Motorbike shops...

[Trident boy]

:Oi:In the interests making our little shop better for the customer :niceone:I need comments what do you expect when you walk into a Bike shop :jerry:come on 10 things you love and hate of the :devil2:Dreaded Motorbike shop:apint: Yes its Friday and there will be a few had :banana:

[Str8 Jacket]

Apparently coffee is very high on the list. But it has to be good..... I dont drink coffee so i'd prefer diet coke and it would be great if you could supply chocolate macaroons.

Its really great to walk into a bike shop that actually has a range of womans apparel, but not that gross pink stuff. Staff that smile and treat everyone the same is great as well. I can spend ages looking in some bike shops at gear, bikes etc and not even get a hello yet when I walk into a bike shop where the people actually know me and know I ride I always get a hello and a "how can we help you".....

[HornetBoy]

+1 to coffee ,eg Phil Turnbulls in palmy is a good well known one for good coffee,

well stocked apparel -eg from a range of brands and price ranges

[shafty]

Atmosphere - a local FM station on in the background; a path to walk freely in the store, pref in a loop, a noticeboard with rides/rallies/events etc, a coffee spot adj to noticeboard pref, with some mags, a "bike of the week" (or month, something to check out, maybe a special of the month, be it a service or accessory. An acknowledgement - be it a "Hi, hows it going" or "great day for a ride" whatever, and if you are busy, just some acknowledgement. Access to a toilet. Suggest a lucky draw to obtain e-mail addresses - and e-mail specials, rides etc. Info on demonstrators available.

There's a start for ya!

[martybabe]

Keep some stock!!, especially accessories. doesn't have to be a besquillon dollars worth, 1 givi pannier, 1 pack rack, fly screens, exhaust samples.

I keep finding bike shops I haven't visited before, diving in to spend some cash only to find, 1 1965 cobweb encrusted BSA goldstar head lamp hanging on a rusty nail and one pink helmet, size xxs on the floor.

:mad: I'm fed up of "no mate we aint got that but I can run a tiny black and white drawing off the interweb for you to see and stick a $700 deposit on"

How about, we aint got yours in stock but I can get it by tomorrow and here's one to look at, different fittings but basically the same as your ordering. yeeha! :wari:

If you have some good stuff to look at your worth a visit, if your worth a visit and I get a coffee you'll get an order. :hug:

[Usarka]

Lots of clothing that we can try on for size and then go and purchase from the internets.

I'm usually contented with some bike porn.....



How about, we aint got yours in stock but I can get it by tomorrow and here's one to look at, different fittings but basically the same as your ordering. yeeha!

bingo, makes a hoooj difference dunnit.

[90s]

Apparently coffee is very high on the list. But it has to be good..... I dont drink coffee so i'd prefer diet coke and it would be great if you could supply chocolate macaroons.
Its really great to walk into a bike shop that actually has a range of womans apparel, but not that gross pink stuff. Staff that smile and treat everyone the same is great as well.

Is this the same Str8J who claimed on another thread not to be high maintainance?! :innocent:

I don't have a macaroon handy so I hope you will accept ... bling?

[Finn]

It's actually very simple yet most manage to get it horribly wrong. The best example of someone doing it right in Auckland (and probably NZ) is Motomail.

One thing I can't stand is bullshit. I won't mention any names but a certain Harley dealer on Khyber Pass Road, Auckland told me the biggest porky the other day. I'm importing a new Harley from California and some sales guy said BIG MISTAKE! He was adamant that they are built differently for strict CA emission controls which of course is utter bullshit.

[Str8 Jacket]

Is this the same Str8J who claimed on another thread not to be high maintainance?! :innocent:

I don't have a macaroon handy so I hope you will accept ... bling?

lol! I dont actually really like chocolate so bling will do! :D

[90s]

Well my bike is old, a not-top-of-range even in her day, and pretty scuffed up as I commute dialy and hardly ever wash her. But she runs perfect and suits me fine.
So I don't like bike shop staff who sneer at it and really try to push why its no good and how I must trade up to a new VFR etc appropos of me only asking if they sell cat crap or earplugs or something.
What I do like is a shop where they let you talk directly to the mechanics when servicing.
And as for buscuits, I go for chocolate hobnobs. As you would have to import them, it would really show you cared.

[dipshit]

Talk to your customers... not the fucking travelling reps.

[Katman]

What I do like is a shop where they let you talk directly to the mechanics when servicing.


I hope you mean "before" or "after" servicing and not "when" servicing. A mechanic being distracted by the customer when servicing is a recipe for disaster.

[Dooly]

Respond to emails.

Still waiting after 5 days to a response to an email in regards to buying a new 1098 from a Duc dealer.
It will be their loss.
Fuck that annoys me when places dont respond to emails.

[ManDownUnder]

Someone willing to understand me, what I want, and what I need.

End of Story.

[onearmedbandit]

Acknowledgment that I'm in the store. Don't ignore me but do not crowd me. If I want to ask something specific or get into a lengthy conversation, I will approach one of your salespeople. The salespeople should be like the ideal waiter when out to dinner, far enough away so that you can hold a conversation with your date but close enough so that when you need them they are aware.

Somewhere safe for me to put my helmet and glove, in a non-public area.

A good range of accessories and bikes.

Knowledgeable salespeople. Was looking at buying a helmet last year, went to one dealership and asked him about a brand of helmet they were pushing. The only info he was able to give me was 'um, we've sold a few'. No colour ranges, no comparisons between different brands, no reasoning behind his claim of why they had 'sold a few'. I dropped a grand on an Arai up the road.

Under promise and over deliver. Nothing lets me down more than when promised that my bike/part will be ready at 2pm Wednesday, only for me to go in there at 2:30 to find you are still waiting on a part. Ring me, send smoke signals, whatever, but when I'm paying you to work on my bike, and take time out of my day to arrange to come and pick it up and it's not ready and you haven't rung me, how do you think that leaves me feeling. I do realise some things are out of your control, that's why you have customer contact details.

[sels1]

:Oi:In the interests making our little shop better for the customer :niceone:I need comments what do you expect when you walk into a Bike shop

1) Acknowledgement you (as a costomer) exist - at least a verbal greeting but preferably a "can I help you?"

I have had several family members work in retail and it's a basic principle. Some shops train their staff to speak to a customer within 30 seconds of them entering the shop.
I have been in a few bike shops where I have walked in, walked around looking at things, evening picking the odd item up, and the staff have been doing paperwork or chatting to their mates like I wasnt there - depite the fact I was willing to buy something and not just browsing. Needless to say I went and bought off a shop that talked to their customers.

2) Service. Just good old fashion service.

[n0regret5]

Talk to your customers... not the fucking travelling reps.

i get this kinda treatment too - fucking sick of it. was going to test ride a gsxr1100 and the shop owner said hi after i'd been walking around for 5 mins, then went back to the rep who just bought in the new b-king..took 30mins before he acknowledged why i was there, then dicked around with the bike down with the mechanics for another 15mins, i took time off work especially to ride the bike.

jeez, i complain alot!! :-D

+1 to coffee. cos then the service reps have to acknowledge you and talk to you.

[Jimmy B]

He was adamant that they are built differently for strict CA emission controls which of course is utter bullshit.

I thought HD and other Mfgs had 2 versions, 1 being the 49 states edition and the other being the California. The 49 States version has reasonably higher output, not that it prolly matters much cause HP and Torque are not the endgame for these bikes. :yes:

[dave46nz]

A parts person who knows their stuff and is not too lazy to do some research.
Dealings I've had with two bike shops in Welly both starting with Moto have not been good, either rip off service or tired parts people.

[90s]

I hope you mean "before" or "after" servicing and not "when" servicing. A mechanic being distracted by the customer when servicing is a recipe for disaster.

"before" YES
or "after" servicing YES
and not "when" servicing. NO

[bert_is_evil]

Here's a few suggestions based on a few bad experiences (most of which have caused me to move on to another shop):

-Don't patronise me because I'm a female - if I tell you I rolled in on a Thunderace I'm unlikely to be there to buy a GN
-Aknowledge me so I have the opportunity to ask for what I'm there for
-Have a full range of helmet sizes in stock
-When I ask you to order a part, actually order it. Once it's arrived, let me know it's there
-Deal promptly with insurance matters, it's a cash cow for you unless I decide to go elsewhere
-Have a changing room, I don't want to strip down to my undies to try on leathers between your spare parts shelves, or your toilets!
-Coffee sounds like a great idea

[martybabe]

Cripes, opened a can of worms here. Nothing personal mate, infact thank you for asking but as you can see there are a lot of disgruntled cash customers out here and some very similar complaints.

It aint neurosurgery, be courteous attentive and efficient and get some stock in. xxxs and XXL dont fit and I'm not gonna wait a week while you order a large from Taiwan that dont fit when it arrives, I will spend my money elsewhere.

Credit to you for asking though mate. act on it and you'll be rich and we'll be happy. It's all good init. :clap:

As sels1 said, customer service.............It works.

[Trident boy]

:zzzz:That usaly happens I even when I went into a Certain Nelson B/shop with 14k stood around for 15mins I have known the owner for 15 years but all his employee's were plonkers :angry:they nearly lost a sale :nono:If any KBer's are in this neck of the woods, Motueka :first:Best M/cycle play ground around:scooter:Drop in for a terrible coffee made by the brew bitch :shit:Me ave a chat look around we lots of neat stuff :whocares:We pride our selves on being a old fashion'd bike shop:yes:
:first:Baz Bikes Motueka :bye:
Ps: Thanks guys an Girls KBer's get a 10% discount from Us Cheers Steve

[martybabe]

That usaly happens I even when I went into a Certain Nelson B/shop with 14k stood around for 15mins I have known the owner for 15 years but all his employee's were plonkers :angry:they nearly lost a sale :nono:If any KBer's are in this neck or the woods Motueka Best M/cycle play ground around:scooter:Drop in for a terrible coffee made by the brew bitch :shit:Me ave a chat look around we lots of neat stuff :whocares:We pride our selves on being a old fashion'd bike shop
Baz Bikes Motueka :bye:
Ps: Thanks guys an Girls KBer's get a 10% discount from Us Cheers Steve

Good onya, I sometimes check my reflection in the shop window to see if I'm actualy there or had one of those nasty invisibility attacks, cause no fugger in the shop can see me.If I go into a bike shop at all it usualy means I've got a few disposible $,sometimes lots of $ but I'm keeping them all if I don't get some r.e.s.p.e.c.t. :girlfight: :lol::lol:

[Trident boy]

:banana:Mate where is this bike shop with the BSA head lights rust and crusty:laugh:

[Ixion]

Good onya, I sometimes check my reflection in the shop window to see if I'm actualy there or had one of those nasty invisibility attacks, cause no fugger in the shop can see me.

I thought I was the only one who went invisible when I went into a bike shop. I've often wondered what would happen if I (invisibly) started pushing one of the more expensive bikes out. It would appear to be rolling along of its own accord, because I of course am ivisible.

I guess they must realise I'm just a poor old man.

[martybabe]

:banana:Mate where is this bike shop with the BSA head lights rust and crusty:laugh:


:clap: Head light singular mate they can't carry a stock of two, overheads you know. Rust and crusty you can get anywhere, infact my local pie shop sells rust and crusty pies and thier in stock. :yes:

[martybabe]

I thought I was the only one who went invisible when I went into a bike shop. I've often wondered what would happen if I (invisibly) started pushing one of the more expensive bikes out. It would appear to be rolling along of its own accord, because I of course am invisible.

I guess they must realise I'm just a poor old man.

Ha ha, that's the man, tell it like it is. I propose a campaign, anyone that feels aggrieved at being ignored in a bike shop, wheel a bloody hyabusa off down the pavement, that'll wake em from their indifferent slumber eh...or not in some cases. "we seem to have lost a hayabusa slack bob"..."funny, shops been empty all morning" :lol:

[dipshit]

i get this kinda treatment too - fucking sick of it.

I wanted to look at getting some aftermarket mufflers for my SV, so I thought I would ride into town on a midweek morning when the Suzuki shop shouldn't be too busy so we could go through what's available and get some prices. After all, it was a big shop that has probably sold quite a few sets of aftermarket mufflers for SVs recently so they should have some idea.

But no, that would have been too easy. The two salesmen were too busy talking to a travelling rep who was showing them a big pile of crappy gloves to even notice I was there. Fine, obviously they don't want our business.

Ended up researching on the net... which ended up in finding a very good price on a online US store. Punched in my credit card number and they were on their way.

PS... I don't seem to have this problem in any other line of retail. What is it with bloody bike shops?

[geoffm]

It's actually very simple yet most manage to get it horribly wrong. The best example of someone doing it right in Auckland (and probably NZ) is Motomail.

One thing I can't stand is bullshit. I won't mention any names but a certain Harley dealer on Khyber Pass Road, Auckland told me the biggest porky the other day. I'm importing a new Harley from California and some sales guy said BIG MISTAKE! He was adamant that they are built differently for strict CA emission controls which of course is utter bullshit.

Can't speak for Harleys, but a lot of other vehicles are tuned differently for California. Sometimes it is just different ignition and jetting, in others it is even different cams. E.g. - FZR400s had a California model and some fuel injected bikes have different maps for Cali.
G

[Cache Wraith]

Well, I'm going against the grain here. I'm content to walk into a bike shop and look around for what I want and if nobody approaches me, that's fine. As long as someone is available if I want to ask a question. Do most of my gear buying at cycletreads. I go in there, spend ages hunting through the stuff and usually get asked if they can help, then they leave me alone. I generally check out a few different places before making a purchase. Now if someone offered me a real coffee while I was browsing, that's a different story......

[n0regret5]

I wanted to look at getting some aftermarket mufflers for my SV, so I thought I would ride into town on a midweek morning when the Suzuki shop shouldn't be too busy so we could go through what's available and get some prices. After all, it was a big shop that has probably sold quite a few sets of aftermarket mufflers for SVs recently so they should have some idea.

But no, that would have been too easy. The two salesmen were too busy talking to a travelling rep who was showing them a big pile of crappy gloves to even notice I was there. Fine, obviously they don't want our business.

Ended up researching on the net... which ended up in finding a very good price on a online US store. Punched in my credit card number and they were on their way.

PS... I don't seem to have this problem in any other line of retail. What is it with bloody bike shops?

i've only bought 4 of my 7 bikes from shops and only ONE gave me excellent service, one gave me really good service and the other two fucked me royally. don't understand what it is either..and, unfortunately, it seems to be honda shops that are the worst. thats just IMO, though..i'm sure there's a good one out there somewhere!

[soundbeltfarm]

i've only bought 4 of my 7 bikes from shops and only ONE gave me excellent service, one gave me really good service and the other two fucked me royally. don't understand what it is either..and, unfortunately, it seems to be honda shops that are the worst. thats just IMO, though..i'm sure there's a good one out there somewhere!

who were the good shops mate.
?

[n0regret5]

who were the good shops mate.
?

whitelock suzuki in wanganui where i got my firestorm and Tony Jury motorcycles in Pahiatua where i just got my TL. great service, the lady at whitelock stayed open till 2pm on a saturday so i could test ride the bike and then contacted me a few times after i bought it to make sure it was going all good. tony jury gave me impeccable service and a bunch of freebies when i bought the bike, not to mention an excellent deal with the finance.

[craneman]

you need to chill out man life is what you make it

[soundbeltfarm]

yeah i got all my farm stuff from vaughn when we were in Patea,
He was good to deal with.

[HornetBoy]

whitelock suzuki in wanganui where i got my firestorm and Tony Jury motorcycles in Pahiatua where i just got my TL. great service, the lady at whitelock stayed open till 2pm on a saturday so i could test ride the bike and then contacted me a few times after i bought it to make sure it was going all good. tony jury gave me impeccable service and a bunch of freebies when i bought the bike, not to mention an excellent deal with the finance.


+1 to Whitelock suzuki :2thumbsup Have brought bikes from them before and go in their on a regular basis for maintenance items and everything else ,not always spending money either ,i sometimes just go in to ask for advice and its given with a smile ,they have definately hit the nail on the head in terms of service and are a wealth knowledge,thats the kinda stuff you want in a dealership.

if you want an example of service suzuki dealerships seem to be right on the money

[sinned]

Respond to emails.

Still waiting after 5 days to a response to an email in regards to buying a new 1098 from a Duc dealer.
It will be their loss.
Fuck that annoys me when places dont respond to emails.

Tell me about it!!! I 100% agree and posted an opinion on websites - here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1444699#post1444699 . and it appears those in the thread who where more interested in wizzy website stuff missed the point. The motorcycling industry, except for a few suppliers, have yet to catch on to the power of marketing over the internet. I find it annoying to have to buy magazines and go into bike shops to find what is available. Emails - I have also sent emails to bike shops and not got a reply.

[MadDuck]

Don't patronise me because I'm a female - if I tell you I rolled in on a Thunderace I'm unlikely to be there to buy a GN


So agree with ya! OK I rock up and want to try new gear. The womens stuff is tucked away at the deepest darkest end of the shop and is either pink or for girls that are anorexic. OR we only have mens sizes which we refer to as unisex.....no offer to see if they can source womens gear when I know its available on the internet.

And thanks to the Auckland bike shops I mostly do any buying on the internet. Oh and some of gals do know a thing or two about bikes and its tiresome being spoken to like a complete idiot.

Even worse ...please dont YELL at me I am short NOT FRIGGEN DEAF! :niceone:

[Pogo2]

I found it quite frustrating when I was trying to purchase my last bike. I guess I was comparing it with car dealers who cant wait to get you into their cars. It always seemed to be be a hassle to get a bike to try, and I know there have been threads here that say that some bikeshops only allow limited time and distance for test rides.

I realise that there are a number of tyre kickers around but when your spending a few $$ you want less hassle and a ride that is more than just around the block.

My thoughts anyways

[et al]

Respond to emails.
.... that annoys me when places dont respond to emails.
Yes - I agree with you on that one. Businesses who promote email as being a way to get in touch with them and then don't respond to emails definitely are operating under false pretences. Also those that have websites and don't keep them up to date make me wary of doing business with them. After all this is is their "Electronic Shop front" and is how a lot of people choose to do business these days - more people are going to to see that than the actual place itself. Not saying every Shop should have a website but if they do then if not kept up to date it actually does more harm than good.

[rainman]

I saw this thread and was going to say:

1. Pay attention to the clients - the waiter example is a good one
2. Answer emails the same day

But others have already said that. So +1 to those.

[homer]

What ever you stock ....Dont try to push it to the customer , If they have an idea already what they want it maybe what they do want

It pisses me off big time when they say,This is the equall to what your saying , just in a different brand .


Then its not what your asking for is it :nono:

[Gibbo13p]

Emails - I have also sent emails to bike shops and not got a reply.

Freedom honda in Rangatiki st, Palmy...asked them some questions about parts etc got no reply....still too many lamers out there when it comes to the net alright...all rugby and cricket and nothing else.....:)

[boman]

Acknowledgment that I'm in the store. Don't ignore me but do not crowd me. If I want to ask something specific or get into a lengthy conversation, I will approach one of your salespeople. The salespeople should be like the ideal waiter when out to dinner, far enough away so that you can hold a conversation with your date but close enough so that when you need them they are aware.

Somewhere safe for me to put my helmet and glove, in a non-public area.

A good range of accessories and bikes.

Knowledgeable salespeople. Was looking at buying a helmet last year, went to one dealership and asked him about a brand of helmet they were pushing. The only info he was able to give me was 'um, we've sold a few'. No colour ranges, no comparisons between different brands, no reasoning behind his claim of why they had 'sold a few'. I dropped a grand on an Arai up the road.

Under promise and over deliver. Nothing lets me down more than when promised that my bike/part will be ready at 2pm Wednesday, only for me to go in there at 2:30 to find you are still waiting on a part. Ring me, send smoke signals, whatever, but when I'm paying you to work on my bike, and take time out of my day to arrange to come and pick it up and it's not ready and you haven't rung me, how do you think that leaves me feeling. I do realise some things are out of your control, that's why you have customer contact details.

Yup. Helpful non pushy SERVICE. Cannot go wrong. So many places seem to see you, the wage paying customer, as an interruption to their day. Make sure the staff NEVER make this mistake.

[Swoop]

Forget the coffee. Just some water is fine, thank you.


A parts person who knows their stuff and is not too lazy to do some research.
Yes! Plus - take the customers' contact details AND FUCKING WELL CONTACT THEM when you have ascertained the price/delivery date/etc that we bloody well asked for!!!
We customers ARE NOT FUCKING TELEPATHIC.
We are supposed to be living in the "age of communication"... unless you are working in the parts department.:mad:

I thought I was the only one who went invisible when I went into a bike shop. I've often wondered what would happen if I (invisibly) started pushing one of the more expensive bikes out. It would appear to be rolling along of its own accord, because I of course am ivisible.
I find the same, but it is quite easy to get a VERY fast response by sitting on the bike...
Especially those that have a little sign saying "DO NOT SIT ON THE BIKE".:whistle:
(works every time)

[Number One]

Even though I'm a girl I get pretty good service round Welly. Though it does help when your hubby was in the bizo and you've been around the same shops for a good while too.

What is getting up my nose is that I can't get a pair of decent race boots in my size cos no one will import them. Surely there are other girls wanting boots too in a womens size 8-9ish?! It's soooo helpful to be told that I can get them myself online...WOW no shit sherlock! I woulda never thought of that on my ownsome :blink:

UMM Hello?! There's a good reason I wanted to get them from a shop and that is that I wanna check that the buggers fit before forking out a shit load of money.

Oh and I'm sure it's because I'm female but I always find it amusing when a new sales/parts person sidles up and starts trying to 'assist' me in that rather patronizing and condescending fashion - you know the one ladies?

As if it was the first time I'd ever walked into this 'mans domain' that is a bike shop...o hail! ...then along comes one of the 'old hands' who knows me, preceeds to offer me a coffee, ask after hubby, chuckle over shenanigans and stands there chatting at which point newbees (a bit confused) change their tune and scurry off to amuse themselves with someone else who is clearly in need of their 'expert help'. :lol:

I know retail is hard but please please please don't assume women are completely clueless or just getting started in bikes, or have walked in off the road to just look at the boys AND don't assume that they don't have a man/woman at home/close who will, upon hearing something that some newbee sales/parts person has told you, confirm that as you suspected they were talking shite or just giving you the run around because they couldn't be arsed.

ALSO just because I haven't got my gear on doesn't mean you can ignore me! I was recently looking for a bike AND full gear. Admittedly I pulled up in my people mover but I had money to burn and was keen to burn it....but it was all too hard in some shops and I felt like I was keeping them from serving the REAL bikers.

Oh and a tip for people trying to sell girls gear - Don't tell a lady that they are too fat to get gear in their size. I was told by one salesman - "O goodluck getting boots to fit your calves!" At which point I politely told him to "Bite me asshole" and walked out without the helmet (that I had said I wanted to buy), took my money elsewhere and never went back. Oh and for the record I knew many larger girls than I that had gotten their gear easily enough.

RANT OVER

[jafar]

'listen' to what your victims are actually saying. Weird I know but they are the ones paying the wages.
Smile when you talk even on the phone it does make a difference.
Don't rubbish what someone is riding to try & get a sale. ( yes it does happen )

Coffee +1

[toebug]

Sounds like bikes shops suck all over the country. I went to my local suzuki shop wanting to spend upto $3k on some engine work, I've been back 3 times and still have no price on parts on anything! They just dont seem to want my money!!

I have since sourced my own big bore kit and the other parts needed to do the job. now all I need is a reliable mechanic?

[vfxdog]

It's not difficult to run a decent shop- unfortunately the invisibility problem is rather widespread, as is the lack of decent coffee and knowledgeable staff. Recently I went into a largish Akl accessories shop looking for bike covers and was amazed at the layers of filth on everything; stock lying on the floor and in unsorted piles, staff either chatting with pals or texting, crap and noise from some guy using an angle grinder in the open workshop....I've been into perhaps the biggest Wellington shop with cash in hand and been totally ignored- funny, 'cos I used to work with the guys that run it and our old boss would have killed them for that kind of slackness....
It would be interesting to see a poll for best bikeshop in the country.

[Trident boy]

:bleh:Now that a idea mate there would be a few :crybaby:Suprises :Oi:in other word retailers get ya shit together

[pc220]

When looking for a learners bike to buy , Went into all four of the major dealers in Hamilton. HAd the plastic in my pocket "i was Buying". Unfortunatly because i pulled up in the cage wearing singlet shorts jandals .Dont have breasts and a cute ass I too was sucked into the invisible hole on three occasions. Even booting tyres and shifting bikes i remained invisible. The fourth and last shop i visited that day is where i bought a bike and is now the only Waikato shop i will deal. Waikato Yamaha were the only ones that could see me and gave great Service. So they get MY money.
SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE

[AllanB]

[QUOTEI find it annoying to have to buy magazines and go into bike shops to find what is available. Emails - I have also sent emails to bike shops and not got a reply.[/QUOTE]

Ha hear ya - I often walk in with a magazine - 'do you stock this' ..... now I don't expect anyone to stock everything but you would thing if Darby etc are advertising in a NZ magazine then they would have their reps trying to get it in store.

Pit Lane is great in CHCH - if he thinks it is a good item he can sell he will get one in for you to look at - no obligation.
Sportzone has excellent bike sales service and good greif demo bikes.
Budget motorcycles are cool (especially now grumpy Trev is gone).
Street & Sport is excellent with the new owners.
Always had good service from Norjos
Casbolts - good bike service but getting someone from around the counter can be fun.
Rides have been fine.

Basically simple stuff - realise your client is there!
Train your staff - they should bloody know stuff about bikes!
Don't bullshit - if you are unsure say so and find out - grab a cell number or e-mail and call/text when you find the answer.

[soundbeltfarm]

yeah i agree there are alot of crap shops out there.
the classics i hate are when we get any of our bikes serviced or order parts in and you get a time to get ior they say we'l drop bike off this arvo.
and it never happens, all it takes is a bloody phone call.
our last farm bike we got in september and they said can i let them know when i've done so many hours. done that and they were like sweet we'l pick it up next tuesday. 2 tuesdays later i rang.
they are on to it they say.
i rang 3 times and always got the same answer that they are so busy and all the usual bull shit.
so i rang another suzuki dealer , told them the story and they were there in 2 days and bike brought back the next day.
i had a call from the dealer we got it off and they said we are coming to get your bike next week.
i rang them in october and it takes 5 months for them to get around to serviceing my bike.
fuck how efficient.
they got told to fuck off.
we get a new quad every 2 years, got 2 wheeler farm bike, my mx bike , both my kids got bikes too, trace rides now also.
thats a few bikes and parts , serviceing and gear that they have lost because their service department is shit.
its a shame because the seller is the best i have dealt with.
i rang and told him the story and he could at least admit their fuck ups.
i get a bit of gear now off Scott from here at MR motorcycles and he has been great to deal with, i love being able just to ask him something on here via Pm and he replies quick and he has been there done that so i trust what he says.
i also deal a bit with the guys that service our bikes now and they are also pretty good.
How much of the stuff ups are the manufactures fault?
eg. a classic is the 08 rmz450.
what a total fuck up i reckon.
No one seems to know what the hell is going on the release date is always put back, by the time the 08 comes out , we'll start seeing glimpses of what the other brands 09s will look like.
Do you know why the release is back to april Scott?
i've herad it was something to do with the gear selector fingers or something like that.

[Forest]

It's actually very simple yet most manage to get it horribly wrong. The best example of someone doing it right in Auckland (and probably NZ) is Motomail.

One thing I can't stand is bullshit. I won't mention any names but a certain Harley dealer on Khyber Pass Road, Auckland told me the biggest porky the other day. I'm importing a new Harley from California and some sales guy said BIG MISTAKE! He was adamant that they are built differently for strict CA emission controls which of course is utter bullshit.

Christ! Are those arseholes still in business?

Wonders never cease.

[MDR2]

I get that in motueka this probably isn't financially viable and the request mostley is a bit of beef I had when I lived in auckland... 5 shops in auckland that I could think of while I was desperatley driving around and not a damn single one of them was open on a sunday. I used to work a 6 day week on a regular basis and sunday was the only day I really had for bike/car/riding or driving and if just one shop had been open till 12 on a sunday it would have made things good.

[Edbear]

Pretty much agree with the thread, esp. the coffee! Has to be good coffee, though, like Maunder's in Whangarei...

Can also recommend Kelvin at Kaiwaka Suzuki and Matthew at Bikesport in Helensville.

[Insanity_rules]

Definately yes on the coffee. I like a shop that doesn't judge the fact I just pulled up on a 19 year old 250 (All be it tidy, well serviced and well modified).

I can't say enough good stuff about my regular shop, they treat you with respect, I can park near the door, they have coffee, the owner gives frank and honest advice (Stu's last bit of advice to me was get off the brakes grandma), they always deliver on time and their prices are pretty good.

I was made to feel like a criminal last time I parked outside a well known Honda dealer.

[Citroenjunkie]

Talk to your customers... not the fucking travelling reps.

Yes please!

I'm not Dan Carter, I don't have the PIN for Donald Trump's Gold Card but if you treat me like a human, I'll probably get a third mortgage and buy Motul.

Not all of us enjoy being ignored and looked at like we are insignificant. The last bike salesman who bothered to get up from behind his desk and talk to me like a human made comission, next time it may be your turn.

If I wan't coffee I'll have my KIA serviced.. get up and look interested.. PLEASE!

[Hitcher]

Things a bike shop needs

1. Staff. There are some dealerships around where a stun grenade could be thrown into the shop with no risk of hurting anybody.
2. Staff who would rather make a sale than talk to their girlfriends on the phone.
3. Friendly staff.
4. Friendly staff who aren't afraid to admit that they don't know everything.
5. Friendly staff who if they make an offer (like a test ride) then don't fuck off out the back and start polishing bikes and ignoring you.
6. Friendly staff who aren't looking around the showroom for somebody more interesting to talk to when you want to talk with them.
7. Friendly staff who will follow up on your queries.
8. Friendly staff who aren't afraid to venture out from behind the counter and take an interest in whatever it is that you may be interested in.
9. Demo bikes. What's the point of not having any?
10. A range of helmet sizes. Not everybody has a pin head.

You can keep your beverages. I'm not fussed by instant coffee in a plastic cup. And if I'm at risk of dehydrating while waiting for service, I'll go somewhere else.

[Sparky Bills]

Things a bike shop needs

1. Staff. There are some dealerships around where a stun grenade could be thrown into the shop with no risk of hurting anybody.
2. Staff who would rather make a sale than talk to their girlfriends on the phone.
3. Friendly staff.
4. Friendly staff who aren't afraid to admit that they don't know everything.
5. Friendly staff who if they make an offer (like a test ride) then don't fuck off out the back and start polishing bikes and ignoring you.
6. Friendly staff who aren't looking around the showroom for somebody more interesting to talk to when you want to talk with them.
7. Friendly staff who will follow up on your queries.
8. Friendly staff who aren't afraid to venture out from behind the counter and take an interest in whatever it is that you may be interested in.
9. Demo bikes. What's the point of not having any?
10. A range of helmet sizes. Not everybody has a pin head.

You can keep your beverages. I'm not fussed by instant coffee in a plastic cup. And if I'm at risk of dehydrating while waiting for service, I'll go somewhere else.


My GOD!!!
You should have said just act like Martin!!:banana::cool:

[Hailwood]

Every time (and that is every time) I go to Wellington motorcycles I get an offer of a coffee straight after the usual friendly hi, hows things?

The parts guys know their stuff (Mike, Jono and Helmut) and always answer my dumb questions without taking too much piss...always helpful with questions about gear as well.

As for test rides...never an issue. I guess it comes down to making an assessment..is this person really interested in looking at this bike or just wanting a blat for free? Which is fair enough given that they are handing over the keys to some pricey bikes....my opinion anyway.....

The other great dealership is TSS Motorcycles in Lower Hutt....same deal..great service, always happy to help....

Two businesses that have it right in my opinion....:Punk:

[disenfranchised]

Things a bike shop needs

10. A range of helmet sizes. Not everybody has a pin head.



Definitely agree with this...at least one of each size from each brand would be good...same with boots.

Plus be more helpful about ordering gear / parts.
I've seen a thread on here with a retailer complaining how ordering off the internet damages the local economy, or forces the local shops to keep prices high, or something like that...
How about jumping on the bandwagon and ordering parts (even ones not normally on your list) for customers if they want them...could maybe try and use a noticeboard in the shop to advertise special orders, and let others get in on it, to reduce shipping costs.

Oh and staff that can explain simple mechanical maintenence type stuff...along with reasons...like what chain lube suits best etc.....so that we n00bs don't have to guess.