Since we don't (yet) have a separate list for TRF bashing, I will join
in this recurring thread and agree strongly with John Lye.
Having dealt (reluctantly) with Moss since the early 1970s, I always
figured TRF came into existence _because_ Moss, Long, VB, etc. had such
terrible customer service. The others certainly had this problem back
in the '70s.
I have been dealing with TRF since a year or two after they began life
in Charle's garage (or was it bedroom?). To an extent, I have "known"
Charles since about 1980, having "met" him numerous times at Triumph
Register of American meets. His personality is what it is, and always
has been. We exchanged only brief pleasantries this year at TRF's
Summer Party, as I recall. That's OK.
I have always appreciated his dedication to supplying us with as
original parts, as much as is possible.
I thought John Swager had the "personality".
Keith Edwards
Suffolk, VA
kedwards@norfolk.infi.net
http://members.tripod.com/~Keith_Edwards/
2 TR3Bs
2 TR4As
1 Austin-Healey
1 Austin Princess Vanden Plas
a few fractional TRs, Healeys, and Hondas laying about...
R. John Lye wrote:
>
> Bob Kramer (rgk@flash.net) wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> >Charles is seeking to be recognized as the one guy who will
> >carry on, build the right quality parts and wants to receive recognition for
> >his efforts. I'm sure glad he does it.
>
> <snip>
>
> Like Bob, when I bought my TR-3A, BL was still selling Triumphs. However,
> even they didn't care about the "old cars" and I remember having to special
> order parts from the dealer and then getting "superceded" parts that just
> weren't right; even they didn't care. Then Charles Runyon and TRF appeared;
> Charles cared about supplying the right parts and about the quality of
> those parts that he supplied. At that time, he seemed to be the only one
> who cared, and I'm not really convinced that that has changed even today.
> Yes, Moss carries lots of Triumph parts now, but I still remember the
> old days when they cared much more about their MG and Healey customers
> than us "Triumph guys". I can still "hear" the sneer over the telephone
> that I used to get from the Moss sales reps when I told them that I
> wanted to get parts for my TR-3A. (As an aside, I first learned of Moss
> while restoring an MG-TD for a friend and got completely different
> treatment from those same sales reps when requesting MG parts). That
> attitude began to change when Moss bought 'Start Your Engines' and
> "acquired" Eric Wilhelm who is a great "Triumph guy", however. I won't
> even bother starting on about my feelings about Vicky Brit!
>
> TRF has sponsored our race car for quite a few years now, and I'm
> proud to wear their colors because of Charles' attitude about Triumphs.
> He was there for us, back when he was the only one who was there for
> us. Over the years, I've gotten to know him a bit; while I would
> not say that he's a great friend and a good buddy, he does know me and
> recognizes me whenever we cross paths at meets and I like him. Frankly,
> I enjoyed his little spiel; what's wrong with writing a little piece
> to let "us, his customers" know what's on his mind and a little bit
> about who he is? At least he's human!
>
> I guess I'll stop rambling on now,
>
> John Lye
>
> '59 TR-3A, '62 TR-4, '70 GT-6+
> email: rjl6n@virginia.edu
> homepage: http://avery.med.virginia.edu/~rjl6n/homepage.htm
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