Parts Guys Are Assholes
#31
02-02-2010 | 09:16 AM
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: New Brunswick, Canada
Your a great example of what's wrong with companies today.
You are paid to do a job, yet you want the customer to do most of it before they get there.
You act like you are the only person on Earth that can accomplish your daily duties. Then admit that it is just a $7.00 an hour feat.
You start with an attitude, then get mad when your attitude is reflected back at you.
You demand respect, yet show total contempt for any person you deal with.
You brag about your poor personal skills as though it is some badge of honor.
You fire off derogatory names like a second grader, but convince yourself your not "elitist"
You spend all that time composing a post just to expand your list of people that **** you off.
But don't worry. Once you drive off all someone else's customers, one at a time, they will start cutting expenses. The children with the crap attitudes will be the first to go.
Then, you can come on here and cry about all those unfriendly bikers that come and ask for no ketchup on the burgers you are flipping.
You are paid to do a job, yet you want the customer to do most of it before they get there.
You act like you are the only person on Earth that can accomplish your daily duties. Then admit that it is just a $7.00 an hour feat.
You start with an attitude, then get mad when your attitude is reflected back at you.
You demand respect, yet show total contempt for any person you deal with.
You brag about your poor personal skills as though it is some badge of honor.
You fire off derogatory names like a second grader, but convince yourself your not "elitist"
You spend all that time composing a post just to expand your list of people that **** you off.
But don't worry. Once you drive off all someone else's customers, one at a time, they will start cutting expenses. The children with the crap attitudes will be the first to go.
Then, you can come on here and cry about all those unfriendly bikers that come and ask for no ketchup on the burgers you are flipping.
THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^
I will say that SOME (maybe even most) HD parts guys are ********....and you sir, personify them.
I live five minutes from a dealership, yet I travel 90 miles to get amazing service. When I (used to) walk in to my home dealership, I could stand at the parts counter for ten minutes directly in front of the parts counter without so much as being acknowledged. The parts guys could be sitting staring at computer screens and busting their asses for all I know. But you know what......if you simply acknowledge my presence, that will go a longgggg way. Simply looking up quickly and saying 'I'll be with you in a moment' will keep me quiet. Yet, I have to stand there and be ignored. And then, I'm so lucky that when these guys do decide to help me out, they're crankier than a baby in a bee's nest.
Screw you.......I'm taking my business elsewhere......
By the way, that must have been quite the productive seminar you attended......
#32
02-02-2010 | 09:18 AM
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 15
From: Springfield, Ohio
I have ran into some partsmen that acted like this though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1leDAwjtto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1leDAwjtto
#33
02-02-2010 | 09:41 AM
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: Wildomar, CA
Just like there is a difference between a parts swapper and a mechanic, the is a difference between a parts guy and an order taker. Sounds like you are an order taker. You want the customer to come in with a list of part numbers so you can just go in the back and fill his order.
A parts guy has knowledge of his products and can advise his customers on what they need (or should get). It's been many years but when I was a parts guy (both bikes and cars) I took pride in my knowledge and my ability to help a "clueless" customer. There is nothing more satisfying than turning around an unhappy, frustrated customer that doesn't know what they need but does know what they want.
A parts guy has knowledge of his products and can advise his customers on what they need (or should get). It's been many years but when I was a parts guy (both bikes and cars) I took pride in my knowledge and my ability to help a "clueless" customer. There is nothing more satisfying than turning around an unhappy, frustrated customer that doesn't know what they need but does know what they want.
#34
02-02-2010 | 09:49 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,167
Likes: 341
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I've seen good people behind the parts counter and bad. I usually know exactly what I'm looking for, thanks to all the internet sites (like this one) I usually have the part number (especially if they are having a sale that day).
I don't expect you to know what bike I have. Sometimes I want to buy a part that wasn't specifically for my bike and make it work (my money if it doesn't).
I appreciate the parts guys who will go grab a part off the shelf and let me see it to decide if I can make it work. I appreciate the guys who will offer an alternative. I appreciate the guys who will (and can) look up the part number. I appreciate the guys who don't get snotty when I want to double check the list before they order the parts.
I hate the guy who knows what I want before I tell him. Who knows that this (insert part name here) fits all of them (doesn't have to look it up). Without fail it doesn't fit my bike.
I hate the guy who tells me over the phone that they have a part in stock, it costs about $75 so I drive an hour just to be told they have to order it and it is $200.
I hate the guy who tells me he hates the style of accessory I'm buying.
I hate the guy who, after I double check the list and tell him it is wrong, orders the wrong thing anyway. Even though he knows there is a 6-8 week lead time on painted part which will become 12-16 weeks by the time they discover their error and get it corrected.
I hate the guy who is checking out some girls *** rather than listening to me when I'm trying to buy something.
I take cookies in to the guys I appreciate. I have learned to avoid certain people behind the part counter.
I don't expect you to know what bike I have. Sometimes I want to buy a part that wasn't specifically for my bike and make it work (my money if it doesn't).
I appreciate the parts guys who will go grab a part off the shelf and let me see it to decide if I can make it work. I appreciate the guys who will offer an alternative. I appreciate the guys who will (and can) look up the part number. I appreciate the guys who don't get snotty when I want to double check the list before they order the parts.
I hate the guy who knows what I want before I tell him. Who knows that this (insert part name here) fits all of them (doesn't have to look it up). Without fail it doesn't fit my bike.
I hate the guy who tells me over the phone that they have a part in stock, it costs about $75 so I drive an hour just to be told they have to order it and it is $200.
I hate the guy who tells me he hates the style of accessory I'm buying.
I hate the guy who, after I double check the list and tell him it is wrong, orders the wrong thing anyway. Even though he knows there is a 6-8 week lead time on painted part which will become 12-16 weeks by the time they discover their error and get it corrected.
I hate the guy who is checking out some girls *** rather than listening to me when I'm trying to buy something.
I take cookies in to the guys I appreciate. I have learned to avoid certain people behind the part counter.
#36
02-02-2010 | 09:53 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
From: Republic of Texas
This is the reason why I have a "***** ewe 2" attitude toward HD dealerships! If you have a problem dealing with the customer in person, get a paper route! I have had a much better experience dealing with my Indy or ordering online.
#37
02-02-2010 | 09:57 AM
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
I sell parts at local gm dealership. deal with public all day. try to be patient and treat all customers the same. Sometimes I have to remind myself that this customer does not want to be here at all spending his money, something on his vehicle is broken, and he's pissed when he walked in the door. Very rarely is the customer here to do a performance upgrade wanting to hand over his money. When I go to HD to get parts, i'm ready and willing to spend money to improve my bike. I go in with a good attitude, and I get great results from parts guys. They know i sell parts, maybe its professional courtesy.
#38
02-02-2010 | 09:58 AM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,787
Likes: 2,135
From: Texas
I have to say that I've been very happy with Harley-Davidson "parts guys" most of the times. The one that I deal with most is always ready to "take care of business". I have always found all of them to be as good or better than say, GM, Ford, Mopar, John Deere, or Case IH that I dealt with soooo much in my farming days. Some of those poor guys could barely find their way to the store every day! Most of the Indy parts houses also seemed to take care of business very well. The chain stores, not so much.
Any way I would agree that at times, all parts guys are ********, I would also say that at times all customers are ********, self included.
Any way I would agree that at times, all parts guys are ********, I would also say that at times all customers are ********, self included.
#39
02-02-2010 | 10:12 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 2
From: North Lima, Ohio
I have never had problems with parts guys where I go. As a matter of fact, Im the dumb one. If I dont know what it is that I want, they will either give me the book or turn the computer screen where I can see it to help identify the needed part. Also that scene can spark up some good conversation while looking. Also had a wireing issue, I called for service and somehow ended up with parts dept. I told the guy what happened and it turned out that this "parts" guy was able to walk me through my wireing problem in about 45 seconds on the phone. This would be Thunder Tower in Columbia, SC They get gold stars on their timecards and a couple attaboys!
#40
02-02-2010 | 10:25 AM
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Couple observations.
Im not a parts guy but I have worked the parts counter.
Somehow its my fault that you wrecked your bike.
Somehow its my fault your bike fell of of your jack in your garage.
Somehow its my fault your spark plugs need replaced.
Somehow its my fault we dont have parts like the one Paul and Mikey made on Occ.
Most parts guys I know, wernt a$$holes till they became parts guys.
Who really expects the college student trying to work his way through school to spend all his spare time learning to be a better parts guy?
Who really expects the 17 yr old girl working the Christmas holiday to be a good parts guy?
Why would you treat a parts guy like S**t and then ask for a discount?
Is $7hr really enough money to kiss somebody's a$$?
All of us are a$$holes some of the time.
Some of us are A$$holes all of the time
Im not a parts guy but I have worked the parts counter.
Somehow its my fault that you wrecked your bike.
Somehow its my fault your bike fell of of your jack in your garage.
Somehow its my fault your spark plugs need replaced.
Somehow its my fault we dont have parts like the one Paul and Mikey made on Occ.
Most parts guys I know, wernt a$$holes till they became parts guys.
Who really expects the college student trying to work his way through school to spend all his spare time learning to be a better parts guy?
Who really expects the 17 yr old girl working the Christmas holiday to be a good parts guy?
Why would you treat a parts guy like S**t and then ask for a discount?
Is $7hr really enough money to kiss somebody's a$$?
All of us are a$$holes some of the time.
Some of us are A$$holes all of the time