Watch this before ordering new Richards Chassis!!! Customer service review + Resolving issues

Finally came to a resolution with Richards chassis regarding the problems on my chassis. In this video I talk a bit more about the issues I had with the chassis and how the customer service team tried to deal with it

[@HeinerStorchennest1]

Thanks for this valuable video as you shed light on some issues, I never would have think of before ordering a new chassis for my S2.

[@aguyandhisgarage]

Thanks, The bulkhead has even more issues and the customer service is non-existent. Just waiting to get everything mounted and I will do a video on that too highlighting all issues

[@BritannicaRestorations]

About 12 years ago I ordered 3 Defender chassis from Richard to be finished before I shipped to Canada in my container Paid for 3 months in advance - called 2 weeks before I was ready to load, and they were not even made - I had to extend my trip by 3 weeks as they were made but not galvanized - and all the extras like the turrets and crossmembers were not supplied - even though they were paid for I picked them up personally, and they were fannying about saying they could not find the paperwork for the parts missing - never got a refund, not even an apology Richard were cheaper but so unreliable So let this be a lesson for all - Marsland every time - you may pay a bit more - but a good investment, and a good company to do business with PS almost forgot - I had to pay the UK VAT but even though I had all the Canadian tax paper sent to them for a VAT refund once in Canada, I never got a penny back - not even a reply

[@aguyandhisgarage]

Hi Mike, First of all I'm a big fan of your channel, been a real help to me over the years. Yes i know, with defenders I've always gone Marsland and never had any issues. They don't (or didn't at the time however) make series chassis so I thought Richards was the next best thing. I wasn't so much annoyed at the bits that were wrong as I was the customer service. Unfortunately the shielder bulkhead i got had more issues and even worse customer service. Once I've finally got everything fitted I will make a video highlighting all the problems i had with them and the bulkhead, but would definitely avoid them at all costs

[@seand8121]

I ordered a series 2 chassis from Richards - arrived in December 2021. I discussed with them going for a replica S2 or a ,S2a. They charged about £150 extra for the S2. The differences between the two were explained as With regards to the differences between the ‘replica’ chassis and the ‘productionised’ chassis, the replica has a few additional features which make it closer to the original chassis: • The PTO tube in the #2 (steering) crossmember is a smaller diameter • The handbrake lever mount is the early ‘boxed’ design • The #5 crossmember has a flanged lower face to replicate the original pressed crossmember • The bulkhead mounts are tubes, rather than the later reinforced plates I found the service to be good but I didn't have to test it as you have. My only regret was I joined the owners club after ordering. I could have had 5% off. Really enjoying the videos. Looking forward to seeing it on the road.

[@aguyandhisgarage]

Yeah, I am just not sure why they don't advertise this on their website, and instead assume everyone will call them up to discuss options. I am looking forward to getting it on the road and being able to enjoy it :)

[@gerritverburg4105]

Shielder chassis is not better making your own and and having it galvanise is the best solution

[@aguyandhisgarage]

I have never bought a shielder chassis, but based off the quality of their bulkhead, I can imagine it is not better. With regards to making your own...this depends on the quality you want, how much of your own time you want to invest etc.. For me with the time I would have to spend drawing up the parts in CAD, getting them cut, making a jig and then welding it all up; I believe it is more economical to just buy one that is of a decent quality.

[@machiningbasics1729]

Your chassis was a lot closer than my shielder one was. Yes it’s annoying but you have to be abit brutal with some things. I did lots of re drilling and welding up holes in lots of brackets in my other parts to avoid cutting any of the coating on the chassis

[@aguyandhisgarage]

Yes it is, I don't mind having to make modifications etc. but the companies have to advertise this better, or the option for an exact replica. If you were having to pay someone else to do the work for you then a chassis that you thought was costing you £2000 could end up costing you a fair percentage more.

[@machiningbasics1729]

@@aguyandhisgarage they should mention you have to get abit creative I certainly agree

[@machiningbasics1729]

Richards are the best of most of them shielder are pretty rubbish or the one I have on my 109 is

[@aguyandhisgarage]

As mentioned in the video, the quality was not the issue. I understand sometimes we get things wrong, but I was more disappointed with their customer service and how they dealt with the issues. I've done a few Defender chassis and never had a problem with Marsland, but for that reason I have never had to deal with customer service for them. Saying that I can imagine that the quality of the shielder chassis and customer service was worse judging by how I was dealt for my bulkhead. Hoping to release a video on this next week so stay tuned.

[@machiningbasics1729]

@@aguyandhisgarage aye I’m enjoying the videos

[@petersmyth5274]

This is what happens when amateurs start building Landrovers

[@petersmyth5274]

Omg what a Karen of a customer. Take your measure and laser throw in over the hedge and get on and build it and stop faffing about are you in the landrover business or show business.

[@aguyandhisgarage]

You are entitled to your opinion. If you don't believe in getting what you paid for that is fine. Extra time and material spent correcting issues all add up. In the end received a partial refund for the chassis due to the faults, which to me is Richards accepting that there are errors which require time and money to rectify.