R.]

Just sent this email to National Windscreens -

To whoever it may concern,

I was travelling to my place of work this morning at approx. 08:15 when when I was overtaken by a White Ford Transit Van reg no. KG57 0SX. Unfortunately, because there was no more room on the slip road joining the A10 at the Ware Junction the impatient driver of this van cut accross the white cross-hatched area without being able to see traffic on the A10 dual carriageway. As the van crossed over this hatched area it flicked up a cloud of dust including a stone which bounced off of my car.

I found it ironic that a van with National Windscreens' logo's was driving like this and understandably it made me quite angry. I can't be sure whether the stone which was fired at my car this morning actually damaged the windscreen or not, as there were already 2 stone chips that I was aware of.

I thought someone should be made aware of this behaviour, as this particular driver was probably on its way to the Hoddesdon branch of your company, not far from where I work. I will not be reporting the incident to the Police as it's probably a waste of their time, but thought that it should be brought to your attention.

Regards,

Chris Roullier

Seriously, Transit-driving a*sehole! Overtook on a 2-lane slip road whilst I was already overtaking a slower-moving car, dived accross the reservation bit and straight into the fast lane! I guess he could've looked but it's not like he could've known if anything was coming.

F*cked off. Not had a chance to look at the car but that's probably another chip to add to my collection!

Doubt I'll get a reply!

[Ed Doe]

I'd have told them you were going to pursue it with the relevant authorities unless you recieved a letter of apology and at least a look at your windscreen tbh!

[ginge191]

^^ this

A national company would love to know which staff of there's are being a'holes, they'll be dealt with properly, and you'll get a "reward" if anything for highlighting it.

[Ruan]

You should have told them they cracked your windscreen, which is f*cking hilarious cause it's National Windscreens, so they can come and replace it.

The dirty arseholes!

[Ed Doe]

put it on twitter too; I read an interesting article recently about how twitter is changing how companies deal with complaints; as it's so visible.

True story

[4WayDiablo]

I'd have told them you were going to pursue it with the relevant authorities unless you recieved a letter of apology and at least a look at your windscreen tbh!

Definatly this!

[C.A.R.]

Felt like saying the chip in the windscreen 'definitely wasn't there before' but I know there were at least 2 chips. Looking at the windscreen this lunchtime there is a nice large one right in the middle of the car which I hadn't noticed before

No response yet, but the only email address I had to go on was info@...domain so I don't know whether it would go through the right channel.

Hmmm...

[Dum-Dum]

Why did you send off the email before you checked to see if you had any new chips you div.

[Scott]

I doubt anyone will see it at the info@domain address. If you've spotted another chip that wasn't there before, I'd definitely call them up about it, or do a little research and find out the names of one of their directors, they'll usually follow the format of <!-- e --><a href="mailto:firstname.lastname@domain.co">firstname.lastname@domain.co</a><!-- e -->/com/etc. or the initial and surname. They will certainly not want to be having an email like that, but especially if you mention that you tried contacting the company previously and have yet to have a response.

As said, twitter is another good way to get a response from them, Kim's been moaning at Tescos lately about stocking on certain foods (for dietary requirements) and they've responded the same day asking for more details and apologising.

[306carter]

Check this site for the CEO's email address.

http://www.ceoemail.com/

[Ed Doe]

I doubt anyone will see it at the info@domain address. If you've spotted another chip that wasn't there before, I'd definitely call them up about it, or do a little research and find out the names of one of their directors, they'll usually follow the format of <!-- e --><a href="mailto:firstname.lastname@domain.co">firstname.lastname@domain.co</a><!-- e -->/com/etc. or the initial and surname. They will certainly not want to be having an email like that, but especially if you mention that you tried contacting the company previously and have yet to have a response.

As said, twitter is another good way to get a response from them, Kim's been moaning at Tescos lately about stocking on certain foods (for dietary requirements) and they've responded the same day asking for more details and apologising.

Chief Troll living up to his title there; you do EXACTLY what I do mate, honestly it's scary


Also that twitter article I mentioned earlier FYI:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18081651

[C.A.R.]

Posted a similar thread on PistonHeads earlier today.

The MD is a member on the PistonHeads forums.

45 minutes ago he responded to my thread...

Apologies for the display of poor driving.

I will ensure that you get a formal response on this tomorrow. As has been said, driving a van in anything other than a responsible manner is stupid, paticularly one in full livery.

Sorted.

I'm 99% certain the van caused a new stone chip, but like I said there is probably 4 chips in total on the screen anyway. They're harder to spot than you think, especially shortly after a bit of rain. This one is smack in the middle of the windscreen

Will keep the thread updated...

[mark_airey]

Posted a similar thread on PistonHeads earlier today.

The MD is a member on the PistonHeads forums.

45 minutes ago he responded to my thread...

Apologies for the display of poor driving.

I will ensure that you get a formal response on this tomorrow. As has been said, driving a van in anything other than a responsible manner is stupid, paticularly one in full livery.

Sorted.

I'm 99% certain the van caused a new stone chip, but like I said there is probably 4 chips in total on the screen anyway. They're harder to spot than you think, especially shortly after a bit of rain. This one is smack in the middle of the windscreen

Will keep the thread updated...

I think someone is getting a bollocking tomorrow

[C.A.R.]

It's just refreshing that twattish driving will get someone some stern words. Too much of it goes un-noticed and un-reported now. I could've quite rightly reported it as dangerous driving to the local Police, but if everybody reported every incident of dangerous driving then the Police wouldn't have any more time!

[kingy]

and righly so

[Scott]

Posted a similar thread on PistonHeads earlier today.

The MD is a member on the PistonHeads forums.

45 minutes ago he responded to my thread...

Apologies for the display of poor driving.

I will ensure that you get a formal response on this tomorrow. As has been said, driving a van in anything other than a responsible manner is stupid, paticularly one in full livery.

Sorted.

I'm 99% certain the van caused a new stone chip, but like I said there is probably 4 chips in total on the screen anyway. They're harder to spot than you think, especially shortly after a bit of rain. This one is smack in the middle of the windscreen

Will keep the thread updated...

That's hilarious. What are the odds!

[4WayDiablo]

If I was the MD I would fire him tbh bringing the brand into disrepute sas well as breaking the law hahah

[Toms306]

I imagine you'd be the first person to moan if the window man turned up late to fill your crack.

lady garden driving is obviously not right, and yes is annoying....but I'm sure we've all done it under different circumstances anyway.......I wouldn't have reported it personally. Maybe shown my feeling about his driving using the horn or s flash of lights but taking it to the manager just seems a much to me.

[C.A.R.]

Ah well that's where you fit into the majority of the road-using population Tom, and you're wrong.

I wouldn't normally have reported it, I will admit, but the fact that it damaged my (admittedly already knackered) windscreen was enough for me to bother. Plus, you don't drive inconsiderately when the company vehicle you drive has got the company name and logo plastered all over it!

[Ed Doe]

I imagine you'd be the first person to moan if the window man turned up late to fill your crack.

vajayjay driving is obviously not right, and yes is annoying....but I'm sure we've all done it under different circumstances anyway.......I wouldn't have reported it personally. Maybe shown my feeling about his driving using the horn or s flash of lights but taking it to the manager just seems a much to me.

But Tom it's a Windscreen repair firm who have broken his windscreen. Surely if nothing else there is some agreeable symmetry there!

Tbh I would have reported it. It's one thing driving like a dick, but quite another doing it in a work van. The bloke is representing his company, and the company need to know if he's doing it badly imo.

Maybe I'm a bit too anal, but if the cnut had flicked up gravel at my car, I'd be taking photos of the stone chips to the bodywork, and demanding an appropriate repair to them as well as the glass!!! :roll:

[Eeyore]

I imagine you'd be the first person to moan if the window man turned up late to fill your crack.

vajayjay driving is obviously not right, and yes is annoying....but I'm sure we've all done it under different circumstances anyway.......I wouldn't have reported it personally. Maybe shown my feeling about his driving using the horn or s flash of lights but taking it to the manager just seems a much to me.

Nice pun tom i would definitely report it. Its ironic and tbh theyve broken your stuff! Why wouldnt you complain ? D:

[Poodle]

Would have reported it too, agree with car. We all put up with idiots on the roads, but this sounds like a particularly stupid bell-end that needs a sharp shock to rein him in, should think a disciplinary at work will do that nicely. More people should report stuff like this, particularly if you can follow it down a more useful route like phoning the driver's boss or, as i did to a taxi the other day, the local licensing agency. It's a pity there's usually nothing the police can do, but as said they'd spend they're whole time chasing their tails if everything like this was reported to them.

People need to start tweeting number plates tbh, dare say there's a few execs who would take their nose out of your boot if people started sharing details...

[C.A.R.]

No resopnse as yet, but I suspect this is due to a lack of contact details. It's difficult to contact someone directly via Pistonheads if you don't know where to look.

I've emailed the MD my contact details.

[Toms306]

I think you've kinda missed my point though, the company he works for is probably the reason he's driving like a cock to meet his deadlines. I have a mate that works for a courier....he loses pay if he doesn't make deliveries on time so speeds to make sure hes on time....it only takes one slow old person to make his average speed drop dramatically...which he then has to make up. He had no points before this job....now has 9 all for speeding in the works van!

So really I suppose I'm saying there's two sides to this.....if you were late/stressed anddid something stupid on your way to work because of it the last thing you'd want is an earful off your boss, or worse.

Sam the reason I wouldn't report is one because I can't be arsed, shit happens, get over it. And two because I like to treat people how I'd want to be treated, that may sound a bit daft and immature but it works for me, and if it was the other way and I was driving like a cock I'd hthen I'd want the van driver to let it slide....

[Niall]

I think you've kinda missed my point though, the company he works for is probably the reason he's driving like a cock to meet his deadlines. I have a mate that works for a courier....he loses pay if he doesn't make deliveries on time so speeds to make sure hes on time....it only takes one slow old person to make his average speed drop dramatically...which he then has to make up. He had no points before this job....now has 9 all for speeding in the works van!

So really I suppose I'm saying there's two sides to this.....if you were late/stressed anddid something stupid on your way to work because of it the last thing you'd want is an earful off your boss, or worse.

Sam the reason I wouldn't report is one because I can't be arsed, shit happens, get over it. And two because I like to treat people how I'd want to be treated, that may sound a bit daft and immature but it works for me, and if it was the other way and I was driving like a cock I'd hthen I'd want the van driver to let it slide....

Tom that's no excuse mate. If the cops pulled me and said you were speeding, I can't just say "oh it's ok, I'm late for my next site". They will still give me points. If he gets a bolocking from work for being late to jobs, he needs to leave earlier, or raise the issue with his bosses.

[Toms306]

Obviously it wouldn't work with the police, I know that lol.....hence the points my mates got.

However, you can't always leave earlier......say you get back to the depot and then have to go out and back in an hour....on a journey that is 25 mins each way.....that's fine until there's a tractor/old person/learner/cyclist holding you up. I'm not saying its the right thing to do....more of a needs must kinda thing.

[C.A.R.]

Tom you are very strange.

[C.A.R.]

Just had a phonecall.

Can't give the game away until everything is resolved, but I got an apology from the top!

Glad just to see that someone actually cares about their company name.

[C.A.R.]

[Niall]

You will generally find these big companies will try and resolve these things ASAP.
End of the day, the engineers out on the road are the face of the company. Not the people in the office. If they act like cocks, it gives the company a bad name!