Wtf Is It With Business' These Days?

[monkeykplunk]

WTF is going on with some people running parts business' these days?

I emailed a company the other day because I need to replace my vaccum hose, as the stock stuff has started to deteriorate.

They have a "kit" listed on their site, so I was emailing them to simply find out what sizes and lengths are contained in the "kit", as I wanted to compare it to simply getting a certain metre length of one size.

That was two days ago. As at this moment I have not yet recieved an email back.

So am I to assume that they simply don't want my business?

I am the sort of person who doesn't mind paying extra for a good product that comes recommended to me, and granted the amount of this was only around $150, but I've always been taught in my line of work (retail) that you treat every customer, and every simgle enquiry, exactly the same whether the amount is $5 or $5000.

And I know I'm not the only one these peopel have been screwing around either. My housemate actually ordered some piping from them last Wednesday. He rang today as it had not arrived and they told him they forgot to send it.

WTF is that???

Any business who is a predominately online trader should know that word of mouth is an extremely vital part of their existance, and bad reports from even one or two people can effect your future sales ten fold.

/ end rant

[r34_skyline]

i know what u mean, but u got to look at it from their point of view. can u imagine how many emails and phone calls they get a day ? and outta say... 100 phone calls and email enquiries, only 5 or 6 end up placing an order. being human, we get tired of ppl who simply ask question for the hell of it.

Edited August 24, 2005 by r34_skyline

[predator]

I agree wholeheartedly monkeyplonk, and have had the same experience with most online retailers (even non-online performance shops). Thats not really good enough.

I have worked in retail before, and despite getting the same things over and over, you simply reply to all queries as soon as possible. If it doesn't, the shit hits the fan and you soon lose your job.

If you just went to a customer face to face when asked a silly question (even if you had been asked 50 times before) "dunno mate" in any decent department store, you wouldn't be too happy... and probably wouldn't bother buying from that establishment. Why should an online business be any different?

After all, customer service is YOUR JOB when dealing with the public. If you don't like doing the responsibilities of a customer facing industry, pay somebody else to do it, or move into a different industry where you don't have to talk to people!

[Mandingo]

Yep its not just online outfits, Should have seen how long it took to get a set of wheels from ozzy tyres, 2 months and changed rims twice cos they didnt have any in stock. why advertise the shit if you dont have it!?!?!

[someonestolecc]

Hey $150 sounds like alot for hoses. If you don't like the service walk away with your money - I always do.

Try this guy - he always responds quick to me and I will be placing an order with him shortly.

http://www.nissansilvia.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=96464

Good luck

Edited August 24, 2005 by someonestolecc

[TIMMMAYYY]

Yep its not just online outfits, Should have seen how long it took to get a set of wheels from ozzy tyres, 2 months and changed rims twice cos they didnt have any in stock. why advertise the shit if you dont have it!?!?!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

this is why you ask about price and availability.

[Amir]

Im trying to buy a house at the moment. Try emailing a realestate agent..............waste of time. And these di*cks work for commission and buying a home in sydney is very expensive.

oz

[Shell]

i think you're better off to ring up...especially spare part places...at least if you're talking to them they have to give you some kind of answer!

but I agree, I emailed a heap of places about a part and only ONE got back to me.

[Bass Junky]

I'm currently e-mailing companies trying to get info and prices on a bunch of parts for my R34 Turbo upgrade.

The ONLY company so far to respond to my e-mails is Greenline, so thank you Greenline.

EVERYONE else, has simply not responded.

I've sent the e-mail to 5 companies now, and only one response.

I'm after injectors, Z32, 3 Defi gauges, indicator lights, shift knob etc. etc

Don't people want my money?

BASS OUT

[Driver]

i emailed greenline over a month ago sayng im ready to place and order give me your bank details.

never got a reply so i took my buisness elsewhere!

[Blitz]

Get used to it.

The market is flooded with every man and his dog trying to become a "Performance parts" business/dealer and the majority of then are only online based, have zero idea how to run or conduct a business, and lack fundamental product knowledge that is nessesary to sell such products.

Several of these outfits are operated by young guys as well and provide no backup support if something goes wrong. Its all about making a quick buck.

[Fitzpatrick Speed Works]

As someone who sells a very small amount of custom manufactured parts I will tell you the other side of the story. I receive endless amounts of PM's and emails from people that are just time wasters, "hey bro my cuz says he can make it for half what you want so can you match his price bro, sick". There are so many time waster full stop and it has gotten to the point where I almost dont resond or respond simply by saying call me if you are genuine.... Calling people shows you arent just sitting at the computer at work and just chasing the cheapest price... I have come to learn a few things recently the cheapest price wont always win my custom. I want someone I can call and will give me the time of day and someone that will be straight with me NO BS. So to all you people who send out email to 10-20 places after one part I say to you dont expect a reply, and dont be upset if you dont get one, call if your genuine, emails are so impersonal and with the amount of time wasters you get it becomes hard to decipher the genuine enquires from the BS ones. the phone is your friend. Another note is people are trying to make money emaisl take time to respond to and not everyone might be as computer savvy as yourself, anyone can quickly talk to you. I know if I sat on the computer all day responding to tender quotes etc sent to me I would never get anywork done and I would go broke and for what??? I can go broke sitting on the beach doing nothing!!!!

[Rezz]

As someone who sells a very small amount of custom manufactured parts I will tell you the other side of the story. I receive endless amounts of PM's and emails from people that are just time wasters, "hey bro my cuz says he can make it for half what you want so can you match his price bro, sick". There are so many time waster full stop and it has gotten to the point where I almost dont resond or respond simply by saying call me if you are genuine.... Calling people shows you arent just sitting at the computer at work and just chasing the cheapest price... I have come to learn a few things recently the cheapest price wont always win my custom. I want someone I can call and will give me the time of day and someone that will be straight with me NO BS. So to all you people who send out email to 10-20 places after one part I say to you dont expect a reply, and dont be upset if you dont get one, call if your genuine, emails are so impersonal and with the amount of time wasters you get it becomes hard to decipher the genuine enquires from the BS ones. the phone is your friend. Another note is people are trying to make money emaisl take time to respond to and not everyone might be as computer savvy as yourself, anyone can quickly talk to you. I know if I sat on the computer all day responding to tender quotes etc sent to me I would never get anywork done and I would go broke and for what??? I can go broke sitting on the beach doing nothing!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

^^^ The voice of experience...

I had the exact same thing happen with my old 'K's Garage' online shop. So many inquiries replied to and for what? For guys (some were kinder than others) to say "heeeey, you know what? I'm not really ready to buy right now, but I'll get back to ya asoon as I am". My stuff advertised wasn't the cheapest stuff out, and I went to great lengths to tell people that. If you want so cheap no-name item, well go someplace else I don't do that stuff. But people still insisted on getting quotes for stuff that they didn't even have money for! This situation x1000 and I eventually gave up...

[monkeykplunk]

Yeah, I can understand where your coming from. And through my own job, I get a thousand tyre kickers a day wasting my time, and I only sell tiles.

I can waste up to about an hour with someone for a $50 sale, but in the end, thats still $50 we didn't have before that.

Plus, even if you don't get a sale straight up, isn't the fact that that person could recommend you to a good mate who might be doing a big upgrade that will be worth good profit for you?

But as I said, I understand where your all coming from as owners, and thats one reason I went with a bigger more well known company, because I'd rather see someone who puts something back into the scene and does a lot for it get the money, then some 15 yr old who lives off Daddy's million dollar salary and is prob just gunna piss off with my money anyway.

Hell, the place I'm talking about is a sponsor on here, and thats what shits me most about the whole thing.

I did get an email today though, not that it answered my questions.

So I will have to ring them anyway.

[LBR33]

Although pre-sales support is important so is post-sales support.

[GKTECH]

I get around 100 emails/PM's a day and make sure by the end of every day all of these are replied to. I generally log on a few times each day to ensure all questions are answered quickly.

I don't mind other business's taking their time as it makes me look better..

Alot of people online don't know how to run a business and can't even spell "customer service". Customer service is in my opinion the most important factor in running a succesflu business..

Anywayz good luck getting answers from online sellers.. im many cases you'll need it.

cheers,

Greg

[monkeykplunk]

I get around 100 emails/PM's a day and make sure by the end of every day all of these are replied to. I generally log on a few times each day to ensure all questions are answered quickly.

I don't mind other business's taking their time as it makes me look better..

Alot of people online don't know how to run a business and can't even spell "customer service". Customer service is in my opinion the most important factor in running a succesflu business..

Anywayz good luck getting answers from online sellers.. im many cases you'll need it.

cheers,

Greg

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is great!

I complain about one place just cause I wanna vent, and all you guys post up and I just check out all your business' from links in your sigs!

Your stuff is a damn good price btw EXAUNV.

Thanks guys

[GKTECH]

LOL, works like that eh.

At the end of the day I like many other traders are as much into the car scene as everyone else. I love my cars and spend all the profits on my cars.. lol. I also buy from other online shops and I hate it!! Oh well... I'll vent somewhere else, this is your thread.

Thanks mate, always try and keep prices pretty low. More stuff coming soon (eg. $380 for a pair of recaro style seats)

Greg