Bad Impression - Christchurch First European Motorcycles

[TheDemonLord]

Who wouldn't, she's pretty tappable.

Pics or it didn't happen

[Banditbandit]

Like Mossy I've never ridden a bike unless I was seriously thinking about buying it ...

I rode a mate's 1250 before I bought mine and the first time I saw it was when I arrived to collect the actual one I paid cash money for ...

If I'm test riding I usually arrange the time, (and discuss money then - like How Much for CASH?) and because I'm riding I turn up on a bike (then they see you can ride) and I'm happy to leave the keys to my bike with the shop ...

I look like a hood with permanently visible tattoos, black leathers with cut offs ...

I've never had any issues with testing bikes and I've been offered test rides by salespeople when I'm "just browsing" ...

[Maha]

At least they spoke to you guys.

I rocked up at Red Baron with 12K loaded on my eft pos to buy a bike they had on their web site (assuming it rode OK - and it was much less than 12K BTW).

I turned up in a 2 year old Calais and was well dressed - I thought that should have spelt "SALE".

No one even acknowledged my existence! However, as the team were busy, I was happy to wait until they were free.

The first salesman (?) that came free went to talk to some other guy that has just walked in (apparently to pick up a bike).

I left with my money in my pocket and went elsewhere.

I actually emailed the sales manager to express my disappointment, I never heard back!?!?!?!



Had great service since from Coleman's and the guys on the shore (bike shops) all talked to me - so maybe I was invisible on that day?!?!?!?!?

Had a similar experience at Red Baron, took an age to be approached and once that contact had taken place (I got the attention of a sales guy) he took a while to find the keys (back at his desk tapping away on the computer) anyway, took the bike for a ride and when I got back he asked ''how was it''? then walked off and got busy with someone wanting to look at a scooter, the time went spent there that morning, it seemed they were intent on upping their scooter sales, I went to Holeshot and bought a Triumph ST. Bought four bikes off them now.

[Paul in NZ]

True story… My Dad was a mechanic and had his own workshop.

One of his more eccentric clients was a huge southlander who was the scion of a very well known family known for holding vast tracts of land and vast vaults of cash. He was also an ex All Black and farmer and about a groomed as a haystack after a tornado had hit it. As opposed to famous people these days and despite loads of loot he always looked like a sack of recently dug swede draped in a smelly tweed jacket.

His biggest vice was cars and women.

His current unofficial wife had managed to set fire to his expensively imported American car and Dad had it in the shop rebuilding it. Sooo… A replacement was required… He rocked up in a taxi and asked Dad… ‘So – what about one of those bloody Jaguars? Any good???”

Oh – do you mean an XJ6?

Nah – one of those 12 cylinder bastards, I like the sound of that…

Hmm – I dunno, what about a Mercedes?

What? A kraut car eh? Right – grab yer hat n coat and we’ll go look at one..

So Dad had to chuck a jacket over his overalls and drive him to the Mercedes Dealership…

You can image a raggedy arse mechanic in overalls and jacket and gigantic bluff farmer with a big red boozers nose and said farmer is slamming the doors and peering into the boot of a top of the range SL something and wondering if he can get a bail of hay in the back.. The salesman shot out with a look of horror on his face…

Said farmer just ignored him and said – ‘Right, how much is this bastard then??” Got out his battered stub of a cheque book and started writing… Salesman was about to turf them out until he caught a look at the name on the cheque book and twigged who he was… Suddenly it was all oil and white teeth…

Said farmer drove off with merc …. On dealer plates while they sorted out the rego…

[Flip]

The sales staff have fuck all to do with anything when I buy a car or bike.

Saying that I have always got brillant service from the HD dealerships. But I knew what I wanted before I got there. When I brought the Lotus the sales manager from Ak lent me an almost identical car for the weekend. I should point out I was in Christchurch at the time. He drove down for a business trip and left a demo car with me for 2 days.

The only time I got a funny salesman was one at Archibalds in Chch when I was looking for a new Defender. Not that he had any influence but I did decide after sitting in a new one that my old V8 hell truck was just as usefull a vehicle as a new diesel vehicle.

[Flip]

My Dad went to a house auction, just a old guy in a ripped old jersy in his old baggie work pants. He bid and brought a house he was interested in and he paid the deposit with a personal check. The realestate company called the bank and asked if it was good. The bank said Dad is their landlord and owns half of Riccarton and they would honor any check he writes out.

[Gremlin]

As opposed to famous people these days and despite loads of loot he always looked like a sack of recently dug swede draped in a smelly tweed jacket.

Don't worry, there are still multi-millionaires about that you'd never pick.

Some still wearing stubbies, singlets and you guess they might be able to find a couple of dollars to rub together.... until they rock up in 6 figure cars (and different ones to boot every other week). Difference is many are self made, work hard, and have no need to flash it about and make a statement.

It is true though, rock up to a dealership on a flash bike and you'll likely get more attention than a grubby old bike. Ultimately there are still plenty of time wasters out there, whom the buyers don't see, but dealers do. My problem is more the opposite, given plenty of encouragement to ride things I really don't want to

[TheDemonLord]

Don't worry, there are still multi-millionaires about that you'd never pick.

Some still wearing stubbies, singlets and you guess they might be able to find a couple of dollars to rub together.... until they rock up in 6 figure cars (and different ones to boot every other week). Difference is many are self made, work hard, and have no need to flash it about and make a statement.

Very true - a good family friend was one such millionaire, his vice was his boat and going on boating trips, but would still buy his clothes at the Warehouse.

[Pontiac_Tonz]

True story… My Dad was a mechanic and had his own workshop.

One of his more eccentric clients was a huge southlander who was the scion of a very well known family known for holding vast tracts of land and vast vaults of cash. He was also an ex All Black and farmer and about a groomed as a haystack after a tornado had hit it. As opposed to famous people these days and despite loads of loot he always looked like a sack of recently dug swede draped in a smelly tweed jacket.
................................

A good mate of mine (unfortunately no longer with us) was worth a mint, had no less than 8 American Muscle cars in the garage including a six figure limited edition Corvette.

Had the weirdest sense of humor. He would buy these old shitter cars for $600.00 and drive them into the ground. Always wore jandals and shorts, and you wouldn't pick him for being worth a couple of million.

His suppliers (plumber) certainly knew him and always looked after him as he was a cash on the nose type of guy, others saw a bum with no money and crap car.

The guys that didn't judge, got a loyal and valuable customer.



Always assume the customer will buy until they prove otherwise!

[sidecar bob]

Very true - a good family friend was one such millionaire, his vice was his boat and going on boating trips, but would still buy his clothes at the Warehouse.

I doubt that having millions of dollars makes one any less thrifty, these things are usually hard wired from an early age.

[jasonu]

I look like a hood with permanently visible tattoos, black leathers with cut offs ...

I've never had any issues with testing bikes and I've been offered test rides by salespeople when I'm "just browsing" ...

They are prolly to scared to say no to you...


In the olden days I used to visit Mike Vinsen Suzuki when they were down on Beach rd for a bit of tire kicking. Test rides were never a problem. they let me out on a wire wheel Kat, an rz500 with 5000km's on the clock and a near near GSXR1100. I was really young and had buggar all dosh and they new it. Didn't stop me from buying the RZ500 and later the GSXR1100 using the HP they gladly organized for me.

[mossy1200]

I look like a criminal and was offered a testride on a desmocedici, you guys must have bad attitudes.

Drug dealers buy expensive bikes.

[ellipsis]

you guys must have bad attitudes.

...or no vibes at all...

[mossy1200]

I will come clean. I have taken out 3 bikes on test rides and not bought them.

ZXR750 in early 90s. Was in a car yard and I suspected it was a has been crashed. Just didn't feel good.
Harley soft tail on a demo day maybe 8-10 years ago. Thought I might like one but turned out wasn't for me. Maybe ill buy one later but it would need be a road king style and not in the near future.
KTM superduke 1290r. Was convinced idd like it but it wasn't for me. Likely have bought one if there hadn't been a demo available. Spent a lot of time online studying reports and reviews and watch clips and really wanted one.

[Ocean1]

I doubt that having millions of dollars makes one any less thrifty, these things are usually hard wired from an early age.

Yes, no matter how much you earn you'll not be wealthy long unless you spend less.