Mt Eden Motorcycles - Not going there again

[Robert Taylor]

Surely I wouldn't have dealt with you the next 4 times were I not happy with the service and the result.
I trust that answers that.

The whole bloody thread is about perception isn't it? I have seen a thousand times where perception is more important than the actual service itself.
The OP perceived (rightly or wrongly) that he had been ripped off (to paraphrase).
Assuming the service was good then this is simply another instance where the perception is more important than the service.


I conveyed my perception of the thread based on posts by you, sidcar bob, crasher and Quasi. It should have served as a warning that the industry reps are alienating their clientèle. Again, I would like to know if I were doing this to my clients. I would love the opportunity for client to say "look mate, you're fucking me off big time, if things don't change we're going to another supplier".

Having given my honest opinion crasher chose to berate the messenger (who actually isn't such a bad customer) and you quoted him and noted your support.

Why would you guys (industry reps) choose to alienate your customers?
So may I respectfully suggest that when your customers speak you (i.e. all industry reps) listen.

Actually no matter who is right or who is wrong re this subject and the etiquette or rather lack thereof you are 110% right about the perception thing.

I still maintain to an extent that Mt Eden have been maligned to an extent that is way over the top.

Similarly I apologise for being a little hasty in blanketly and rather too quickly agreeing with one of ''Crashers'' posts. I agree with some but not all of what he has said and disagree largely with the brutal way he has presented it. But Im sure if I was in a pub somewhere with ''Crasher'' and even Headbanger we could all get along fine.

Its always a fine line about alienating customers as it is in reality impossible to please everybody all of the time. But we adhere to the LV Martin mentality. If something isnt to a customers satisfaction we go out of our way to put it right. On that point I think we can for the very greatest part stand proud.

The viewpoints and perceptions that have come up in this thread have certainly been interesting. Ive been in this industry for 33 years and people certainly have changed. So my viewpoints come from that experience in the industry, but of course I am a consumer too of other products.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Next thread

Wellington MCyles crushed my bike to get parts money from me????


Great buisness planning Pete

Wasn't me driving the truck. Honest.

[Shaun]

Wasn't me driving the truck. Honest.

I get a % from the insurance company for that bit or parking

[Crasherfromwayback]

At no stage did I suggest anyone was trying to rip anyone off.
Why are you quoting me then spouting bullshit like that?
After 23 years in of success in the industry, perhaps the industry could reward you with some reading comprehension lessons.

Prior to the various industry reps displaying their open disdain for customers in this thread I thought most of them would have valued their clients. What can I say, I was wrong. Ironically had they (yourself, sidecar bob, RT) shut up and left it to DMNTD to deal with, their customers would still be under the delusion that they are valued, not just bunch of scum of the earth rip off bastards. That's my opinion after 40yrs as a consumer and still going strong.

My mistake re that part, and sorry for that. But I think you've missed my point re customers. I don't treat my customers with disdain...never have. As I've said before, without them, I'd be gone. My point was (and is) you're not one. Lets face it...you no doubt think I'm a dickhead, and wouldn't buy from me. That means you're not a customer of mine and more than likely never will be. As I've also said...I don't see where it says that I can't as CFWB have an opinion here, just like you can, simply because I sell motorycles for a living. You get to call me a dickhead (or whatever else you like), and I get to do likewise. It may come as a huge surprise to you, but a lot of my sales are from either referrals, or repeat business. That doesn't happen because I treat my customer badly or with disrespect. There are plenty of KBers I've sold bikes to that I'm sure (well I hope) are well happy with the deal I did for them, and the treatment they got. But you're not all gonna like me and I fully accept that. It's not gonna stop me for saying what I think. For what's it's worth...I think it's great you gave the same shops repeat business, it's how good working relationships are forged.

Pete

[Crasherfromwayback]

Similarly I apologise for being a little hasty in blanketly and rather too quickly agreeing with one of ''Crashers'' posts. I agree with some but not all of what he has said and disagree largely with the brutal way he has presented it. But Im sure if I was in a pub somewhere with ''Crasher'' and even Headbanger we could all get along fine.

Dunno about that Robert, doubt you'd like my language while I drink. It's the same as I often use here!

[The Pastor]

taking it off topic now.

george from motorcycle doctors is pretty spot on, not perfect but i can feel i can trust him and his knowledge

[Headbanger]

Dunno about that Robert, doubt you'd like my language while I drink. It's the same as I often use here!

I'm awesome when I'm drinking.

I think I'm funny and I know everything.


So, Its just like when I'm sober, except louder, less coherent, and it always ends badly.

[sidecar bob]

At no stage did I suggest anyone was trying to rip anyone off.
Why are you quoting me then spouting bullshit like that?
After 23 years in of success in the industry, perhaps the industry could reward you with some reading comprehension lessons.

Prior to the various industry reps displaying their open disdain for customers in this thread I thought most of them would have valued their clients. What can I say, I was wrong. Ironically had they (yourself, sidecar bob, RT) shut up and left it to DMNTD to deal with, their customers would still be under the delusion that they are valued, not just bunch of scum of the earth rip off bastards. That's my opinion after 40yrs as a consumer and still going strong.

Hey, i fix cars, not bikes, so i dont count.
The fact is that not all "customers" are doing you a favour.
If somebody comes to your business happily slagging off the last guy (or on the net) you can bet your arse that you will be next, & the best place for that individual to get their work done is somewhere else.
What does it take for some of you people to realise that it takes far more qualities than someone's ability to walk through your front door, for them to be a decent client, heaven forbid that saying that may dent your fragile ego's as some of the world's most awesome & loyal clients.
The client needs to want to do business with the shop, but the shop has the option of not doing business with the client & in my opinion, that right is not excercised anywhere near enough.
You may well have forty years as a customer, (which in actual fact, may only make you no more than an old bastard) but i have had over half that working every day as the proprietor, in which time i have learned how to survive.
The very poster i have quoted is happy to smugly brag about purchasing cheaper stuff on the net, so is no doubt a model bike shop client!!
From what i can gather, Bryce from the bike wreckers in Wellington dosent take shit from dickheads, & neither should he.

[Ixion]

Bike dealers don't occasionally rip people off?.....Dude I doubt there is a single soul in KB land that would believe that; no doubt the dealer calls it "maximizing profit" or some other similar white lie. No doubt a fair degree of cognitive dissonance comes into play, but the effect is still the same-a lie is a lie regardless of whether you choose to ignore it happening

I have seen some grandiose statements on KB but that one takes first place.

In 40+ years of deealing with bike shops, I don't recall any of them intentionally trying to rip me off.
Slack service, yep, lots
Higher prices than i was willing to pay. Sure
Mediocre workmanship, occasionally
Unprofessional attitudes, sometimes
But outright rip off, no. Only time I've encountered that in the motor trade was a car service.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'm awesome when I'm drinking.

I think I'm funny and I know everything.


So, Its just like when I'm sober, except louder, less coherent, and it always ends badly.

Me too. 'Cept I am funny and know everything!

[Edbear]

Me too. 'Cept I am funny and know everything!

Can't you leave something for the rest of us..?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Can't you leave something for the rest of us..?

I'd say the beer...but I love that too.

[dipshit]

I don't mind when someone makes a cockup or overlooks something. The thing that pisses me off is when they know they've done so, know that you know, yet don't give a crap or get hostile when you bring it up.

That pisses me off too. Had one of the "compulsory" services on a new SV1000 done at a dealer workshop not long ago, and when picking it up noticed the oil was way overfilled. Nothing but solid oil in the sight glass straight after shutting the engine off with the bike vertical.

Checked a couple of times at the side of the road to make sure then rode it back into the workshop. The foreman came over for a look and proceeded to lean the bike waaaay over until we could finally see the top of the oil in the sight glass.

He then without blinking an eye told me I just need to hold the bike level to take the reading properly and sent me on my way again.

I have come to realise that the lot in the industry couldn't give a shit and that they treat us like we are stupid.

Talk about it online... you bet I fucking will.

[AllanB]

Ive been in this industry for 33 years and people certainly have changed.

Yep - people have much higher expectations of what they are paying for and expect it to be cheaper! Plus they have gotten a lot ruder.

Everyone is 'busy' and in a rush.

[Smifffy]

That pisses me off too. Had one of the "compulsory" services on a new SV1000 done at a dealer workshop not long ago, and when picking it up noticed the oil was way overfilled. Nothing but solid oil in the sight glass straight after shutting the engine off with the bike vertical.

Checked a couple of times at the side of the road to make sure then it rode back into the workshop. The foreman came over for a look and proceeded to lean the bike waaaay over until we could finally see the top of the oil in the sight glass.

He then without blinking an eye told me I just need to hold the bike level to take the reading properly and sent me on my way again.

I have come to realise that the lot in the industry couldn't give a shit and that they treat us like we are stupid.

Talk about it online... you bet I fucking will.

Lol, yeah I was going to mention this earlier, but didnt, my old man had his new holden ute serviced by the holden dealership in his town, and it came back with the oil overfilled. He rang to see about them putting it right. The snot nosed 'mechanic' said "yeah it will just burn off". My old man was "Like fuck it will, cos I'm coming in tomorrow and you'll be draining it and refilling it to the correct level."