oliwb
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| posted on 21/8/07 at 02:01 PM |
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Parts Suppliers
We all know the ones, where you walk through the door which is surrounded with flourescent signs saying no one under 18 and all sales final etc. But
why is it that they have to go out of there way to be unhelpful and assume that every cash sale is someone who has no idea what they're talking
about. Take today for example:
I've just gotten off the phone with a local parts place (who in their defence are pretty good in person). I'm trying to order a timing
belt for a Toyota that I'm gonna pick up tomorow morning (day off) and pay for. So guy invariable makes the big sigh of "oh know
I'll have to stop looking at porn on the internet and actually do some work for a bloody change". Obviously he asks me what the reg of
the car is. Problem no. 1. "Can't help you if you don't know the registration" made to feel like idiot. Tell him the engine
type, code, year and what model it would have come from (MR2). "That cars not listed on our data base", great! So then proceed to tell
man on other end of the phone that it doesn't matter what model he puts it in under that the timing belt never changed on the engine. In fact
it only ever grew by 2 teeth when it became the 20v. Obviously parts dpt man not impressed by these and very smirkly says - "its not that
simple". "Oh but it is I say, its an oil cooled piston, 4-age that can be found in an 89-91 Corolla GTI or MRbleedin2!". "Oh
man says what did you say that engine code was?". "4-age!". Turns out that IS listed (surprise).....anyway long story is I'm
getting my belt tomorow. Now remember obviously its me thats picked it so I'm not entitled to any refunds if its incorrect! - cheek.....
Oli.
If your not living life on the edge you're taking up too much room!
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DarrenW
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| posted on 21/8/07 at 02:14 PM |
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I guess most places have had their fill of numpties so dont register immediately when someone phones them that has some sort of intelligence - by then
its a little late for them to back track.
However there is no excuse for some positive help and friendly interaction with the customer. They are after all supposed to be the experts on the
parts they sell.
I had similar experience at a local factors that is more aligned to trade sales than public. I found the owner to be the worst culprit, but thankfully
most of his staff are great (he is now that he recognises me when i go in). Luckliy there is also a place over the road that i have never had an issue
with, just that they sell some of the more lower priced stuff so i go to the place that i think will best suit my needs.
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TimC
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| posted on 21/8/07 at 02:15 PM |
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Most of the people in these places are monkeys - certainly not car enthusiasts in my experience. Halfords are even worse normally.
There are obviously exceptions to this rule but bad service is rife!
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MikeR
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| posted on 21/8/07 at 02:41 PM |
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when i go in, i wear oiled jeans, smile and say,
"hi, i'm going to be a pain, i need some parts but there not fitted to the original car. What i need is from a ............ probably
around year .......... and i need x,y,z"
With that opening speech there normally fantastic and as long as they're not busy do there best to help. They even let me join in looking
through the catalogues.
then again, they are a 95% trade place so having something to do other than lookup x,y,z exactly as listed and wanted 4 minutes ago is a nice change
to them.
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