Dumb parts clerk Kawasaki shop

[nomadtom69]

I go up to the parts counter at the local Kaw show room with a bottle of rear end gear oil 85-90 and ask him if this is what I need for a 1600 Nomad the response is Have you been to service dept. No I thought this was where I bought parts and oil he sets there and I finally ask him to look it up and he calls the service dept and the ask me if it is a Suzuki After stating for the 3rd time what it was for he says let me look it up and yes that was it Then I have to beg him to ring it up no wonder MA KAW is having a ruff time. Oh by the way they had a Nomad -Voyager- and Vaquero all setting there side by side walked all around them and not one salesman showed up can anyone say BAD DEALER

[Jared]

I agree that Kawi dealers should step it up.

The one think that is probably difficult for them, not necessarily an excuse, is that they aren't only selling one type of bike. Usually they are selling dirt bikes, four wheelers, snow mobiles, sport bikes, etc. My dealer even sells law equipment.

[nomadtom69]

I do not see how they sell anything if they are all like the one here where I live not one person while I was looking at the Nomad /Voyager/Vaquero came up and asked if I was interested in one and the parts counter what else do I have to say about them.

[paul]

Hey, didn't cha know, These things sell themselves ??? ::).

Seems that's what the dealer's counting on, anyway.

[Top Cat]

At my dealer there is someone right there when you walk in.
They are friendly and proffesional. The guy who works on our bikes is friendly and knowledgeable. Can you tell I'm happy with my dealer.
DDS Motorsports, Utica NY

[nomadtom69]

There is only one at the parts counter that trys to help she was not there today or I would have waited on her. the rest of them are just there. They had a small dealer ship and moved to a big fancy one and now they act like they do not care before at the small one they were friendly and helpful.

[ballast]

I walked around the parts at the Honda dealer the other day for 5 minutes looking at oil and what not. 3 guys at the counter 15 feet away and nobody said boo. Walked out and went to Napa and got what I needed.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

When I need anything at Cycle World in Gadsden, AL they have two guys that have been working there for years. Both are very knowledgeable. Usually alway someone on the floor as soon as I walk in. Of course I buy my oil and filters at Advance Auto, Auto Zone or Wal-Mart. The dealer is just a little too expensive on those items.

[ringadingh]

The local dealer here is not bad from the dealings Ive had with them, always willing to help and not bad prices. Its just that almost anything I need has to be ordered in as its never in stock.

[minst7877]

This attitude by the sales people is very pervasive and I have seen it at numerous dealerships. It also doesn't seem to matter what brand dealership it is any more. I walked around in the local Harley Davidson shop for 35 minutes looking at bikes and was never once approached by anyone to see if they could help me find something. Very disappointing to see how they treat their potential customers.

DC

[cajun2wheels]

I have worked at several motorcycle dealerships and it was my personal policy to at least greet everyone that walked in the door even if I was busy.If I wasn't busy I would take the time to have a conversation and let the people know I was available if they had any questions.I have walked into dealerships and felt like I was invisible.The very few times I did talk to a salesman they knew very little about the bikes and if I asked for a price they had to go look it up.I always ask the salesman what type of bike they had and in many cases they didn't even ride.I miss the "old time"bike shops.

[ve3hzz]

Originally Posted by cajun2wheels

I have worked at several motorcycle dealerships and it was my personal policy to at least greet everyone that walked in the door even if I was busy.If I wasn't busy I would take the time to have a conversation and let the people know I was available if they had any questions.I have walked into dealerships and felt like I was invisible.The very few times I did talk to a salesman they knew very little about the bikes and if I asked for a price they had to go look it up.I always ask the salesman what type of bike they had and in many cases they didn't even ride.I miss the "old time"bike shops.

I know what you mean. I went to a new bike shop that sells on line parts/accessories and has a few bikes (mostly dirt) for sale. I walked in the door, and knew I wouldn't be hired. Not one of them looked to be over 20. Except the manager and the sales manager who interviewed me. Both I am not sure ride bikes either. Now to be fair they sell other things (ATV, snowmobile) as well. Which I have some knowledge of as well. Anyway I knew after I left not only didn't I get the job but not even a phone call afterwards to say YAY or NAY to me getting the position. Something I always did when I had anyone IN for an interview. Had this happen to me a few times now so it must be a new trend. Use to be etiquette that you would contact (even via e-mail) applicants you invited in for an interview. I find that ones that don't to be lacking in skills and likely not a company I'd prefer to do business with. If they can't have the common courtesy to even do that what will they do for me as a customer?

Anyway it is sad when companies decide not to have good customer service employee's and don't value experience any more. That is one reason if a local bike shop has say an oil filter that fits my bike for maybe a couple bucks difference in price then the box stores, I'll buy it there, maybe that way some of these small shops that DO care will stay in business.

Scott

[schoeney]

Originally Posted by cajun2wheels

I have worked at several motorcycle dealerships and it was my personal policy to at least greet everyone that walked in the door even if I was busy.If I wasn't busy I would take the time to have a conversation and let the people know I was available if they had any questions.I have walked into dealerships and felt like I was invisible.The very few times I did talk to a salesman they knew very little about the bikes and if I asked for a price they had to go look it up.I always ask the salesman what type of bike they had and in many cases they didn't even ride.I miss the "old time"bike shops.

You hit the nail on the head! I don't mind waiting if the clerk just acknowledges I am there and maybe even says I will be with you ASAP or something similar. But most keep there heads down trying to avoid eye contact. Lack of training.

My dealer has a few good knowledgeable guys and many cheap young guys/girls. Kind of like the Journeyman/Apprentice concept of plumbers/electricians.

I think it is the result of the internet and the consumers ability to leverage the lower price or buy anywhere.....smaller profits so they can't afford to have all Journeyman.

The problem for the consumer is so many dealers are going out of business. Not many local places that provide service or stock parts and bikes. Fortunately I live near a big enough city (Portland, OR) that there will always be at least one in business. Currently there is about 5 Kawasaki dealerships within about 40 miles of me.

A long time Honda dealer (St. Johns) near me just closed. I think they were in business close to 50 years. Sad story because they were well respected for most of those years.