Josh from Just Kampers resolution centre aka Joshamy Kyle show

On the subject of the gear coupling, it's common practise to just use the square bushes and toss the rest into the scrap bin. The square bushes don't look great either TBH but at least they are roughly the right shape and new. I've had them where the grubscrew is about 15 degs out of straight and people wonder why they can't seem to get the gearlever adjusted!

The other problem is the collar with the grub screw is peened onto the main bracket and slips leaving you stuck with 1st and 2nd, or 3rd and 4th.

It's quite true that they are just as bad wherever you get them though. Maybe a good part for JK to get made?

 

Zed - I had exactly that with a gearshift coupling from JK. I re-used the old metal part in the end and just fitted the new rubber sections. The other gearshift items that seem to be cack from any supplier is the shuttlecock style bushes. I reused the old ones - could not get the new ones to fit!

Having said that I have had a lot of good parts from JK - they are handy for me being only about 15 miles away.

And if I have had an issue, their customer service has been OK.

 

This has been an interesting thread to watch unfold.

I think on the one hand I can admire you Josh for coming here and responding to everyone's gripes (mine are clarified later in this response, my apologies I hadn't seen you earlier response to me). I also think that your willingness to do something about it should be credited.

Whilst I agree that you stock a range of quality items at competitive prices - regarding some items a I note that a fair few of your responses seem to be that you agree with the criticism and are angry/concerned/shocked that this has happened - the [glow=red,2,300]FACT[/glow] that you are concerned has merit, but we do seem to cover over the [glow=red,2,300]FACT[/glow] that people are paying for some duff items and they are unhappy, your disarming of the criticism by agreeing with it doesn't really nullify that [glow=red,2,300]FACT[/glow] - hence JK's rep for some products.

It would be disingenuous of me to not note your efforts to respond to each case and sort it - and there will be times when the customer isn't right, does get their [glow=red,2,300]FACT[/glow]s wrong, and can be a pain in the harris to deal with and you are going above and beyond by putting your head in the block here.

You allude to internal processes being attended to - has it taken for you yourself to intervene in response to people on here to trigger this, because some of it sounds like you are only realising this now. I'm happy to be wrong, you may well have a continuous improvement policy but it is alarming that it seems to have missed some of the points mentioned here.

I don't want to sound like an arse as anyone trading in these times and supporting old vans and cars is as much needed by their customers as the customers are to the trader - but I personally think the 'One stop shop' approach that justifies selling poor quality product isn't a winning ticket. I owned my own after-market automotive company and have engaged with suppliers in China and Italy in re-tooling and producing goods - the mark up in the VW world on some products is amazing - I don't think it's too much to ask for it to be at a decent quality - the feeling of paying a good whack for something that is crap when it arrives really hurts your company reputation.

I would imagine that this post is going to go down like a marmite sandwich - but in summary there have been some poor items from JK, and you are doing something about it - and that deserves credit.

Maybe you should also come at it from the other direction and poll how many people have had something from JK and have been delighted and received something of higher quality than they thought they would get? (I'll nominate the van cover as a starter for 10)

Can I cheekily suggest how about proving the Dyson model - that being disruptive in the market place by only stocking premium kit that you guarantee and if its that bit more expensive I'm pretty sure you will still do well. In essence, be the first stop for people to buy things that they want to fit and forget.


As a footnote - I had an issue with seals I bought Dubfreeze a while back from JK - frustrating and tarnished my perception. Your efforts here have already taken the edge of that perception, so you aren't wasting your time.


Also - the glowy capitalised fact word really makes my post read aggressively, when I didn't want that.

 

Good post Moons :yeah that:

 

i have got stuff from most of the traders and some of the bits when i got them i could see a sticker under theres and when taken off the one under it was a jk one.

i think they all sale the same stuff.had rubbers seals from status indicater seals from them are crap window seals are same as c&c
had a new dynamo from some one didnt last a year forgot who i got it from and cant find the invoice

i have had probs with others big ones, not jk

keep up the good work josh

 

I actually think traders need to start advertising the brands they sell, for window rubbers Vewib are the ones to buy, for panels Klokkerholm panels unfortunately (as there arn't many manu[glow=red,2,300]FACT[/glow]urers of panels) seem to be naff. VW Brazil are the best for body panels but only full panels are available obviously.

This does negate the arguments of JK panels are no good because that would be the same panels you would buy from anywhere, the whole 'german quality' or 'made in england' or 'best quality' labels put on by all the suppliers on their websites in one form or another means nothing, as a buyer i would rather know who manu[glow=red,2,300]FACT[/glow]ures the parts and be left to make my own informed decisions on this basis.


As an aside, get someone to make heater levers that are made of plastic as apposed to flexi jelly rubbish that they seem to be made of at the moment.


Just my 2 peneth worth.

 

3rded ^

I think Josh has gone for a lie down.

 

Same as they'll sell you specific bolts for a job for £5 without telling you what they are because then you could get them for 30p.

 

Wow, where to start? I was ignoring this thread as I thought it was just another moan about JK. When it got to 7 pages I decided to read it lol
I have used JK a few times and I have always found them to be a pleasure to deal with. I have had small problems but thes have always been dealt with quickly and professionally.
I agree with the comments about quality of seals and fuel hose and I also fell foul of the poor cab seals. The point about offering a choice for people that can't afford proper ones is not on as they will have to buy the decent ones within a few months anyway. Maybe offer the choice but with an honest review stating that these seals are a poorly fitting budget alternative that won't last
Any company with such a large number of product lines will have issues with quality, deliveries and returns but for josh to have the balls to come on here and go through everyone's gripes is truly unique. Boss's son or not, you are a credit to your business and I congratulate you.

 

Morning all

Good to see the feedback is still coming in, 7 pages of invaluable info is actually a great way to start a Friday!
(That makes me sound really sad, doesn't it?! )

I've got a pile of stuff to sort out for Busfest this morning, but as soon as I can I'll dive straight back in to this because there are some points that I really want to address

Thanks again for all the input
Josh

 

Right, taking a quick break from all the Busfest prep (anyone else getting excited?) to dive back in to this

 

Whilst you are answering questions I thought I would ask a quicky...

Any chance of you stocking any US style parts? My Bay is a Cali import and it's hard to track parts down in this country, I've just had to buy my double relay from across the pond, going to end up cost me more with shipping and VAT when customs no doubt sieze it!

 

PM inbound! ... ;D