Big Delivery
Yesterday (22nd September) we delivered eleven fireplaces to one customer in Kent, a very big delivery in deed its a good job we have large Mercedes sprinter vans for our deliveries, our customer was delighted with all the fireplaces especially when he only ordered them ten days ago. The fireplaces comprised of three Gloucester fireplaces with Chiswick mantels in Carrara marble, five Regal fireplaces with small roundel mantels, Henley arch fireplace with a Roundel mantel, and finally two Bolton fireplaces, all fireplaces had Granite hearths slabbed and split for solid fuel fires. Our customer is very pleased with the fireplaces and fitting of them has started today.
New Van on Order
I have just ordered a new van today (14/08/09) factory order for a Mercedes sprinter Van 313 cdi, with some nice little extras in it, and with the new economy engine it looks like it should drive well. Its to replace Eddies old sprinter van which is two and a half years old not old but with 175,000 miles on the clock so far! its looking a bit tiered. Eddies old van will be put to pasture and just used for local fireplace deliveries in and around Lincolnshire. Now what about our old Transit van it does look small compared to our Mercedes sprinter vans, well the fate of it isn’t decided yet.
So our replacement van is on order and should come the first week in November. We will be giving it a new paint job and decorating it with some lovely fireplaces. I will keep you posted on the fireplaces that will go on the side of the van some of our best sellers no doubt.
So in November keep a good look out for your new fireplace delivery, possibly in Eddies new van.
Fireplace Delivery
About Us Fireplace Deliveries If you have ever read our about us section on our web pages, you might be forgiven for thinking does he really still do that any more – or is he sat behind a desk with his feet up. Well for the past nine weeks our regular van driver Eddie has been off work with a crushed hand, he was carrying a very large cast iron combination fireplace with another person and unfortunately fell, with the fireplace landing on his hand. He went to hospital and to cut a long story short he had an operation on his hand, and had some metal screws through his hand to hold his little finger back on. he is now back on the road to recovery and should be back in his van which I know he his missing. I hope! Any way back to the story. Over the last nine weeks I have been delivering all our fireplace deliveries, some of our customers might recognize me from when they come into the showroom to buy a fireplace. It is very interesting to see our end result and see where our fireplaces end up, and the type of house’s that they start their new life in. To give you an idea of my commitment to our delivery service and the type of deliveries we do here at Victorian fireplaces. Friday South Devon it was a timed drop, I was there for 6am then onto North Devon for before 8 am (just made it) Then on to Bristol for an am delivery got there at 10am. Then over the bridge (at a cost of £10.90 very expensive) into South Wales then up to Lydney, arrived at 11.50 am, all done before dinner time and all customers very happy. Saturday load van for Monday’s deliveries which happens to be a quick trip up to Aberdeen (every three to four weeks we have a trip up to Scotland) for a timed drop between 7am and 8 am. I set off at 12.30 am, and arrived at the customer at 7.30 am customer was very happy (read review). Then on to Huntley (read review) approx 1 hour 15 minutes out side Aberdeen arrived 9.30 am again customer was very pleased especially when he only ordered the fireplace the night before, amazing service. Now onto Bo’Ness Edinburgh arrived at 1.30 pm again customer very pleased. Last call Harwick arrived at 3.30 pm. what a day great achievement all customers are very pleased with the delivery service, now on my weary way back home, nice steady drive back. Arrived back at 8.30pm, I’m off to bed!
A week of deliveries at Victorian fireplaces
Van Deliveries
A Typical week of deliveries for Victorian fireplaces
Fireplaces
Van Deliveries
Monday
Just two deliveries today, first call to Cromwell near Newark Notts, with a fireplace then onto Deepcar, Sheffield with a fireplace. back to load up for Tuesday 3 hours 30 minutes driving time, 140 miles total.
Tuesday
Early start 4.15am off to Swansea south Wales, just two drops today both complete fireplaces, first one in Cwmllynfell Swansea, arrived at 8.52 am. Then onto Morriston Swansea, arrived at 9.50 am. back to load up for Wednesday 10 hours driving time, 546 miles total.
Wednesday
Early start 4.15 am off to Hythe Southampton, with a complete fireplace. Arrived at 8.30 am, Then on to Salisbury with some mantels. Then onto Chippenham with a fireplace, arrived at 11.17 am. Then onto Bromham Chippenham with a fireplace. arrived at 11.50 am. All done now back to base to load for tomorrow. 11 hours driving time 497 miles total.
Thursday
Another early start 4.46 am off to Northampton, with a complete fireplace, customer wanted an early delivery got there at 6.30 am, she was very pleased. Next drop in Barnet, the M25 is very busy this time of morning and this morning is no exception, got to customer in Barnet with there fireplace just before 8 am. Now onto SW London with four drops. Got to the first customer in SW11, took 2 hours driving just 15 miles from Barnet stop -start -stop -start the sort of thing we have to expect driving in London. When I arrived the builders were stuck on the stairs with a cast iron bath, so I promptly helped them up the the stairs with it, I always thought our fireplaces were heavy but a cast iron bath is something else. I put the fireplace where the customer wanted which happened to be up the stairs, not to worry customer was happy. Onto SW17 arrived at 10.50 am this customer was having a hearth only, nice and easy to deliver straight in and out. Then onto SW16 just round the corner this customer was having two Limestone fireplaces these take a little time to unload because we check each one meticulously as we uncreate them, the customer wanted them both in the dining room, customer very happy. Onto SW2 last delivery of the day arrived at 11.55 am, fireplace put into the front room ready for fitting. A very satisfying day’s deliveries all done before dinner Brill!! Back to Lincoln. 9 hours and 10 minutes Driving time 323 miles total.
Friday
Late start today 9.45 am off to Bradford this time with mantels two drops, then onto Manchester again with two drops both with mantels. 6 hours and 20 minutes Driving time 274 miles total.
Also this week
We crated up two fireplaces for shipping. one went to Jersey and one to the Isle of sky. We don’t ship many fireplaces overseas but it is nice to know some of our fireplaces have been sold to other countries. The furthest was to Santiago in Chile, then four in New york, recently we also sent two fireplaces to Italy.