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PLACING AN ORDER WITH A BODYBUILDER.
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The Routine which Must be Followed, a Knowledge of which Considerably Facilitates Business and Accelerates the Construction of the Vehicle.
YOTI—the pro-s-pective coach-owner—have already obtained your chassis or .placed an order for one, or, maybe, your selection has been narrowed down to one or two makes. In any ease the details of a suitable body is, for the time being, a question which has to be definitely settled and you are desirous of getting into touch with the firna which will give the best value for the money expended.
You may, very properly, decide to support local industry, or be attracted by the announcements made of the larger firms in other towns, or your requirements may be very special and you know of an establishment which caters for the particular type of body you favour. If preliminaries are not set on foot by a personal visit, a letter of inquiry is written, which is perhaps the most usual way of opening negotiations. The drafting of this letter of inquiry may seem a simple matter, but it must be admitted that it sometimes fails in its object, because it does not contain sufficient particulars of the customer's requirements.
This sort of letter is apt to cause delay :— " Dear "I want your lowest price for a 26seater bus body with front entrance. The roads round here are very hilly, so the body must be very light. I saw one of your saloons in the market square last week which looked very nice. A second-hand body might suit me if it be in good conditon."
A good letter of inquiry runs something like the following :— "Dear Sirs, "I shall be glad if you will quote me by return for a 26-seater front-entrance bus body with mechanically operated front door opening from front edge of bottom step. Partition behind driver, rear emergency door with turnover seat to form step, drop windows, no ventilating lights, but two good ventilators in roof. Leather cushions and back rests. Sloping screen and side lifeguards. The body will be mounted on a Phcebus chassis, type SP, forward steering, a blue print of which I enclose. The front wings are supplied with the chassis. Your price to include wiring and supplying three roof lamps and the fitting up of my own lighting set, which I will send with the chassis should we come to terms. Please state how soon you can deliver after receipt of chassis."
The advantage of giving what practically amounts to an outline of the specification required is that a definite quotation can be given, whilst the enclosure of a print giving the dimensions of the chassis gives the bodybuilder the chance of preparing a scale drawing, or of sending a stock print or selection of photos, so Sat the customer is able to form a good idea of the general appearance of the proposed vehicle. Quoting the make and type of chassis only is sufficient in many instances, as many firms have a file of chassis prints, or will ring up the manufacturer or
agent concerned for the necessary particulars.
If the bodybuilder has insufficient data he will write or send a representative for further details. If he writes he may offer alternative specifications, one of which may be a happy guess of the type of body required. If more than one firm has been communicated with, a comparison of prices is not always the safest guide, because one firm may be offering a more completely equipped and better-quality article than the other, although this may not be evident from a perusal of the specifications submitted.
A Visit to the Factory.
Whether correspondence has taken place beforehand or not, it will be assumed that you decide to visit the bodybuilder, because it is seldom wise to give an order without. having at least one interview. A visit to the factory gives the opportunity for discussing in detail the various items of the specification. Moreover, other bodywork of a design similar to the one under consideration is usually to be seen in various stages of construction, which may suggest fresh ideas or the modification of existing ones.
You, of course, may call as convenient, but it is advisable to notify the firm of your intention to call, in order that a responsible official shall be in to meet you. It is possible. to settle all details with a clerk or foreman, but, at the same time, there may be the question of additional or rejected items to be estimated for, which must be referred to authority before a final pronouncement as to price can bemade.
Discussing the Details.
The customer who is wanting a passenger or commercial body usually knows what he wants, since he is buying something which will help him to earn his living. He may not have expressed himself in the clearest possible manner when writing, but once in conversation with the manager, who, like himself, is a business man, ideas will be found to flow readily enough. He accepts the comfortable armchair offered, but after chatting for a few minutes he is on his feet in order to demonstrhte better some point raised, to examine some new fitting or to have a look at the rough sketch which the bodybuilder is making. There are undoubted benefits in this personal contact; a few minutes' talk may save days of delay.
Then, maybe, photos are displayed. The bodybuilder nowadays is one of the best customers of the technical photographer. He is a strong believer in photographs, because, by their aid, it is possible to show the various types made as they actually appeared. The photo also gives confidence because no flattery is attempted, and it illustrates work actually de
livered, not mere inquiries. If the photos do not represent the actual body required, further designs are usually available in the drawing ooffice. The
draughtsman is then called in, who sub mits such drawings as are likely to be suitable. The draughtsman may also be able to give information concerning the seating possibilities of the chassis, how the seats work out over the wheel-arch, approximate overall height, and so on.
At this juncture it may be pointed out that, in some instances, it is an advantage to delay the ordering of the chassis until the details of the body have been settled. Not that the bodybuilder is interested in any :particular make of chassis, but because one chassis may be better suited for the body required than another, or advice will be given as to which model of a certain make is best adapted for the proposed seating capacity and arrangement of entrances.
A Tour Round the Works.
If time permits, a tour round the works is now suggested. Here is the opportunity of inspecting many of the actual features that have been discussed—probably the same model of chassis which you have purchased is being fitted with a body. There is also the chance of testing the ease of the door control when seated in the driving seat; you may try the adjustment of the windows and satisfy yourself as to r the comfort of one or two patterns of seat and borrow a rule in order to verify a few important dimensions. Do not carry your own four-foot rule, as it will be difficult to persuade the bodybuilder that you are not a rival in disguise! A pocket steel rule, however, may be flourished without exciting any undue suspicion.
A return is now made to the office, and the choice of colour and upholstery is discussed with the aid of pattern books.
The Specification.
Having gathered all the necessary information, you may either go through the specification already prepared, or, if this has not been done, you run through the notes made by the bodybuilder during your visit, in order to satisfy your
self that nothing has been overlooked. Often a price will then be quoted on the spot, and, after a little polite haggling, the deal will be settled, and it only remains for you to confirm your order or sign the order book and to promise to send on particulars of the writing display required.
On the other hand, preferring to make haste slowly, you defer giving the order until you have received the specification and a drawing embodying all the details decided upon.
If the owner has been in business for some years he will have seen the specifications of more than one firm, and will have noted that, although there is much sameness of phraseology in many of them, there are also marked differences in compilation. The elaborate and r semi-legal document is seldom the work of the bodybuilder, but usually that of the engineer of a large undertaking. The customer may, of course, draw up his own specification if he wishes so to do. The average bodybuilder's specification and estimate are brief and to the point. They should refer to a drawing by number if one has been sent in connection with the inquiry. Seating capacity and leading dimensions are merely referred to in order to confirm the information given in the drawing. If no drawing be submitted, then the seating arrangement must be described.
The material to be used for the framework, inside and outside panels, floor and roof is stated, as well as the means used for reinforcing the principal joints of the body. The driving seat enclosure is described so as to include the details of the screen, the signalling window and the kind of partition provided. The main windows are described as of sheet or plate glass and the actual type of window mechanism to be used is mentioned, also the number of adjustable and fixed windows and ventilating frames.
The seating is dealt with in detail, mentioning the construction and various materials used in the trimming work, and, with regard to painting, the number of coats applied to produce the exterior finish is mentioned. The interior finish must be specified, also the display of mouldings and the amount of painting or staining and varnishing. A clause refers to the mounting of the body, the provision of wings and steps, and painting of the chassis. It is important that a list of the fittings should be included, such as commode handles, stanchions, number plates, belt, tool boxes, installation of electric light and so on.
If a visit has been paid to the bodybuilder, there should be no extras unless a special quotation for certain items has been requested. Writing display is usually an extra charge.
The Deposit.
When an order has been given, a deposit is usually expected. This is not in any way a reflection on the dependability of the customer, but is simply a reminder that the financing of a large number of bodies in course of construction is a serious affair. Incidentally, it is but a copy of the wellestablished practice of the motor manufacturer. The payment of a deposit helps the bodybuilder by reducing overhead charges and so assists in keeping prices at a reasonable level.
The works may be again visited during the course of construction of the body, but not for the purpose of suggesting structural alterations. The most carefully laid plans, however, are not always adhered to, so that the question of extras is likely to arise before the vehicle is ready for delivery. If anything additional be required, the _
" cost of it should be confirmed in writing, so as to prevent any misunderstandings later on.
A firm which gives satisfaction should have the first chance of estimating for your next order. A bodybuilder who understands your little whims and fancies and interprets the spirit as well as the letter of the specification is a valuable friend in helping you to solve your transport problems. He will assist you in the future by putting your ideals into practice.