08/12/2023
A customer of mine contacted me because their bi fold door had jammed. The top bolt had seized, and I diagnosed fault to be the centre section gearbox. I ordered the correct gearbox and visited to fit, upon opening the jammed door, and trying to remove the bottom bolt (top bolt removed ok) I realised the thread had locked solid on the lock so therefore would not remove out the bottom of the door, so could not complete job then. I did some homework, and contacted the door manufacturer (who I won't name and shame) who told me that the part I required was a bespoke hand made part, which would take 12 weeks, and that reallly I should hand the customers details to them so their "approved installers" can be visit and diagnose, Their nearest installer is in London, and they charge a 2 man day rate just to look! The guy from the manufacturer continued to try and force the customers details from me, to which I politely told him no. As I know what the issue is and believe there must be a fix. I went away, contacted the suppliers who make the locks for said company, and noticed they made some 8mm threaded rod, and a screw on bolt. So i ordered that, re visited, removed jammed bolt, fitted new gearbox and existing top bolt, and adapted and made bolt to fit the bottom. Customer was over the moon, and glad she decided to not have her details passed to the manufacturer. All I will say is shame on them for trying to dupe people into using their "approved installers" (who I found out pay a huge fee per year to be called that by the manufacturer). I saved this customer over £1000, and yet another happy customer with a secured door.
