Things Dealers tell Customers

[ttpete]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Let me give you a scenario.

Guy walks into a motorcycle shop asking if the shop will mount tires for him. The shop says, "Sure, but only if you buy them from us, liability concerns. Sorry sir!" Customer, "No problem, I understand." The customer leaves, finds another place willing to take his money, but is not pissed because the first shop treated him with respect.

Later, the guy goes back to the shop for service, supplies or gear. Everyone is happy, and the shop makes money.

See the difference?

Jim

Yup, but the result is the same. First one might have been having a bad day. Second one essentially said the same thing. There are those who go to a dealership and try on helmets, then buy them online from a discount dealer. Same goes for clothing. I just think it's asking a lot to be able to buy online and then expect a dealer to mount them. I don't do that, having been in the business.

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by ttpete

I didn't mean for free. The point was that if the dealer didn't sell the tire, he didn't make a profit on it, and anything he charged went to overhead, which is usually a non-profit area.

Income is income is income, be it from markup over cost on tires or having something for a tech to do in spare moments. Everything is overhead (building space, utilities, labor, taxes, etc) until overhead is paid for, THEN anything left is profit.

With a machine, mount and balance on two wheels should be what- half an hour, tops? Using the previously mentioned $30/wheel rate (off the bike), that's $120/hour. What's the tech make? Double that to cover burdened costs (insurance, taxes, your mentioned "overhead") and it's still 50% "profit".

Or you can let that tech stand there scratching his nuts for that half hour, generating no income for the shop.

Worse is "I don't want your business". That's messed up. Tell them "our insurance coverage won't let us mount tires brought in from another supplier", which is BS but at least it saves face. Tell him "OK, this time, and next time check, we'll price match what you paid online" or "if you buy them here, we'll do the work for less" is better. Telling a customer (that is, a person with a desire to give you money in exchange for a service or product you can provide) to go away is a shortcut to bankruptcy.

[nwdub]

Originally Posted by dwoodward

Income is income is income, be it from markup over cost on tires or having something for a tech to do in spare moments. Everything is overhead (building space, utilities, labor, taxes, etc) until overhead is paid for, THEN anything left is profit.

With a machine, mount and balance on two wheels should be what- half an hour, tops? Using the previously mentioned $30/wheel rate (off the bike), that's $120/hour. What's the tech make? Double that to cover burdened costs (insurance, taxes, your mentioned "overhead") and it's still 50% "profit".

Or you can let that tech stand there scratching his nuts for that half hour, generating no income for the shop.

Worse is "I don't want your business". That's messed up. Tell them "our insurance coverage won't let us mount tires brought in from another supplier", which is BS but at least it saves face. Tell him "OK, this time, and next time check, we'll price match what you paid online" or "if you buy them here, we'll do the work for less" is better. Telling a customer (that is, a person with a desire to give you money) to go away is a shortcut to bankruptcy.

yup.

I'm not paying 250 for a tire i can buy for 117 online. I don't care if you mount it for free, you're still ripping me off.

you'll still make $25 or 30 a tire for mounting and balancing. shit it's maybe 15 mins a tire to do it. you make some quick money, i'm in, out and on my way quickly

I've had people "encourage" me to buy from them and they upcharge on labor since I bring in my own parts, but it still beats the their markup.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by nwdub

yup.

I'm not paying 250 for a tire i can buy for 117 online. I don't care if you mount it for free, you're still ripping me off.

you'll still make $25 or 30 a tire for mounting and balancing. shit it's maybe 15 mins a tire to do it. you make some quick money, i'm in, out and on my way quickly

I've had people "encourage" me to buy from them and they upcharge on labor since I bring in my own parts, but it still beats the their markup.

Don't forget that they can also charge for new valve stems, seals for TPS, and wheel weights. Plus shop supplies and disposal fees. There is profit in everything they do. It is foolish to turn away customers, especially if you are doing it rudely!

Jim

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by Yooper_Bob

Dealer - "Yeah...we've got that tube in stock, come on down"

.....30 minute drive later....

Dealer - "well, its not exactly what you asked for on the phone, but it'll stretch".


I called the local KTM dealer, so see if they could mount some tires I had purchased, as I was going to be out of town on business, and would not have time.

Me - "Hello....can you mount a couple of tires for me? I'll pull the wheels off the bike, and drop them by."

Dealer - "Did you buy the tires from me?"

Me - "Um, no I did not....I ordered them on the internet a while back when they were on sale"

Dealer - "I don't want your business"

I have not set foot in the local KTM dealer's shop in the 5 years since that conversation took place.


Both of these are true conversations I have had...

Ditto with the local BMW shop,I brought a tire in to have them mount up,for the usual 45.00 for off the bike 10 minute tire change,I only brought in the wheel and tire.
I was trying to get on the road for a trip...........The looong looks and admonitions that they really dont do this kind of thing went on....where did you buy this tire?....Weve got those tires here....... 45.00 they made off me + the 5.00 for each BMW wheel weight.

Is that not business and they made money? Either way Im cured of the BMW thing,
Its no wonder bike shops drive customers away,they are living in the past and dont realize every customer counts no matter what they need done.No Matter What.

[NJ Moto]

"Don't worry, they all do that."

[SnowMule]

Took my sled into a dealer for some warranty work, wanted them to do some clutch setup for me while it was there.

Called them a few days later and they had just gotten the warranty parts in and installed, wanted to doublecheck what they were doing with the clutch.

They tried selling me a jet kit.
Except my sled's fuel-injected.

Only time I've been back there is when they have the parts I need that nobody else has in stock.

[spanky]

About a month ago and saw a new bike I was interested in. I walked over to the sales manager who knows me from past dealings at this and the previous shop he's worked at. I inquire as to whether or not BMW would be coming up with any special financing options and was basically given the cold shoulder, dimsissed, actually, as if I was bothering him. This guy runs hot and cold like that and has for quite some time. I still buy parts and have my service work done by them but ended up buying elsewhere.

[DJGypsy]

this happened to me about two years ago, when i was researching for motorcycle purchase #2. i had bought #1 from this place in 2008, but they've gone by the wayside since.

me: why is there no oil pressure warning indicator on this bike?

sales idiot: it's okay, the cylinders are coated in molybdenum. these new ones can run dry until you can top off on oil.



me: *pause, with stare*...i don't know if i should congratulate you on your bravery at trying to pass that off on me as truth or if i should be insulted that you think i'm that stupid. where's your sales manager?

sales idiot: he's out today

me: and so am i. *leaves*

seminole power sports, sanford, FL
suffice to say, they won't get another dime from me. they get bent out of shape when you ask when they'll have more chain lube in stock.

[KX50002]

A loooong time ago I entertained the thought of buying a Harley. My wife and I were at the local dealership looking at some kinda softtail something or other, and the salesman comes over and asks "Can I answer any questions for ya?" I said " Sure, how much is this?" He says "If you have to ask, it's too much." I told him I needed to know so I could fill out the check, and walked out.

I'll never enter "The Pirate's Cove" again.

[DarthJ]

Originally Posted by ttpete

Having worked in dealerships, I'll give you an analogy: Suppose you walked into a diner with all of the fixin's for breakfast in a sack and asked them to cook your breakfast for you using them. Would you feel put out if they refused?

Like it or not, the shop usually covers the cost of opening the doors each day. It's up to sales to make a profit, and you bought over the internet instead of the dealer.

Now, there are independent places who will mount your tires for a fee. I have one nearby that charges 30 bucks if you bring the wheel to them, and it's cheaper if you buy the tire there.

Maybe it's my wit and charm, but I haven't had a problem with a dealer mounting parts I've ordered elsewhere. For me it was a Ford dealer, brought brake pads and rotors to them and asked to install, paid them the labor fee and all were happy.

[slide]

Originally Posted by Yooper_Bob

Dealer - "Yeah...we've got that tube in stock, come on down"

.....30 minute drive later....

Dealer - "well, its not exactly what you asked for on the phone, but it'll stretch".


I called the local KTM dealer, so see if they could mount some tires I had purchased, as I was going to be out of town on business, and would not have time.

Me - "Hello....can you mount a couple of tires for me? I'll pull the wheels off the bike, and drop them by."

Dealer - "Did you buy the tires from me?"

Me - "Um, no I did not....I ordered them on the internet a while back when they were on sale"

Dealer - "I don't want your business"

I have not set foot in the local KTM dealer's shop in the 5 years since that conversation took place.


Both of these are true conversations I have had...

I had an aneurysm the size of my fist on my GS's front tire. The only nearby shop was a Harley-D one. I pulled in and looked at its tire inventory. It had one the right size but not the style I wanted but beggars can't be choosers so I said I'd like that tire and if I pulled the wheel off, could they change the tire for me?

No way can I do a tubeless tire change in the field.

They said their tire changer will not work on my BMW wheels. Harley folks are so nice....

[Andy Mc]

Went to my nearest custom shop a few weeks ago, with an on-line purchased tire for my RT; told him to go ahead and add a markup since I didn't buy from him. Dropped the bike off one morning, picked it up that afternoon, paid $60. I saved money compared to having him order it, he still made his profit, everybody wins...it's all about creating win-win situations...doesn't have to be win-lose all the time.

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by DarthJ

Maybe it's my wit and charm, but I haven't had a problem with a dealer mounting parts I've ordered elsewhere. For me it was a Ford dealer, brought brake pads and rotors to them and asked to install, paid them the labor fee and all were happy.

Yes,the local Honda shop is fine with changing tires no matter where they came from,they also have such good deals on tires I buy them there whenever I can.

Its a customer service thing,even if a shop only makes the tire change $ but they do it with a smile,balance the tire correctly, use good wheel weights that dont fly off. It creates more business by doing what a customer needs,said customer might come back and buy something.
Or tell friends "Those guys are great,great shop!"

Being a sourpuss and telling customers that we wont change your tire cant possibly help anything.

[MacNoob]

A local bike shop (parts/gear/accessories/service, not a dealer) has a big sign at the desk with the standard charges for a bunch of things.

including
TIRE MOUNT $25
NOT BOUGHT HERE $50