1948 Original Equipment Blog - Original Equipment Blog

Well are you ready for Christmas and the New Year?

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 17:00:00 GMT

At this time of year we all spend a fortune and you have to question is it really necessary? Tons of food ends up in landfill, many presents are forgotten by Boxing Day or at best get recycled in a summer fete or to unsuspecting culprits next Christmas.

The stress that seems to encompass some individuals is not good for blood pressure or longevity. Like many things in life today we are encouraged to seek the perfect Christmas and told exactly how this should be accomplished. This advice should be avoided at all cost.

Personally we have kicked this trend by moving closer to the Danish idea of Hygge - being cosy and a sense of wellbeing. As this seems to be an “On Trend” subject at present we would like to state that our version of this is simply born out of life’s ups and downs, living longer and having experience.

There is simply no point in doing things that you don’t want to do or getting stressed because the supermarket has a long queue and no milk. A button falls off or the pudding is burnt – so what! Simply look at the positives and push the negatives behind you.

We are not visiting relatives and not having sprouts this Christmas. A leisurely start to the day, a meal at any time it happens, roast goose, fine wine, a log fire, two devoted cats and maybe a film. Anything we have forgotten is forgotten. Christmas is not stressful, people make stress and drama because they read, view and listen to the press. Treat it like any other day and you will be surprised how enjoyable it can be.

Rushing out to the sales on Boxing Day will not bring you happiness or change your life. I listened to someone say we never really know when we are happy so do not enjoy it. We just moan like mad when we are sad. Don’t fret about what you have not got but make the very most of what you have today. It is only all to easy to fret your life away and you only have the one life, so spend more time enjoying the moment.

Never regret the things you have not done but marvel in the great things you have achieved. For years the Scandinavians have been viewed as the happiest people in the world. Perhaps we should all take a leaf out of their book and learn more about Hygge.

How very old are you?

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:15:00 GMT

At Christmas we all love a quiz, so this is our effort to see which side of the divide you live on. The world has changed but have you? Below is a simple test.

If you score predominately “A”s you are very old and probably grumpy
If you score predominately “B”s you are down with the hood or you just cheated.

For each of the following in bold what is the first thing that comes unto your mind “A” or “B” ?

Churchill
A) Great war time leader
B) That insurance dog “Oh Yes”

Madonna
A) The Mother of Christ
B) “Material Girl”

Beethoven
A) Ludwig van – Composer
B) Very large Dog

Victoria
A) Queen and Empress of the British Empire
B) Beckham or Pendleton

Garage
A) For the car but full of junk
B) Electronic dance music

Sting
A) Wasp or Bee
B) Saving the rain forest

Blackberry & Apple
A) Crumble
B) Hi-Tech

The King
A) George VI
B) Elvis- and/or the Burger

Twitter
A) Birdsong
B) Trending

Pink
A) Barbie’s Favourite Colour
B) Pop icon

Homer
A) Ancient Greek Poet
B) Simpson

Wicked
A) Burn in hell
B) Brilliant

Alexander
A) The Great
B) Comparethemeerkat.com

O2
A) I hate Chemistry
B) I hate mobile phones

Pants
A) Clothing
B) Rubbish

Kennedy
A) John F
B) Nigel

Sick
A) Day Off
B) Awesome

Hope you got the score you expected - LOL (For those that did score mostly “A” No, it is not Lots of Love! )

Retailers - don’t you just love them!

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:10:00 GMT

I needed to buy some locks - within the lock world quite a specialist but simple purchase.

My first port of call was a local guy who we had used before. He was very slow first time round but, if possible, I like to give our business to local people. The phone call did not go quite as well as I had hoped as he kept repeating himself and asking me the same questions over and over again. Now I should add that he is a young guy - not my mother’s age (I do excuse these traits in her at 95 years old). I am old enough to be his father, so if I can remember something said 30 seconds previously I do not think I am being too unkind to expect him to concentrate.

The order total was for a fairly large amount of money. He said he would get them straight away. He sent me an email to say he had them. I phoned to say great and I would pay him as soon as he delivered them just like last time.

Four weeks passed and nothing arrived. By now this lack of service for what I considered a reasonable order was annoying me. I sent an email saying please could he deliver by the following Friday or consider the order cancelled and please let me know what he was going to do. Unsurprisingly we did not hear from him and the locks did not arrive.

We moved on. Like many things my usual first port of call is an internet search for anything we need - so locks went into Google. After searching many companies I picked one, phoned them and sought some technical guidance (which was good). Based on this I asked to place an order. We were immediately told that this person could not take an order and I would have to phone back. This struck me as a strange attitude as I wanted to spend money.

I wanted to conclude the purchase at that moment not add it to my list of jobs to do. So, I moved onto Company number 2 selected from the web. This company proudly boasted by recorded message that they were one of the UK’s leading lock suppliers and had 15 years experience in the business. This happened to be a call line that charged not a free phone. The message droned on repetitively on a short loop. After ten minutes my patience wore thin so I hung up.

The next lock company I dialled on a free phone number and they answered the phone immediately and a very helpful young lady sold me the locks I needed very quickly and professionally and I paid with a credit card. Total transaction time 3 to 4 minutes.

I therefore proudly say two things: -

Lock Industry wake your ideas up! - do you understand the value of customers and service? I would love to be in the management meetings of those first few companies when they discuss sales budgets. Someone once said 'The Customer is King' - a few retailers should revisit this point.

My second proclamation is 'Well Done Emma!' at www.discountlocks.co.uk - they deserve their customers!

Your Group Needs You.

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 17:25:00 GMT

I have broken with tradition and duplicated a Facebook entry in our blog. The reason is the importance of the subject. Increasingly all over the UK groups like the one below are helping all our communities and mostly we are blissfully unaware of their work. All are volunteers and they turn out at any time of day or night.

This picture shows two vehicles from Gloucestershire and Worcestershire 4x4 Response. Increasingly volunteer groups like these are being used more and more to support local authorities for emergencies where the Blue Light services need specialist support and especially during the increasing bouts of severe weather we are enjoying.

I admire their dedication and work as they have to finance everything themselves through fund raising events and be prepared to help at a moment's notice. With floods and snow becoming a regular feature of our calendar their support roles are vital and in some cases life saving.

It is easy to imagine helping with searches or food and water delivery but what is often forgotten is getting the emergency services staff to work. When we can’t get to work because of snow the police, fire and medical teams often suffer the same predicament. This is where these groups excel.

G & W 4x4 Respone are well trained and equipped with just the right vehicles to step in and keep things running. I have the greatest respect for this group and recommend you visit their website www.gloucestershire4x4response.co.uk I am sure they are always looking for more recruits or help with fund raising.

Just remember that, with more and more cutbacks throughout Local Government and the Emergency Services and the reduction in 4x4 vehicles they run, volunteer groups like this are playing a major role around the country. They need your support!

What do you want?

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:32:00 GMT

Whenever a number of show traders in the Land Rover world get together, apart from moaning about the state of the nation, talk inevitably turns to Shows. One thing we all agree upon is that costs have risen and sales have dropped over the last three years. Some well respected players have dropped out altogether.

We debate whether there are too many shows or whether they meet the needs of the public given how many other attractions now vie for the public’s time and money. The warring factions changing dates and moving Shows really came at the wrong time and split the industry.

Are we priced right for a family of two adults and two children? With travel, entry, food and drink most will see no change from £100 to £150 before they buy anything. Have Land Rover shows moved with the times? Are we offering enough innovation or are we repeating the same thing year after year?

We would love to hear your thoughts as we are about to plan for 2012/13. Why not drop us an email with any points you may wish to air about the future of Land Rover and 4x4 Shows in the UK? Please write to sales@pmlgb.com

If you want to be noticed

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:21:00 GMT

We were very lucky and already we want one – in white, a two door coupe. By being in the right place at the right time we were one of the lucky few who were able to get a really good look at the new Range Rover Evoque. There is no doubt that this is the most elegant car to come to market since the Audi TT. It will turn heads everywhere and will be a 'must have'.

'IT' Girls will clamour for one and Fashionistas will besiege Dealerships. This latter point may cause a few issues! Many Dealership staff, more used to fawning the country set, will have to learn a whole new language and serve 'Wet single shot cappos made with Soya milk'. This may be one of the more easy to solve requests! We are all in favour of the car industry waking up to the fact that they are retailers. They should spend a day at Selfridges or Harvey Nicks to understand what will be coming their way.

The Evoque is just beautiful. Its lines are more akin to a blend of classic and contemporary art than the motor industry. Land Rover’s designers must take great credit for this. They have broken the mould.

Will it appeal to die hard Defender man? - probably not! Nor should it! This vehicle puts this world famous marque right into the melting pot for global domination in its sector. It will appeal to a younger audience and one more used to city living. We think it will have huge appeal in new markets like China and we predict it will keep Land Rover and Range Rover on the lips of many for years to come.

We are sure it will surprise off-road as well. Not in Defender or Discovery territory but you will be able to do much more in an Evoque than you can in similar priced cars. For a start you will be able to drive it in the snow!

Start saving – you will want one!