Unhelpfull peoples !!

[Amarzzata]

Hi ya all, i just wanted to share my little experience with a motorcycle dismantler called Buckets n' Bits !

At first, they didnt want to sell me anything cuz i'm in canada... after arguing with them, i convinced them to sell me a fuel tank and a few other parts.

So we got a deal for 210$ + shipping...then, they come back telling me they cant ship the thing oversea cuz it's too big. I go home to measure my fuel tank (which is biger than the one ordered) to find out it's at least 4 to 6 centimeters smaller than the max size aloud by NZ post, so their fuel tank will have at least 8 cm clearance with the box everywhere !!

Then, a nice guy from this forum offers ihis help and we agree that he gets my parts from them localy and ships them to me.

When he gets to the shop to get my parts, the total price is now 340$ instead of 210 !!!! WTF... :2guns:

I e-mail them back... to find out they charged 100$ just to clean the fuel tank that i was originaly quoted at 60$ ---> this means 160$ instead of 60... and they never asked my opinion about this! I understand that it's a necesary procedure to get a used fual tank shipped oversea, but i tought i was buying a 60$ tank, not 160$... they could at least ask me if i was still interested at 160$...

they also forgot about two turn signals i wanted and they got me 6 taillights instead of 3... also without telling me a word about it !! yes, i had requested more taillights, but they told me they only had 3...so i tought it was the final word about this cuz they never told me they found more of them !!

So after all this, i told them that 100$ is quite expensive to clean the tank so i offered them 300$ for the pacage instead of 340 ! They simply replied that it was not for sale anymore !!

So a word of advise, dont buy from them... these peoples are not willing to sell parts and they will more likely double or triple the price when you get your wallet out to pay !!

So last w-e, I've made some big holes in my tank and i managed to form a sheet of metal to make "clip-on dents" in my tank...looks cool :rolleyes:

[laRIKin]

I'm sorry to here this.
I hope this will not reflect badly on the rest of us Kiwi's.
And thanks for the heads up on these clowns.
It's getting harder and harder to get good help.

[Sparky Bills]

I know EXACTLY what you mean!!
Need I say more??

[Paul in NZ]

Yes.. All you say is true and reflects badly upon them. for shame!

However, let me tell you this. In the last few years it has been getting harder and harder (not to mention costlier) to do this sort of stuff. (shipping overseas) Please remember this is a tiny company, one guy probably and it's not easy to do this stuff and run the business. I've had similar experiences getting stuff from both canada and the USA and it was not a used fuel tank. Try like 300 LCD screens. it all got too bloody hard...

And lets face it, a certain amount of eccentricity is required to run a bike wrecking business!

Having said this, I had occasion to use a wrecker in New Plymouth a while back and he was bloody fantastic!

Oh well!

Back to the unreal world....

[James Deuce]

Not an unusual experience. I have just had a positive Buckets n Bits experience, though it cost my wife some aggravation in the process - the kids misbehaved horribly whilst waiting for the tyre to be fitted to the CBR rim.

[Roadrash]

Bro, its just the way he is. Apparently he's been in a bad mood lately but if it helps i don't know anyone who likes him.
:bash:

[crashe]

Bro, its just the way he is. Apparently he's been in a bad mood lately but if it helps i don't know anyone who likes him.
:bash:

Then how on earth is this guy staying in business....??
If he is treating customers like this.

[F5 Dave]

First off I’d like to say I have no financial affiliation to the concerned business. However he is a good friend.

There are 2 sides to every story. Basically they don’t like sending large stuff overseas as the freight becomes a major PITA.
It simply isn’t worth the grief of running around packaging things up, changing requirements, international freight, customs forms (they’re a pain) & then finding out you badmouth them on a website.

Yeah. People get pissy about that & who can blame them.

The reason the price went up is you got charged wanker tax.

If you have serious business (& bear in mind the amount of wreckers that go out of business) then you will get good service.

All the time wasted with communication & stuffing about with freight is dead time & the profit goes with it as you could be otherwise making money doing something else. If you were standing at the counter & Here it’s this one, ok I want $X then it is worth selling it for that price.

If you want a wrecker to run around for not enough reward then they are to going to make enough money to stay in business. Remember again this is not a service they are trying to provide. How would you like to reduce your income to barely sustainable because people want to buy parts that aren’t worth it to sell at the price expected?

This may mean you have to keep just the hi-turnaround bits & send the rest to the tip.

Also a business of this type has to account for being ripped off, having the place broken into, people not paying. People returning bits etc.

And then to have some prick rag your business on the internet because he can’t see this. What gives you the right to do this? Grow up!.

[NC]

Oh jeeze aye, that's not good aye.

[gav]

Huh? Wouldnt the tank have to be clean even if sent on local courier or NZ wide? Maybe their is more to this, two sides to every story etc, but original complaint seems justified? If you dont want to send stuff overseas, state clearly on website.
FWIW, I think I may have bought from him in the past and he seemed OK, but if I got a similiar runaround, think I'd be pissed too.

[F5 Dave]

Locally it is not flown on a plane, but they get pissy about sending fuel tanks around the world.

Side note they really didn't want to send this, he just kept insisting. Now they wish they had flatly refused.

[bear]

I was trying to buy something from bucket n bits but after travelling out there about three times at different times of the week gave up - cos the shop was never open. I know, I know I should have rung, but was keen on a ride, don't need the bit now anyway.

[MSTRS]

Bro, its just the way he is. Apparently he's been in a bad mood lately but if it helps i don't know anyone who likes him.
:bash:
That man won't stay in business much longer then. Obviously he has an over-developed sense of his own importance or something. His business can only exist if it has customers and let's face it, he doesn't have a monopoly on the second-hand parts market.

[MSTRS]

And then to have some prick rag your business on the internet because he can’t see this. What gives you the right to do this? Grow up!.
Poor baby....he should have stated at the outset that he supplies local market only. The customer has NO interest in the problems faced by any business - they just want what they came for. And by the way, everyone has the right to tell people about bad experiences (as well as good). Just cos this dealer is your friend doesn't mean he can't be praised or slagged when deserved. I, for one, would never deal with anyone again if I was treated badly - and I would tell all my friends too.

[Blakamin]

Poor baby....he should have stated at the outset that he supplies local market only. The customer has NO interest in the problems faced by any business - they just want what they came for. And by the way, everyone has the right to tell people about bad experiences (as well as good). Just cos this dealer is your friend doesn't mean he can't be praised or slagged when deserved. I, for one, would never deal with anyone again if I was treated badly - and I would tell all my friends too.
I agree... Dave, the "wanker tax" is something you maybe shouldn't have mentioned... I'm never gunna use them knowing that...

[Mongoose]

Poor baby....he should have stated at the outset that he supplies local market only. The customer has NO interest in the problems faced by any business - they just want what they came for. And by the way, everyone has the right to tell people about bad experiences (as well as good). Just cos this dealer is your friend doesn't mean he can't be praised or slagged when deserved. I, for one, would never deal with anyone again if I was treated badly - and I would tell all my friends too.

yeah, you are right, but the other side of that coin is anyone else can post what they think and maybe give us the other perspective so WE get a chance to balance things out.

[Amarzzata]

yes, i was aware of shipping charges and i was aware that i'd have to pay for customs and all... (which were still not included in the 340$)

The point is just that he showed up with a "surprise" price tag !! I would have paid the 100$ for tank prep and packing if he just had told me nicely that these charges aplied !! but he didnt and this pisses me off !! :angry2:

for the shiping charges, i just told him to add it to the total price of the parts so he was making as much money with me than with anyone else ! I went on NZ post website before to see how much it would be tho !!

i do some mechanical work myself and i don ttreat my clients like this...and if there is an overcharge that aplies, i call them to see if it's ok ... cuz this is always what hapens when someone gets a surprise bill !!

[Amarzzata]

And then to have some prick rag your business on the internet because he can’t see this. What gives you the right to do this? Grow up!.


first, i was just sharing my experience with every one. A bad experience...shit hapens!

Second, on a big forum like this, and the motorcycle world being prety small, i knew it would get to him somehow (i'm shure you sent him a link of this, if not, you should...he will maybe learn how to treat his customers right!!)

[gav]

I dont know if Buckets n Bits has changed hands recently but theyve been around for quaite a while. Think I bought an RG50 rolling chassis of him, once upon a time, seemed OK then.
Any courier would probably object to carrying a fuel tank that wasnt cleaned out, not just airlines, but certainly since Sept 11, it is a lot harder to ship bulky stuff around.
Have you got yourself another tank?
Why is Canadian Post so expensive compared to US Post?

[NC]

Why is Canadian Post so expensive compared to US Post?
It's the rabid mooses...

Sooo chocolatey and smooth

[Mongoose]

It's the rabid mooses...

Sooo chocolatey and smooth


Eh, whits meece gittae dae wiff this? :Pokey: :bleh:

[NC]

Eh, whits meece gittae dae wiff this? :Pokey: :bleh:
I dunno, aye.

Must be a Ruth moment, aye.

[MSTRS]

first, i was just sharing my experience with every one. A bad experience...shit hapens!

Second, on a big forum like this, and the motorcycle world being prety small, i knew it would get to him somehow (i'm shure you sent him a link of this, if not, you should...he will maybe learn how to treat his customers right!!)
Perhaps you want to hop a plane.....could be a business going cheap :devil2: I own & operate a one man business (for the past 12yrs) so I know exactly what you were saying. I spend a lot of $ on advertising - what a waste if I treat my customers like they were stupid.

[Skunk]

Buckits and Bits - never successfully purchased anything. They either didn't have it, couldn't sell, or were holding it for someone else.

And they had told me on the phone they had it and gave me a price.

After the third wasted trip out there I just gave up. Don't even bother ringing anymore. They don't exist for me.

Sorry F5Dave - just my experience. :disapint:

[jrandom]

It's the rabid mooses...

Annnnnnndd... da moose. Here, moosey moose moose.

[Mongoose]

Annnnnnndd... da moose. Here, moosey moose moose.


Do mooses live in hooses? :no:

[Stevo]

Well I really hate to say this being a thru and thru kiwi but I can only say good things about Vic m/c wreckers. (Melb. Australia) No one in NZ had the late model CBR parts that I was after so I got them from oz.

From the start they said the top fairing was damaged with two cracks, and the side fairing was scratched. I asked for photos of the top fairing (please) for which I got 3 with arrows in marker pen directed in the said areas. I was happy and purchased both items. Turned out the scratches were barely noticeable at a casual glance. I rung the guy like 3 times and added a mirror and piece of plastic as well. I have now fixed up the top fairing.

= One happy customer :2thumbsup

I understand the fuel tank issue though and I agree it does not sound like the guy communicated with you very well. Only would have taken 2-4 mins typing depnding on his speed to to send you an email.

Lesson learnt I spose. Surprised you couldn't get what you wanted off e Bay though???

[Roadrash]

Yip i've strated using vic wreckers as well and you just can't beat them, i got a reply from an email parts enquiry in 20mins and the part in 4 days no hassles
:2thumbsup :2thumbsup
if you have problems like that again or need something, drop me a pm and i will see if i can help

[gav]

Yeah, just bought a brake caliper off Vic MC Wreckers, seem pretty good.
Your right about NZ wreckers, they had diddly squat for my bike, one wrecker had two lower fairing panels and wanted $450.00 !!!! EACH !!!!! Ended up bidding on ebay and getting them for less than US$30.00 each out of Florida. Actually guy I bought them from had a VTR250 that he was chasing up VTZ250 bits, wanted to change the bike to more the naked look, he was looking for a tank here in NZ as well.

[gav]

Do mooses live in hooses? :no:
maybe they live with mongooses....... :apint:

[Blakamin]

Well I really hate to say this being a thru and thru kiwi but I can only say good things about Vic m/c wreckers. (Melb. Australia)
"Orstraya, Orstraya, Orstraya, we love you, Amen" :done:

[Biff]

I have to agree that this company sound like grade A assholes to me. If they didn't want to sell it then why give a freakin price in the first place? That's just shite business practice that gets you a bad name.

Wanker tax ? Is that what shit head, clueless company owners refer to customers as these days ?

Here's hoping they sink and a genuine caring biker takes over.

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience bro.

[pete376403]

I'm the local who was going to get the tank (thats all I understood was being bought) and send it to Amarzzata. Went to the site, explained what I was there for and asked if I could have a look at the tank so I could advise the buyer. He mumbled a lot, went out the back and bought back a sealed up box. Wouldn't let me look at it first, said he'd spent too long wrapping it up. So I said, ok, I'll pay for it now and he'll have to take his chances. He went out back again, and came back with the invoice for $340. When I said thats a bit more than the $60 I was expecting, he mentioned the 6 tailights. He then started abusing Amarzzata, describing him as a lying, slimy, cheating shifaced cunt (and much more). I was really amazed to hear a "business person" describe a customer in those terms. However I said I would contact the buyer and get authorisation before committing to that expenditure. His parting comment was to come back with the $340 or not come back at all.

Also keep in mind that as far as he was concerned, this was going to be a local purchase (by me). He wasn't going to be involved in freight, customs or anyhting else.

I've bought parts from this place before (last part was a rear hub spline for the GS1100) and got a good part at a fair price. However I'd be really reluctant to go back again. "Meaner than a junkyard dog" comes to mind.

[PZR]

I'm the local who was going to get the tank (thats all I understood was being bought) and send it to Amarzzata. Went to the site, explained what I was there for and asked if I could have a look at the tank so I could advise the buyer. He mumbled a lot, went out the back and bought back a sealed up box. Wouldn't let me look at it first, said he'd spent too long wrapping it up. So I said, ok, I'll pay for it now and he'll have to take his chances. He went out back again, and came back with the invoice for $340. When I said thats a bit more than the $60 I was expecting, he mentioned the 6 tailights. He then started abusing Amarzzata, describing him as a lying, slimy, cheating shifaced cunt (and much more). I was really amazed to hear a "business person" describe a customer in those terms. However I said I would contact the buyer and get authorisation before committing to that expenditure. His parting comment was to come back with the $340 or not come back at all.

Also keep in mind that as far as he was concerned, this was going to be a local purchase (by me). He wasn't going to be involved in freight, customs or anyhting else.

I've bought parts from this place before (last part was a rear hub spline for the GS1100) and got a good part at a fair price. However I'd be really reluctant to go back again. "Meaner than a junkyard dog" comes to mind.

Sad really isnt it. :disapint:
How do some people stay in business?? :shit:
Reminds me of service in NZ 20 years ago but its rare to be treated like that these days. People have more choice these days. Access to the entire world is only a few buttons away after all

[onearmedbandit]

Seems to me the customer should have charged him a 'wanker tax', fuck that shit.

[moko]

When I said thats a bit more than the $60 I was expecting, he mentioned the 6 tailights. He then started abusing Amarzzata, describing him as a lying, slimy, cheating shifaced cunt (and much more). I was really amazed to hear a "business person" describe a customer in those terms. However I said I would contact the buyer and get authorisation before committing to that expenditure. His parting comment was to come back with the $340 or not come back at all.

Thanks for that pete,been reading through the thread keeping an open mind,2 sides to every story e.t.c. but having read of your experience I cant think of any reason why anyone would want to deal with an idiot like that.I once had a similar experience,asked a local guy for a couple of levers for a Yamaha,already found them on the net but didn`t want to wait.He quoted me slightly more for the clutch-lever,no problem,then,you know that look kids give you when they`re lying?,well I picked up on that when he asked for £10 more than for the clutch-lever,net-price was about the same.Told him no way and he got shitty.Not only did he lose that sale,o.k. not such a big deal,but I`ve never been back and tell other people about the guy as well.

[750Y]

see how damaging a thread like this can be.
Without knowing the guy it sounds like maybe he had a gutsful with this particular deal. I'm sure he must be doing something right & have plenty satisfied customers also. i just hate to see a man's name(and livelihood) go down this way...
if anyone has had good dealings with this guy it'd be the time to speak up now.

[Skunk]

if anyone has had good dealings with this guy it'd be the time to speak up now.I hope someone has. I understand that the business has changed hands since it moved to the Hutt but I'm not sure... :sweatdrop

[MSTRS]

I hope someone has. I understand that the business has changed hands since it moved to the Hutt but I'm not sure... :sweatdrop
I agree that good stuff should be passed on as well. But it's always the bad that gets concentrated on. The other thing to clarify is if the business has changed hands, which owner did the Canadian have the trouble with.

[F5 Dave]

Thank you 750Y, you are at least seeing that there are 2 sides to every story.

Sorry Pete but I guess you had met him once he had had a guts full.

I really do think it is irresponsible to rag a business on the internet, there is no right of reply & the content is slanted to someone’s feelings.

How would you feel if at school there was a rumour you had VD? Well it might be totally false, or it might be true but you took some penicillin & it was cleared up, but good luck getting a date because you have been slated unfairly.

Same owner. Have a bit of a think about how many wreckers there used to be & how many there are now. Where did the other ones go? Either they all made so much money they retired. Or they went broke. OK it's option 2.

Only the ones that survive are good at what they do or are living subsistence selling obscure airbox covers for $5.

Don’t like the prices? Go buy new ones. Not so self righteous now huh?

The guy has an encyclopaedic knowledge of many models & largely of what he has. He has spent countless unpaid hours marking trails for dirt rides & has helped a few roadracers in both time & money. This guy is a motorcyclist & a heck of a nice guy. Yes he can get moody, we all have our faults -I do. How honest are you guys doing the slinging about yours?

OK some took offence to the Wanker Tax comment. Let me put that in context. Most customers are valued -they certainly don’t get it applied. It’s only the ones that jerk you around who get that applied. Example someone calls up wanting a head for an engine. This much. Ok I’ll pick it up this arvo, please have it ready.

Engine gets striped, guy never shows. Week or so passes. So now you have an incomplete engine, a bunch of time to take it apart or put it together again + gasket & how long do leave this head on the counter?

I still conclude: Don't rag someone's livelyhood on the internet. You are not judge & jury.

[Draco]

On a positive note, i've had really good service from GP Trading. I was able to add to my order without receiving any grief. Once Gary knew me he posted the parts off before he even received my cheque. The parts arrived reasonably quickly and he always warned me if something was not in the best condition before posting it (even chucked in some stuff for free). I wouldn't hesitate in recommending giving him a call if your looking for stuff, especially if it's honda parts as that used to be his specialty before he expanded and he knows his honda's pretty well.

[Motu]

Thanks for that suport for the guy Dave,being in business has been an eye opener on how people percieve you.

Just a couple of days ago a customer came in and said I had a very good name out there,she had heard a few stories about how good we were - then I basicly didn't fix her car,took some money off her and told her to take her car away.I don't really know how she took it,but it could go either way - I was incompetant and rude and didn't know what I was doing...or we spent 2 hrs on her car,charged her for 1/4hr of labour,admitted it was beyond our ability to repair for less than $100 while she waited.It's easy to fuck up in a small business when things don't go according to plan.

[F5 Dave]

Exactly. Another friend (also a wrecker/mechanic) was repairing a bike for a customer & the sparkplug was fused into the head (or something like that from memory). Anyway he decided to take the head to a spark eroder to remove it. The guy said yeah $30-40 so he added on his labor & told the customer it should be about $X.

Goes to pick it up & the guy says $120, -won’t budge. So he can’t Welch on that (needs the head back & would get an “Oh he doesn’t pay his bills” reputation) & he can’t pass on the whole cost to the customer -so basically he has had to do a bunch of work for free, or worse.
Talking of a “doesn’t pay his bills” reputation a friend commissioned a composite petrol tank, gave the original for the mold & despite several calls & over a year gets nothing.
Then the guy who was supposed to make it is heard to say “oh he doesn’t pay his bills” . -What? For not getting anything?

But it goes to show how a slanted point of view can tarnish a person quite unfairly.

[Skunk]

I really do think it is irresponsible to rag a business on the internet, there is no right of reply & the content is slanted to someone’s feelings.
<snip>
I still conclude: Don't rag someone's livelyhood on the internet. You are not judge & jury.Sorry, I don't see the difference between the 'old' word of mouth and the 'new' internet forum method of telling people about good (or bad) service. There is no right of reply to any form of 'mouthing off' about an experience and the content will always be slanted. It will always that person's worst part of that experience too. Regardless of what else the business may have done.

I understand what you are saying about getting pissed about by customers. I get my time wasted by them every day. But they are the reason I've got an income. I have to be polite to every one of them as I know that if I'm rude to one, several will know very shortly.

Whether they find out by internet, phone, over coffee, doesn't matter. They know. (Whether they are right or wrong in their feelings, at the end of the day they are *their* feelings.) That's the deal of providing service. It must be *service*.

I don't rag businesses when I receive bad service, I just don't recommend them or use them. (At present that's two businesses... see, it has to be BAD :) )

I do rag them when the service and treatment is really shit and I can't get a satisfactory explanation from the owner. EDIT: but only to people who ask as in this thread.

I got a rep for not paying for a bike (business is gone now). I had paid in cash (as in folding stuff).

:calm:

[Blakamin]

Sorry, I don't see the difference between the 'old' word of mouth and the 'new' internet forum method of telling people about good (or bad) service. There is no right of reply to any form of 'mouthing off' about an experience and the content will always be slanted. It will always that person's worst part of that experience too. Regardless of what else the business may have done.
totally agree!!!

Shit, when I get called out at midnight to pick up a machine I dont charge them "wanker tax"... I have to smile no matter how pissed off I am or how badly they have fucked my saturday night... Word of mouth is everything... If I got shitty with customers we'd have none and I'd be on the dole.... we sacked 2 guys in the last 3 months for this reason, which is why I'm doing this job...
also, If we quote a price, thats the price... we dont change it because something went wrong... in fact, if shit like that happens we'll probably give them a discount to keep customers... I get no "right of reply" with any customers.. If our machine fucks up and I get called at 3am to fix it, thats what I do... I dont like it but its my job... I'm actually sub-contracted so I could get someone else to do it, but then I make no money.... and thats why I work... money... that wreckers not getting any of mine after hearing petes side of the story either... he wasnt the one in canada. he was going to buy a tank and the owner fucked up... I'm glad I know, saves me wasting my time and finding it out for myself...
as for pulling something off and no-one showing up to get it, at least its off now.. he wont have to do it again... I hate it when I pre-arrange a time to pick something up and its not ready... like apex motorcycles and my zeal battery (2 hour wait)... they aren't doing me a fucking favour... I'm PAYING for it!!!

[F5 Dave]

Yeah but then that engine can’t be sold as complete without extra work & maybe you might never sell that engine so it’s all lost time.

All I am saying is there is more to this story than has been discussed here, but the internet is a powerful tool for slagging people off. Look how angry some people have gotten & no one here knows the full story. Only bits taken out of context.

[Biff]

I agree with Blakamin agreeing with Skunk - tough shit is what I say. I've worked in the commercial side of my industry for 8 years now, dealing with contracts that can work out at 10's of millions of $$'s at a time. Any minor slip up costs $10's if not $100's k's of dollars in lost revenue.

If you're a good business man you take the rough with the smooth, and when the going is good you ensure that it's good enough to cover your arse during the bad times.

Here are 5 basic rules of business:

1. The customer is AWAYS right. Even if he or she is a fucker and always wrong. Because they pay your wages, overheads and put the food on your table etc etc etc
2. See 1.
3. See 2
4. See 3
5. Word of mouth is key to the success of all businesses. Remember the adage, "If a customer is happy he will tell one of his friends, if he's unhappy he'll tell 10", then they'll tell 10 more etc etc.

I can tell you untold horror stories of some huge cock ups by either myself or my staff. Shit happens, but the bottom line is customer service is what the reputation of a company is built on. Phuck that up and you deserve to go under.

Shit service really pisses me off and everyone has the right to tell anyone or as many people as they want about their experiences. At least on here there is a real right to reply, so let's cut the crap on this one. If this knuckle head feels hard done by tell him to come on here and tell us his side of the story. Free speech works here.

...........calm Biff, calm :apint:

[vifferman]

as for pulling something off and no-one showing up to get it, at least its off now.. he wont have to do it again... I hate it when I pre-arrange a time to pick something up and its not ready... like apex motorcycles and my zeal battery (2 hour wait)... they aren't doing me a fucking favour... I'm PAYING for it!!!
Yeah, that's right, as is the rest of your post - good stuff, Blakamin! :niceone:

I recently had to find a part for the 205GTi. Spent ages ringing around, eventually found something, and said I'd come and get it. They said, "It's still on the car - come tomorrow."
So, I did. Took me about 35 minutes to get there, and when I arrived, expecting it to be on the counter waiting, it was still attached to the car. So I had to wait while the dude unbolted it (with some help from me, because the 'expert' didn't know how it was attached). I didn't mind too much, because I was pleased to get it, and the guy was polite and helpful, but it did waste another 15 minutes of time I couldn't really afford. If he'd been rude to me as well (like Mr Buckets 'n Bits), I wouldn't have even considered ever going back. As it was, I bought another part I hadn't planned to buy.

[F5 Dave]

. . .At least on here there is a real right to reply, so let's cut the crap on this one. If this knuckle head feels hard done by tell him to come on here and tell us his side of the story. Free speech works here.

...........calm Biff, calm :apint:



Which wastes more time for a part he didn’t want to sell in the first place & is unlikely to resolve anything & just get into a heated mess. The damage is done, just let it lie.

[Blakamin]

Yeah but then that engine can’t be sold as complete without extra work & maybe you might never sell that engine so it’s all lost time.


My first job at 15 was at a wreckers... supply and demand... If one person wants it, theres a chance another will...or you wasted your money getting it in the first place..
and, OK, say it was lost time... thats all part of being in business... I'd hate to see the hours I really do (working out tax, repairing machines, updating).... i'd be a blubbering mess over the fact I only get $2 an hour.... all a part of being the boss


Love the rules, BB... totally on the money!!

[Biff]

I think this thread may well have dissapeared had you not informed us that Fuckit & Shits charged "wanker tax" etc. Us lot being paying customers and such like.

Nuff said

[Daisy Duke]

So Biff - is that how you can afford your Ferrari and your numerous pads around the world then, because your a nice guy to your customers? Or is it because your good times outnumber your bad times?

[PZR]

I still conclude: Don't rag someone's livelyhood on the internet. You are not judge & jury.[/QUOTE]

I disagree. The customer is not only judge and jury but executioner as well for any business. If we, as customers, do not like the service we take our business elsewhere. I deal with customers every day and some are complete fuckwits but I am still obligated to provide what they want in the best manner I can so they get what they need. Because at the end of the day if the customer gets what he wants, then there will be two results.
A/ He gets what he needed and will hopefully come back.
B/ By giving me money I make profit and can stay in business which is the final goal of all businesses.
One cannot survive without the other

I was in two minds about this thread until I saw the answer from the guy who went in to get the tank. The man at the wreckers was wrong, no argument no matter how much the Canadian mucked him around there was no need to treat the local guy like that. Perhaps an apolgy could be considered as I am sure he must be following this by now. It would go a long way to restoring peoples faith for sure.
One disgruntled customer has the potential to loose a business 60 sales (some survey I read once) and there have been how many views on this thread now?:doh:

I dealt with Buckets a couple of years ago and felt he was straight up at that time no problems from me

[Biff]

So Biff - is that how you can afford your Ferrari and your numerous pads around the world then, because your a nice guy to your customers? Or is it because your good times outnumber your bad times?


Customer is King Daisy - that's why you've spent so much or yours and Kev's money with our company over the years, because the staff here look after you, are polite, cogent and reliable. You've also told your friends about us as well. Am I right?

[Paul in NZ]

Well it's a funny old world alright!

People have a nasty habit of being (well) people and thus a little unpredictable. Seems like 2 sides to the story and while the internet is a hell of a tool to slag people off it's also a damnably easy way to get mis understood! Usually resulting in a slagging off! (sigh)

I've known various wreckers for 35 years or more and they all have good days and bad days. It's a funny old game! I think you have to accept that and there is no law says they have to deal with you if they don't like you! Like I said, they tend to be a breed apart and good on them! Helped me out more times than enough!

I've dealt with suppliers of brit bike parts that I've been assured were utter rogues and been treated like a saint. I've politely asked people to help me with all sorts of dumb shit (like welding an alloy peg hanger on a sunday in queenstown) and never had a problem.

One thing I have noticed though. People that have run ins with certain businesses seem to have lots of similar stories to tell... Funny that eh? :sly:

Paul N

Happily wrecking his own bikes

[scumdog]

Well, after all that I'm glad I'm in an occupation that has EVERYBODY liking me and no bad experiences to post here!! :killingme :killingme :wacko:

[Amarzzata]

I didnt get myself another fuel tank GAV, i started to modify the one i have instead! last w-e, I've made some big holes in my tank and i managed to form a sheet of metal to make "clip-on dents" in it...looks cool :2thumbsup but the job is only half done right now. Oh, and i know the guy you are talking about for the VTR/VTZ conversion...he's a member of our VTR250 forum.

And pete376403, thanx again for the help, and sorry for the trouble !!

[Rainbow Wizard]

I think this thread may well have dissapeared had you not informed us that Fuckit & Shits charged "wanker tax" etc. Us lot being paying customers and such like. Nuff said

There it is Dave, I figure if B&B are really into bikes it'd be a wise move for him to be a member of this site. He could then have defended himself personally, and potentially shot himself (more times?) in the foot. Looks to me like a simple case of one who can't spell trying to deal with one who can't sell!
I suspect both parties have been compromised by this joust, and probably justifiably so, and admit any impact is likely to be felt more by B&B than by the Mounty. Sure sounds like B&B could use some people & business skill training though. Don't know what the number is, but here endeth the ? lesson.

[Roadrash]

I think that as a customer when you need something you often feel like they have you over a barrell ESPECIALY when they have the part right there and other shops can't help you or will take more time, i.e 3 weeks x japan.
so bitching about getting a raw deal to whoever will listen is often the only real comeback you fell like you can get when you fork over your hard earned cash. "I will always stand by the people who help me....and tear down those who stand in my way."
:ar15: :ar15: :ar15: :ar15: :ar15:

[Kickaha]

Here are 5 basic rules of business:

1. The customer is AWAYS right. Even if he or she is a fucker and always wrong. Because they pay your wages, overheads and put the food on your table etc etc etc
2. See 1.
3. See 2
4. See 3
5. Word of mouth is key to the success of all businesses. Remember the adage, "If a customer is happy he will tell one of his friends, if he's unhappy he'll tell 10", then they'll tell 10 more etc etc.



I don't agree,the customer is always right up until the point he becomes an ignorant,arrogant fuckhead who starts costing money to service and then he can piss off,and while this happens very rarely,in the past we've have had clients who would blatantly lie to try and get their way and no matter what we did it wasn't good enough sowe would politely tell them there business was no longer required,this meant we could spend more time on other customers who didn't cause us the same grief and profitabilty rose as a result.

And the surveys we've done(a long time ago)showed that adage to be incorrect,if a guy tells five of his mates only one pays sufficent attention,if a woman tells her friends four of them do,so guess who we tended to focus on slightly more.

Word of mouth is indeed a key business ingredient and probably the best advertising a business can have.

I've dealt once with Buckets and Bits and was given quite good service even though it was small value item.


On a positive note, i've had really good service from GP Trading.

Me too! very prompt reply to my emails and the parts on the way the moment payment was recieved

[Skunk]

Who and where is GP Trading? Got contact details?

At the moment Victoria Bike Wreckers are the best I know of.

[moko]

These things do work both ways.I`ve told the story of my experiences with Te Waipounamu bike hire`s Auckland branch here before.Arrived straight from the airport after 12000 miles of air travel.As they`d warned me the XT600 I`d paid for wasn`t ready but they`d sorted me out an F650 for the same price.Bike didnt have rear pegs and I`d intended to carry a pillion for part of my trip,wasnt happy and told the guy so.With hindsight they`d supplied me with a free up-grade and I hadn`t specified that I wanted to carry a passenger,or thought to mention it.Darren told me to go and sit out in the Sun with a bottle of Stella from their fridge and he`d try and sort me out,came back 5 minutes later and he`d phoned the boss in Christchurch who`d straight away told him to give me a GS1100RS,no extra charge.Turned from a shit start to a long-awaited holiday to having the chance of playing with a bike I could never normally afford for a few weeks.Te Waipounamu did good by me and since then I`ve plugged them everywhere,anyone looking for bike hire in N.Z. gets my story trotted out.I dont know if it has ever got them more business but I hope so.
Same as here,bloke who services my bike left a main dealer and set out on his own,I was among his first customers.Bloke knows his stuff and I`ve sent a few people to him,nothing`s ever been said but I dont pay a hell of a lot to get my bike done these days.

[Biff]

I don't agree,the customer is always right up until the point he becomes an ignorant,arrogant fuckhead who starts costing money to service and then he can piss off,and while this happens very rarely,in the past we've have had clients who would blatantly lie to try and get their way and no matter what we did it wasn't good enough sowe would politely tell them there business was no longer required,this meant we could spend more time on other customers who didn't cause us the same grief and profitabilty rose as a result.


I think you'll find that you are at least partially agreeing with me. The customer is always right, even if they are fuckwits. However if a cost analysis shows that is costs more to deal with a customer than you make in profit margin MOST OF THE TIME, then your business plan is fucked. However, you must take the rough with the smooth. But I accept that if you deal with a single arsehole once in a blue moon, you have a right to refuse to deal with them, without insulting them but rising above their idiocy.


And the surveys we've done(a long time ago)showed that adage to be incorrect,if a guy tells five of his mates only one pays sufficent attention,if a woman tells her friends four of them do,so guess who we tended to focus on slightly more.


Centuries of studies by experts from all over the world (including Maslow, Ford, Barnett, Lind, Mason, Marcha,Havard Business School etc ) have shown that this research of yours is generally incorrect. Granted it may be a useful local indicator for a given geographic area, type of industry and cross section of population, but I don't buy your hypothesis as a template to the successful running of business in general. Granted you may interpret your findings differently and base your business model upon a different methodology, and it may well work for you however, I'm talking about the overwhelming majority of the rest of the worlds industries. People talk - fact. Be they male or female, and with the advent of the tinternet, your reputation can take a severe hammering if you treat anybody badly, irrespective of whether or not the customer is endowed with fuckwitedness.




Word of mouth is indeed a key business ingredient and probably the best advertising a business can have.



So we agree - I think.

[vifferman]

I don't agree,the customer is always right up until the point he becomes an ignorant,arrogant fuckhead who starts costing money to service and then he can piss off,and while this happens very rarely,in the past we've have had clients who would blatantly lie to try and get their way and no matter what we did it wasn't good enough sowe would politely tell them there business was no longer required....
Word of mouth is indeed a key business ingredient and probably the best advertising a business can have.

Aye - there's the rub.
Even if a customer is "an ignorant,arrogant fuckhead who starts costing money to service", if you're not very diplomatic (I guess that your "politely telling them their business was no longer required" covers that), the word of mouth they spread about could have a much more negative financial impact than their "time-wasting, lying, cheating ways" would.

The tale of woe that started this thread illustrates this: even if Bucket 'n Bits' owner had a legitimate gripe about Amarzzata (which it appears from what has been described here he did not), if he'd been diplomatic and used "the customer is my paymaster" line, he wouldn't have got the negative rep here that he's ended up with.

So which is better: to get all shitty and aggro because he's communicated badly with the customer, lose a sale, get a reputation as being unhelpful and "meaner than a junkyard dog", or to make a bit of an effort to be civil and helpful, gain a sale, and garner a good reputation? :spudwhat:

Seems like a no-brainer to me...

[Draco]

Who and where is GP Trading? Got contact details?

G.P. Trading (Mt Maunganui)
Ph: 07-574 6688
www.gptrading.co.nz
Email: gary@gptrading.co.nz

Happy Shopping

[Deano]

I really do think it is irresponsible to rag a business on the internet, there is no right of reply & the content is slanted to someone’s feelings.



He then started abusing Amarzzata, describing him as a lying, slimy, cheating shifaced cunt (and much more).

Is there much difference here ? And Mr Buckets and Bits could sign on and have right of reply. Amarzzata was confident it would get back to him.




I still conclude: Don't rag someone's livelyhood on the internet. You are not judge & jury.

No, but we are all witnesses.

[Wellyman]

Well if anybody needs parts i could have a look for you at my work (Atomic Motorcycle Wreckers) Happy to send emails to my boss to ask him. send me a PM if anybody is looking for parts stilll.

[Skunk]

G.P. Trading (Mt Maunganui)
Ph: 07-574 6688
www.gptrading.co.nz
Email: gary@gptrading.co.nz

Happy ShoppingCheers for that.

[Krusti]

G.P. Trading (Mt Maunganui)
Ph: 07-574 6688
www.gptrading.co.nz
Email: gary@gptrading.co.nz

Happy Shopping

There you go...Internet word of mouth, slanging works both ways. I have just made a parts enquiry through a Bussiness that I never knew existed till reading this. Thanks guys! :2thumbsup

[Kickaha]

Centuries of studies by experts from all over the world (including Maslow, Ford, Barnett, Lind, Mason, Marcha,Havard Business School etc ) have shown that this research of yours is generally incorrect.


Huh,experts! what would they know :bleh:

Well it was along time a ago in a land far far away, oppps sorry wrong story

This was done in NZ about 15 years ago,however we weren't given any data on how and where it was done,but I would be interested in seeing the studies you've quoted above.


So we agree - I think.

errrrrr I'll get back to you on that


The tale of woe that started this thread illustrates this: even if Bucket 'n Bits' owner had a legitimate gripe about Amarzzata (which it appears from what has been described here he did not), if he'd been diplomatic and used "the customer is my paymaster" line, he wouldn't have got the negative rep here that he's ended up with.

And even if he had legitimate gripe about Amarzzata he had no reason to take it out on Pete376403 when he arrived to pick up the part

[NordieBoy]

Is there much difference here ? And Mr Buckets and Bits could sign on and have right of reply. Amarzzata was confident it would get back to him.

Some people don't have the time or inclination to use the internet any more than they have to.

[NordieBoy]

I've dealt with B&B a couple of times and had no problems at all.

Would deal more but he dosn't have dirt-bike bits and my road bikes don't need anything.

[Coldkiwi]

I think what should be remembered for any business is that there's a good way and a bad way to deal with problem customers (assuming you are a problem amarzzata!). The BAD way to deal with them seems to be what has been reported about B&B. The GOOD way to deal with them if they're just too much hard work (we have some clients like that) is to be professsional, polite, vaguely helpful but very very expensive! That way, they can decide to take their custom elsewhere but not have a bad taste in their mouth (after all, most people except regular (and therefore good) clients are ringing to compare prices anyway). Deciding that someone is a bad client after you've quoted them a price and then shafting them for more fee's without clearing it first and explaining why is no way to behave.

As for people 'being in a bad mood' I think thats a crock of manure. Your business should live or die by its normal practices but B&B don't seem to have that many defenders saying 'what?? how unusual! that doesn't sound like the Buckets and Bits I know'... whereas if someone had a gripe about Vic Wreckers, i'd be in there straight away saying that very thing because everytime I use them, I end up satisfied (and if they're too expensive, I'll use someone else but i'll certainly try them again)

[Amarzzata]

Well if anybody needs parts i could have a look for you at my work (Atomic Motorcycle Wreckers) Happy to send emails to my boss to ask him. send me a PM if anybody is looking for parts stilll.

thanx for the offer, but my fuel tank is already under work, so i dont need an other one anymore ! ;)

[gav]

One thing puzzles me about that deal, was Pete going to pay when he picked the parts up? I thought B&B would charge Amarzatta via a credit card? Why didnt B&B just charge Amarzatta direct?

[pete376403]

It could have been done that way but seeing as B&B were already being difficult, (mainly by saying he could not send the tank overseas) I was going to pay for the stuff there, freight it over and Amarzzta would pay me for the whole deal. We had that worked out prior.

ALSO I don't know if anyone noticed in my first post but I said I HAVE bought stuff in the past form B&B and they have sold me good parts at a fair price. Previous good experiences there are why I was so surprised at this one.
However, it's his business, to run as he sees fit.

[flipper]

Well whatever the experience of the Canadian buying the vtr tank at buckets and bits, their website clearly states that they supply Australian & NZ customers only.

Heres the text from their front page:
==============
We supply used / secondhand motorcycle parts and spares to New Zealand & Australian customers only.

If you do not live within New Zealand or Australia, please do not request items as refusal may offend
==============

And if you click on the link to get the email address, this is displayed on the following page:

==============
Overseas customers

This site is provided for Australian & New Zealand customers due to usually prohibitive freight costs for the rest of the world (US$50+).
==============

I know this because I did the website for them 2 years ago (now they maintain it themselves). You can see this for yourself: www.motorcyclesnz.co.nz

I suggest if any overseas customers want to purchase something from them then get someone off this site to do it for you or buy a locally supported model (not a grey bike). Your business is not required or wanted. This not being rude, the overhead of time is simply too much on average. it takes precious time away from meeting the requirements of our own local motorcycle scene.

And no one has any right to criticise this policy whether you like it, dislike it or whatever. It is the firms right to have this policy and it is made very clear on the website for those who can readily understand written english.

+++++++++++

It's a small operation, business and margins are very tight as is time and sometimes this shows. But they generally have pretty good prices (compared to some other dismantlers).

FYI: The owner is still the same person that started the business in Rotorua some years ago.

I've spent a lot of time with him as he helped me get into road racing 2 years ago. During this time I have at times assisted in various unpaid ways at B&B to help try and give something back. I suppose thats what I am doing now.

He has assisted many New Zealand riders in both off and on road over the years and is an honorary life member of the Rotorua MCC, in recognition of his efforts in organising motorcycing events whilst located there.

He has been active in the past in Motorcyclng New Zealand and was instrumental in formulating the original F4 & F5 bucket racing classes, hence the name Buckets & Bits.

Currently he is supporting 4 different road racers to various degrees including myself quite a bit (well not for a few months but my bones are now healed and we have commenced rebuilding the bike, (bigger, stronger and faster than before)). I'll back in F3 for the Vic Club Champs (so watch out active or prospective F3 400c riders).

He does not deal in any questionable parts and has never had any issues with the police in this regard. And yes some strange people do come in trying to offload parts at great prices that are usually obviously stolen.

I am not trying to provide a character reference (God know's I've personally had enough disagreements with him) or making excuses for any behaviour to customers that is detrimental to the reputation of his firm. (Hey, I don't always like the guy myself, but I always have tremendous respect for him.).

I am asking those of you who were not personally involved in this incident but get all hot and bothered and decide to write this business off because a related incident (of which you will hear only one side of the story) to consider these thoughts:

1. We all have bad experiences with customer service with all sorts of companies, large and small and hell, perhaps some of us have probably at some point been part of the process that provided the bad service. You are not dealing with Telecom here, just a battling 1 man band.

6. Any people on here that decide to boycott a firm because of anothers related experience please remember that people on an internet forum say and sound off more than they would in the flesh. One bad experience out of how many good experiences? Which of course you won't hear about so many of here. But thanks to those who did post them. Why not have your own experience and make your own mind up.

11. There are two sides to every story, my understandng is that the gentleman who came into to buy the parts on the Canadian's behalf was 'revved up' from the start. Whether this is correct or not I don't know or care. It's just one incident perhaps blown out of proportion, perhaps not.

21. It's hard to stay in this business in New Zealand simply due to the size of the market. I would be saddened to see someone who has given so much to motorcycling in New Zealand be driven out of his livelihood & life. (Additionally I personally would be inconvenienced if Wgtn no longer had a dismantler in town).

And finally, he might just have that odd part you need at a good price.


P.s. There is now a second employee working there, if you have an issue with the owner, when you ring, ask for Brenda, she is definitely friendlier (and a damn sight prettier).

P.P.s. If you really have to have something they have and can't deal with them, let me know (pm me) and maybe I can get it on your behalf. But if you are overseas, don't.

Cheers, and see you on the road or at the track.

[ajturbo]

i went to a local bike shop to get a battrey sensor thingy.. it is the one that sells scooters, i was recomened to got there by another bike shop!
so off i go...... asked for one...
no they didn't have one but the sales rep was suppose to be they the next day or 2..
i went a week later

hi . got that sensor???? oh i for got sorry... but the guy will be back next week..
i said why don't you just ph him now? to put it on the order?

ok the guy said ... but that will cost you $3. WTF????? what if they don't have one.... to bad!
see ya... off i went, i will put up with the red light telling me that i have no battery....

:brick: :brick: :brick:
am i wrong here????

[pete376403]

[QUOTE=flipper]11. There are two sides to every story, my understandng is that the gentleman who came into to buy the parts on the Canadian's behalf was 'revved up' from the start. Whether this is correct or not I don't know or care. It's just one incident perhaps blown out of proportion, perhaps not. /QUOTE]
My final comment. I wasn't "revved up". Arrived a the shop, waited quietly and patiently while another customer was attended. When my turn came, I said "I understand you have been talking with a person in Canada about a VTX petrol tank, and he's asked me to have a look at it" and that was it.
He wouldn't open the package so I asked about rust, he said its a twenty year old part, etc. So I said OK he'll have to take it as is and at that point I was had my wallet out to pay for it. However once the price was announced I said I'd have to get authority from (Canada) to go over the previously agreed $60. He added a few pithy epithets, and ended with "come back with $340 or don't come back at all".

I'm sure Mr B&B is really a very nice guy and does sterling service to the LOCAL bike community. But if he has been in business for any length of time he must realise how hard it is to win a good reputation and have easy it is to damage that rep. Recall that thing about "a satisfied customer will tell one other person, but a dissatified customer will tell ten". And that's what Amartazza did.

[Zapf]

I agree... Dave, the "wanker tax" is something you maybe shouldn't have mentioned... I'm never gunna use them knowing that...

how about calling it administration surcharge? because if a customer requires extra service that is above and beyond what they normally provide and take into account. Someone has the pay for that.... and would it be fair to take it out of the seller's profit?