Dealer parts rant...

[DarkSpirit750]

I've done autoparts for the last 10 years in dealerships doing GM/Nissan and now Kia (I regret that decision). If the kid was new you were paying for his learning curve. If he stays with it for a few months he'll get better. If he has been at it a few months and he still sucks-well I can't say much for him then.

As for stocking inventory, that requires a huge out-of-pocket expense for dealers. Many manufacturers have a required stock list and most don't stock much past that. They are also required to pay taxes every year on how much they hold. Taxes on 100k in inventory can get pricey and 100k is not much for any dealership especially with more than one line.

To the OP I'm sorry you were turned off to dealers. Maybe next time work with them, especially if they are younger, instead of the attitude.

I can tell you from experience with many a parts man, the worse the customer's attitude the more expensive the part gets and the longer it takes for it to arrive.

[DarkSpirit750]

Originally Posted by justinmahn

The Honda shop here pays their new boys close to minimum wage. I asked.

Which dealership? You're in NWA aren't you?

[justinmahn]

Heartland. I've gotten fairly good service, but they sure didn't get it right the first time every time.

[gat803]

Originally Posted by DarkSpirit750

To the OP I'm sorry you were turned off to dealers. Maybe next time work with them, especially if they are younger, instead of the attitude.

I can tell you from experience with many a parts man, the worse the customer's attitude the more expensive the part gets and the longer it takes for it to arrive.

Yea, fuk that.
I've been dealing with and relying on good parts counter guys in just about every wrenching field from motorcycle/snowmobiles/outboards to auto/plumbing/electrical supply houses.

Good parts guys are worth their weight in platinum. Bad ones aren't worth a lump in the cat box. In the day of the computer any parts guy that jerks his customers around, either by jacking the price or wasting his customers time is cutting his own throat. It's too easy for buyers to buy else where, and for less money. Service is ALL that they have that keeps customers. Don't provide good service and you WILL run out of customers....probably sooner than later.

I don't b!tch about these guys lightly. I've been wrenching on mechanical things longer than most people on this forum have been alive. This means I've been buying parts just as long. I know what a good parts guy is, and he gets my respect...and my business along with all of the business that I can help him get.

[DarkSpirit750]

Like I said, if the kid was just dumb, well that's on them, if they're learning work with them, instead of giving them an attitude. Every parts guy that is awesome was a kid learning and making mistakes at some point.

And it's all about the customer. A good customer in need with a great attitude will get everything they want out of the transaction and often a discount they never even asked for. A a-hole gets his price raised and I make up for the discount the pleasant customer got.

Also in the days of the computer and the internet, you bet people can go online and get what they need. It's often wrong and they come back to the dealership anyways.

[DarkSpirit750]

Originally Posted by justinmahn

Heartland. I've gotten fairly good service, but they sure didn't get it right the first time every time.

Not to thread hijack-but I've been having really good luck with Rainbow Honda. They are worth the drive to Bentonville.

[kacealraid]

I know in my warehouse, we don't keep screws or bolts of any kind for any of the machines. Why? They're overpriced versions of what you can get at ACE hardware for dimes in your pocket. Also, we'd never sell the majority of them if we did have them. That may have been the dealer's mindset as well. We can order screws if you HAVE to have them... (IE: You didn't have any in the appliance when you moved in, or some other reason you can't see what the screw looks like to get a reasonable replacement), but we warn our customers the screws are usually 4 dollars a piece, just because it's got a brand name on the bag.

[tcb1100]

Gat, we have some of the same issues at our only dealership here in Hobbs. They sell Yamaha, Kawasaki, Victory and a butt load of Polaris 4 wheelers. The 4 wheelers are their bread and butter, so motorcycle parts are an after thought to their product line. They have a high turnover rate of counter help and has been that way for years. I normally go online to either the Kawi website or Yammie website, search the parts fiche and note the mfg. part number to items I need. Then its a trip to the dealership with part numbers, tell the counter guy what I need and still need to go thru the process of what bike, model, year etc. On occasion they may have what I need, but usually it's 5-7 day wait. They order parts on Friday and you may be lucky enough to get a call on Wed. afternoon.

I've reduced my visits to this dealership to all but the most simplistic needs after a major fail on their part for their service (lack of) on getting a replacement key fob programmed for my C14. I ended up doing business with Champion in Roswell, 115 miles away.

[adlowe]

Originally Posted by DarkSpirit750

It's often wrong and they come back to the dealership anyways.

Dream on. It will prevent feelings of insecurity that come with the realization that you are a superfluous employee.

[DarkSpirit750]

No dreaming needed when it's fact.