Service nowadays?!

[Bulldog]

I've just bought a new VTR250 from Cyclespot and they have always looked after me in the past which they've also done this time.

I am now going to be buying a rack, rack bags, and jacket and pants to complete my collection for the NZ trip early next year. I put these items at about $1500 odd.

I went into another shop in the Auckland area today (after cyclespot) just to check out prices and service etc and was amazed to find that no one would talk to me....not a beep. I was there for a good 15 minutes purely looking at gear and nothing....shame on this shop...shame. I'll also add that this is the second time in a week that this kind of service has been on offer. They're not getting a single dollar out of me.

The Cyclespot guys are always friendly and the dude in the parts department (adrian I think) is really helpfull. :headbang:

[Karma]

Perhaps you scared them?

[Gremlin]

I know of one shop that will let you browse for while, no pressure sort of policy, then they come up and ask if you are OK.

If you want help, just go to the front. If they are then shitty to deal with, then you have a reason not to go back.

Personally, if I want help, I go straight to the counter, otherwise, I'm a big boy and will ask for help when I want it. Sometimes I don't speak to anyone unless I need it, and I like that. Better than them getting me as I walk in the door.

[Thumper]

Two months ago I was in the market to upgrade my 250 and had my heart set on a cruiser. I spent far too many hours researching on the net, spent may Saturdays just looking in all the Auckland bike shops (“can I help you, no just browsing at this stage thank you”). My budget would either allow for a brand new 750/800 or a five to six year old 1100/1500. I really fell in love with the styling and presence of new Suzuki C50, so with cash in the bank and helmet in hand made an appearance at a well known North Shore outlet on a bright Saturday morning for a test ride.

It took about twenty minutes of looking at the bikes on the floor, getting on, getting off and looking at the detailing to encourage a sales person to make their way over to me. I wasn’t to fussed by this as they were reasonably busy, and lets face it, shopping is half the fun of ownership. Once I had the focus of the sales person, I asked a few questions that I already new the answers to as a result of my research just to make sure I was talking to someone that I would be comfortable doing a deal with. 2/5….. mmmmmm.

Next, ask for a test ride on one of the C50’s on the floor.

“Sorry sir, not possible at this time, we do however have a promotion on M50 at present, would you like to test one of these. “

No, I defiantly wanted to test a C50, the classic lines were more my style, was there any way I could get a test, if not today (what a let down), perhaps within the next week.

“I can see what I can do, are you sure you don’t want to test the M50, the price has been discounted and we are throwing in a heap of free gear?”, my answer, “No”.

I gave the sales guy one of my business cards, wrote my home number and C50 on the back, and asked to be contacted on Monday with regards the test.

One week passed and no contact at all from the dealer. Then on Trademe, a two year old VL1500LC (C90) for $1000 less than the new C50. One phone call, one test drive, handed over the cash, deal done. Two weeks after I took possession of the VL, I get a call from the dealer, “are you still interested in testing the C50?”. Answer, “No”. I now drive over the bridge when I need Suzuki specific spares or service because of the bad taste left in my mouth after this experience.

[redbaron36]

I can too talk of these experiences of shocking service in bike shops, they shops are really stupid to do this as there is a only a small market (in comparison to other goods) and it is also fairly tight nit market, bikers talking to each other etc.
they really should get their shit together. Otherwise we just go elsewhere

[ManDownUnder]

I went into another shop in the Auckland area today (after cyclespot) just to check out prices and service etc and was amazed to find that no one would talk to me....not a beep. I was there for a good 15 minutes purely looking at gear and nothing....shame on this shop...shame. I'll also add that this is the second time in a week that this kind of service has been on offer. They're not getting a single dollar out of me.

Don't bag the other shop on here (I know you didn't - :niceone: ) but do get in touch with them and tell the sale manager. They can't improve if they don't know...
MDU

[tracyprier]

I can too talk of these experiences of shocking service in bike shops, they shops are really stupid to do this as there is a only a small market (in comparison to other goods) and it is also fairly tight nit market, bikers talking to each other etc.
they really should get their shit together. Otherwise we just go elsewhere
But isn't this just a snapshot of service in general in NZ? Travel overseas any amount and you quickly realise just what shite passes for service over here in many cases.

And this persists simply because too many Kiwi's just put up with it (good to see many bikers don't though :) )

Well that's my 2 cents anyway

[MSTRS]

I know of one shop that will let you browse for while, no pressure sort of policy, then they come up and ask if you are OK.

If you want help, just go to the front. If they are then shitty to deal with, then you have a reason not to go back.

Personally, if I want help, I go straight to the counter, otherwise, I'm a big boy and will ask for help when I want it. Sometimes I don't speak to anyone unless I need it, and I like that. Better than them getting me as I walk in the door.
This is the right approach IMO. When I go into any shop, if a salesman leaps on me the minute I'm thru the door with his "Can I help you?" the reply is often along the lines of "Certainly. Fuck off & don't hassle me". Over-eager & condescending salespeople should be put in their place.

[Toast]

But isn't this just a snapshot of service in general in NZ? Travel overseas any amount and you quickly realise just what shite passes for service over here in many cases.

And this persists simply because too many Kiwi's just put up with it (good to see many bikers don't though :) )

Well that's my 2 cents anyway

Yeah, like when you go to Asia and have any number of sales people standing right there, staring at you, or pushing things in your face...makes the shopping experience so relaxed and allows a well comtemplated decision...

If that's your thing, you want people fussing over you and hounding you, fine...

But friendly, good service on demand is far more what I go for, rather than some pushy prick jumping me.

[Bulldog]

Don't get me wrong....I can't stand sales people jumping on me in the first 20 seconds of being there....a good sales person should know by body language alone if they should be coming at me. Either way after 10 minutes of looking through their gear I would have expected someone to pop on over and say hi.

[Toast]

Don't get me wrong....I can't stand sales people jumping on me in the first 20 seconds of being there....a good sales person should know by body language alone if they should be coming at me.

Definitely agree with this...they should know when to stay and when to make a move.

[Biff]

Don't bag the other shop on here (I know you didn't - :niceone: ) but do get in touch with them and tell the sale manager. They can't improve if they don't know...
MDU

Why not do both? I'm a firm believer in telling the world if service is crap.

[Paul in NZ]

Don't get me wrong....I can't stand sales people jumping on me in the first 20 seconds of being there....a good sales person should know by body language alone if they should be coming at me. Either way after 10 minutes of looking through their gear I would have expected someone to pop on over and say hi.

Statistically..... If a salesperson makes contact with you early in your visit, even with a simple, "How are you today, let me know if I can help you with anything".... There is a much much higher chance you will actually purchase something.

Having studied a little (and only a little) of the science of retailing I'm constantly amazed how most bike shops stay in business...

[manuboy]

Yeah, like when you go to Asia and have any number of sales people standing right there, staring at you, or pushing things in your face...makes the shopping experience so relaxed and allows a well comtemplated decision...

If that's your thing, you want people fussing over you and hounding you, fine...

But friendly, good service on demand is far more what I go for, rather than some pushy prick jumping me.

Think you got the wrong end of the loaf there toast, i'd agree with TP, i've travelled just enough to know that service O/S in general is just that - service (thought i've heard a lot of europe is crap). We couldn't believe in QLD, even people in dairies (admittedly in tourist outfits) are much more pleasant and better trained than any retailer i've been to here).

What passes for service here more often than not leaves me wanting to f/off without paying the bill or just never wanting to return to said retailer. I dunno wtf they teach them in hospitality class but it sure ain't hospitality.

Back the Bike shops. We must be lucky down here. Local zook shop is cool, as is cycletreads.

[Lou Girardin]

Gee now I'm confused, I'm not supposed to go straight up to people, if I wait too long they'll leave. :argh:

[Macktheknife]

Gee now I'm confused, I'm not supposed to go straight up to people, if I wait too long they'll leave. :argh:
NOW you're getting it Lou! lol

Seriously though, I went into another bike shop, not far from the one mentioned in fact, and got really crappy service followed by insults and abuse when I brought it to the manager/owners attention. That was 9 years ago, I have told everyone I know that is into bikes about that event and neither I nor them have spent any money there. This may sound extreme but I think that the level of dis-service in NZ is often disgusting and those who choose to be rude to customers should reap their own rewards. I go into that shop every 6 months or so just to find out if things have changed, not yet, so I still havent spent a cent there.

[Gremlin]

Gee now I'm confused, I'm not supposed to go straight up to people, if I wait too long they'll leave. :argh:
Exactly, what did you think?? I mean you get all the bikes to ride in, it has to be hard somewhere.

Anyway, you know me. Straight to you, making you stop your yarning with your brother or anybody else, stop you talking shit on the forum. Make you deal with my not-so-important problem and yarn with me instead. :bleh: ME ME ME. (p/t)

And always so helpful... <_<

[Posh Tourer :P]

is there a problem with asking a salesperson for help? I'm quite happy to go up to someone and ask for their help/opinions on xyz, normally after I've browsed whatever is on the shop and have some idea what I want. If I'm in a hurry I'll go and grab someone immediately, particularly if I cant be bothered spending 20mins looking for the product on endless shelves.

Ask for service, and you will get it. It can be hard to tell between serious people and tyre kickers sometimes.

[Dafe]

It seems the shops are flat tack.

I tried to book my SV thou into Wgtn Motorcycles for it's 12,000K service and for it's WOF. Nov 17th is the next available booking they said. Bugger that, two and a half weeks?
I rang Dave Anderson Suzuki in Masterton, I'm riding there tomorrow morning. He's servicing my bike straight away as I wait.
Good stuff Dave Andersons!
I would rather take my bike to Wellington Motorcycles but they're just too popular. Great service deaprtment though.

[tracyprier]

Yeah, like when you go to Asia and have any number of sales people standing right there, staring at you, or pushing things in your face...makes the shopping experience so relaxed and allows a well comtemplated decision...

If that's your thing, you want people fussing over you and hounding you, fine...

But friendly, good service on demand is far more what I go for, rather than some pushy prick jumping me.
I agree, that gets up my tits as well but I wasn't talking about Asia. I am talking about the lacklustre, couldn't-give-a-fuck approach that is all too common here.

And before anyone else jumps down my throat, of course there is good service here too but I think that we still put up with more shitty service than we should.

[Swoop]

Statistically..... If a salesperson makes contact with you early in your visit, even with a simple, "How are you today, let me know if I can help you with anything".... There is a much much higher chance you will actually purchase something.

Having studied a little (and only a little) of the science of retailing I'm constantly amazed how most bike shops stay in business...


Hit the nail right on the head there! :niceone:
Having been doing the tour around Aucklands bike shops recently "re-equipping", I have been very happy with the service of Red Baron, Cyclespot, Cycle Treads, and Atomic bike wreckers (OK - we all need bits for older bikes... :doctor: )

There was a couple of retailers who I didn't even get a courtesy "Hi there" as I walked in :argh: but then, hey that's gonna happen sometime.

[inlinefour]

if you dont like it then let your feet do the talkin

[SlashWylde]

I tend to prefer being left to browse around until I'm ready to approach a salesperson rather than being leaped upon as soon as I have entered the shop.

I do think however that a lot of businesses in NZ let themselves down simply by not giving a toss about doing business with customers. Over the years I have quite often gone into shops or else been calling suppliers/contractors as part of my job and have been left with the feeling that they are not interested in my or my companies business. I'm actively wanting to buy stuff from them but they could care less. Weird.

As for the experience with test riding the C50, had exactly the same when I was shopping for my new bike a few months ago. One of the shops in Hamilton had a brand spanking Honda Shadow 750 on the floor but it had no fluids and they weren't prepared to wet it up for me. Exactly the same story with a shop on the North shore too. I'm thinkin "OK guys, what use is it having a bike on the showroom floor if no one can test ride it to get excited 'bout it and buy the damn thing?"

Both shops asked for my Ph No. so they could call me when they next had one in, but when they did call about 2 or 3 weeks later I had allready bought the Kwaka VN800 after receiving exemplary service from Mike and the crew at Mt Eden MCs.

Maybe one of you sales guys can give us a good reason why this pattern repeats itself but it just doesn't make sense to me.

[partnersintriumph]

ago we were looking at purchasing 2 new helmets. Went to a few bike shops to compare prices etc. Went to shop where we purchased our newest bike from to see what deal they would give us. Hubbie and I ended up standing there for about 10 mins while two salespeople argued over which helmets (the two most expensive in the shop) would be better for us :angry: . This is after they had tried to RAM a helmet on my head that was way too small. Not once were we asked what we wanted. We ended up purchasing from Cyclespot. A lot of the reasoning was the service. It was outstanding. Let us browse for a while then asked us if there was anything in particular we were looking for, what type of helmets we wore etc. The Guys at C.S went out of their way to ensure we had exactly what we were looking for and on top of all that chucked in awesome discount :2thumbsup . We will definitely be returning there. :niceone:

[Lou Girardin]

The demo bike issue is an interesting one. Just because the bike is on the floor doesn't mean it's available for demos. No-one else will buy it as new if it's got 500 km's on it and it's obviously been used. Sometimes dealers simply can't get demo bikes.
A little understanding of the other side helps.

[vifferman]

We ended up purchasing from Cyclespot. A lot of the reasoning was the service. It was outstanding.
Well, you were very, very lucky. I know many Honda riders who have been bitten by the sharks at Cyclespot.

[ManDownUnder]

Why not do both? I'm a firm believer in telling the world if service is crap.

I hear ya - and good on ya... but my approach is to give them a second shot - let's face it they MIGHT have the best deal - and if you don;t go back... you lose out too.

If they're still slack 2nd time up - then yeah... it's not just a chance happening, and I can expect others to have a bad time in there too.

[Paul in NZ]

Now THIS is what I call SERVICE!

Designer creates wall of breasts
A Dutch designer has created a wall of fake breasts to help male shoppers buy bras that fit their wives or girlfriends.

Wendy Rameckers works at the Piet Zwart Institute for Retail and Design in Rotterdam, reports Het Nieuwsblad.

"Most men have a selective memory," she explained. "They know all about their car, but never seem to know their wife's bra size.

"When trying to buy a sexy bra for their wife or girlfriend, usually they point to other women in the shop or, when asked about size, they say a 'handful'."

The wall consists of rows of silicon breasts in all sizes. By look and touch, male shoppers can work out the right size, she says.

[Lou Girardin]

I don't want to see the 'older woman' wall.

[Paul in NZ]

I don't want to see the 'older woman' wall.

Thats OK Lou.. We will blindfold you and you can do it by touch.. 'down a bit, bit more, bit more...'

[Oakie]

Now THIS is what I call SERVICE!

Designer creates wall of breasts
A Dutch designer has created a wall of fake breasts to help male shoppers buy bras that fit their wives or girlfriends.

Wendy Rameckers works at the Piet Zwart Institute for Retail and Design in Rotterdam, reports Het Nieuwsblad.

"Most men have a selective memory," she explained. "They know all about their car, but never seem to know their wife's bra size.

"When trying to buy a sexy bra for their wife or girlfriend, usually they point to other women in the shop or, when asked about size, they say a 'handful'."

The wall consists of rows of silicon breasts in all sizes. By look and touch, male shoppers can work out the right size, she says.

I wonder what sort of a reason I can come up with for having a wall like that in my office? Sure would beat looking at a calendar. (And I even know Mrs Oakie's bra size :mellow: :mellow: )

[Biff]

(And I even know Mrs Oakie's bra size :mellow: :mellow: )

And I do. (-;

[Oakie]

And I do. (-;

Impressive isn't it? :woohoo:

[Lou Girardin]

Thats OK Lou.. We will blindfold you and you can do it by touch.. 'down a bit, bit more, bit more...'
:sick: Ahhh. That's better.

[Oakie]

And I guess with a wall like that I would spend more time 'hard at work'
(well someone had to say it) :banana:

[ktee]

The best service I've found is at Motorad.

Recommended to all on KB :niceone:

[Thumper]

The demo bike issue is an interesting one. Just because the bike is on the floor doesn't mean it's available for demos. No-one else will buy it as new if it's got 500 km's on it and it's obviously been used. Sometimes dealers simply can't get demo bikes.
A little understanding of the other side helps.

Hey Lou, do bike shop owners genuinely expect punters to part with $10K-$20K without ever riding the bike they interested in buying? One would think that Suzuki, Honda etc. could at least make a pool of demos available to their dealers to share especially for bikes as popular as C50’s and 750 shadows. I suspect that these could be sold of as demos with a slightly lower margin when necessary.

[heavenly.talker]

Two months ago I was in the market to upgrade my 250 and had my heart set on a cruiser. I spent far too many hours researching on the net, spent may Saturdays just looking in all the Auckland bike shops (“can I help you, no just browsing at this stage thank you”). My budget would either allow for a brand new 750/800 or a five to six year old 1100/1500. I really fell in love with the styling and presence of new Suzuki C50, so with cash in the bank and helmet in hand made an appearance at a well known North Shore outlet on a bright Saturday morning for a test ride.

It took about twenty minutes of looking at the bikes on the floor, getting on, getting off and looking at the detailing to encourage a sales person to make their way over to me. I wasn’t to fussed by this as they were reasonably busy, and lets face it, shopping is half the fun of ownership. Once I had the focus of the sales person, I asked a few questions that I already new the answers to as a result of my research just to make sure I was talking to someone that I would be comfortable doing a deal with. 2/5….. mmmmmm.

Next, ask for a test ride on one of the C50’s on the floor.

“Sorry sir, not possible at this time, we do however have a promotion on M50 at present, would you like to test one of these. “

No, I defiantly wanted to test a C50, the classic lines were more my style, was there any way I could get a test, if not today (what a let down), perhaps within the next week.

“I can see what I can do, are you sure you don’t want to test the M50, the price has been discounted and we are throwing in a heap of free gear?”, my answer, “No”.

I gave the sales guy one of my business cards, wrote my home number and C50 on the back, and asked to be contacted on Monday with regards the test.

One week passed and no contact at all from the dealer. Then on Trademe, a two year old VL1500LC (C90) for $1000 less than the new C50. One phone call, one test drive, handed over the cash, deal done. Two weeks after I took possession of the VL, I get a call from the dealer, “are you still interested in testing the C50?”. Answer, “No”. I now drive over the bridge when I need Suzuki specific spares or service because of the bad taste left in my mouth after this experience.


OMG This shop is getting such a bad rep. Check out my post
Glory to Dallas and Mike and f**k u to all the others!

Same theme!

[heavenly.talker]

Gee now I'm confused, I'm not supposed to go straight up to people, if I wait too long they'll leave. :argh:

Don't worry Lou :-)
It doesn't matter what you do!

You're world famous in New Zealand...
people come into your shop just to see you :love:

In fact I heard they were cueing out the doors a few weeks ago.

[heavenly.talker]

Hit the nail right on the head there! Atomic bike wreckers (OK - we all need bits for older bikes... :doctor: )



Spencer at Atomic...now there is a man that broke the mould when he was made!

Totally rate him, he has always been helpful, given us stick, and plenty of his upstairs nouse and experience.

Total gem.

One day I rode in on my first bike and said the speedo was broken and that I needed to fix it before I took the bike home to hubby.
He had a look at it and told me that the cable had dropped out and that I did not need to spend money to fix the problem.
He then showed me how to screw it back in and what to do if it happened again.

Funny and one of dying breed of men is Spencer :niceone: :sunny: :niceone:

[Lou Girardin]

Hey Lou, do bike shop owners genuinely expect punters to part with $10K-$20K without ever riding the bike they interested in buying? One would think that Suzuki, Honda etc. could at least make a pool of demos available to their dealers to share especially for bikes as popular as C50’s and 750 shadows. I suspect that these could be sold of as demos with a slightly lower margin when necessary.

Dealers have to buy demos and if there's none in the country, what can you do?

[Lou Girardin]

Don't worry Lou :-)
It doesn't matter what you do!

You're world famous in New Zealand...
people come into your shop just to see you :love:

In fact I heard they were cueing out the doors a few weeks ago.

Yeah I know, it's so embarrassing having to cure all thos lepers too.

[inlinefour]

Can't say I have a bad thing to say what so ever, great bunch and the parts dude is also great to deal with. The most crappy service I have ever come accross is Calender Suzuki, thank goodness that they have gone. They are the main reason for my hesitance on ever buying another Suzuki again. However if Ash King stayed in business with the Honda dealership, then I would probably not be riding a Honda either :weird:

[heavenly.talker]

Yeah I know, it's so embarrassing having to cure all thos lepers too.

LOL!!! But if you have the magic powers you have the magic powers...

You have to use your gift!

[Lou Girardin]

I can do the laying on of hands. I cured my wife of insomnia. (She got a headache too)

[heavenly.talker]

I can do the laying on of hands. I cured my wife of insomnia. (She got a headache too)


That be some powerful gift rofl!