Nataly 38 #1 February 26, 2013 Argh... This is the third time in the past couple of weeks where I've had to base a business decision on costs when the commercial person was a total twat. The alternative in each case was great on the customer service side, but couldn't compete on price... I hate when that happens. It's not that I feel bad (it's just business, after all), but I know from experience that sometimes dealing with an asshole is a false economy because you don't end up with what was promised - just a whole lot of hassle... "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adamUK 3 #2 February 26, 2013 Many companies I work for have the vendor split the bid in 2. One with the prices and one without. The ones without the prices are evaluated by the technical team. Only those that pass are then evaluated on cost. This always seems like a good idea to me - you get what you want. "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten" - attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #3 February 26, 2013 Interesting thing going on here in my suburbia hometown...We have a huge Harley dealer with one of the best show-rooms I've ever seen. Prices are comparable to other dealers around, a tad higher on some things but this is a rather affluent area & many take the convenience of local over savin' a few bucks but driving 45 minutes to other dealers. I stopped in there a while back pricing a bike I'm interested in...WHAT A BUNCH OF ASSHOLES! The salesman treated me like some punk.....and I wouldn't piss on the manager if he was ON FIRE! Actually told me a question I had was 'pretty fuckin stupid'. Wouldn't deal at all & when he asked me about financing...he basically wouldn't take "I'm paying cash" for an answer! I got a 10 minute speech about how financing 'the asset' through Harley was the only way to go & what 'anyone with a brain' would do. I told him this brainless old fart with 25grand cash to blow on a 'toy' is walkin' because a 20 something fat-ass douche-bag, workin' for commission on a SUNDAY NIGHT, with NO feakin' idea of what an 'asset' is, has pegged the pissed off meter full right, to the stop. Last week in the local fish-wrap is a story about their business practices...one of the more shocking things is how the mechanics who get paid by the job not the hour, have been damaging bikes with regularity when they come in for service!! Another article is suppose to come out this week on the place...I don't see these assholes being in business much longer. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #4 February 26, 2013 I would think H-D HQ would be interested in hearing how the local shop treats potential customers."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #5 February 26, 2013 Quote I would think H-D HQ would be interested in hearing how the local shop treats potential customers. You got that right. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #6 February 26, 2013 QuoteI would think H-D HQ would be interested in hearing how the local shop treats potential customers. Hell yeah... Let corporate know. It is AMAZING how much a good company pays attention to their name brand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,588 #7 February 26, 2013 And Harley is pretty tight with their franchises. They're farther away from you, but I've had good dealings with both Mancuso and Stubbs. They treated me like an intelligent person, even though I am a girl Wendy P. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aphid 0 #8 February 26, 2013 Quote Quote I would think H-D HQ would be interested in hearing how the local shop treats potential customers. Hell yeah... Let corporate know. It is AMAZING how much a good company pays attention to their name brand. Really? Could you send a memo in regarding the folks-in-black at your US Customs northern border branches? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nataly 38 #9 February 26, 2013 My role is to screen all the offers/deals/products and assess which one we should go for. Cost is never the only factor but unfortunately, when all the products/services are roughly the same, sometimes it does boil down to the price no matter how good/bad the salesperson was. I am not the final decision maker, but if I felt it was worth paying more, I would say so - my boss trusts my judgement and usually goes with my proposal... I take this trust very much to heart, so I always try to do what's best for the business. Unfortunately, sometimes the best solution is offered by a total fuckwit..."There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buff 0 #10 February 27, 2013 I had about the same experience walking into the HD dealership in Nacogdoches. Had my checkbook on a Sunday ready to pay cash and was the only customer in the place. Three people ignored me for a good 30 minutes and when I approached the counter to inquire about buying a bike, the guy looks up from a magazine and said, "Do I look like I sell bikes or parts?" I took out my checkbook, held it in the air as I walked out yelling, "Obviously you people have all the money and don't need any of mine." Went and bought a Kawi with cash instead. That was almost 8 years ago and still riding the bike to this day. If they are that proud of their product, they can keep it and pay inventory tax on it.It's called the Hillbilly Hop N Pop dude. If you're gonna be stupid, you better be tough. That's fucked up. Watermelons do not grow on trees! ~Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingRhenquest 1 #11 February 27, 2013 You ever try calling the company and tell them you'd be willing to do business with them if you didn't have to deal with that fuckwit? If you're bringing large briefcases full of cash to the table with you, that might work.I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #12 February 27, 2013 Quote Quote Quote I would think H-D HQ would be interested in hearing how the local shop treats potential customers. Hell yeah... Let corporate know. It is AMAZING how much a good company pays attention to their name brand. Really? Could you send a memo in regarding the folks-in-black at your US Customs northern border branches? Sorry but they dance to their own set up screwed up drums. They are not seeking profit... they are just trying to be power mad assholes and that does it for them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,486 #13 February 27, 2013 Never buy your Harleys from an HD shop. I've always had better success buying from the secondary market and throwing a little money into the bike. http://www.texasbestusedmotorcycles.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JNci65Ihm0MNobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #14 February 27, 2013 Quote Never buy your Harleys from an HD shop. I've always had better success buying from the secondary market and throwing a little money into the bike. http://www.texasbestusedmotorcycles.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JNci65Ihm0M Yeah I know...it makes better $ense that way...and I'm checkin' for a good deal on the right used bike. But ~ this will in probably be the 'last' bike I buy, would be kinda nice from a 'romantic' point of view to have every mile on it mine...AND there's just something special about the new bike SMELL! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #15 February 27, 2013 Quote The salesman treated me like some punk.....and I wouldn't piss on the manager if he was ON FIRE! But they are BAD ASS Harley sales clerks. Don't you know they're are BAD ASS? Just ask 'em. Quote Actually told me a question I had was 'pretty fuckin stupid'. Wouldn't deal at all & when he asked me about financing...he basically wouldn't take "I'm paying cash" for an answer! I got a 10 minute speech about how financing 'the asset' through Harley was the only way to go & what 'anyone with a brain' would do. What a tard. In sales, a cash paying customer is King. Quote I told him this brainless old fart with 25grand cash to blow on a 'toy' is walkin' because a 20 something fat-ass douche-bag, workin' for commission on a SUNDAY NIGHT, with NO feakin' idea of what an 'asset' is, has pegged the pissed off meter full right, to the stop. Good job. You're a professor in the school of hard knocks. Quote Last week in the local fish-wrap is a story about their business practices...one of the more shocking things is how the mechanics who get paid by the job not the hour, have been damaging bikes with regularity when they come in for service!! Most mechanics have long been payed flat rate for most jobs. It makes it very tempting to cut corners to max out your time sheet. I've seen it a few times. I don't shop Harleys much but I do run into the "Gun Store Rambos" from time to time. Those kind of nutball counter helpers send me right back out the door, empty handed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,486 #16 February 27, 2013 QuoteWhat a tard. In sales, a cash paying customer is King. I recently found out that commissions are paid to the store and the sales clerk for pushing buyers to finance. SO... rather than make some commission on the sale like Jim's case... they push it so hard and make it sound like they hate cash customers that they send them out the door. The silliness of paying clerks commission or spiffs on the extended warranties, financing and every other up-sell ever developed to illicit more money than develop a returning customer base.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #17 February 27, 2013 Very true on the financing commissions, but I've never been treated poorly for paying cash . . . so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #18 February 27, 2013 Quote Quote What a tard. In sales, a cash paying customer is King. I recently found out that commissions are paid to the store and the sales clerk for pushing buyers to finance. SO... rather than make some commission on the sale like Jim's case... they push it so hard and make it sound like they hate cash customers that they send them out the door. The silliness of paying clerks commission or spiffs on the extended warranties, financing and every other up-sell ever developed to illicit more money than develop a returning customer base. I was going to bet it was a Finance base commission that was driving that behavior. In the end, the managers there fucked up. You need to plan your commission system (if you use one) to drive good behavior, not bad ones. It makes sense that the clerk would make more commission on a finance deal: the store / HD would make more with the financing, hence, try and get more poeple to use it. But, don't drive away sales!!!!! Then again, I really think HD dealers employ dumwits. I was shopping for a bike for my wife a while ago, and we wanted to have a look at the Buell Blast. Well, the salesguy was trying hard to link it the "the HD lifestyle" [barf]... Even telling us "you'd be riding a V-Twin, just like the other Harleys". At that point, I had to remind him that the Blast was a single piston engine Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #19 February 27, 2013 Quote Quote What a tard. In sales, a cash paying customer is King. I recently found out that commissions are paid to the store and the sales clerk for pushing buyers to finance. SO... rather than make some commission on the sale like Jim's case... they push it so hard and make it sound like they hate cash customers that they send them out the door. The silliness of paying clerks commission or spiffs on the extended warranties, financing and every other up-sell ever developed to illicit more money than develop a returning customer base. Yup...I figured that one out pretty quick when they kept giving me all the canned sales pitch reasons to finance through H-D. Even the manager kept trying...explaining how 'stupid' it is to tie up 'my' money on 'the asset'. He couldn't explain how paying interest above what any investment returns would be, is advantageous to me though. . . and talk about a hard sell on the 'extended warranty', when I said isn't that betting against myself AND your product regarding the quality & service your product is marketed as having? What it sounds like to me is you're continuing to push this because either the bike is junk & you know it'll need lots of work to keep t running - and since you're such a 'nice guy' you don't want me to have to buck up for it ~ OR ~ it's a good machine, you're just some asshole that regards me as just a 'stooopid' customer and you want me to throw MORE money at ya that should not be necessary from MY stand point, but increases the commission on the sale. He got all flustered and walked away when I said - What it comes down to then on the extended warranty is...good machine or bad & are YOU my buddy or some asshole that's called me dumb 3 or 4 times in the last 20 minutes? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,486 #20 February 27, 2013 Quote called me dumb 3 or 4 times in the last 20 minutes? nope too easy Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #21 February 27, 2013 Quote Well, the salesguy was trying hard to link it the "the HD lifestyle" [barf]... Even telling us "you'd be riding a V-Twin, just like the other Harleys". At that point, I had to remind him that the Blast was a single piston engine I once had to explain to a car sales critter that the "front wheel drive" car he was trying to sell me, was in fact a *rear* wheel drive."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #22 February 27, 2013 Quote Quote called me dumb 3 or 4 times in the last 20 minutes? nope too easy THINKIN' it & SAYIN' it are two different things! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumpenfool 2 #23 February 27, 2013 The last time I bought a used bike from a dealer, we haggled for an hour over price until I walked out the door. The manager stopped me in the parking lot as I was leaving. "Hey, Mr. Livieri, come on back inside. We can give you the bike at your price." I was very pleased because it really was a good deal. Come time to write the check, I looked at the numbers and they were off? So I asked, "why is this final price $450 higher than what we talked about?" The sales guy said, "No, that's correct, we added tax, license, dealer prep, Parts, ect. and this is the total." I said, "Parts? What parts? The sales man replied, $300.00 for tires. Those are new tires we put on it. We charge for new tires, those things aren't free. I said, "Those tires were on the bike when we agreed on the price, the plates are still good, and since when do dealers charge $150 for dealer prep on used bikes?" and I started towards the door. Again, the manager stopped me in the parking lot and we got things squared away. As much as I wanted to leave, I also wanted the bike. I now avoid doing business with that dealership! Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #24 February 27, 2013 Hey, you got a good deal! They threw in the engine at no extra charge, right? "There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,118 #25 February 27, 2013 >I once had to explain to a car sales critter that the "front wheel drive" car he was >trying to sell me, was in fact a *rear* wheel drive. I once was looking at a used Toyota Previa at a Toyota dealership. I looked under the hood, where there was a radiator and fan but no engine. So I asked him where the engine was. "Right there behind the radiator." "No, it's not, that's just the fan." "Well, it's right there. You just have to look." "No, that's the firewall. Is it rear engine?" "Uh - yeah, that's it." (went to the back of the car) "So where's the engine?" "It's right back here. Why do you keep asking?" "Well, it would be nice to know where the engine oil dipstick was, for example." "It's right back here. We have a service plan anyway." Turns out the engine was under the front seats. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
