Bikeshop loyalty

[skelstar]

Had fantastic service from my local bike shop this morning. This continues the service they have given since selling me my first bike. I really value this which brings me to my point:

Would/have you based the purchase of your next bike on what your favourite bike shop sells?

Have you really wanted a ABC123 but bought a XYZ890 (not quite as good but...) because you know youre going to get excellent service and you have 'faith' in your local?

Just a thought.

[bugjuice]

fortunately the bike sold on me, not the other way round. not impressed with the 'shop' at the mo, micro chance of repeat biz for me..

There are some good ones, and they're the ones to rave about, especially when the community is as tight as this..

[Karma]

I'd ask the bike shop if they could get one in for me.

No matter how good the service is, why settle for a bike that's not what you wanted?

[MrMelon]

I've heard of a few cases of local bike shops being assholes to customers recently. Puts me right off wanting to give them any business.

When you call up asking how much a standard service is and what's involved with it, you shouldn't be told that the workshop charges $60 an hour + gst and to work it out for yourself.

[DMNTD]

I'd never buy a bike that I wasn't fully keen on.
Nothing to do with their service at all:nono:
However due to the fact that the shop I scored my bike from(cheers Dallas) was bloody helpful etc I looked to them first for Duc Gurls new bike.
If they weren't able to sort what we were after I would have gone elsewhere without a doubt.
Good service deserves a chance for a repeat performance:yes:

PS: Looking forward to the ride back up from Colemans tonight!

[SARGE]

I'd never buy a bike that I wasn't fully keen on.
Nothing to do with their service at all:nono:
However due to the fact that the shop I scored my bike from(cheers Dallas) was bloody helpful etc I looked to them first for Duc Gurls new bike.
If they weren't able to sort what we were after I would have gone elsewhere without a doubt.
Good service deserves a chance for a repeat performance:yes:

PS: Looking forward to the ride back up from Colemans tonight!




i :love: you man


BWAHAHAHAHAH ... teachers aide... :rofl:

im getting this "rock School/ Gene Simmons" visual...

[sels1]

I know which shop you are talking about, and have had exellent service there myself. Having said that, I have had good service from on or two other shops as well - but a lot comes down to the individuals you deal with. You can have a good bloke in a bad shop and vice versa. (hmmm is there such a thing as a bad bike shop?:lol: )
I would buy from whoever has the item I want - if more than one shop has that item, I go with who has got the best deal, or who has looked after me in the past. (Normally the same people)

[DMNTD]

i :love: you man
BWAHAHAHAHAH ... teachers aide... :rofl:
im getting this "rock School/ Gene Simmons" visual...

Come suck Mummy's dick:blip:

[Pathos]

I'm loyal to shops depending on their service, I have a soft spot for the little guys too. I don't mind paying a little bit more.

Road and Sport pissed around with my insurance quote for weeks which meant my insurance company couldn't sort anything out. If your insurance company has to ring a bike shop to get them off their ass well...fuck me.

[vifferman]

Of the bikes I've owned, only two have been bought from a shop. Thanx to the crap customer service I got over the last one (my current bike), I'm now very wary about where I shop.
The next bike I buy will definitely not be bought from that shop, regardless of whether I really, really want it or not. I'd rather shoot myself in the foot than give them another cent of my money.

[Jonty]

I always like to buy a new bike from the shop that knows me and gives good service. If you build up a relationship you can sometimes get a little bit of preferential service treatment. The factor in my local bike shop choice was actually the location. Unfortunately, the first shop I bought a bike from was great, but the hassle of getting the bike in and out meant I had to switch loyalties.

[skelstar]

I guess Im thinking about NEW bikes as opposed to old bikes.

At this stage my next bike will be a big bike and since it will be a while before I can really tell between two very similar bikes, I would say that the bike shop would definitely be a big factor in the decision...not the only factor of course.

[Lou Girardin]

Unfortunately I can't buy from the shop I'm really loyal to. So I get my bikes from Colemans, they're OK though. You take what you can get I guess.





Nah just kidding. They're great, second only to AMPS.

[cowpoos]

I know what your saying skel....my worker has been waiting for 7wks to buy a zxr250 from TSS in welly...and they keep telling him 1wk longer...and hes just letting it slide..and he has CASH!!!!..I would have fuck off elsewhere by now...

But I wouldn't settle for anything but the bike I want....never....

And whats this shit these days with buggar all demo bike around....twice now I've almost brought a new bike [brand new] and since no-one local would provide a demo bike....its put me off...any of the bike shop workin lads like to comment on this....sarge? lou??

[Str8 Jacket]

I know what your saying skel....my worker has been waiting for 7wks to buy a zxr250 from TSS in welly...and they keep telling him 1wk longer...and hes just letting it slide..and he has CASH!!!!..I would have fuck off elsewhere by now...


Oh the irony of this post, eh Skelstar?...

[madboy]

Know what you means Skelstar. I like going there too. That's where my bike came from, and I can't say I really gave too much consideration to the other shops around. If they can provide the item/service I want, then I go there first. Only if they can't, and I really want/need a particular part, would I consider going elsewhere.

In general, I don't think the bike industry is very good at the customer focus. It's not criticism of my local, TSS are brilliant, but they are brilliant in comparison to the market. The market itself is not brilliant.

Since I'm into sportsbikes, but I'm hardly Rossi, any one of the big four will do the job for me. Only criteria is that it's black and has 1000cc. Looks like an R1 will fit the criteria, so I'll be able to maintain my loyalty... in 2 or 3 years time when I'm back on the prowl.

[skelstar]

...my worker has been waiting for 7wks to buy a zxr250 from TSS in welly...
Ah yes the irony :). Im sure that getting in peoples face (and bending their ear eh Fergus?) does a lot for loyalty from the bike shop.

[skelstar]

In general, I don't think the bike industry is very good at the customer focus...

I think its a lot to do with the product. People who shop at bike shops have already commited to the nature of riding. Not many window shoppers think "you know, Gerald would love on of these for Xmas, hes always talking about getting one". (apologies to all Geralds out there). Therefore a bikeshop could expect to get away with a little patience on behalf of the customer. Perhaps a trait you see in motor mechanics and some service industries too. Perhaps some bikeshop dudes can comment?


Since I'm into sportsbikes, but I'm hardly Rossi, any one of the big four will do the job for me. Only criteria is that it's black and has 1000cc. Looks like an R1 will fit the criteria, so I'll be able to maintain my loyalty... in 2 or 3 years time when I'm back on the prowl.
Yeah, they have the Yamaha dealership in Welly now...*low whistle* (and KTM). Some very nice bikes in there now. FJR1300 looking good (and enormous). They have also decked out the floor in texture metal plating...looks great. :)

[Lou Girardin]

And whats this shit these days with buggar all demo bike around....twice now I've almost brought a new bike [brand new] and since no-one local would provide a demo bike....its put me off...any of the bike shop workin lads like to comment on this....sarge? lou??

Can't speak for others, but shortages mean that most Hardleys sell as soon as they hit the shop.
Triumphs were scarce when first released.
We've only just got a KTM 950SM for demo.

[Bartman10]

Service is a big factor, I agree.

Both the shops in the Hutt are better than any in town by a factor of about a million. :not:

Both Stewart at TSS and Sparky Bills at Motomart have always been very nice. :msn-wink:

Unlike a certain shop on Vivan street. :mad:


:beer:

[skelstar]

Unlike a certain shop on Vivan street. :mad:
:beer:
And Im assuming you dont mean one of the shops with curtains and a slalom to get through the door so you cant see whos inside :).

[Zed]

I'm quite happy to give certain shops my repeat business in tyres and specific engine/electrical work, but when it comes to buying new or second hand bikes it doesn't matter too much to me what shop I buy from - whoever has the best deal at the time will usually get my money. :sherlock:

[skelstar]

I'm quite happy to give certain shops my repeat business in tyres and specific engine/electrical work, but when it comes to buying new or second hand bikes it doesn't matter too much to me what shop I buy from - whoever has the best deal at the time will usually get my money. :sherlock:
Yeah thats fair enough. Im sure that bike shops make very little money with new bikes (as they did with mine) and make a pile on aftermarket stuff and service.
Im sure I could buy a Honda Hornet (or whatever) from a Honda dealership and then get it serviced etc from my local.

[Sparky Bills]

Im not getting too involved in this thread..
But its good to see people actually sharing GOOD stories about shops.

Good on you all.
Its easy to put others down, but to compliment i so much better aye.

[Macktheknife]

I always prefer to deal with the people who look after me, If they dont have what I want I ask them to get it. If they cant get it I will go to my second choice (bike) if they have it. If that doesnt suit me then I will look elsewhere.
I have had great experiences with Sarge/Colemans; Lou/AMPS and Mike/Mt Eden. I am a strong believer in repeat business for good service. I am also a VERY vocal consumer, either for great service or crap service, I will tell every person I know, and some I dont know.
I believe that any shop of any kind needs to value their customers and if they show me they dont, thats fine I can spend my money elsewhere.
But thats just me.... Im strange.

[notme]

.............. but a lot comes down to the individuals you deal with. You can have a good bloke in a bad shop and vice versa. (hmmm is there such a thing as a bad bike shop?:lol: )......................


YES! A bad work environment of any kind will eventually wear down the good buggers among those who work there.

Thank god the really good ones usually move on before that happens - for example Dallas and a few others I have dealt with in the past. I tend to follow the people rather than the shop. Eventually you get the good people in the good shops, because it's a natural mix. :yes:

[justsomeguy]

I've kinda built up a relationship with a few places so go there, but being a poor bastard I always shop around first.

You'll find that once you form a good relationship with a shop they take care of you and usually either match/beat deals or give you high preference if you need something urgent.

So far Motohaus tyres is the best - provided Kerry is still the man running it. How many people/mechanics will say to you - nah mate that's a simple job - this is how you do it - I don't want to take your money for just doing that when you can do it yourself???:2thumbsup

Botany Honda seem to be ok - first went to them cos they are the only shop close to where I work. Given me primo deals and service so far, however they are new so don't have all the tools needed, etc..... but they seem to be getting there. I'll need to deal with them a bit more to see how they turn out.

The colemans boys are great too....... except SARGE - I heard he strolls around at night kidnapping rats and spreading hatred between dogs and cats oh and Dover too, he has evil plans to take over all the toilets in the world:hitcher:

[R1madness]

I look for the bike i want. If it came down to 2 different brands and both bikes would suit me the same i would buy the one from the dealer that had given me good service in the past. :yes:
Life is not like that though..... bike sort of call ya (in ya mind at least:banana: ) and you know when its the right one...... or is that just me?????????????:rockon:

[SlashWylde]

When I bought my bike I had a chioce of two very similar models from two different companies, and hence two different dealerships. Part of what helped make my mind up was the relationship I had with the dealership prior to making the sale. I had a good feeling about them, their integrity and their commitment to doing the best by their customers.

After the sale nothing changed, they treat me just the same, which I appreciate.

[skelstar]

When I bought my bike I had a chioce of two very similar models from two different companies, and hence two different dealerships. Part of what helped make my mind up was the relationship I had with the dealership prior to making the sale. I had a good feeling about them, their integrity and their commitment to doing the best by their customers.

After the sale nothing changed, they treat me just the same, which I appreciate.
Thats what Im talking about. The decision thats going to tip the balance. It might be the decision between a CB900 Hornet and the Yammy 600 nekid (cant remember its alphabet soup).

My relationship with my local is better than it was when I bought the bike.

[ducatilover]

Had fantastic service from my local bike shop this morning. This continues the service they have given since selling me my first bike. I really value this which brings me to my point:

Would/have you based the purchase of your next bike on what your favourite bike shop sells?

Have you really wanted a ABC123 but bought a XYZ890 (not quite as good but...) because you know youre going to get excellent service and you have 'faith' in your local?

Just a thought.
nope i wanted the abc123 but got a stu456 because it was a better bike.......i keep an open mind but still get my parts from my favourite shop [i told the honda dealer to suck my nuts but i cant remember why] :niceone:

[Dafe]

Don't sell yourself short of owning the bike you want!
Don't let poor service deprive you of your dream.
I can't wait to see skelstar on a new Hornet 900 or Triumph Sprint!

[skelstar]

Don't sell yourself short of owning the bike you want!
Don't let poor service deprive you of your dream.
I can't wait to see skelstar on a new Hornet 900 or Triumph Sprint!
You just want to see me get to $1.10 within 10secs! :)
Youre gonna have to get something faster to keep up dude.

[SARGE]

Unfortunately I can't buy from the shop I'm really loyal to. So I get my bikes from Colemans, they're OK though. You take what you can get I guess.





Nah just kidding. They're great, second only to AMPS.


AMPS is a good place. Ray is a smart bastard.. plenty of moxy..good promotional feel.. probably why he's the biggest shop in Auckland.

also Harley's are pretty much pre-sold or sell themselves with little or no effort..(Suzuki's do that to a point also)


listen guys... im going to tell you my point of view from the other side of the desk...

you want good service?.. find someone who speaks your language.. if you dont click with a particular salesman or if you think you are being played.. FIND ANOTHER SALESMAN ... if you dont click with anyone in the shop..FIND ANOTHER SHOP..bike salesmen are specialists ( for the most part) there are good ones.. there are bad ones..in a previous post i read someone said (paraphrasing) bad shop/ good salesman good shop/ bad salesman.. VERY true.. sometimes a salesmas hads are tied by management and they are expected to perform in a certain way and deal to the bottom line.. that is a matter of JOB/ NO JOB to them
the best way to get a good deal is to find that person who will give you the service you expect is to build a relationship with him/ her.. just like hairstylists or chemists or butchers. they get to know what you like and what you expect and it is a WIN / WIN fo both of you.. you get what you want, how you want it and Billy Bikesalesman gets to put a crust on his table ( or a power commander on his bike..) for little effort on either part..


i personaly dont have many customers.. i have clients .. i kep notes on alot of my clients. if i see a bike one of them likes, i will probaly ring them up and say Cmon down and have a look at this ..i like dealing with Passionate motorcyclists..people who are not buying a mode of getting to the Salt Mines every morning..people who are buying a lifestyle.. those are the clients that make my job so much fun ( we all get the Shit Talkers, the tire Kickers and Dreamers but that just keeps it entertaining)

i dont have Brand Loyalty.. i have sold Kawasakis, Yamaha's, and Suzuki's.i have ridden / owned Harleys, Indian's Yamaha Honda, Kawasaki,etc. i presently ride a 92 Yamaha FJ200. i really dig working at Coleman's. i am not under pressure but i know what is expected of me. it is family owned and operated, a very laid back, comfortable place to work. ... yea we have drama just like any other family, but everything gets pulled together Fridays after work..:drinknsin (Trigger just found out hes gonna be a dad!!! i will be collecting baby supplies after the holidays for him if anyone wants to donate.. more on this in another thread in a later date...) (NO MDU, YOU MAY NOT BE THE BREAST FEEDING TASTE TESTER.. DONT ASK!!!)

ok.. rant over .. you may now return to your lives .. nothing more to see here ..


CowPoos: Demo Bikes.. many times our hands are tied withthat .. it is up to the dealer principals to provide or not to provide demo's .. we SUGGEST getting a certain model on the floor but at the end of the day our demo bike cost us money.. we have to buy them from the distributors and keep them for a specific period of time . we also give them regular service and many times register them and keep that current. many shops cant afford that for every model they sell..go to one of the shops that has a partiular bike you like .. take a test ride .. if they take care of you, great.. buy it.. iff they dont .. go find the dealer/ salsman who you like who can get that bike and go for it..

[cowpoos]

whats your take on demo bikes sarge [read my post in thread] ???

[Sparky Bills]

listen guys... im going to tell you my point of view from the other side of the desk...

you want good service?.. find someone who speaks your language.. if you dont click with a particular salesman or if you think you are being played.. FIND ANOTHER SALESMAN ... if you dont click with anyone in the shop..FIND ANOTHER SHOP..bike salesmen are specialists ( for the most part) there are good ones.. there are bad ones..in a previous post i read someone said (paraphrasing) bad shop/ good salesman good shop/ bad salesman.. VERY true.. sometimes a salesmas hads are tied by management and they are expected to perform in a certain way and deal to the bottom line.. that is a matter of JOB/ NO JOB to them
the best way to get a good deal is to find that person who will give you the service you expect is to build a relationship with him/ her.. just like hairstylists or chemists or butchers. they get to know what you like and what you expect and it is a WIN / WIN fo both of you.. you get what you want, how you want it and Billy Bikesalesman gets to put a crust on his table ( or a power commander on his bike..) for little effort on either part..


i personaly dont have many customers.. i have clients .. i kep notes on alot of my clients. if i see a bike one of them likes, i will probaly ring them up and say Cmon down and have a look at this ..i like dealing with Passionate motorcyclists



Well said.:rockon:

[Back Fire]

where was my phone call?...:blank:

[SARGE]

where was my phone call?...:blank:



why?...i see you every frikkin day...next you'll want to move in with me:doh:

[Mr Skid]

...
The colemans boys are great too....... except SARGE
...
he has evil plans to take over all the toilets in the world:hitcher:Or would that be plans to be taken in toilets all over the world?

[Back Fire]

why?...i see you every frikkin day...next you'll want to move in with me:doh:

pitch a tent on the shop floor and I'll be happy :2thumbsup

[SARGE]

The colemans boys are great too....... except SARGE - I heard he strolls around at night kidnapping rats and spreading hatred between dogs and cats oh and Dover too, he has evil plans to take over all the toilets in the world:hitcher:



Or would that be plans to be taken in toilets all over the world?



nope .. not gonna say the word's "Your Mom's" and "Burger King bathroom" anywhere on this site ever again...

[rogson]

Be careful about get hung-up on shop loyalty.

I thought I had a good relationship with a shop built-up over a period of about 5 years. I bought 3 bikes over that period and always went there first for consumables, gear...everything. Then, over a period of about a year they changed most of their staff, and after getting the who-the-hell-are-you treatment a couple of times decided I was being a chump. I still use them but I also shop around now.

In retrospect it was dumb to think that having a relationship with the hired-hands was tantamount to having a relationship with the shop.

[buellbabe]

MMMmmm interesting... I used to be loyal to Shafts and would have continued with Amps but the AMPS mechanics fuck up something everytime they service my bike so I take it to Road&Sport now and so far so good. :-)

[Bonez]

Can't speak for others, but shortages mean that most Hardleys sell as soon as they hit the shop.
Maybe ANZA could transfer a few up your way.?

[SARGE]

Be careful about get hung-up on shop loyalty.

In retrospect it was dumb to think that having a relationship with the hired-hands was tantamount to having a relationship with the shop.


i have had quite a few of my old clients follow me over from my last shop ( thats why i keep a detailed diary) so it is a good thing to get to know the " hired Hands".. never know where we will end up.. this is a very bastardized industry.. your competitor last week could be your employer next week..

[Lou Girardin]

One thing is sure. You can't win them all.

[justsomeguy]

Or would that be plans to be taken in toilets all over the world?

Get a life.

[justsomeguy]

nope .. not gonna say the word's "Your Mom's" and "Burger King bathroom" anywhere on this site ever again...

Hahahaha - I will be talking to you first when I get my full license. I hope you're still selling bikes then.

PS: Where'd you get Burger King from?? I like Wendy's - big classic double.

[Mr Skid]

Get a life.Why so angry? :confused:

[justsomeguy]

Why so angry? :confused:

Not angry - a bit confused at the continued attention.......:blink:

[Jackrat]

Dedicated to fun,loyal to none.
Who evers closest.
At the moment it's Botany Honda because their two hundred meters down the road from my work yard.
I can drop the bike in the morning, pick it up in the avo' an not have to ride into the city like I have done in the past.
I really hope more small shops like this kick off again and we have a return to the good ole days when most of us had a local shop.
An I hope amps,colemans,red baron and a few other bike supermarkets burn to the ground.

[Aucker]

Yip if I want to buy another blade i'll buy at the same bikeshop who are Honda agents. private sale is the cheepest option though! :yes:

[cowpoos]

Ah yes the irony :). Im sure that getting in peoples face (and bending their ear eh Fergus?) does a lot for loyalty from the bike shop.

well...my worker asked me nicely to go over to welly to hav a look at the said bike today....so I thought yeah why not...as carl knows about as much about bikes as I know about a giraffes bolacks...and got to TSS and fuck me if the bike in question wasn't still in pieces no where near being ready....and I'm like fuckin slack cunts...meet this fegus fulla...and I grilled the shit out of him...till he was pink...so the bike was wheeled straight to the work shop...and they started to put it together....

and for those that don't know...my worker [carl] had put a deposit on this bike [and has cash to pay for it] about 8 weeks ago to buy it...and he's a quiet shy type so was bullied into waiting silently...and that just bullshit really...in my book you say something...you deliver...so bike will be ready within the week [aparently]


But this sort of story ain't uncommon...I've had some really shit service when having my farm bikes serviced...if I'm told a bike will be ready to go at 2:30 the next day...I'll be there and if it ain't ready to go I'll throw all my toys out of the cot at the work shop manager...and this shit is to common...the motorcycle industry is fully of useless pricks....[there are good ones...not many though]...how many times have people off this site called a parts/accesories dude [or dudette] for a price/avalibility...and they say they'll call back....and don't....I mean...thats the bread and butter of the motorcycle industry...parts and servicing...I mean fuck...sales is minor in comparison...

I reckon there needs to be a real fuckin shake up in the industry...coz everytime you or me as the customer wants something...its a frickin hassle
or the people your dealing with don't know...or they have to find out...are people not trained...or updated when bikes get updated!!!




Ps: skel....fergus was rather apologetic and acomadating...I can see he has the potentual to be a reasonable salesman...he just needs to work on his "WORD"

[skelstar]

well...my worker asked me nicely to go over to welly to hav a look at the said bike today....."WORD"
Yeah, that sounds kinda bad huh.

[ducatilover]

well...my worker asked me nicely to go over to welly to hav a look at the said bike today....so I thought yeah why not...as carl knows about as much about bikes as I know about a giraffes bolacks...and got to TSS and fuck me if the bike in question wasn't still in pieces no where near being ready....and I'm like fuckin slack cunts...meet this fegus fulla...and I grilled the shit out of him...till he was pink...so the bike was wheeled straight to the work shop...and they started to put it together....

and for those that don't know...my worker [carl] had put a deposit on this bike [and has cash to pay for it] about 8 weeks ago to buy it...and he's a quiet shy type so was bullied into waiting silently...and that just bullshit really...in my book you say something...you deliver...so bike will be ready within the week [aparently]


But this sort of story ain't uncommon...I've had some really shit service when having my farm bikes serviced...if I'm told a bike will be ready to go at 2:30 the next day...I'll be there and if it ain't ready to go I'll throw all my toys out of the cot at the work shop manager...and this shit is to common...the motorcycle industry is fully of useless pricks....[there are good ones...not many though]...how many times have people off this site called a parts/accesories dude [or dudette] for a price/avalibility...and they say they'll call back....and don't....I mean...thats the bread and butter of the motorcycle industry...parts and servicing...I mean fuck...sales is minor in comparison...

I reckon there needs to be a real fuckin shake up in the industry...coz everytime you or me as the customer wants something...its a frickin hassle
or the people your dealing with don't know...or they have to find out...are people not trained...or updated when bikes get updated!!!




Ps: skel....fergus was rather apologetic and acomadating...I can see he has the potentual to be a reasonable salesman...he just needs to work on his "WORD"
you need to go to tony jury motorcycles mate, i do everything to do with bike [except testride] there, if they say my bike will be ready in two hours its ready in two hours, and i sometimes get discounts cos they like me so much:2thumbsup

[cowpoos]

you need to go to tony jury motorcycles mate, i do everything to do with bike [except testride] there, if they say my bike will be ready in two hours its ready in two hours, and i sometimes get discounts cos they like me so much:2thumbsup

how long will it take me to get there and back in a diesil non-turbo hilux 4x4 with not stereo??? I'ld rather just throw all my toys out of my cot and then go have a pie and a ginga beer while I wait!!!

[ducatilover]

how long will it take me to get there and back in a diesil non-turbo hilux 4x4 with not stereo??? I'ld rather just throw all my toys out of my cot and then go have a pie and a ginga beer while I wait!!!
ummmm ok i dont know where you live but i assume south wairarapa? too far for you to go eh? esp without a stereo:nono:

[cowpoos]

:2thumbsup yep.....very very south wairarapa [45mins to welly CBD]

[James Deuce]

I hate these threads. The guy who starts them usually has a good story to tell, and then it quickly descends into a "bag this dealer and bag that dealer in public" session.

Every dealer in the country has pissed someone off at some point. It's part of the game. I prefer to regard my dealings with "my" dealer as a relationship. I piss a lot of people off. I act like a two year old, rail against injustices real and imagined, and can't put together a consistent day of work, let alone a week.

But I am always polite and respectful in a dealership, I sometimes make friends or good aquaintances, or even riding buddies out of people working in shops. It works for you in the long run. The people who work in the trade tend to move around within the trade. Yes, sometimes something is going to cost more than you expected, or something won't be done in time, but a lot of the time the reasons are startlingly close to the reasons you give your own boss for everything from a sicky, through illness, to a death in the family.

The average bikeshop has the same sort of makeup as your own workplace, with everything from the ultra-professional dude who churns out screeds of stuff that LOOKS like he's to doing shitloads, to the dickhead like me, who spends all day listening to Mudvayne, Dave Matthews Band, and Spock's Beard, goofing off, slipping out for, "one more coffee", and generally doing nothing useful except waking up sleepy Dan with my $2 dollar shop rubber band gun.

The point is, screw "professionalism". You should be doing stuff because you like it, or you like helping other people out. A respectful attitude gets a shitload more done than any ITIL procedure, management employee leverage session, or interfacing with the client. I don't demand any more respect than the basic human respect level than means you won't shoot me on sight, and I try to EARN anything above that. I like to give other people the opportunity to earn my respect too. Instant gratification isn't all it's cracked up to be.

9/10ths of perceived bikeshop fuck ups can be put down to your own inability to communicate your own requirements effectively. The last tenth is just a random confluence of negative karma.

Don't burn bridges. Build them.

[dawnrazor]

I think i would have more loyalty to the brand/marque/make of bike then the bike shop itself, that said when a bike shop is on board and treats you like a human being when you walk in the door looking for nothing in particular then they have got my business.

[Lou Girardin]

Thank you Jim2. If all the shops were so bad, how come they're still in business?

[Storm]

Personally I've had nothing but excellant service from Phil Turnbulls here in Palmy, especially the workshop guys. No hesitation whatsoever in recommending them

[skelstar]

I hate these threads. The guy who starts them usually has a good story to tell, and then it quickly descends into a "bag this dealer and bag that dealer in public" session.
Youre right. It was a f*cken brilliant story. To be fair, I was praising a shop and someone was offering a counter arguement. But yeah, ya tend to get a few of these threads :)...

[ducatilover]

:2thumbsup yep.....very very south wairarapa [45mins to welly CBD]
hmmmm it takes me 1hr 30 or something on the bros650......:blink: but i'm in eketahuna:yes:

[cowpoos]

Youre right. It was a f*cken brilliant story. To be fair, I was praising a shop and someone was offering a counter arguement. But yeah, ya tend to get a few of these threads :)...

I wasn't intentionally trying to bring down you local...you obviously have good repore with them...I had know idea at all....you were praising TSS at the start of the thread...

but that said...I am a employer...and i wouldn't put up with them walking around drinking coffee all day...and doing the bare minium...

[ducatilover]

Thank you Jim2. If all the shops were so bad, how come they're still in business?
yeah i suppose thats a really good point:hitcher:

[Jonty]

I hate these threads. The guy who starts them usually has a good story to tell, and then it quickly descends into a "bag this dealer and bag that dealer in public" session.

Every dealer in the country has pissed someone off at some point. It's part of the game. I prefer to regard my dealings with "my" dealer as a relationship. I piss a lot of people off. I act like a two year old, rail against injustices real and imagined, and can't put together a consistent day of work, let alone a week.

But I am always polite and respectful in a dealership, I sometimes make friends or good aquaintances, or even riding buddies out of people working in shops. It works for you in the long run. The people who work in the trade tend to move around within the trade. Yes, sometimes something is going to cost more than you expected, or something won't be done in time, but a lot of the time the reasons are startlingly close to the reasons you give your own boss for everything from a sicky, through illness, to a death in the family.

The average bikeshop has the same sort of makeup as your own workplace, with everything from the ultra-professional dude who churns out screeds of stuff that LOOKS like he's to doing shitloads, to the dickhead like me, who spends all day listening to Mudvayne, Dave Matthews Band, and Spock's Beard, goofing off, slipping out for, "one more coffee", and generally doing nothing useful except waking up sleepy Dan with my $2 dollar shop rubber band gun.

The point is, screw "professionalism". You should be doing stuff because you like it, or you like helping other people out. A respectful attitude gets a shitload more done than any ITIL procedure, management employee leverage session, or interfacing with the client. I don't demand any more respect than the basic human respect level than means you won't shoot me on sight, and I try to EARN anything above that. I like to give other people the opportunity to earn my respect too. Instant gratification isn't all it's cracked up to be.

9/10ths of perceived bikeshop fuck ups can be put down to your own inability to communicate your own requirements effectively. The last tenth is just a random confluence of negative karma.

Don't burn bridges. Build them.

I tend to agree with most of what you said Jim2. However, motorcycle shops are a business and like any business if it doesn't make a profit it will close.

Without be too general, the source of proift for these bikeshops is quite obviously derived from sales and services provided to its customers. They aren't in the business of manufacturing where the main concern is the quality of the product (how the customer is treated is really a concern of the intermediary). As such, the prime motivator should be to satisfy the customer to the fullest extent possible and that role usually is taken on by its frontline staff.

As an owner of one of these shops you are not necessarily on the shop floor so the ability to assess the performance of key staff is extremely difficult and I would imagine it would usually be taken from a profit for the month calculation. If I was an owner, I would want to know how my customers were being treated and anything else I could do to improve service to them(marketing 101).

As most bikeshops don't use marketing tools such as satisfaction surveys etc, this website would be the perfect tool to assess how frontline staff and indeed the business is doing as a whole. The main issue with this is people using the site to air grievances that should be taken up with individuals concerned (such as staff who are members of this site).

I see no reason why we should not post here and share a poor experience with the overall service of a particular shop provided this is done fairly and on a no names basis (being staff names). If an owner is concerned about a level of negative feedback he can take steps to fix it.

my two cents although I can see arguments both ways.

[Lou Girardin]

As an owner of one of these shops you are not necessarily on the shop floor so the ability to assess the performance of key staff is extremely difficult and I would imagine it would usually be taken from a profit for the month calculation. If I was an owner, I would want to know how my customers were being treated and anything else I could do to improve service to them(marketing 101).

.

Most bike shop owners know very well what their staff are doing, even a big one like AMPS. Bike shops are very different to franchise car dealers.

[skelstar]

...
I essentially agree, BUT, if you ever listen to talkback radio you will know that you generally hear all the negative feedback about a particular subject. Someone starts something relatively positive and can quite quickly be drowned out by negativity. Not saying the negativity is unwarranted (cowpoos - no worries), its just easy to counter an argument/discussion with it...its a part of human nature.

I remember from my salesman days that if you provide good service, and person is likely to tell, say, 2 friends about it. If you provide bad service, 10 friends will hear about it.

[James Deuce]

Good response Jonty, but I think my point got lost in translation.

I think we've forgotten (as a society) how to be good customers. We've accepted the doctrine that the customer's always right, and that a retailer is primarily in business to kiss our collective arses. And like it.

As an example, and I've done this sort of thing myself, one rings up the bike shop and says, " I need the my swingarm bushes replaced."

The workshop rings back and says, "Sorry mate, your bike has a sealed bearing, not a bush, and the price is $X."

This is the bridge burning bit I'm talking about. You can either go, "Oops, I didn't know that, thanks for that.", and then go and quietly research the issue if you're unsure that was the right answer.

Or.

And I've seen this happen here; you can argue with workshop guy, tell him that your mate Fungus said it was bushes , not bearings, and then tell everyone you know that "X motorcycle shop refused to work on my bike, and they're stupid idiots."

Being a good customer entails either knowing what you want in the first place and being knowledgeable about what you want, or being prepared to take advice from an expert. By expert I don't mean Fungus either, I mean the guy with access to the workshop manuals, an apprenticeship in motorcycle mechanics, and 20 years of twirling spanners for ungrateful bastards under his belt. Yes, mistakes happen, but remember YOU make them yourselves sometimes. Cut people a bit of slack and you'll get looked after.

Life is not an endless series of customer satisfaction surveys.

[The_Dover]

Yeah, but what you've got to remember Jim is that if a bikeshop makes a fuck up, can't deliver etc etc then it's respectful to let a customer know, apologise or whatever.

I'm not a difficult customer but I expect certain standards of professionalism and customer service from any establishment that is receiving my hard earned, even the dairy on the corner, and some bike shops I've visited fall short.

Also, you gotta look at why some are still in business! Same reason as Telecom!

[TLRulz]

Service is a mojor factor for me, Theres a couple of places I prefer to avoid and theres a couple of places I prefer to frequent.

If it was about the bike I wanted to buy though, I would buy it from whoever had what i wanted (second hand) for new I would probably be more fussy

[Jonty]

Yes I completely agree Jim2. The majority of customer survey results really have to be taken with a grain of salt. I think in todays society the philosophy "the customer is always right" is a difficult one to reconcile and indeed I think there is merit in the argument that sales people should not feel obliged to "kiss peoples collective asses" but I guess that is the call of the individual owner.

That said, working on the law of averages, if you are recieveing an unusually high number of dissatisfied customers (or a number of issues are raised on this site), you would be fairly safe in assuming something is not working.

It is a an interesting predicament for the bikeshop owner, but in all reality if your competitors adopt a "couldn't care less" attitude then you are going to be onto a winner if you kiss the collective ass.

John