Unhelpfull peoples !!

[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:
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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....


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?