Cheeky salesman

[Robert Taylor]

The point is that every business deserves to make fair and reasonable profit and many customers make a game of beating dealers down in price. Its little wonder that so many dealers go to the wall when the margins on bikes are almost always abysmal ( FACT ) and there are too many dealers. That further exacerbates the dutch auction mentality that is so rife in this country.
So, what does everyone think is a REASONABLE percentage margin to make on a bike so that the dealer can live to open his doors another day?

[Headbanger]

The point is that every business deserves to make fair and reasonable profit

Actually no, The law of the jungle states that the strong (or the cunning will survive). There has never been a provision for everyone to get an equal slab of the pie no matter how they operate.

Aside from that, Only the market can dictate your cut. And you sure as hell don't have accept any offer you don't want to.

And try to stop crying about the abysmal profits on bikes, There is little profit in most endeavours, bike shops aren't special cases.

[YellowDog]

personally when im selling anything I cant stand it when people EXPECT some sort of deal, so for you to ask him for a good deal because "it was new afterall!" is wankish at best.

do you know the salesman beyond the breif conversation you've had with him? do you expect to maintain your friendship beyond the sale? shout him a beer when he's down? lend him your tools or the trailer? do you even know his name or is he just some salesman that you think you've got all worked out?

the idea of being a good salesman is to sell the product at it's value, not less, so if you right off the bat ask him for a deal you're pretty much saying "im not going to pay you for your knowledge of the bike, your recommendation as a good bike for me, infact I'm going to charge you for it" it's counter productive for the salesman agree and continue, if a bike is advertised at $15,000 then it's worth $15,000 if the salesman does his job, and you will be willing to pay all $15,000 too.

it's even worse when some cunt expects you to sell them the product at cost, what a fucking insult, if im not going to get paid for this sale then im not going to bother selling to you, the next customer might be more willing to recognise skill and be willing to pay for it.

do you think we just know this stuff? that we're born with this knowledge of finding you the best product? and it is the best product for you because like a motorcyclist takes pride in his riding, a salesman takes pride in his customer service.

it's made even worse when working in a place that doesnt pay a comission and therefore doesnt give discounts, but the ignorent fucking customer doesnt realise that because the salesman is not paid a comission the advice he's giving isn't just to get a sale it's genuine advice on the product, they've asked fielding questions and based upon what you've told them this is the product for you.

friends and family on the other hand I'll do a deal for (if work place allows) it's one of the perks of knowing me or being a family member of me, if you're none of the above think twice before insulting my integrity.

Dave, first of all, I would value your knowledge and experience. But I wouldn't respect or apprecaite you telling me what te right bike is for me.

Why do you think you would be able to advise me? Your interpretation of my answers to your skillfully put questions is not going to be enough; unless I am a complete n00b, then I will already know the bike I want.

I would prefer to buy from you than sourcing one on line or improting one myself, however not at any price.

Somewhere between the 15% discount that I would love to have and the 2.5% discount that you are willing to give, there is some common ground.

The day you start turning away people wanting to keep you in a job................

[Dave-]

I'd love to insult your integrity you twat.

I'd also love to see you tell your customers they are cunts ( how does calling your bread and butter a pack of cunts fit it with your integrity) to their faces.....tough guy.

lol so he calls me a twat, frees me up to call him a cunt then i guess.

there wont be any bread and butter if i sold everything at cost you cunt.

it's the salesmans job to find say 3 or 4 bikes he has that he thinks based upon his interpretations of your answers would be good for you, this is where the skill comes in, there's more to selling than just answers, obviously im going to be cautious about selling a super bike to a geriatric, although the skill comes in recognising whether he can operate one (because you never know, he might be)

[Headbanger]

lol so he calls me a twat, frees me up to call him a cunt then i guess.

there wont be any bread and butter if i sold everything at cost you cunt.

Thats cool Mr Integrity, I have read your dribble and dismissed it,Your shit is nothing to me, Mouth off all you like.

I guess your level of intelligence is its own reward.

[Dave-]

Thats cool Mr Integrity, I have read your dribble and dismissed it,Your shit is nothing to me, Mouth off all you like.

I guess your level of intelligence is its own reward.

haha the hypocrisy is brilliant.

this thread was well worth posting a rant in.

[Robert Taylor]

Actually no, The law of the jungle states that the strong (or the cunning will survive). There has never been a provision for everyone to get an equal slab of the pie no matter how they operate.

Aside from that, Only the market can dictate your cut. And you sure as hell don't have accept any offer you don't want to.

And try to stop crying about the abysmal profits on bikes, There is little profit in most endeavours, bike shops aren't special cases.

I hear you loud and clear, there is no place for fairness and no one should aspire to it. Very sad.

[Headbanger]

I hear you loud and clear, there is no place for fairness and no one should aspire to it. Very sad.

yes, That is exactly what I said, Well done. Though you missed out the part about boiling and eating children.

[Dave-]

yes, That is exactly what I said, Well done. Though you missed out the part about boiling and eating children.

wait....have you ever actually worked in sales or retail?

did you sell everything for less than cost?

is this why you don't work in retail anymore?

[Big Dave]

I hear you loud and clear, there is no place for fairness and no one should aspire to it. Very sad.

Aye - I have several business I support. AMPS & Motomail eg. I've had long standing relationships with them and I just trust the people there to treat me fairly.
Happy to pay whatever their margins are because of the service I receive and my desire to keep their doors open.

[Headbanger]

wait....have you ever actually worked in sales or retail?

did you sell everything for less than cost?

is this why you don't work in retail anymore?

Yes, I have owned my own company, Part of which was a retail outlet. I have sourced the stock, marketed the stock, and sold the stock. As well as looking after the overall business.

Yes, I have dumped stock at cost and below cost, Though the wheres and whys wouldn't have been passed along to a mere salesperson.

I don't work in retail any more because its a boring job and quite frankly I have more interesting things to do.

If you must know I have my finger in 2 other companies, One of which has retail as a secondary income source.

Don't kid yourself, I have read your dribble, There is nothing you could tell me that is worth a damn, Go back to thinking how your customers are cunts.

[SixPackBack]

Aye - I have several business I support. AMPS & Motomail eg. I've had long standing relationships with them and I just trust the people there to treat me fairly.
Happy to pay whatever their margins are because of the service I receive and my desire to keep their doors open.

Most folk have trouble comprehending that concept..............No profit=no business!

[steve_t]

Aye - I have several business I support. AMPS & Motomail eg. I've had long standing relationships with them and I just trust the people there to treat me fairly.
Happy to pay whatever their margins are because of the service I receive and my desire to keep their doors open.

Big Dave, that makes you a rarity! Most people are trying to get the cheapest deal they can... hence lots buying from eBay etc. If they can't get the cheapest, they're looking for the 'extra value' from a retailer eg the free helmet or free jacket. Unfortunately, this mentality leads retail to become more like cars sales where the sticker price is inflated knowing that customers are going to haggle. Suddenly people who find they've paid sticker price when they didn't need to feel ripped off. It is the way of the world.
If people feel they are getting 'added value' from the retailer either via excellent service or perhaps a discount off sticker price (or both!), they are more likely to become repeat customers. The repeat business then becomes your bread and butter. Unfortunately for the retailers, people don't need to buy bike gear or new bikes with the same frequency as most women buy shoes and bags.

[Dave-]

I had trevor pierce here in chch do the insurance on my bike because i'd seen and heard good things from him.

what i recieved was exactly that, so i went back and bought a pair of boots and a helmet at marked price.

some bike shops do me deals (couple of bucks off) because I shop at them regularly, but I've never asked for it, and I've never expected it.

[Taz]

Where do you work Dave- ??