Cheeky salesman

[Densial]

ok, so a week ago I was over at cyclespot trying on a bike. I quite like it and after thinking for the week I thought I would be a bit cheaky and make a low ball over, see what happened.

So I send the nice salesman who's card I had an email saying I tried this particular bike on for size and would be interested in talking turkey. He sent back and email and said sure, give him a call. I did and told him I wanted a bike and liked this one and wanted a good deal, it was new after all!

He asked me what I wanted to pay, I told him, and he said that actually he didn't have that bike anymore, but did I want this other one instead!

how's THAT for cheaky, I've been telling my work mates, cheaky isn't really the word they used but you get the drift. Anyone else have any problems with these dudes?

[vifferman]

Anyone else have any problems with these dudes?

Of course not! They're great guys, salt of the earth and all that.
The fact I haven't been back to Cyclespot in the (nearly) 5 years since I bought my VFR is entirely coincidental, and due to something else entirely.

[Mully]

That's his job - to sell you a bike. His bosses don't care which bike in particular.

If you'd e-mailed him and he'd come straight back to you saying "Nah, it's gone" he would have missed out on the chance to sell you something else. You wouldn't be the first (or the last) to have bought a different bike cos the salesman did his job.

If he happens to be a bit cheeky to get the opportunity to sell you something, it's your call (as the one holding the cash) to continue to deal with him or take offence and walk away.

And you're bound to get half-a-dozen people on here saying "No, they're great" and another half-dozen saying "Yeah, they're shit". It's the nature of the beast. One person's "leaving me alone to have a look" is another person's "ignored me when I wanted to talk to someone"

[Mystic13]

I've never tried them for anything other than parts and at parts/tyres they'd be the most useless shop I've ever spoken with.

"Hi, I'm after some tyres for my road bike 150/70/17 rear and 110/70/17 front's for a track day do you have B45's."

CS - "Hang on I have a tyre chart for different bikes I'll check that. What sort of bike is it?"

"An 88 Honda Bros 650"

CS - Lots of paper shuffling "What sort of bike is that?"

"It's a road bike, V-twin. I want to run it on the road and track"

CS - Long pause and lots of paper shuffling "I recommend the TW...(Sorry I can't remember the number for the story but he gave one)"

"Aren't those dual purpose tyres?" As I thought the TW meant trail wings.

CS - "yeah they are"

"Mate, they'd be useless on the track and on a road bike"

CS - "Oh I thought you meant like an off-road track through the bush"

The conversation continues for a couple more random suggestions before I bail.

Either the guy has a lucky dip box their where he pulls the package out and unwraps it to expose the tyre recommendation or he has no %$#@#ing clue.

I pity a noob ringing the guy. Personally I think they should either;
a/ not advertise so that people don't ring them and be put off or
b/ change the parts person.
c/ get a more comprehensive chart.

The previous experience was just as bad. I can only think the parts department would be useful for light entertainment with a few friends over. Put them on speaker and then ring them.

[Robert Taylor]

ok, so a week ago I was over at cyclespot trying on a bike. I quite like it and after thinking for the week I thought I would be a bit cheaky and make a low ball over, see what happened.

So I send the nice salesman who's card I had an email saying I tried this particular bike on for size and would be interested in talking turkey. He sent back and email and said sure, give him a call. I did and told him I wanted a bike and liked this one and wanted a good deal, it was new after all!

He asked me what I wanted to pay, I told him, and he said that actually he didn't have that bike anymore, but did I want this other one instead!

how's THAT for cheaky, I've been telling my work mates, cheaky isn't really the word they used but you get the drift. Anyone else have any problems with these dudes?

First up best dressed bought that bike first. Cannot blame them for that, thats business.

[sinfull]

I thought I would be a bit cheaky and make a low ball over, see what happened. ?


Can't see anything wrong with the Sales mans approach !
Me i would have been into him, saying ok so what time should i come to test ride this bike and any others that might be on the floor as well ?

[Densial]

actually, it's more about him asking me what I would be willing to offer for the bike THEN telling me he didn't actually have it any more. don't get me wrong, these guys have to make a living too and I am more than happy to help with that, I need these guys to service my bike, sell me parts and (eventually) take it back and sell me a new one, but when I ask someone for a deal and they lead me on with "ok so what are you looking to pay" and THEN say he doesn't have it any more, that's when it sounds dodge to me. If he had said straight up front "sorry we've sold that one, give me a call and I will do you a good deal on a later model" then I would have given him a call, but he didn't. Pretty simple. I got plenty of cash to spend and am gagging for a new bike, explain to me how miss-representing stock levelsn to me on the phone helps his cause.

[Headbanger]

Just remember that salesmen want your money,thats it, they will try and get it anyway they can (depending on morals/greed) If you happen to get the best bike for you at a good price then its either luck or you done your homework.

Never listen to their bullshit, and make up your mind what you want and what your prepared to pay before you talk to them. And get your stare down pat and use it on them when they try and bullshit you. If It gets to much I simply dismiss the salesman and talk to someone else.

As for getting lied to, He already fucking lied to you. You still want to deal with him? Why,to be fed more lies?

Sure, I take offence easy, I don't like the taste of bullshit.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Just remember that salesmen want your money,thats it, they will try and get it anyway they can (depending on morals/greed) If you happen to get the best bike for you at a good price then its either luck or you done your homework.

Never listen to their bullshit, and make up your mind what you want and what your prepared to pay before you talk to them. And get your stare down pat and use it on them when they try and bullshit you. If It gets to much I simply dismiss the salesman and talk to someone else.

As for getting lied to, He already fucking lied to you. You still want to deal with him? Why,to be fed more lies?

Sure, I take offence easy, I don't like the taste of bullshit.

Jesus mate...if I lied and talked utter shit I'd lose my job. FACT.

[Headbanger]

And just because I rarely shut the hell up.

Ive worked in retail, Had my own company in fact, I never once lied to anybody to sell anything ,never saw the need, Not that kind of person, and It probably would have kept me awake at night if I did.

Bull shiters should me made to feast on their own shit.

[Headbanger]

Jesus mate...if I lied and talked utter shit I'd lose my job. FACT.

Sorry, Didn't mean you or any of the other honest sales people out there. of which most are Im sure.

My bad for a scatter-shot rant.Bitter, Jaded, I am.

Non-bullshitting salespeople are champions.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Sorry, Didn't mean you or any of the other honest sales people out there. of which most are Im sure.

My bad for a scatter-shot rant.

Non-bullshitting salespeople are champions.

Thing is with the bike industry...is we're dealing with people that love motorcycles...just like I (we in the industry) do. In my 20+ years in the industry...I've only ever come across a few shit talkers...and they don't last long.

[325rocket]

different shop but ...

about a year ago
i had a test ride on a bike on thursday / liked it / agreed to a price / agreed to a trade in price for my bike. had to go on holiday on friday and agreed to complete the sale on monday. *the point to note here is that the price we agreed on was a pretty sharp price, not crazy cheap but pretty good.
monday rolls around and i head in to finish the deal only to be told the trade in would be less and the bike would cost more.
as i left i noticed a sold sticker on the bike but i kept walking. found out later they did a deal over the weekend that didnt require a trade and they got a better price.

is that just business???

[Mully]

actually, it's more about him asking me what I would be willing to offer for the bike THEN telling me he didn't actually have it any more.

OK, I see your point here.

This is "Vehicle Sales 101" - Find out how much they have to spend and spend it for them.

If you e-mailed and said "I wanna pay $8K - he then knows you have $8K to spend on something.

I've had a cage salesman try to do the same to me. Find out how much you can afford (either outright or weekly) and sell a car to match that figure.

IMO, you shoulda gone in looking for a deal at the sticker price or just below.
Dunno what the bike was worth, but maybe say:
"I want X dollars to spend in your parts/accessories/clothing department, plus take those tyres off and replace with XYZ tyres."

[Headbanger]

well, I can do a quick trip around a half dozen local shops and I can get bullshit on varying levels from all of them.

As an example the GSX I looked at a couple of weeks ago is simply an old bike past its best days and not worth a lot of money, It isn't as I was told a great bargain, as good as modern bike, or heaven forbid an investment as its almost reached classic status. You think they took any noticed as I shook my head and walked out?

What I like best though is phantom bikes.

Hi, Im after a CR 450 do you have anything along those lines?

No, Not at the moment but I'm in the process of trading one in........It will be on the shop floor in a week, but just for you we can make a deal and pass it right along. Give me your number and I'll sort it.

Gives number.


silence.




Ring back 2 weeks later.

Hey, I'm enquiring about that CR450 you were taking in as a trade, You were going to get back to me?

Cr 450?, We dont have any of those mate how about a ******