From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter of complaint to S. Smith & Sons Ltd. regarding the exorbitant pricing of supplied experimental thermostats.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 156\2\ scan0092 | |
| Date | 16th May 1938 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std.6/MH.{M. Huckerby} 1328- Experimental Dept. 16th. May 1938. Messrs. S. Smith & Sons Ltd., Cricklewood Works, LONDON, N.W.2. For the attention of Mr.Grose. Dear Sirs, With regard to various thermostats (of similar type to your standard X.30065 unit) which you have supplied to us for experimental purposes from time to time - our accounts Dept. have brought to the writer's notice the prices which you are charging us for these units. We give on attached sheet, a list of the units supplied, order numbers, dates and prices etc. In view of the fact that the production or quoted price (in quantity) of these units is 7/6d., we think that the charges for the experimental units are exorbitant. In the case of all except the last two against O/N.62105 the only departure from your standard unit was the different diameter of the valve seating and the opening setting. We cannot see that either of these modifications should quadruple the price of the unit. Further, in the case of the last two units supplied (X.30065/7) these two were fitted with different bellows with more convolutions - in all other respects they were similar to previous units supplied - since these bellows could presumably be taken from your standard bellows stocks, we do not agree to a price increase from 33/6d. to 45/-d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} We would point out that it was on your own initiative that you built these last two units (see your letter S.10 27/4/38 from Mr.Grose) to overcome the trouble complained of in our letter Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std.9/AP.6.4.38 - in any case one unit would have been sufficient for test purposes. | ||