How hard is it to say 'Hello' ?

[celticbhoy]

A year ago when shopping for my first bike had really mixed receptions here in Welly with starting in town being laughed at and actually turned away from when I asked for bikes at bottom end of budget. Made way out to hutt and 1 shop good and willing to help and other shop had a young guy come and try to help only to proceed to explain that the government are full of crap and I should just ignore the 250cc rule!!! Ater explaining for legal and insurance purposes prefer to be legal he continued to explain how he had been riding a thou for a couple of years on a learners! Dick...so had a trip to Auckland planned so checked the shops up there and 2 shops didn't want to acknowledge at all and one shop took no pride at all in presentation of bikes ie. covered in dust etc. Walked into 1 shop and immediately got a great vibe and service so went with them. Great attitude despite not a lot of money being spent!

[Mom]

some times I get this when Im in me work clothes, shop staff look down their nosses at me

First rule of sales, never judge a book by its cover. I once had an absolute HOBO looking bloke come in the shop. He seemed to be able to talk well, and asked good questions, then for a demo at his place. I got his name (did not mean a thing to me) and directions etc. My hubby went out and did the demo, sold a bike to the CEO of ASB Bank at the time... Never judge!!

So this genius managed to insult me and my bike and almost imply that every customer of theirs with Termignoni pipes were wankers...it was closing time so clearly genius man wished me to fuck off with my wallet quickly!

Call his boss mate, just a quiet heads up, not a complaint.

I'm the sort(of bike salesperson) that simply asks whether there are any question that I can answer whilst doing whatever I'm doing at the time as I've always got a squillion things to do anyway.
I'm also fortunate that I truly do enjoy talking bikes with people no matter what "level" they are at. Actually I prefer to talk to so-called n00bies as their passion is strong and there's also a lack of biker's arrogance which I have seen a fair bit from people the deem themselves more experienced with bikes than I.
Good for a laugh...if only they knew huh?

See talking is all that is required, hope your boss is pleased to have you on board.

100% agreed and it's also sad to see a good person in a "bad" shop.

Hope the good shops head hunt them away as soon as possible...LOL

[oldrider]

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!

Hey, if they are still busy next time, tell her to ring me, I will pay her to let "me" deliver the bike! Any kind of bike! Just love ridin them! John.

[duckonin]

These two shops rate very highly for customer service, but more often than not they will leave you alone for a short while for a browse, then they ask if they can be of assistance..I can really recommend these two...Other shops around the country would be the same but these two are in my area....

MotoGB -Suzuki (Tauranga)

Bayride motocycles (Tauranga):

[DMNTD:Me]

See talking is all that is required, hope your boss is pleased to have you on board.

Oh hell yes and he's showing it too. Off to Sydney for a Ducati course with a track day at Eastern Creek thrown in for a bit of fun

[ynot slow]

Numerous sales courses and each and everytime we are told NEVER ask can I help you?Is a negative question,answer you always get is no(90% of time).

I try to acknowledge each person,mind you am now in a different sales position,but still same idea though.Nothing worse than going into a shop and having the sales persons' tongue up your arse so to speak,especially the Michael Hill jewelery stores,had to spell it out to one lady last year what don't you understand I am not buying my wife a $1500 ring on hp,no way,and the lady kept saying go on she(wife)wants it,finance takes 15 mins,in the end I walked out rather than tell her to fuck off in front of a shop with 3 or so customers.

I want to be acknowledged upon entering but if I want help will ask,comes in handy with electrical shops.

[wysper]

Numerous sales courses and each and everytime we are told NEVER ask can I help you?Is a negative question,answer you always get is no(90% of time).

Yeah I know the theory, dont ask a question that can be easily answered with 'no'
It is usually suggested to try something like..

Are you having a good day?
Great weather we are having isnt it? (assuming it actually is)
I wasnt really commenting on the question or an approach or anything, more the complete lack of any indication I exsisted and was in their store.

@DMNTD - Bayride is a good shop, I was in there a few years ago and came with in a gnats whisker of buying a big 1500!

[Griffin]

I think even Car salesmen should acknowledge their customers - a simple hello, how are you as you walk past. The problem with many Carsales yards is that the customer is hounded... you can practiacally feel the circling of the salesman - conversation usually something like:
Salesman: How can I help you today
Customer: Oh Im fine thanks - just looking
S: Looking for anything in particular?
C: No, just looking...
S: What price range are you looking in?
C: Not sure - just being nosey - seeing whats around
S: Would that be for a family or something a little sporty just for yourself?
C: Not for anything... Im just having a look...
S: Well we have plenty in stock - how about this (whatever you just happen to be standing by) It low mileage, very reliable
C: No - not for me, thanks... Im just looki...
S: Well how about this, very sporty - could just picture you in it picking up the girls ay?
C: Um... no... (looking for easiest exit)
S: Oh come on - just sit in it and see what she feels like - I'll start her up
C: Look, no thanks - Ive gotta be somewhere
S: Are you sure - not even a drive? Just smell that leather
C: Bye... I'll come back tomorrow... pencil me in... seeya

Happens almost every time...

[young1]

Yes there is a bike shop in New Plymouth that I will only go if I really have to. The owner even once walked between me and the stand with the oils on it (I was trying to sort out what to get for my boys 2 stroke) and 1) didn't say hello 2) didn't say excuse me and 3) didn't ask if I wanted any help!!

I was very impressed though when I bought my KTM (I won't mention the Palmy dealers name). When I arrived the bike I was testing was outside fueled and ready to go. After I had a ride my (now ex) wife got on the back to see what it was like, before I rode off the dealer even went and got her a proper bike jacket to wear vs her Kathmandu jacket. Great service

Again the opposite to good service, when I was right into triathlons I really wanted a Cannondale racing bike. I went to a dealer with my wife and young son with me to buy some triathlon bars. When I pointed to a Cannondale bike and asked him how much they were he told me that I could not afford one!!! I bought one not that much later from another dealer.

[Griffin]

I was very impressed though when I bought my KTM (I won't mention the Palmy dealers name). When I arrived the bike I was testing was outside fueled and ready to go. After I had a ride my (now ex) wife got on the back to see what it was like, before I rode off the dealer even went and got her a proper bike jacket to wear vs her Kathmandu jacket. Great service

Why not mention their name... great service deserves wide recognition.

[young1]

Why not mention their name... great service deserves wide recognition.

AFC motorcyles - great service!

And why I am at it you can not go past Tony Jury motorcycles in Pahiatua either!!!!

[young1]

AFC motorcyles - great service!

And why I am at it you can not go past Tony Jury motorcycles in Pahiatua either!!!!

You know what was also good about both dealers? They even took time to talk to my (ex) wife. I have bought 6 bikes from Tony Jury all because of his service.

[Meekey_Mouse]

It's kind of funny... When I first started looking around in bike stores I did get quite a few shop salesmen who didn't take me seriously at all and would suggest the total opposite of what I explained I wanted/needed (be it gloves, boots what ever). Thank fully I generally had my brother with me who would point them in the right direction . Don't get me wrong, there were lots who were very helpful!

Slowly by slowly as I've got more confidence I normally get two responses, either they'll try me out to see if I actually know what I'm talking about or they'll just be happy to help me

One thing I found rather interesting though is last time I went up north for a pair of gloves, I had the gixxer, which I parked up out front of each bike store, I was in my well used (read down the track but looked after) one piece and proper gear... I seemed to get taking a whole lot more seriously!!

I must say, I'm shocked that you found the help in the Kawasaki store in Hamilton not very good, I've always found them the best out of the 4 bike stores on Te Rapa Rd as far as people coming up and seeing if you need any assistance.

[mister.koz]

I quite like being left alone for a while when i am browsing, then i sneak over to the parts areas and find the person who isn't making huge commission and try and trick them to help me out

Works a treat cause they don't care if they sell or not they just want to share the obsession for a while.

[young1]

I quite like being left alone for a while when i am browsing, then i sneak over to the parts areas and find the person who isn't making huge commission and try and trick them to help me out

Works a treat cause they don't care if they sell or not they just want to share the obsession for a while.

Except as I found once the parts guy was more interested in chatting up the accounts girl than serving me!!