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Rude Dealers

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  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,386 posts
Posted by Curmudgeon on Saturday, January 8, 2005 8:14 PM
Well, from a dealer AND GR advertiser, let me wade in.
First, you are right, and should be highly whizzed.
These "discounters" have multi-page ads, depend on volume for profit. If they don't have it, they send you something they do have (but what you didn't ask for).
Several are HIGHLY guilty of advertising stuff, photos, part numbers, and prices on stuff that hasn't even been designed.
I recall a "warehouse overstock sale" that went on for 16 issues of GR on an Aristo C-16, and it hadn't even been released.
I talk to Horovitz all the time about it.
I even called one manufacturer, and he said "what can we do?". Simple. Tell the dealer to get it right or they don't get anymore stock AT ALL. One outfit straightened right out.....for a couple of issues.
They always claim "lead time".
Heck, I advertise, and the stuff they do has nothing to do with lead time.
Sometimes, the prices have nothing to do with what it will actually be when it is designed, produced and shipped.

I have called an order in, all in stock, met the minimum for free shipping, had them "backorder" ONE item, so I paid shipping on the whole order, then a week later the last item showed up and they charged me shipping on that, too.

There is no customer service. There is no-one who gives a rip. Slam-bam, thank-you ma'am. Get 'em inthe door and out as fast as you can.
Heck, they're DISCOUNTERS, the name of the game is every last penny counts, and they cannot afford to have service.

You folks demand it.
I see it all the time.
"Where can I buy "X" for the cheapest?" or, "Who has the lowest prices on "X"?"
They see that. They design their business model on that exact attitude.
They put the local hobby shops out of business, now they got you by the short hairs.

I know of 2 or 3 outfits that now have "minimum advertised pricing" to counter this "discounter disease".

We had a GR Convention several years ago locally, many of us pushed to ban discounters. GR Conventions become feeding frenzies. NOT what a convention should be, but you folks want discounters, they come in and do their deeds and go away with your money.

I know how close some of them cut the prices, too.
A hobby shop with a storefront and a SERVICE department to pay can't afford to compete. There is no "money tree" in the back yard. It all comes from profit on sales.

Yes, when a discounter screws you (or your order), e-mail the magazine (it's in the front part of the mag) and let them know.
Spread it around.
Let folks know.
The ONLY way you'll get this sorted out is to make them feel it in their wallets.

Rant Mode Off.
TOC
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Slower Lower Delaware
  • 1,266 posts
Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Saturday, January 8, 2005 7:57 PM
When I run up against that kind of thing I simply let them know that I have the $, and if they want my $ they WILL DO BUSINESS MY WAY AND ON MY TERMS, otherwise I'm walking and I'll find someone who will! That usually straightens them out in a hurry, and in 99% of the time it is permanant! The few times I have had to walk, I've never darkened thier door again! As the old saying goes, Money talks, BS walks!
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: The great state of Texas
  • 1,084 posts
Posted by TurboOne on Saturday, January 8, 2005 5:44 PM
I agree Ron, many dealers have not developed any sales skills, people skills at all. When I was a kid some 25-35 years ago, I went into a train store and they wouldn't even acknowledge I was there. I went back there as its the only train store left in my part of town, I swear it was the same #$%$#%$ guy sitting there. This time he answer some questions, but it was like pulling teeth. If I wasn't interested in a new engine, he was too busy.

Makes you want to open your own people friendly store, and drive them out of business.

Glad you found a better dealer, keep giving him good pub, and lets help him grow.

Tim
WWJD
  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 1,264 posts
Posted by bman36 on Saturday, January 8, 2005 5:10 PM
Hey Ron,
In the past I have spoken with Rene regarding such issues with the advertisers. GR is very interested in knowing what kind of service is being provided by their advertisers. After all poor service affects the Mag. too. If you would care to provide Rene with the who / what / where info on your bad experience, it will be followed up on. Hope this helps you out. Later eh...Brian.
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: North of Chicago
  • 1,050 posts
Posted by Tom The Brat on Saturday, January 8, 2005 2:11 PM
Whew...

Glad you found what you wanted. It's a little hard to keep track of what is available and what isn't.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Cape Cod MA
  • 190 posts
Rude Dealers
Posted by emipapa on Saturday, January 8, 2005 2:04 PM
This past Christmas my wife had given me some rolling stock, She explained to me that wherever she had contacted she was told that they OUT OF STOCK. The last dealer she had contacted was kind enough to substitute cars for her but they were not what I had on my list. My wife then went on to explain to me that when she questioned the very many dealers regarding the availabilty of items and explained that they were being listed in there advertisements in the current Garden Railways Magazine, most got VERY RUDE and some even HUNG UP. In the past two weeks I myself have viewed and contacted every website listed in the Garden Railways Magazine and many have the rolling stock I desire listed in their advertisements but when I contacted them they would state OUT OF STOCK, I further emailed EVERY email address and out of a very large number of address only a very few dealers responded to my request. At the very end of my search a VERY SMALL DEALER explained to me that the rolling stock I desire is NO LONGER AVAILABLE and hasn't been for a year or two. I question why dealers knowingly list these items in their advertisements. As a retired professional both in the public and private sectors I am starting to wonder what ever happened to proper buisness ETHICS.
Oh by the way, that VERY SMALL DEALER that provided the HONEST INFORMATION did have what I was looking for so now it is in shipment.
Sorry for the RANT but I just had to VENT my feelings,
Ron
[:)]

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