Parts Guys @ the Dealership
#24
02-22-2009, 04:24 PM
The best parts person at my local dealer is a woman. She really knows her stuff. Once guy is a sportbike guy and clueless, and the other guy is decent. The turnover at the stealer is amazing. they must have had 10 different people there since I ahve owned my bike and it has only been 3 years.
#25
02-22-2009, 04:39 PM
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I walk in with my parts book, spew out a couple of numbers and walk away. I learned when I was doing the WG front end conversion on the SB to just tell them I had a WG when they asked, so I didnt hear "that wont fit" Just sell me the F'in parts and hold the commentary. Honestly, now I just buy from Zanotti's. HD dealerships could really benefit from knowing what the hell they're talking about. I was in a local the other day when a customer asked the owner how much an Ultra Classic on the floor weighed....owner says about 650 lbs. Customer says "really thats it?" Yep he replys. Just stupid crap like that drives me nuts. Ultimately they're just salesman or pushing buttons (not all but a majority) We on the other hand are enthusiast.
#26
02-22-2009, 08:28 PM
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I use one dealer exclusively for stuff I don't get elsewhere - the parts guys there are good and don't b.s. you. The other "new shiny" dealer has some parts guys who are a little wet behind the ears - a couple of times I've had them insist my oil change o-rings are all the same size when they aren't. Haven't had to argue with them, just insist they look it up. I really need to start ordering o-rings in bulk online because I know they are cheaper...
#27
02-22-2009, 09:22 PM
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How true! As a former parts guy I can tell you this, it's getting near impossible to find good people. You get guys with no clue but their wife can write a mean resume, guys that know their stuff but are freekin lazy and once in a blue moon you get one worth a damn. The unfortunate part is they don't want to pay so they can reserve the profit. You pay well and get the right guy people come back and your volume preserves the profit. I would love to sell parts at a Harley dealer, would be fun as heck and I know I could do a much better job than our local guy did before he was laid off.
I LIKE that FL Dyna !!
What you said is true. But on the other hand HD dealers pay 8-10 bucks an hr (aprox 1/2 of what journeymen automotive parts people "should" make)
#28
02-22-2009, 10:12 PM
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#29
02-22-2009, 10:23 PM
Elite HDF Member
That is the beauty of ag dealers (at least the one I work for) is they pay well for qualified parts people. I moved to a different department recently and one of our other veteran parts guys left leaving them looking for more people so far with no success.
#30
02-22-2009, 10:32 PM
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