The Factoring
Page 107
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SHOP TALK ADF nails loose linings
The Factoring
Services Group is lobbying the Lord Chancellors Office and the DTI about the use of private bailiffs.
The actions of private bailiffs led to 72,000 complaints in one year to the Citizens Advice Bureau, leading the Government to admit the "need to address public concern about the apparent lack of regulation of private bailiffs".
FSG members would no doubt defend the use of these companies by saying that workshops who fail to pay their bills could drag their business down. But it that is the case possibly the factor's credit control needs looking at: remember you can only afford to gamble with what you can afford to loose. But if you haven't payed your local FSG member's bill don't panic when there is a knock at the door (this formality is little used by private bailiffs). It's probably Santa coming to pass on Workshop's best wish for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. • In an attempt to quantify the number of loose brake linings the commercial vehicle sector of the Automotive Distribution Federation is to survey up to 300 reliners.
The decision was made at the ADF CV section's recent conference where many of the reliners present reported loose lining problems.
ADF CV chairman David Sedgley believes that some designs of brake used in specific applications are more prone to loose linings than others. He now has the go-ahead to seek evidence for this.
Sedgley believes too much had been made of the type of rivet used. If there is a design fault, he asks, "what happens if the linings don't come off?", speculating about recent trailer fires including the fatal incident in France.
Many of the reliners complained of pressure from customers to reline shoes that were unfit for further use. To maintain standards the conference also approved a code of practice for distributor members.
This covers minimum percentages for CV business, stock holding quantity and quality, workshop facilities and technical advice for customers. ADF members should also display the sign, pool information for items like electronic cataloguing, offer emergency services to customers and aim to achieve B55750 or a similar quality control standard.