RocketDaryl
Top Fuel
A lot of brick and mortar (aka Mom & Pop) operations like to use the old "service after the sale" or "you can look, touch and feel here" argument. Well, that would certainly be value added and, if it were true, I would consider that value and what price I place on it before buying. And likely, within reason, I would be willing to pay for it. Fact is, it's rarely true. Just as in this case, I pay over 19K out the door, which includes $225 for prep, and then, not only do they not deliver when promised, they didn't even do all of what they're supposed to do.
Another thing that happened is I purchased a sissy bar and luggage rack at the time I bought the bike. When I showed up to pick up the bike, there was no luggage rack on it. Come to find out, the salesman made a mistake. He wrote down 3 part numbers on the sales order and the descriptions, one of which was the luggage rack (description). Actually, the 3 numbers were only for the different pieces of the sissy bar, not the luggage rack. In the end, I got what I paid for, but not all of what I wanted. I wasn't charged for the luggage rack so it didn't really bug me. But, do you think they offered to do anything about their mistake? Hell no. They didn't even offer to sell me one, much less apologize or offer a small discount for their error. Nothing. I ended up ordering one later. If it were *ME*, I'd have been apologetic and OFFERED to order one and offer the option of either having it dropped shipped or to put it on for the customer when it came in at no cost or give a bit of a discount to make amends. It doesn't have to be much, just something to show a token of your appreciation for the customer's patience and understanding. It's not like it's going to cost me anything as the dealer. It literally took 5 minutes to put the thing on.
Again, I live 50 miles away. Did they offer to have it drop shipped? No. Did they offer to put it on when it came in? No. They did, however, expect me to pay for it at the time I ordered it. That's pretty screwed up too and, ordinarily, I'd tell a vendor to wish for that in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up faster, but I knew I'd eventually get the rack so I wasn't worried about it. I just don't like paying for something until I have it in hand.
I remember all of these little things, however, and I certainly don't lose any sleep if I find something cheaper somewhere else. After all, I'm not getting the service after the sale or any other incentive to use them exclusively. Therefore, I'll go with the cheapest price. I just bought a new windshield bag off of Ebay for $58 shipped. The dealer would've charged me $65 plus tax, plus I'd have to drive 50 miles to get it. Now, if they were doing what they're supposed to be doing and I were perfectly content with them, do you think I'd deny them my business over chump change? I would not.
Again, overall, I like the folks at the dealership. I just think they get busy, complacent or whatever and just don't think sometimes. They can certainly earn my loyalty. I don't hold grudges and tend to have a short memory. Should they change their ways, I'll be happy to throw all of business their way.
You guys are right, however, it's pretty mucy rampant throughout the retail world. Music stores are really bad. The local M&Ps suck, IMO. I don't buy squat from them. I can order online, try out the product for 45 days and send it back should I decide I don't like it and never once have I ever received anything but a "Yes sir, we'll be happy to refund your money" out of them. In return, I've spent literally thousands with them over the years. The local M&Ps would laugh you out of the store if you asked them to do that. Thus, they receive ZERO dollars from me.
Another thing that happened is I purchased a sissy bar and luggage rack at the time I bought the bike. When I showed up to pick up the bike, there was no luggage rack on it. Come to find out, the salesman made a mistake. He wrote down 3 part numbers on the sales order and the descriptions, one of which was the luggage rack (description). Actually, the 3 numbers were only for the different pieces of the sissy bar, not the luggage rack. In the end, I got what I paid for, but not all of what I wanted. I wasn't charged for the luggage rack so it didn't really bug me. But, do you think they offered to do anything about their mistake? Hell no. They didn't even offer to sell me one, much less apologize or offer a small discount for their error. Nothing. I ended up ordering one later. If it were *ME*, I'd have been apologetic and OFFERED to order one and offer the option of either having it dropped shipped or to put it on for the customer when it came in at no cost or give a bit of a discount to make amends. It doesn't have to be much, just something to show a token of your appreciation for the customer's patience and understanding. It's not like it's going to cost me anything as the dealer. It literally took 5 minutes to put the thing on.
Again, I live 50 miles away. Did they offer to have it drop shipped? No. Did they offer to put it on when it came in? No. They did, however, expect me to pay for it at the time I ordered it. That's pretty screwed up too and, ordinarily, I'd tell a vendor to wish for that in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up faster, but I knew I'd eventually get the rack so I wasn't worried about it. I just don't like paying for something until I have it in hand.
I remember all of these little things, however, and I certainly don't lose any sleep if I find something cheaper somewhere else. After all, I'm not getting the service after the sale or any other incentive to use them exclusively. Therefore, I'll go with the cheapest price. I just bought a new windshield bag off of Ebay for $58 shipped. The dealer would've charged me $65 plus tax, plus I'd have to drive 50 miles to get it. Now, if they were doing what they're supposed to be doing and I were perfectly content with them, do you think I'd deny them my business over chump change? I would not.
Again, overall, I like the folks at the dealership. I just think they get busy, complacent or whatever and just don't think sometimes. They can certainly earn my loyalty. I don't hold grudges and tend to have a short memory. Should they change their ways, I'll be happy to throw all of business their way.
You guys are right, however, it's pretty mucy rampant throughout the retail world. Music stores are really bad. The local M&Ps suck, IMO. I don't buy squat from them. I can order online, try out the product for 45 days and send it back should I decide I don't like it and never once have I ever received anything but a "Yes sir, we'll be happy to refund your money" out of them. In return, I've spent literally thousands with them over the years. The local M&Ps would laugh you out of the store if you asked them to do that. Thus, they receive ZERO dollars from me.
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