WORST bike shops

**b1kerb0b** · 14th November 2008, 06:49

Originally Posted by Horse

Clearly he identified with the sign, as demonstrated by his behaviour.

Some clients are actually a win for a business to lose, regardless of how "big" they think their planned order is. A lot of business actually operates on thin margins, and endless stuffing around from an indecisive client can eat away at those margins fairly quickly.

LOL fair call

I don't quite agree about indecisive clients though, with thin margins indecisive clients can sometimes make the difference, but it depends on how you treat them...

**Pex Adams** · 14th November 2008, 08:34

I'm taking my bike to this guy..

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/bu...=1&oref=slogin

**Oscar** · 14th November 2008, 08:57

Originally Posted by b1kerb0b

What I should have mentioned is that it was also the way their floor staff approached customer relations... ie the very thing we are discussing in this forum.

I was using it to illustrate the fact that this issue impacts quite a few industries, not just retail.

However it seems particularly endemic in ours for some reason.

The guy was stupid to assume that his sense of humour would intersect with that of his clients anyway. Humour is a very personal thing - try telling your favourite bad taste joke to yer Mother-in-law...

**warewolf** · 14th November 2008, 11:00

Originally Posted by Oscar

The guy was stupid to assume that his sense of humour would intersect with that of his clients anyway. Humour is a very personal thing

Timing is everything...

Once I bought a laptop specifically to run Windows NT Workstation. It's sat on my desk, shiny "certified for Windows NT Workstation" badge on it, no workee. Ring the support line, while the bloke starts searching for the solution, he quips, "Ah, those things aren't NT certified!" Of course, most lappys in the range weren't. As a fellow supportee, I understood where he was coming from, I got the joke, but it pissed me off at the time.

**vifferman** · 14th November 2008, 12:12

Originally Posted by Pex Adams

I'm taking my bike to this guy..

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/bu...=1&oref=slogin

Ahhh - now there's someone who understands service, and what this thread is about.

**KX500** · 20th December 2008, 08:32

If you are into false promises for 7 months Al the Londoner mechanic will be able to help you out.
7 months to replace the crank seals and few other straight forward odds and sods.

No doubt still be waiting if I had not walked in there and eluded to Al he may very well be shouted a "Liverpool kiss" on the spot, motor was ready for collection a week later.

**Macontour** · 22nd December 2008, 00:34

This post is actually about good treatment at a Bike shop. I was off bikes for 8 years before deciding it was time for a Duke. Haldanes put up with me spending a lot of time in there "just looking" as it was a big decision for me. Once I was getting ready, Richard said he had a Superlight due in a few weeks and eventually called me to let me know it had arrived. He offered me other options as well. They put up with me taking the Superlight and a Monster out for comparison rides on 3 seperate occasions. At no stage was Richard pushy, he knew that I had to sort it out in my own mind and let me do that without pushing me in the direction of the most expensive bike, in fact the other staff there were pretty helpful and non pushy as well. I made my choice, made an offer and the deal was done. It was nice not to have a pushy salesman trying to force me to buy before I was ready.

Also big compliments to the young Lady at Supercross Cycles( I think thats the name) on Te Rapa road along from Boyds and Road n Sport. Very knowledgable about motorcycle apparel and very helpful including looking up stuff on the computer for me. Her Sister works across the road. You are a champ!!!

**Gubb** · 22nd December 2008, 09:19

Just an idea, but you may want to remove that in a thread about BAD bike shops.

There are plenty of good ones available.

If someone searches for those shops, and they pop up in a thread about bad shops, it doesn't look very good for 'em.

**TLDV8** · 22nd December 2008, 11:47

Originally Posted by Macontour

I was off bikes for 8 years before deciding it was time for a Duke. Haldanes put up with me spending a lot of time in there "just looking" as it was a big decision for me. Once I was getting ready, Richard said he had a Superlight due in a few weeks and eventually called me to let me know it had arrived. He offered me other options as well. They put up with me taking the Superlight and a Monster out for comparison rides on 3 seperate occasions. At no stage was Richard pushy, he knew that I had to sort it out in my own mind and let me do that without pushing me in the direction of the most expensive bike, in fact the other staff there were pretty helpful and non pushy as well. I made my choice, made an offer and the deal was done. It was nice not to have a pushy salesman trying to force me to buy before I was ready.

A great story but at some stage you need that bike serviced.

**ColonelKFC** · 22nd December 2008, 12:30

Can't honestly ever say Ive been in ANZA after a mate reckoned he got ripped off there when he bought his GPZ500. AFC is alright (or used to be havent been there for 5 or so years) but I would rate Manawatu Motorcycles although small I found them to be good at repairs to my 82 GSX and my 86 GPX 250's.
Was one very good place in Auckland who sorted me out with a part when i dropped my suzuki they got it freighted from wanganui at reasonable price over easter as well. I just cant remember the name place. It wasnt Red Baron or Cycletreads.
As for Christchurch Im about to get some repairs done to a 82 Yamaha XJ 650 so if anyone knows where is good for a fuel line replacement it be great.
If you are after parts in Chch Japanese MC parts, in Tuam St is the way ahead. sorted me out cheap parts when the movers busted the brake lever and indicator of my GPX, Unfortunatly had to rebuild fairing myself.

**Drogen Omen** · 22nd December 2008, 13:54

The worst bike shop in the Wellington region for bikes, service and repairs has to be TSS Red Barron in Lower Hutt. >> i wouldnt deal with them ever again even if they were the only bike shop in welly...

Welly motorcycles is pretty good. havent had any issues with them at all.

**prettybillie** · 22nd December 2008, 17:33

Originally Posted by Firefight

shit you must have big pockets if you can afford to shop at Motomail, apart from their anual sale, were the odd bargan may be found, they would have to be the dearest place in NZ to buy from.

F/F

I don't mind paying for the service you get at Motomail - it seems to be the only shop in NZ that has consitantly fabulous service.

Oh I've got to give big ups the TSS Red Baron in Lower Hutt too. They seem to be the only bike shop that will sell a bike to a female regardless of how great their boobs are!

**Dodgy** · 22nd December 2008, 19:32

When I was much younger, the fuck stain at Wellington Motorcycles (still works there behind the counter) tried to sell me a low grade Arai off as the top of the line. I ordered and pre paid for a Quantum and got something down the bottom. Being in my teens, I handed over my money and felt a bit shitty, but later in the day I took it back and stood up for myself. Cue lots of shouting in the shop from him, whereas I produced a Arai brochure showing the difference.

My I am a little older and have too much money to burn. Never going back there though (although Pete is a good bastard). Sometimes it seems that retailers forget that teenagers grow up to be adults with $$$$ disposable income!

Likewise Sawyers who completely scoured some rims once, it must been an absolute muppet on the tyre machine!

These days I tend to do all the work myself (joys of racing!) and let the occasional work out to specialists.

If you are in the Manawatu, always trust Total Motorcycles. Pete is great at his job and a fab tuner and engineer.