Vidette UK LTD - Coulsdon

Danny

When your van illegally overtakes and slams into the cyclists on purpose then you shouldnt be driving, it says alot when all your reviews are about how poor your driving is

Elaine B.

Exhausting to deal with! They turn up unexpectedly. The book jobs then don’t turn up. They quote for jobs then do something different, on the cheap side. They send carpenters to do plumbers jobs. Customer service is nonexistent. Don’t respond to phone calls or pass the buck.

Jo K.

Great way to advertise your company… NOT.
If the driving is anything to go by… I’d be VERY cautious!

Matthew S.

When you drive a company van, you represent your company. Tailgating our car at 9am on a 30mph residential road outside a school doesn't make me think your company is safe or intelligent. Reported to Police.

Sarah C.

I can't see how people are rating this company on the actions of one EX employee. Obviously I do not condone what the driver did but the company have taken appropriate actions and I'm sure the driver in question will be dealt with by the legal system. This company should not suffer for one individuals mistakes. I would suggest people read the actions the company has taken and change ratings. This country needs to start supporting their local businesses! Although what I'm doing is hypocritical to what I'm about to say..... these reviews should only be used for the work carried out by the company, not what one person (who the company obviously mistakenly trusted with a work van) done whilst using said van. If this person had been using their personal vehicle without any company name on, would you be slandering this company? No. Think before you type how this may be affecting a totally innocent company who unfortunately could not control the actions of their employee in that exact moment. This post is not meant to offend anyone.

Daniel D.

Not surprised to read I’m not the first to write this. Tailgating me at 70 on the motorway. Trying to undertake, nearly hitting someone else in the process. Absolute idiot.

Gabriel B. M.

A lot of people have left 1 star reviews, but they didn't wait to see what the action from the company was going to be in this case. Please see below for the action Ian Frazer has taken on this employee:

I am writing this letter to express my sincere apologies to the cyclist that was very unfortunate to experience a very irresponsible and dangerous move by an engineer driving one of Vidette's vehicles on Sunday 30th April.

My wife and I are both very keen cyclist ourselves so fully appreciate the impact/trauma that a near miss like this would have on anyone in this situation.
I have now interviewed the driver and can honestly say the he is so full of remorse and fully understands how lucky he and the cyclist have been on this occasion and swears to never let himself get into a position like this again He stated that he was having personal problems with his family and his mind “was all over the place” and that he is so sorry. I do believe him and could tell his apology was genuine, however we cannot condone nor let this behaviour have any place within our company, we have decided to make an example here and to promote driver awareness going forward. He has been dismissed from immediate effect!
This experience has made me realise that I can do something to help reduce this sort of behaviour on our roads so have decided to introduce a driver awareness course into our already busy H&S training matrix for all our employees. The AA seem to have a nice one called Driver Alertness Education, I have actioned this to be investigated & organised immediately.
Adding to the above, I have had full backing & agreement in these decisions from all of our management team.
I hope this letter will also be of comfort to the other road users & cyclists who have written their concerns.

NB - I was on holiday until early this morning which made an immediate answer nigh on impossible. I understand that the vast majority of mails and social media comments are from concerned genuine people however, we received some really hurtful mails wishing all sorts of medical curses on our office staff which swayed me into taking down the access from our web site & social media pages.

Sincere apologies,

Ian Frazer

Nick A.

Whilst absolutely outraged with the actions of this driver, I appreciate the response from Ian.

As a rider that uses the A272 regularly and as someone that lost a friend, killed by a lorry 2 years ago whilst cycling her bike, the actions of the driver make my blood boil.

I hope Vidette has future training for their drivers and this makes them all understanding of cyclists.