Service nowadays?!

**Bulldog** · 31st October 2005, 23:21

I've just bought a new VTR250 from Cyclespot and they have always looked after me in the past which they've also done this time.

I am now going to be buying a rack, rack bags, and jacket and pants to complete my collection for the NZ trip early next year. I put these items at about $1500 odd.

I went into another shop in the Auckland area today (after cyclespot) just to check out prices and service etc and was amazed to find that no one would talk to me....not a beep. I was there for a good 15 minutes purely looking at gear and nothing....shame on this shop...shame. I'll also add that this is the second time in a week that this kind of service has been on offer. They're not getting a single dollar out of me.

The Cyclespot guys are always friendly and the dude in the parts department (adrian I think) is really helpfull.

**Karma** · 31st October 2005, 23:32

Perhaps you scared them?

**Gremlin** · 1st November 2005, 00:02

I know of one shop that will let you browse for while, no pressure sort of policy, then they come up and ask if you are OK.

If you want help, just go to the front. If they are then shitty to deal with, then you have a reason not to go back.

Personally, if I want help, I go straight to the counter, otherwise, I'm a big boy and will ask for help when I want it. Sometimes I don't speak to anyone unless I need it, and I like that. Better than them getting me as I walk in the door.

**Thumper** · 1st November 2005, 06:18

Two months ago I was in the market to upgrade my 250 and had my heart set on a cruiser. I spent far too many hours researching on the net, spent may Saturdays just looking in all the Auckland bike shops (“can I help you, no just browsing at this stage thank you”). My budget would either allow for a brand new 750/800 or a five to six year old 1100/1500. I really fell in love with the styling and presence of new Suzuki C50, so with cash in the bank and helmet in hand made an appearance at a well known North Shore outlet on a bright Saturday morning for a test ride.

It took about twenty minutes of looking at the bikes on the floor, getting on, getting off and looking at the detailing to encourage a sales person to make their way over to me. I wasn’t to fussed by this as they were reasonably busy, and lets face it, shopping is half the fun of ownership. Once I had the focus of the sales person, I asked a few questions that I already new the answers to as a result of my research just to make sure I was talking to someone that I would be comfortable doing a deal with. 2/5….. mmmmmm.

Next, ask for a test ride on one of the C50’s on the floor.

“Sorry sir, not possible at this time, we do however have a promotion on M50 at present, would you like to test one of these. “

No, I defiantly wanted to test a C50, the classic lines were more my style, was there any way I could get a test, if not today (what a let down), perhaps within the next week.

“I can see what I can do, are you sure you don’t want to test the M50, the price has been discounted and we are throwing in a heap of free gear?”, my answer, “No”.

I gave the sales guy one of my business cards, wrote my home number and C50 on the back, and asked to be contacted on Monday with regards the test.

One week passed and no contact at all from the dealer. Then on Trademe, a two year old VL1500LC (C90) for $1000 less than the new C50. One phone call, one test drive, handed over the cash, deal done. Two weeks after I took possession of the VL, I get a call from the dealer, “are you still interested in testing the C50?”. Answer, “No”. I now drive over the bridge when I need Suzuki specific spares or service because of the bad taste left in my mouth after this experience.

**redbaron36** · 1st November 2005, 08:38

I can too talk of these experiences of shocking service in bike shops, they shops are really stupid to do this as there is a only a small market (in comparison to other goods) and it is also fairly tight nit market, bikers talking to each other etc.
they really should get their shit together. Otherwise we just go elsewhere

**ManDownUnder** · 1st November 2005, 08:50

Originally Posted by Bulldog

I went into another shop in the Auckland area today (after cyclespot) just to check out prices and service etc and was amazed to find that no one would talk to me....not a beep. I was there for a good 15 minutes purely looking at gear and nothing....shame on this shop...shame. I'll also add that this is the second time in a week that this kind of service has been on offer. They're not getting a single dollar out of me.

Don't bag the other shop on here (I know you didn't -

) but do get in touch with them and tell the sale manager. They can't improve if they don't know...
MDU

**tracyprier** · 1st November 2005, 08:55

Originally Posted by redbaron36

I can too talk of these experiences of shocking service in bike shops, they shops are really stupid to do this as there is a only a small market (in comparison to other goods) and it is also fairly tight nit market, bikers talking to each other etc.
they really should get their shit together. Otherwise we just go elsewhere

But isn't this just a snapshot of service in general in NZ? Travel overseas any amount and you quickly realise just what shite passes for service over here in many cases.

And this persists simply because too many Kiwi's just put up with it (good to see many bikers don't though

)

Well that's my 2 cents anyway

**MSTRS:Me** · 1st November 2005, 09:13

Originally Posted by Gremlin

I know of one shop that will let you browse for while, no pressure sort of policy, then they come up and ask if you are OK.

If you want help, just go to the front. If they are then shitty to deal with, then you have a reason not to go back.

Personally, if I want help, I go straight to the counter, otherwise, I'm a big boy and will ask for help when I want it. Sometimes I don't speak to anyone unless I need it, and I like that. Better than them getting me as I walk in the door.

This is the right approach IMO. When I go into any shop, if a salesman leaps on me the minute I'm thru the door with his "Can I help you?" the reply is often along the lines of "Certainly. Fuck off & don't hassle me". Over-eager & condescending salespeople should be put in their place.

**Toast** · 1st November 2005, 09:41

Originally Posted by tracyprier

But isn't this just a snapshot of service in general in NZ? Travel overseas any amount and you quickly realise just what shite passes for service over here in many cases.

And this persists simply because too many Kiwi's just put up with it (good to see many bikers don't though

)

Well that's my 2 cents anyway

Yeah, like when you go to Asia and have any number of sales people standing right there, staring at you, or pushing things in your face...makes the shopping experience so relaxed and allows a well comtemplated decision...

If that's your thing, you want people fussing over you and hounding you, fine...

But friendly, good service on demand is far more what I go for, rather than some pushy prick jumping me.

**Bulldog** · 1st November 2005, 10:15

Don't get me wrong....I can't stand sales people jumping on me in the first 20 seconds of being there....a good sales person should know by body language alone if they should be coming at me. Either way after 10 minutes of looking through their gear I would have expected someone to pop on over and say hi.

**Toast** · 1st November 2005, 10:49

Originally Posted by Bulldog

Don't get me wrong....I can't stand sales people jumping on me in the first 20 seconds of being there....a good sales person should know by body language alone if they should be coming at me.

Definitely agree with this...they should know when to stay and when to make a move.

**Biff** · 1st November 2005, 10:58

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

Don't bag the other shop on here (I know you didn't -

) but do get in touch with them and tell the sale manager. They can't improve if they don't know...
MDU

Why not do both? I'm a firm believer in telling the world if service is crap.

**Paul in NZ** · 1st November 2005, 10:59

Originally Posted by Bulldog

Don't get me wrong....I can't stand sales people jumping on me in the first 20 seconds of being there....a good sales person should know by body language alone if they should be coming at me. Either way after 10 minutes of looking through their gear I would have expected someone to pop on over and say hi.

Statistically..... If a salesperson makes contact with you early in your visit, even with a simple, "How are you today, let me know if I can help you with anything".... There is a much much higher chance you will actually purchase something.

Having studied a little (and only a little) of the science of retailing I'm constantly amazed how most bike shops stay in business...

**manuboy** · 1st November 2005, 12:10

Originally Posted by Toast

Yeah, like when you go to Asia and have any number of sales people standing right there, staring at you, or pushing things in your face...makes the shopping experience so relaxed and allows a well comtemplated decision...

If that's your thing, you want people fussing over you and hounding you, fine...

But friendly, good service on demand is far more what I go for, rather than some pushy prick jumping me.

Think you got the wrong end of the loaf there toast, i'd agree with TP, i've travelled just enough to know that service O/S in general is just that - service (thought i've heard a lot of europe is crap). We couldn't believe in QLD, even people in dairies (admittedly in tourist outfits) are much more pleasant and better trained than any retailer i've been to here).

What passes for service here more often than not leaves me wanting to f/off without paying the bill or just never wanting to return to said retailer. I dunno wtf they teach them in hospitality class but it sure ain't hospitality.

Back the Bike shops. We must be lucky down here. Local zook shop is cool, as is cycletreads.