Dealers in the dark ages?
Discussion
Okay, a bit of a rant but wondered if this is nationwide. When I was looking for bikes, I was bemused that in Glasgow area anyway, almost all dealers are closed on a Sunday. I work Monday to Friday and that only leaves a Saturday. Then when I got my 125, dealers don't service on a Saturday bar one (they got the business). And now, I want new tyres and want to book in - no dealers in Glasgow open on a Monday! How archaic. I know some dealers claim Sunday and Monday are their weekends but that doesn't wash with me. Esp when last time I needed a 600mile service it was a two week waiting time! Glad the customer works around the dealer and not the other way eh?
That’s the problem with the modern age, everyone expects to be able to get goods/service whenever they want them.
The same could be asked of you, why don’t you work Saturday and Sunday and have a Tuesday and Wednesday off?
I do however have the same issue where I live, the local motorcycle garages only open half day on a Saturday and are closed of a Sunday, I’ve always just thought that maybe that’s the only time they get to have a ride out themselves.
The same could be asked of you, why don’t you work Saturday and Sunday and have a Tuesday and Wednesday off?
I do however have the same issue where I live, the local motorcycle garages only open half day on a Saturday and are closed of a Sunday, I’ve always just thought that maybe that’s the only time they get to have a ride out themselves.
I agree with a lot of that, though are we are getting to a stage where we expect a business to be open 7 days a week and forget they are run by people and not robots?
I thought about this myself when I was looking for some dealers to be open on Sunday to try on some gear but should we expect a small company to have to provide the same service as Next / Tesco?
If you have worked weekends you will know how disruptive / restricting it can be to life, especially for people with families etc who may work / go to school Monday-Friday, you could go a few weeks without a single day off with your partner / children / family etc.
Most dealers are open on a Saturday and to be honest I think that is enough for most, you say you have a day off on Saturday but I expet have things to get on with yourself (refer to above) I dont agree with closing on a Monday though, its easy to alternate staff days off to prevent having to do that but if they are a small business and family owned again maybe they want a day off together.
The issue with a 2 week wait for a small service and not servicing on a weekend is where I agree with you more now, if they want to keep their Sundays then you should be able to get a Saturday service or wait less than 2 weeks to be seen, but I imagine the mechanics may want a full weekend off.
I thought about this myself when I was looking for some dealers to be open on Sunday to try on some gear but should we expect a small company to have to provide the same service as Next / Tesco?
If you have worked weekends you will know how disruptive / restricting it can be to life, especially for people with families etc who may work / go to school Monday-Friday, you could go a few weeks without a single day off with your partner / children / family etc.
Most dealers are open on a Saturday and to be honest I think that is enough for most, you say you have a day off on Saturday but I expet have things to get on with yourself (refer to above) I dont agree with closing on a Monday though, its easy to alternate staff days off to prevent having to do that but if they are a small business and family owned again maybe they want a day off together.
The issue with a 2 week wait for a small service and not servicing on a weekend is where I agree with you more now, if they want to keep their Sundays then you should be able to get a Saturday service or wait less than 2 weeks to be seen, but I imagine the mechanics may want a full weekend off.
Justatwist said:
That’s the problem with the modern age, everyone expects to be able to get goods/service whenever they want them.
The same could be asked of you, why don’t you work Saturday and Sunday and have a Tuesday and Wednesday off?
I do however have the same issue where I live, the local motorcycle garages only open half day on a Saturday and are closed of a Sunday, I’ve always just thought that maybe that’s the only time they get to have a ride out themselves.
Beat me to that one.... The same could be asked of you, why don’t you work Saturday and Sunday and have a Tuesday and Wednesday off?
I do however have the same issue where I live, the local motorcycle garages only open half day on a Saturday and are closed of a Sunday, I’ve always just thought that maybe that’s the only time they get to have a ride out themselves.
Just to add though - called my local Yamaha dealer a few mins ago, happy to service on a Saturday and can give me a 1.5-2hr time-slot so I can wait around / have a walk while they do it, they have no problem booking a slot in the next week. I guess all dealers are different.
Edited by Rick1.8t on Monday 2nd July 10:30
When I worked (many moons ago) in Retail and car sales, weekends were there to take money from people who only had weekends to spend it. A sensible business model!I can understand small family run places but big manufacturer backed dealers less so, esp Mondays (I wouldn't expect service to be open sunday - but sales - yes). I managed to speak to the parts department of the city centre dealer I'm trying to book with (parts open, service closed) - they don't supply Continental tyres....so the availability issue is neither here nor there now! I don't really want the bike off the road as I use it daily, otherwise I would buy tyre myself and take leave wheel with a local fitter to sort and I can pick up a day or two later with car.
Edited by jamiehamy on Monday 2nd July 11:17
Rick1.8t said:
I agree with a lot of that, though are we are getting to a stage where we expect a business to be open 7 days a week and forget they are run by people and not robots?
Yup also agree with most of yours and other posts. Perhaps your point above could be solved by having some people on 4 days some on the other 3, I believe that's how most of the other "24hr" businesses operate. It probably makes life harder for the dealer though, doubling paperwork, payslips et al. blah blahneelyp said:
Try Jim Allan in Falkirk for your tyres, they're closed a Sunday, but generally able to fit you in at short notice for tyres, very reasonable as well.
Thanks neely - I'm the wrong side of Glasgow or I would. I'm probably being a bit naïve thinking I could phone on Monday and get a day during the week I could drop bike in morning and pick up after work or get a loan bike if not in city centre! I'll try get somewhere to fit them on Saturday, just means I lose my Saturday morning where I'd rather not be hanging around a dealer 
It wasn't that long ago most dealers would close on Mondays instead of Saturday.
So when you started working on the bike on Saturday you'd be stuck for parts until nigh a week later.
At one time I used to get on very well with a Honda dealer, I could work on the bike outside their workshop on a Saturday, so getting parts, borrowing tools was easier.
So when you started working on the bike on Saturday you'd be stuck for parts until nigh a week later.
At one time I used to get on very well with a Honda dealer, I could work on the bike outside their workshop on a Saturday, so getting parts, borrowing tools was easier.
I work every weekend and long hours so when I need something doing I book time off when it comes to being organised I would say I am part Jedi part Ninja.
Be more organised... a few tips for booking time off # get your manager in a headlock (make sure no cameras nearby) and demand said time off. If this doesn't work go all Bruce Willis like and consider # hostage situation usually works for me.
Remember to apply your "filter" at all times don't want pc police coming after you now do we! This advice is for free thank me later
Be more organised... a few tips for booking time off # get your manager in a headlock (make sure no cameras nearby) and demand said time off. If this doesn't work go all Bruce Willis like and consider # hostage situation usually works for me.
Remember to apply your "filter" at all times don't want pc police coming after you now do we! This advice is for free thank me later
never understood this from even a main dealer point of view,
albeit my experience is with car dealers not bikes the principles are the same.
wanted to book our Vivaro in for some warranty work, 4 week lead time at both the dealers I called. how on earth can a dealer have 4 weeks worth of work stacked up? and I was happy to take any appointment available let alone a weekend.
the vast majority of people work mon-fri so why not as a service sector business adjust your hours to suit your customers needs. pay your mechanics a bit extra and have them in on a Saturday and Sunday. the first dealers that actually see this will certainly reap the benefits. bikers in particular in the summer, open your service dept up at the weekend, stick a bbq on for the punters and watch the bookings roll in as everyone decides I'm due a service anyway may as well have a ride out enjoy a bbq and have a salesman sell me a new bike at the same time
albeit my experience is with car dealers not bikes the principles are the same.
wanted to book our Vivaro in for some warranty work, 4 week lead time at both the dealers I called. how on earth can a dealer have 4 weeks worth of work stacked up? and I was happy to take any appointment available let alone a weekend.
the vast majority of people work mon-fri so why not as a service sector business adjust your hours to suit your customers needs. pay your mechanics a bit extra and have them in on a Saturday and Sunday. the first dealers that actually see this will certainly reap the benefits. bikers in particular in the summer, open your service dept up at the weekend, stick a bbq on for the punters and watch the bookings roll in as everyone decides I'm due a service anyway may as well have a ride out enjoy a bbq and have a salesman sell me a new bike at the same time
This time of year, bike dealers are generally overflowing, so it's not unusual to have to do a bit of running about to get things sorted.
Tyres on bikes etc can be a pain, most will do loose wheels easily, but bike on lift, wheels out, refitted etc, is workshop space etc, so you may need to travel etc.
I don't begrudge them their days off mind, all the bike mechanics I know work long hours in the summer.
Tyres on bikes etc can be a pain, most will do loose wheels easily, but bike on lift, wheels out, refitted etc, is workshop space etc, so you may need to travel etc.
I don't begrudge them their days off mind, all the bike mechanics I know work long hours in the summer.
Glasgowrob said:
never understood this from even a main dealer point of view,
albeit my experience is with car dealers not bikes the principles are the same.
wanted to book our Vivaro in for some warranty work, 4 week lead time at both the dealers I called. how on earth can a dealer have 4 weeks worth of work stacked up? and I was happy to take any appointment available let alone a weekend.
the vast majority of people work mon-fri so why not as a service sector business adjust your hours to suit your customers needs. pay your mechanics a bit extra and have them in on a Saturday and Sunday. the first dealers that actually see this will certainly reap the benefits. bikers in particular in the summer, open your service dept up at the weekend, stick a bbq on for the punters and watch the bookings roll in as everyone decides I'm due a service anyway may as well have a ride out enjoy a bbq and have a salesman sell me a new bike at the same time
Pretty much my thoughts! The other thing that amazes me is the lack of interest in new bikers like me who have plenty cash to burn (me and 3 of my biker mates have plenty disposable cash and all want second bikes). I think I mentioned on another thread that rather a few dealers won't let me test ride bikes - not even escorted. But also, they are pretty disinterested unless you say 'I want to buy this'. If Ducati for example had actually bothered putting in any effort I'd either have bought a new one or traded in my Twin. As it stands, I've been 3 times and they still don't know my name and I was told 'well, the two year rule isn't fixed, come back when you've been riding 7 months and you can ride it' - no joke! I'm desperate for the thing! Contrast that to another dealer over in Edinburgh who know how to do it - interested? Come ride it and then we can chat. First time I did that, I bought it! albeit my experience is with car dealers not bikes the principles are the same.
wanted to book our Vivaro in for some warranty work, 4 week lead time at both the dealers I called. how on earth can a dealer have 4 weeks worth of work stacked up? and I was happy to take any appointment available let alone a weekend.
the vast majority of people work mon-fri so why not as a service sector business adjust your hours to suit your customers needs. pay your mechanics a bit extra and have them in on a Saturday and Sunday. the first dealers that actually see this will certainly reap the benefits. bikers in particular in the summer, open your service dept up at the weekend, stick a bbq on for the punters and watch the bookings roll in as everyone decides I'm due a service anyway may as well have a ride out enjoy a bbq and have a salesman sell me a new bike at the same time
Glasgowrob said:
never understood this from even a main dealer point of view,
albeit my experience is with car dealers not bikes the principles are the same.
the vast majority of people work mon-fri so why not as a service sector business adjust your hours to suit your customers needs. pay your mechanics a bit extra and have them in on a Saturday and Sunday.
Your point is valid but the solution is not as easy as you suggest.albeit my experience is with car dealers not bikes the principles are the same.
the vast majority of people work mon-fri so why not as a service sector business adjust your hours to suit your customers needs. pay your mechanics a bit extra and have them in on a Saturday and Sunday.
If I pay them extra to work Saturday / Sunday then when do they take time off? If they take a weekday off in lieu then I still only have the same number of hours to sell, so no extra turnover. If I operate Saturday / Sunday servicing then I also have to pay for parts staff ( or limit bookings to jobs where parts can be pre-picked ) and for front of house to do booking, invoicing etc.
The net result is that rather than bunging the mechanic a few quid, opening for additional hours requires an increase in headcount and all the costs and commitment that that brings.
If I've got 200 hours per week to sell, but can only sell 180 during the week then it might be worth seeing if we can sell the other 20 on a Saturday, for example, rather than redundancies
Or if I'm flat out all week every week but don't have the space to install extra ramps, then extra staff and extra working days would be the way to grow the business.
The Vauxhall example that you quoted is clearly not acceptable to a customer and will lead to lost revenue through work going elsewhere. We don't know whether that was only a short term blip due to unplanned absences, or if a longer term problem what recruitment action they were taking to resolve it.
Edited by Wooda80 on Wednesday 4th July 10:55
If you are turning away a decent amount of business because you dont want you or your staff to work weekends, then that is simply lost revenue. I'm having little sympathy for the moanings of dealers lately. I was trying to book my Adv in for a service and lead times everywhere were 6-7 weeks. But the kicker was everywhere was only open Monday to Friday. lol. Fine it is seasonal, but as with every business it is either an opportunity you take, or one you miss out on.
I only have the weekends to visit bike shops and do test rides. And I've learnt to travel to find dealers willing to accommodate weekends and test rides. So far I've bought every bike from the dealer that give me a test ride, and never ordered one from one that wont. A certain Vauxhall motorcycle dealer was great once, but has since lost a few sales since, and the orange brand Croydon dealer has never delivered. I now ride 30+ miles out of London to by from much friendlier chaps.
I only have the weekends to visit bike shops and do test rides. And I've learnt to travel to find dealers willing to accommodate weekends and test rides. So far I've bought every bike from the dealer that give me a test ride, and never ordered one from one that wont. A certain Vauxhall motorcycle dealer was great once, but has since lost a few sales since, and the orange brand Croydon dealer has never delivered. I now ride 30+ miles out of London to by from much friendlier chaps.
Having sales open over the whole weekend seems to be a no brainer to me - as someone else already said, you're catering for the people who have money to spend but only the weekend to spend it as they are working Mon-Fri.
Then, if sales people are there, you should be able to accept bikes in for service, albeit that they would have to be left there until the service work is done if that is only open Mon-Fri.
A couple of manufacturer-backed dealers in my area do this - another one does not!
(ETA: one of the above is actually open Saturday mornings for service work too, which is handy for minor services, warranty work, etc)
Then, if sales people are there, you should be able to accept bikes in for service, albeit that they would have to be left there until the service work is done if that is only open Mon-Fri.
A couple of manufacturer-backed dealers in my area do this - another one does not!
(ETA: one of the above is actually open Saturday mornings for service work too, which is handy for minor services, warranty work, etc)
It looks like a lot of opinion here is that the dealers should run a 7 day operation - Do you think this about small independents, say a family-run business with a handful of staff or just the larger guys out there?
Its quite interesting to see the amount of people who have not and probably would not entertain weekend work having the opinion that Sunday opening is a normal expectation, not only for sales but also servicing - Not every business is a huge concern and can afford to retain enough staff to rotate weekends or have the resources to plan for holidays, sick days, days off mid-week etc if running in this manner.
Its easy to expect the world to be there when you are off work without having a thought for what that actually means for the person serving you.
Though I agree some businesses need to get up to date with the way things work now (Monday closure is odd, as is 2 week waiting times for services) not everybody wants to or can prioritise profit over everything else in life - What is the point in selling an extra bike on a Sunday or a couple of extra oil changes if your entire life passes you by working in the shop while other people are out living theirs, again easy to counter that with 'hire staff', that's fine when you look in from the outside but the real world is much more complicated and running a business without huge sums of money isn't a fairytale.
Its quite interesting to see the amount of people who have not and probably would not entertain weekend work having the opinion that Sunday opening is a normal expectation, not only for sales but also servicing - Not every business is a huge concern and can afford to retain enough staff to rotate weekends or have the resources to plan for holidays, sick days, days off mid-week etc if running in this manner.
Its easy to expect the world to be there when you are off work without having a thought for what that actually means for the person serving you.
Though I agree some businesses need to get up to date with the way things work now (Monday closure is odd, as is 2 week waiting times for services) not everybody wants to or can prioritise profit over everything else in life - What is the point in selling an extra bike on a Sunday or a couple of extra oil changes if your entire life passes you by working in the shop while other people are out living theirs, again easy to counter that with 'hire staff', that's fine when you look in from the outside but the real world is much more complicated and running a business without huge sums of money isn't a fairytale.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff