Anyone know Overland Cruisers

[LudwellFJ]

Hi All - sorry if this is the wrong threat, I don’t have sufficient status to use the “Recommend a Supplier” forum.

I shipped my ‘83 F2 engine to Julian Voelcker at Overland Cruisers to be rebuilt over a year ago (early 2022) and have yet to see it. He rarely responds to emails or answers his phone so I have no idea of what the state of play is. I am at the point of going the legal route on him, but does anyone on the Forum know him?

Thanks, Francesco

 

[karl2000]

I think Julian is a good guy, but when I used him a number of years ago, he was clearly overrun with work. After about 6 months I went and took my LC back - no work had been done.

 

[karl webster]

Yep I know him. He used to be on here a fair bit. I know hes always busy and behind. Not saying it's right but I know how hard it can be at times. Just drop mim another email explaining it needs sorting

 

[karl2000]

Julian doesnt do himself any favours by ignoring emails and phone calls for weeks on end. To be fair, he knows this - and everyone who knows him knows what he's like in this regard - so it sort of is what it is!

 

[Tractionman]

IMHO, there is no excuse for taking work on, keeping the vehicle for a lengthy amount of time and not doing work, and ignoring customers attempts to get hold of him.
It seems as if he still hasn't learned.
Not all reviews are bad, but the bad ones seem really bad.
For someone well known in lc circles, a reputation gained for all the wrong reasons, which amounts to very poor management/judgement.

 

[whereisgibson]

IMHO, there is no excuse for taking work on, keeping the vehicle for a lengthy amount of time and not doing work, and ignoring customers attempts to get hold of him.
It seems as if he still hasn't learned.
Not all reviews are bad, but the bad ones seem really bad.
For someone well known in lc circles, a reputation gained for all the wrong reasons, which amounts to very poor management/judgement.

Not alone in that regard, unfortunately. I highly recommend a basic google / forum search on any workshop - as well as faith that people are open about their experiences vs being silent just to maintain some kind of working relationship in future.

 

[Macc_70]

Hi All - sorry if this is the wrong threat, I don’t have sufficient status to use the “Recommend a Supplier” forum.

I shipped my ‘83 F2 engine to Julian Voelcker at Overland Cruisers to be rebuilt over a year ago (early 2022) and have yet to see it. He rarely responds to emails or answers his phone so I have no idea of what the state of play is. I am at the point of going the legal route on him, but does anyone on the Forum know him?

Thanks, Francesco

Hi - Sorry to say my experience was very similar. He had my 70 for over 10 weeks, no contact, impossible to get hold of. It cost me over £700 to have my 70 transported from Scotland and back. 'Not the best' is a polite summary.

 

[iceman]

I had a similair experience and can back to collect my vehicle, its almost like a right of passage for a new cruiser owner. He's a great guy, just can't say no got too much work,

 

[Gr8Yota]

No personal knowledge but a friend had some work done, quoted one price for a set job, bill was double or more no additional work carried out than that quoted for which was a straightforward bracket weld on rear axle.

 

[Rob Cowell]

He's pretty active on the "Toyota Landcruiser Mart UK" Facebook page. Maybe he reads FB messenger?

 

[Tractionman]

Maybe that's why work never gets done or customers can never get hold of him ?

 

[frank rabbets]

Facebook. The black hole of society.

 

[Howmanygoes]

I have had two experiences with OC and Julian.
The first was when I took my 100 to him for a health check and project plan. He did the health check but then took months to get the report to me. Had to threaten recovering the costs through my cc to get the information.
The 2nd experience was better, but now question what was done. I had a trip booked and had a horrid vibration, ended up with wheel bearings being redone (a cup was rotating in the housing and the fronts were previously assembled incorrecly) and a rebuild on the front diff. Still didnt fully solve the issue . All done at short notice costing 3k. Turned out a prop which I'd had balanced else where was the cause.

Julian told me he works in the basis of not starting work till he has the parts, which can be problematic if he has issues getting the parts.

I think he knows his stuff, just let down on business acumen, staff and space.

 

[Tractionman]

I think everyone understands that spares cannot always be obtained 'off the shelf', especially with older vehicles, and there may be some delay sourcing or shipping parts, but it must be infuriating to have your vehicle there with no word/updates, and not being able to get hold of him.
Unfortunately for anyone, knowing your stuff doesnt get the work done if you dont start it.
A shame when a specialist repairer goes off the boil.

 

[felix2566]

I have been taking my LC to Julian for the last few years.
Generally my experience has been positive. They have done a lot of work to my truck, suspension change, bushes, BEB, intercooler etc etc.
But can totally see and understand peoples frustrations. They have had several guys leave early this year and it took a long time to find replacements. Seem to be back up to full power again now.
Try giving him a call and see if you can get some progress that way.

 

[Tractionman]

Felix, I think that is the crux of the problem, if you read other posts here and elsewhere - no response and very difficult to get hold of after accepting vehicles, doing nothing and staying quiet after customers attempts to do just what you say.
Communication (and work) goes a long way with customers with anything.
From what I've read and heard personally from others, it's not a recent thing like several guys leaving (I wonder why), the situation has been occurring for a long time, on the same theme.
As I've said before I think, there are obviously happy customers like you (generally) but having built up a good reputation in a specialist market, why destroy it ?

 

[karl2000]

Always some crisis or other

 

[felix2566]

Totally agree with you. In such a small specific market reputation is very important. Its a shame that he hasnt been able to manage things better.
I wasn't meaning to dismiss other peoples not so happy experiences.
More just some balance as often peoples positive experiences are less often expressed on a platform like this, comapred to a bad experience.

 

[karl2000]

OVERLAND CRUISERS LTD filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK

OVERLAND CRUISERS LTD - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity

find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk

Make your own conclusions

 

[Tractionman]

Agree Felix, - there are 2 sides to every story, and there have probably been shit customers that have f****d him around, but when the same old complaints crop up, its a poor show, especially in one case I read, where the aggrieved had to take court action to get satisfaction.
Why ? I don't get it, if you've f****d up for whatever reason, admit/ have contact/discuss it before escalation/ bad reputation, and come to a mutually agreed outcome., not ignore it. Simples !