Local Immunity

[Lefty]

4. Any thread criticising a shop always turns into a shitfest, where everybody steps in to have a general whinge.

Like all stereotypes though, a whinge will stem from some degree of truth...

[Barfridge]

yes lefty, but it's like when people start to whinge about browncow, then somebody jumps in to say you are crap in bed. Not only is it wildly inaccurate, it has nothing to do with the original topic

[Bendito]

But if we want to rag on Bike Tyre City/Bike Doctor it's safe?

[Barfridge]

no Ben, I don't see that thread lasting very long at all.

[Lefty]

yes lefty, but it's like when people start to whinge about browncow, then somebody jumps in to say you are crap in bed. Not only is it wildly inaccurate, it has nothing to do with the original topic

That's a bit unfair... I've always enjoyed myself.

[thro]

There's no point ranting about local business here, because in WA pissweak service and inability to supply are the "accepted" norm.

Hence, only positive reviews are worth posting...

[Barfridge]

well the thread about the bike doctor started out as a positive one, then even that went downhill. So the ones that start negative get even worse

[Lefty]

So thro; if nobody calls attention to what is being done poorly - which is what you're suggesting - then surely the status quo is not about to be challenged or changed.

You're one of those types of people that are happy enough to bemoan the state of the services and supply of products, but do little to improve it?

[Hewie]

Ill give you the other side of the coin.

I was in a store one day when a young bloke walked in and asked for a price on some accessories.

When he was given a price (at a discount mind you) his words to the sales assistant were:

"Fuck off ... I can get them cheaper on PSB, you guys are bullshit"

Later that night there was a post about how he was almost "ripped off" by a shop.

Now .. we have always worked hard to build a good relationship with the retailers of Perth. I used to spend hours talking to them all and working on ways to make things work better.

Unfortunately in the end ... peoples attitudes killed all that hard work.

Sometimes a shop does the wrong thing ... sometimes they do deserve a bad rap. But most of the time from my experience it can be resolved with a phone call and a reasonable discussion .. not a rant on here.

A good example of bullshit is the response to Jo's thread.

DBs have been always supported the motorcycling community of Perth ... not PSB .. you guys.

The irony of crying for a boycott is that the likelihood of them having to let go more people is higher ... so then Mandy will be out of work or maybe Col ? so all your doing is putting people that support YOU out of work.

Businesses dont deserve to be punished for making a tough call in tough market conditions.

[thro]

So thro; if nobody calls attention to what is being done poorly - which is what you're suggesting - then surely the status quo is not about to be challenged or changed.

I'm saying vote with your $.

If someone does a good job, make a noise about it and give them repeat business.

However, there's a huge over-abundance of shit service, lack of supply and simple lack of "give a shit" factor in perth retail.

As an example, an un-named retailer took 2 weeks to get back to me with a price on powervalve cables (basically, they ordered them in without authorisation and then told me they had arrived - all i wanted was a price - i wasn't too keen to order seeing as they'd already taken $1200 off me for other parts and taken over 2 months to supply - actually, some of the shit i ordered in march still hasn't arrived). in the meantime I ordered them from over east (online) and had them arrive within 3 days of order...

I'm not talking bike shops specifically though...

You're one of those types of people that are happy enough to bemoan the state of the services and supply of products, but do little to improve it?

As said, I vote with my $.


edit:
that said, I don't discount what hewie is saying. retailers need to make money and some margin is part of them staying in business (or growing, even). but when the price is 2-3x higher, and supply time is several weeks or months later.... its a no brainer.

[steve9119]

There's no point ranting about local business here, because in WA pissweak service and inability to supply are the "accepted" norm.

Hence, only positive reviews are worth posting...

shopping depends on what service customers want, some times i like the assistance and chatty staff, other times i just like to find things on a shelf and pay at the check out.

Once after trying on 3 different jackets the sales assistant asked how many jackets i wanted to buy, and sugested if i try on to many i would just get confused...

i was less confused when i got to another shop

[Hewie]

However, there's a huge over-abundance of shit service, lack of supply and simple lack of "give a shit" factor in perth retail.

As said, I vote with my $.

Majority agree.

Hence I spend my money with a certain set of people ... not shops.

I support Col .. I walked in off the street .. he didnt know me from a bar of soap and I got good service and a good price.

My local money follows him around.

Same with Kamahl and Dave.

They know that when I ring and ask for parts or accessories they are safe that they will get prompt payment whenever they ask for it.

If I have an issue I always take it straight to them and I give them the opportunity to fix it. I dont have tantrums on here ... I dont bad mouth them for things they cant control .. and in return they go out of their way for me now.

This is the end result of 8 years of positive working relationship.

[Lefty]

Do you think then that there is a certain degree of consumer irresponsibility in hearing about the deals that other PSB members get - due to the pre-established relationships they have - and then the subsequent annoyances and rantings that are made when they're not on par with one and other?

[thro]

Do you think then that there is a certain degree of consumer irresponsibility in hearing about the deals that other PSB members get - due to the pre-established relationships they have - and then the subsequent annoyances and rantings that are made when they're not on par with one and other?

Whatever deal you work out with a retailer is between you and them.

It may depend on prior or anticipated repeat business, prevailing market conditions, stock levels, etc.


Bitching at a retailer because they don't match a price they gave to someone else at a different time is retarded and will only make them less willing to extend themselves for customer loyalty in the future.

Shit SERVICE on the other hand....

[Hewie]

Its a two sided issue.

A number of shops have poor service .. however a number of members have very poor communication skills.

So instead of addressing the issue they whinge, bitch, moan and rant on here.

Whilst this is the age of electronic communication .. you still need to build relationships with people.

Is it fair to expect the same service as I get ... generally ... yes within reason ie within working hours etc .. BUT only as long as you are polite and not a overly demanding f$%kwit.

Is it fair to expect them to go as far beyond the normal levels of service ... no way.

And thats the difference .... I dont walk in and demand or expect to be treated a certain way.

[Satan1]

Ill give you the other side of the coin.

I was in a store one day when a young bloke walked in and asked for a price on some accessories.

When he was given a price (at a discount mind you) his words to the sales assistant were:

"Fuck off ... I can get them cheaper on PSB, you guys are bullshit"

Later that night there was a post about how he was almost "ripped off" by a shop.

Now .. we have always worked hard to build a good relationship with the retailers of Perth. I used to spend hours talking to them all and working on ways to make things work better.

Unfortunately in the end ... peoples attitudes killed all that hard work.

Sometimes a shop does the wrong thing ... sometimes they do deserve a bad rap. But most of the time from my experience it can be resolved with a phone call and a reasonable discussion .. not a rant on here.

A good example of bullshit is the response to Jo's thread.

DBs have been always supported the motorcycling community of Perth ... not PSB .. you guys.

The irony of crying for a boycott is that the likelihood of them having to let go more people is higher ... so then Mandy will be out of work or maybe Col ? so all your doing is putting people that support YOU out of work.

Businesses dont deserve to be punished for making a tough call in tough market conditions.

You said it better than I could of.

Support anyone you get good service from. No-one wants to let staff go, Remember the saying "this will hurt me more than it will hurt you"? Couldn't be truer.

[Deicide]

Personally I belive in the vote with your $ idea. A buisness usually has one chance with me when it comes to service or price. Give me bad service/ignore me/bad advice or over charge me (ie above RRP) and im NEVER going back to your store.

Case in point, I recently purchased a complete new toolkit, spent quite a few $ on it. I firstly went to a store recommended on here, with the intention of buying from that store. The service I received was very average (in the shop for 20min before being offered assistance. too busy stocking shelves??) and the advice was pretty average too. I left that store and went to a tool shop in Malaga, the guys there where great, gave me prompt service and some great advice, took me around all the different tool kits they had, showed me some specials. I spent ~20 minutes with this guy, thanked him, then left. After I had decided what kit I wanted, I returned the following day and order more that what I intentionally wanted, the service was great, and they had a sale on so the prices where great too.

I say vote with your money$$

[Hamster]

While on the subject of $ and stuff (kind of). Can anyone explain to me why the dealer prices for Triumph parts (the ones I've asked about anyway) in the UK are around 50-60% of those from the dealers here. Are the Aus dealers being screwed by a third party importer and having to sub screw the customers to make a dollar or are they just directly screwing the customer?

This is a genuine question as I don't know the hoops that dealers here may or may not need to jump through in order to get their parts. There may be a very real reason why they have to charge more that can't be avoided.

[Bendito]

How do the prices of the bikes themselves compare?

[Barfridge]

short answer: yes, you're getting boned
long answer, yes, you're getting boned, but there are genuine extra costs invoved. Once you add on freight and a profit for the middlemen, nobody is making an obscene amount of dough, but on the other hand they're not exactly starving.