How hard is it to say 'Hello' ?

**wysper** · 19th July 2008, 13:56

[RANT]
I am sure this has been mentioned before.
But, really, how hard is it to say hello to someone browsing bikes in a bike shop?

I was doing the rounds of the bike shops in Hamilton. I want to buy in the next two months or so.

Bike shop one, I was wondering around for 5 minutes. One of the guys was busy so I didnt expect anything from him. Another guy just sat behind the counter. There was a sales guy at his desk.. after a couple of minutes, he wondered out, looked around and walked out the back... I walked out of the shop

Bike shop two. After a couple of minutes of looking at the bikes at the front I wondered inside. One sales man was busy, another was sitting on a bike talking to another staff member... after a couple of minutes I got a grudging smile and a hello. After talking for a little while he showed me a bike but didnt show me the one I mentioned that was out front twice. He didnt seem to want to go outside (might have got slightly damp)

Bike shop three. Again looked at the bikes outside and then wandered inside.
The sales guy looked up and said 'hello, need any help today?' I said yes (happy to be acknowledged) and off we went to look at bikes. He asked good questions. Found out what I was after, roughly what I wanted to spend and we narrowed it down to a couple of options.

Now if I can find the dosh I will be off to shop 3 to buy a new bike other wise I will go back to see what can meet my budget.

For a simple hello and the willingness to talk, he practically guaranteed himself the sale over the other shops.

Crazy!

I was in my bike jacket and bike boots, ready to test ride but the first two shops didnt even get near an offer. Shop three was keen to get a bike out for me to test ride.

So at first point of call, bikes didnt even come into it.. but people did. Pretty shabby treatment from the first two is going to prove costly.

[/RANT]

**Maha** · 19th July 2008, 14:05

Acknowledgment is all I require (at first) I dont need to have salesperson hanging around while I look. When I am ready, I will ask, no shame in that. But yeah, the very least they can do is acknowledge that you are in thier poxy shop. I took a bike out once, when I got back, the salesman asked ''how was that''? then walked of....I did the same soon after.

**Papa Bear** · 19th July 2008, 14:05

Good call.. I hear what you are saying.. there are a couple of bike shops in Christchurch I will never buy from for the same reason.. I work hard for my money and I want someone to work just as hard to get it off me.

**kneescraper** · 19th July 2008, 14:15

I hear ya!

I found one shop in Gisborne shocking. If you walked in, in normal clothing the sales man would wonder around....not even looking your way. Walk in at a different time however with your riding gear on (off your bike) he would rush straight up to you....not that hes any help at all though.

I got the idea that unless you show you ride a bike hes not interested in you? Strange I know....the experement proved this to be right on more than a couple times.

**FROSTY:Me** · 19th July 2008, 14:17

Its a catch 22 innit.?
Knowing just what exactly a person is going to want in the way of service.
In my business I get 3 types of customer.
1) leave me alone -when I wanna talk I'll come to you (you've already pisssed me off for daring to say hello)
2) I want you to fawn all over me
3) I want you to say gidday cos I'm shy but once the ice is broken refer to 1

And I tell ya what I'd be a friggin millionare if I could work out who is which type

**Number One** · 19th July 2008, 14:19

TO OP: Try being a chick and then getting acknolwedged in a bike shop...and if you are acknowledged see if you aren't patronized OR worse flirted with (spotty youths who wouldn't know the front fork from the rear shock don't turn me on!)

Originally Posted by Maha

Acknowledgment is all I require (at first) I dont need to have salesperson hanging around while I look. When I am ready, I will ask, no shame in that. But yeah, the very least they can do is acknowledge that you are in thier poxy shop. I took a bike out once, when I got back, the salesman asked ''how was that''? then walked of....I did the same soon after.

+1 I don't want them fawning all over me but don't appreciate being flat out ignored!

**LittleAngel** · 19th July 2008, 14:22

I would have to agree. I feel its just plain good ole manners to at least acknowledge someone when they enter the shop.

I'm happy if they don't hang around while I'm looking but if they are any kind of good salesperson they would be able to read when I'd want/need some more assistance.

There is one shop in particular in Christchurch I'm always impressed with

and they will always get my business (even if its just for small things like gloves, servicing etc).

for Just Motorcycles in New Brighton!!

**Coyote** · 19th July 2008, 14:30

Originally Posted by Number One

... OR worse flirted with (spotty youths who wouldn't know the front fork from the rear shock don't turn me on!)

Gosh darn

(j/k)

I'm not usually fussed. The salesmen are beginning to recognise me and know I can't really afford anything so don't normally have a word with me. Especially the salesman at Wellington Motorcycles who knows me off KB

Think I'll make the trip to Palmerston North or Masterton and wrangle some test rides off them instead

**rachprice** · 19th July 2008, 14:38

I personally hate people who follow you around, but acknowledgement is nice, a smile/hey ya is sufficient...after that I like to be left to my own devices...if I go into a store knowing what I want I will go straight up them and ask though.

**1 Free Man** · 19th July 2008, 14:45

Originally Posted by Papa Bear

.. I work hard for my money and I want someone to work just as hard to get it off me.

Way to go Papa Bear. A man after my own heart

**Pussy** · 19th July 2008, 14:46

Originally Posted by Number One

Try being a chick and then getting acknolwedged in a bike shop...and if you are acknowledged see if you aren't patronized OR worse flirted with

I reckon ANY bike shop that doesn't take girlie riders VERY seriously does so at their own peril. So far Gassit Girl has bought new bikes from: WMCC, treated her well and even delivered the bike for her(Wellington to New Plymouth!); Hawera M/C (now NorthWest), also great service; NPMC, good service; and her last bike from Road and Sport, VERY good service.
The percentage of female motorcyclists is ever increasing.... go girlies!

**tri boy** · 19th July 2008, 15:01

Staff need to take the following approach:
"Goodmorning/afternoon/hello"
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
If customer is browsing:
"OK. Please ask if I can be of any assistance"

Not hard really. So many get it wrong.
Customers MUST be recognised/or approached depending on the situation.
Ignore the customer, lose the sale.

**wysper** · 19th July 2008, 15:27

Originally Posted by FROSTY

Its a catch 22 innit.?
Knowing just what exactly a person is going to want in the way of service.
In my business I get 3 types of customer.
1) leave me alone -when I wanna talk I'll come to you (you've already pisssed me off for daring to say hello)
2) I want you to fawn all over me
3) I want you to say gidday cos I'm shy but once the ice is broken refer to 1

And I tell ya what I'd be a friggin millionare if I could work out who is which type

Yep it is hard. But the first category are actually the minority. I have been in customer service and sales pretty much my whole life. And it is essential to greet someone. You dont have to stick to them like glue after that, but acknowledging them is pretty key.

@ Number One - I agree it must be much harder for the ladies to get serious help. Is it getting any better?

**Mom** · 19th July 2008, 15:34

Originally Posted by Number One

TO OP: Try being a chick and then getting acknolwedged in a bike shop...and if you are acknowledged see if you aren't patronized OR worse flirted with (spotty youths who wouldn't know the front fork from the rear shock don't turn me on!)

I had a really good laugh when I bought my little GN a few years ago. I wanted a red one being a girl and all that. I went to the local Suzuki shop and the guy there said something like how can I help? I replied I wanted to buy a bike. He then proceeded to say to me in a very amused tone, and what sort of bike do you want to buy? As he was being so cute, I replied ... A nice shiney red one please.

His wife looked up at me and then told him to cut it out! I used to own the shop once upon a time...LOL

I got my nice new shiney red one in a couple of days!