More good service in Chch

**jim.cox** · 29th July 2010, 08:34

Out in search of new gloves yesterday, I went wandering down Manchester St.

Interesting to see the different bike shops in action

Ignored totally at the Hardely Ablesome dealer - must have known I'm a Duc owner

Well assisted at both the adnoH and Trumpet dealers - but unfortunately nothing that quite fitted - apart from a 675 that is

And, as usual, brilliant service from Sportzone Suzuki - enthusatic and knowledgeable sales staff, with a genuine desire to assist.

I am now the proud owner of a pair of Alpinestar SP3's

**rastuscat** · 29th July 2010, 09:23

The Hardly Ablesome people are actually okay.

Some people like to be approached by a salesperson, others prefer to be left alone. All you have to do is ask, and the Hardly people are really good.

Gotta agree tho, the Sportzone guys rock.

**onearmedbandit** · 29th July 2010, 09:44

Originally Posted by rastuscat

The Hardly Ablesome people are actually okay.

Some people like to be approached by a salesperson, others prefer to be left alone. All you have to do is ask, and the Hardly people are really good.

Gotta agree tho, the Sportzone guys rock.

First rule in sales is acknowledge each and every customer who walks into your business. You spend thousands on advertising, hundreds of thousands on the right location, all for a lazy salesperson to not acknowledge a punter that walks on in. All it takes is a nod of the head, eye contact, a friendly smile. It doesn't have to be a direct approach, in fact it should never be a direct approach.

I've been in there before, I felt like the salespeople though they were something special. I never got approached. Are they able to analyse my needs by just looking at me. I hate arrogant salespeople, like they have a carrot stuffed up their arse just because whatever they sell is high end. Guess what, I'm buying it, you're only selling it. (And I sold vehicles for 10yrs so I have some experience of what makes a good salesperson and what doesn't.)

**Tunahunter** · 29th July 2010, 09:51

Originally Posted by rastuscat

The Hardly Ablesome people are actually okay.

Some people like to be approached by a salesperson, others prefer to be left alone. All you have to do is ask, and the Hardly people are really good.

Gotta agree tho, the Sportzone guys rock.

Agree with you -it's a tough one eh? Sometimes you are in 'buy' mode (attend to me!) other times 'just havin' a perv mate' ( f%#k -off and leave me alone!) - must be hard for an assistant to figure us out sometime.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 29th July 2010, 10:00

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

First rule in sales is acknowledge each and every customer who walks into your business. You spend thousands on advertising, hundreds of thousands on the right location, all for a lazy salesperson to not acknowledge a punter that walks on in. All it takes is a nod of the head, eye contact, a friendly smile. It doesn't have to be a direct approach, in fact it should never be a direct approach.

I've been in there before, I felt like the salespeople though they were something special. I never got approached. Are they able to analyse my needs by just looking at me. I hate arrogant salespeople, like they have a carrot stuffed up their arse just because whatever they sell is high end. Guess what, I'm buying it, you're only selling it. (And I sold vehicles for 10yrs so I have some experience of what makes a good salesperson and what doesn't.)

Originally Posted by Tunahunter

Agree with you -it's a tough one eh? Sometimes you are in 'buy' mode (attend to me!) other times 'just havin' a perv mate' ( f%#k -off and leave me alone!) - must be hard for an assistant to figure us out sometime.

You should always at the very least be greeted!

**neels** · 29th July 2010, 10:42

Originally Posted by Tunahunter

Agree with you -it's a tough one eh? Sometimes you are in 'buy' mode (attend to me!) other times 'just havin' a perv mate' ( f%#k -off and leave me alone!) - must be hard for an assistant to figure us out sometime.

Nah, it's not hard, all they have to do is walk over and ask if they can help. If I say no because I'm in browsing mode, piss off and leave me alone to browse, if I'm in buying mode I'll tell you what I want so you can help me.

On many occasions this has determined whether I have made a purchase or not, I've walked out of one shop where I was ignored and into the one next door where they at least say hello and spent my money there instead.

When I was shopping around a while ago I went into about 5 shops before I found one that was interested in giving me the time of day, because they took an interest in a prospective customer I spent $1100 there.

**slofox** · 29th July 2010, 14:32

What's with the little shop that has the Italian bikes parked in it? Like a couple Guzzi's, Duc's etc? Is it a bike shop or does it use the bikes as props. It's just along from Casbolts - same side of the road...

**onearmedbandit** · 29th July 2010, 15:19

Originally Posted by slofox

What's with the little shop that has the Italian bikes parked in it? Like a couple Guzzi's, Duc's etc? Is it a bike shop or does it use the bikes as props. It's just along from Casbolts - same side of the road...

Not been there myself but my understanding is that the bikes are for sale.

**vifferman** · 29th July 2010, 15:36

Yessss.....
It's a thin line between holding back too much, and being too pushy. But is it so hard to at least say, "G'day! Can I help you with anything?" I'd rather that (or some other small talk / pleasantries) than being totally ignored.

Like the other day - spent over an hour in a local appliance store, eventually decided what we were going to buy, and couldn't get the attention of any of the sales droids. Eventually ended up feeling really pissed off, and walked out. No commission for anyone that day. I'm not sure we'll be going back to that particular store again either, despite having spent probably nearly $10k there in the past.

**rastuscat** · 30th July 2010, 09:27

Gotta agree. All I want in a salesperson is a friendly "Giddy, can I help?"

I don't want someone breathing down my neck. I just want someone to offer me help, and to clear off if I'm just kicking tyres.

I had a god run with the Hardly Ablesome folk coz I knew what I wanted, and only they stocked it.

So there.

**ukusa** · 30th July 2010, 10:07

different strokes for different folks. I personally hate it when I've been in a shop for less than 10 sec & someone asks me "can I help you". Some of you may like that, but it annoys me. Usually because I want to have a bloody good browse around the bikes first. A friendly greeting when I enter is great, usually followed by a "sing out if you want any help" (no, I don't break into song

.
If I was going there to buy a specific thing (eg. a new visor for my KBC helmet) I would go straight up to the counter & ask.
Personally haven't had too many problems with the service down Manchester Street (the bike end, not the other end !!!)

, other than the prices of course.

**onearmedbandit** · 30th July 2010, 10:18

Originally Posted by ukusa

different strokes for different folks. I personally hate it when I've been in a shop for less than 10 sec & someone asks me "can I help you". Some of you may like that, but it annoys me. Usually because I want to have a bloody good browse around the bikes first. A friendly greeting when I enter is great, usually followed by a "sing out if you want any help" (no, I don't break into song

.
If I was going there to buy a specific thing (eg. a new visor for my KBC helmet) I would go straight up to the counter & ask.
Personally haven't had too many problems with the service down Manchester Street (the bike end, not the other end !!!)

, other than the prices of course.

What you've described as your ideal 'meet and greet' is what we've all been talking about in this thread.

**far queue** · 2nd August 2010, 21:54

Originally Posted by slofox

What's with the little shop that has the Italian bikes parked in it? Like a couple Guzzi's, Duc's etc? Is it a bike shop or does it use the bikes as props. It's just along from Casbolts - same side of the road...

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Not been there myself but my understanding is that the bikes are for sale.

I'd been wondering the same so popped in for a nosey around the other week and had a chat to the owner. He struck me as a nice guy and yes it's a bike shop. He's the current Guzzi dealership and has also taken over the Kymco brand from City Scooters as they're a rental only company now. It also came up in conversation that he's the son of Eric Wood, formerly of Eric Wood Motorcycles. I recommend you go and have a look around, he's got some nice bikes in there ... no, not the Kymco's!

**AllanB** · 2nd August 2010, 22:10

As above it is the new Guzzi shop. Nice set-up too, and he appears to be a good chap. Ah when will my lotto ticket come in?

Bike shops - one thing I find odd down Manchester Street, we have the Harley Shop, Honda Shop and Sportzone who all have a bit of a off kerb, out of shop 'showroom' - and all winter long there are expensive new bikes parked out there in the rain - for under a few grand they could easily put up some of those professional permanent sails and protect the bikes.

And have free BBQ's under them on Saturday mornings

Or bikini bike washes.