What would you like to see in a dealership??

[Jet Set Performance]

Hi gang! As many of you may know, I'm with Surf & Turf Powersports here in Lumberton, NJ. I just wanted to get a quick opinion of the core entheusiasts (sp?) (you ), what you would like to see in a dealership? I'm trying to take our service & parts dept. to a new level, and was looking for some good input. We want to be the #1 choice weather it be the purchase of a new unit, any part you need, or world class service. It's a tough task on my end, but maybe with some of your help I can take the dealership experience to a whole new level.
As a little side note, we are NJ's largest Can-Am ATV dealer, if your'e in the market for one of these incredible machines, keep us in mind. Thanks in advance to the "X" community for letting me post this little "survey", hopefully we can all benefit from the end result.

 

[WaveDemon]

how about a cheaper pro built Superjet, like the wamiltons "gold edition" on the sales floor and a staff who knows a thing or two about stand ups.

when I went to the dealership with my buddy when he bought his ski (before I bought one) I pointed to the superjet and said you should buy one of those, he thought it was race only and not for regular people. he then bought a honda and a seadoo to jump waves. luckly, I learned from his mistake.

 

[the only couch rider]

hey derek, it's dan costello..... i guess the one thing i would like to see if at all possible is an efficient service department and an avalibilty of parts and accessories

 

[D Slicker]

Derrick, Good parts selection, Ability to diagnose modified machines, Quick turn around, Knowledgeable empolyee's.

 

[The Penguin]

how about parts prices with a reasonable markup from cost?

 

[D Slicker]

how about parts prices with a reasonable markup from cost?

2nd that.

 

[douglee25]

how about parts prices with a reasonable markup from cost?

3rd!

 

[njfl]

4th. I live right around the corner from Stumpy's Yamaha and would love to go there for all of my parts, but usually only do in dire emergencies. They usually give me a 10% discount, but still the markup is rediculous. In most cases I can wait a few days for the discount mail order dealers.

You have quite a big ski community in NJ, both sitdowns, and an increasing number of standups.

Having a reputation as a walk-in dealership with low-markup parts pricing may just get the word out about you and people travelling up the NJ Turnpike (everyone does that at least once in their life) may just make a short diversion to check you out.

 

[douglee25]

It really is amazing what companies have been charging lately for parts. I have seen parts being marked up at over 200%. That kinda of profit margin is crazy IMO.

Doug

 

[Kny21]

I think the parts stocking thing is a big one..... I can go to my local Honda/Yamaha dealer but have to order to get any PWC parts, except spark plugs surprisenly. I'm much more likely to go local and pay the same then hastle with waiting and paying shipping from other vendors as long as its stocked. I'm very lucky that I have a dedicated PWC shop locally that has everything stocked I could need except for A/M parts. Also, they charge "standard" and will meet any of the online dealers prices like Ronnies, Riva, Parker so in the end I make out and don't have to pay shipping. :biggthumpup:

If you sell multiple powersports vehicles have staff that actually knows the difference between all of them and be truthfull with customers. I'm sure everyone can attest for this one where a Yami sales man tells a potential customer the FX140HO is the fastest production ski yadda yadda yadda.... Or push the their priceist craft onto buyers that are not looking for that. I've been to a dealer locally that had a SJ in the middle of the showroom that apparently was only there for customers kids to play on, when asked about it I was 'recommended' a 3 seater..... :banghead: I'd have more fun. :bs2: Why can't they take to two extra seconds to feel out why I was even in the store in the first place? They would of known I own multiple skis, including a jet boat so no need for a 3 seater couch, and that I knew more than them and could forgo all the "sales" BS.

Same goes with the shop, I would never take my ski to a general do everything shop because of fear they do not know skis directly. I'd expect more than just a "parts replacer" if I had my ski at a shop to get fixed.

 

[Boris]

The thing I HATE about my dealer is that no matter what part I need they have to order it. They use not just any order system, they first make a list of items to order and only when the list is long enough do they actually place the order.
That is really helpful when you are first on the list and you have to hope and pray that the list grows fast.

HAVE PARTS ON THE SHELF and you will have happy customers.




Rant over.

 

[Shonuff]

Tell the parts guys not to be dicks on the phone.

Everytime I talk to a watercraft parts, sales facility, they are very curt over the phone. I have no idea why.

 

[WaveDemon]

Tell the parts guys not to be dicks on the phone.

Everytime I talk to a watercraft parts, sales facility, they are very curt over the phone. I have no idea why.

it's because they are the all mighty parts guys and we are little idiots who don't know what we are talking about...

 

[gj_fx1]

The thing I HATE about my dealer is that no matter what part I need they have to order it.

Last time (the Very last time) I was in my yamaha dealer I asked for a 38 sbn gasket. I thought it was bad enought the guy had to look it up in the computer, but then he tells me its a special order "we pretty much only stock motorcycle parts". See ya.

 

[hangtime]

In stock aftermarket and stock parts is my only concern along with reasonable prices .
I remember the only time I was at paul Lehr's old shop and he's got every part under the sun just hanging on brackets or sitting on the shelf .
Every gasket you could imagine and flow control valves ,X Metal parts of every kind ,24/7 stuff ,Blowsion stuff ,Sheets of turf and padding .

I left there with $200 worth of stuff I would have never ordered but because it was in stock I took it home .:biggthumpup: