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bad news :-(

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:48 am
by anthonyyule
At the end of last year my wife booked our summer holiday for June 2013 in Norfolk. We are really looking forward to it - a nice wee countryside break.
Coincidentally, we just bought the Evora in April and so my wife said that it would be a nice idea if we could maybe stop by the factory and have a wee look.
Ive just contacted the Factory but their response wasnt great......apparently due to a high level of 'corporate activity' that week the factory cannot fit us in (2 adults + 2 toddlers).
They did tell me to look them up next time I was passing though (guess they hadnt realised that Inverurie to Hethel was an 1100 mile round trip and not something which is likely to happen again any time soon).
Not sure what I expected - but had hoped for a little more. :-( - looks like the wheels of "corporate hospitality" grease more freely than your average private customer....

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:13 am
by Shug
Not brilliant, no, but perhaps some major event that week, etc. Factory tours do get booked up, corporate or otherwise, quite a bit in advance - they don't constantly run them every day. I'd be much more surprised if it wasn't this month you were looking to book.

PM'd Graeme - unlikely he'd be able to do anything, but worth an ask, I suppose?

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:19 am
by anthonyyule
I fully appreciate that corporate activity must be very important to a company the size of Lotus - I was just a bit disapointed.

However, I've actually just heard a (possible) glimmer of hope. The track is run as a different entity to the sales function at Hethel - and its due to a lack of resources (because of the corporate activities) that they cannot support my visit.

Ive been advised that if I contact my local Dealership(!) that they may be able to speak with the sales team at Hethel who (might) be able to accomodate a factory tour...Is Graeme still in Sales at Lotus in Hethel? - maybe he could help after all?

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:46 am
by Shug
My point was less about the relative importance of corporate activity, more indicating that you're booking quite soon to your expected visit date and these tours are busy...

Graeme is still there - well worth a PM, or phone Craig at MMC and see if he can contact someone and pull strings. More than one way to skin a cat :)

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:54 am
by anthonyyule
Availability at the factory for a tour is not too bad - just that week is a bit of a 'mare. Had I been on holiday 1 week earlier or later, it would have been fine. Sods law.
Ill try and get hold of either Graeme or Craig and see what is what. Cheers!

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:57 am
by BiggestNizzy
About 5 years ago I was in a pub in Long Stratton with an x-girlfriend. Her sister lived down there and knew a bloke at the factory.

He offered to take me on a tour but it was the day I had to drive back :(

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:06 pm
by anthonyyule
BiggestNizzy wrote:About 5 years ago I was in a pub in Long Stratton with an x-girlfriend. Her sister lived down there and knew a bloke at the factory.

He offered to take me on a tour but it was the day I had to drive back :(
miersable. bad times....

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:11 pm
by GraemeLotus
anthonyyule wrote:At the end of last year my wife booked our summer holiday for June 2013 in Norfolk. We are really looking forward to it - a nice wee countryside break.
Coincidentally, we just bought the Evora in April and so my wife said that it would be a nice idea if we could maybe stop by the factory and have a wee look.
Ive just contacted the Factory but their response wasnt great......apparently due to a high level of 'corporate activity' that week the factory cannot fit us in (2 adults + 2 toddlers).
They did tell me to look them up next time I was passing though (guess they hadnt realised that Inverurie to Hethel was an 1100 mile round trip and not something which is likely to happen again any time soon).
Not sure what I expected - but had hoped for a little more. :-( - looks like the wheels of "corporate hospitality" grease more freely than your average private customer....
PM sent :wink:

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 5:20 pm
by anthonyyule
Many thanks to Graeme for arranging a very special tour (and at short notice too!).
Very much looking forward to the 3rd July - it's going to be the highlight of my holiday :-)

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 7:15 pm
by tut
There is life in the old dog yet............

<BG>

tut

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 7:26 pm
by j2 lot
8) you can rely on Graeme to look after us :thumbsup

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:45 pm
by Scotty C
anthonyyule wrote:Many thanks to Graeme for arranging a very special tour (and at short notice too!).
Very much looking forward to the 3rd July - it's going to be the highlight of my holiday :-)
:thumbsup

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:48 pm
by Dominic
Awesome stuff!

Re: bad news :-(

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 8:11 am
by GraemeLotus
tut wrote:There is life in the old dog yet............

<BG>

tut
Indeed!!