At least one MB dealer is trying (and succeeding)

[drmw]

Just the very same question I was pondering. Do miss his dry wit and perpetual argumentative stance, the forums a tad boring without having an argument with Hawk.

On the subject of Mercedes Harrogate.... I do hope so....but they could start with forcing the petrol prices down at the forecourt, making it at least as competitive as the Jet station, may get punters pulling in and then looking over their wares. Then making there prices competitive on labour, such as the German system where the labour rate depends on the job, not a fixed 100++ per hour.

The petrol station will be nothing at all to do with MB - it's Total (nor I think do MB have any sway over ATS next to that sadly !!)

 

[roadhog]

I think that I upset him

Well I for one would find it sad if he decided to stay away because you two had a bit of a ding dong. I may not always agree with what he posts but he provides a balance. How boring would things be if we all agreed all of the time. The fuel saving thread would have been only two pages.

Anyway, back on topic. Good to see MB dealers trying but why was it only AMG cars? Would they invite me?

 

[psmart]

The petrol station will be nothing at all to do with MB - it's Total (nor I think do MB have any sway over ATS next to that sadly !!)

You will most probably be right. Given how busy the A61 is at that location, it would be a great marketing tool, perhaps better than sending out flyers, reducing fuel price, perhaps a special on say Diesel?

The number of times I drive past and look longingly at the Mercs is considerable, but rarely stop unless I need fuel, and then its at the Jet. How much are they spending getting punters to come in by freebies and mailshots? Wouldnt just a better labour rate, a good service and a means of tempting your punters into at least looking at new cars be a better tool?

Also, if punters do come in and are interested in new or used vehicles, even though the sales people use them on a daily basis, keeping them clean and tidy would be a major plus. I was put off a B-Class they had beause a sales rep was using it, it was filthy, and I couldnt test drive it as the sales rep wasnt 'on duty'!! It was their loss.

 

[100%Bitch]

Next time you think about their hourly rate think about the rent & rates, finance & costs to setup a showroom that meets MB spec, staffing & training costs, National Insurance, pensions, health insurance, maternity leave, legal costs, costs of complying with the infinite number of Health & Safety rules, cost of waste disposal, insurance (buildings, liability, stock, customers on premises, etc), storage of unsold cars, transport, company vehicles... the list goes on and on. It all has to be paid for somehow

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

I think I'll leave that for others to pay for.

 

[Bolide]

I think I'll leave that for others to pay for.

That's fair enough but, if we all boycott the main dealers, in ten years time we'll all be asking where all the independent garages have gone. Many indies can't afford to train staff so take them on when they leave the main dealer

It's the same in most industries: where do you think trained engineers / operators / cameramen / etc come from if not from the BBC?

The biggest loss we face is in training. If we don't train then we have no future. Training needs to be paid for

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[100%Bitch]

Good to see MB dealers trying but why was it only AMG cars? Would they invite me?

Would anybody????????????????????????????

:lol::lol::lol:

 

[100%Bitch]

That's fair enough but, if we all boycott the main dealers, in ten years time we'll all be asking where all the independent garages have gone. Many indies can't afford to train staff so take them on when they leave the main dealer

It's the same in most industries: where do you think trained engineers / operators / cameramen / etc come from if not from the BBC?

The biggest loss we face is in training. If we don't train then we have no future. Training needs to be paid for

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Fair point, well made. There will always be people wanting to pay their prices. Personally, I think that if MB were to lower their prices, more people wold use them. Just my opinion.

 

[MSG2004]

Good tohear about that.
Down here is se England, it's still man eat man scenario

 

[roadhog]

Would anybody????????????????????????????

:lol::lol::lol:

Fair point.

 

[television]

That's fair enough but, if we all boycott the main dealers, in ten years time we'll all be asking where all the independent garages have gone. Many indies can't afford to train staff so take them on when they leave the main dealer

It's the same in most industries: where do you think trained engineers / operators / cameramen / etc come from if not from the BBC?

The biggest loss we face is in training. If we don't train then we have no future. Training needs to be paid for

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

This need not be the case and so many other trades have shown that you can do better on concentrating on one thing or the other. Not one Electronic company in the UK has a service dept, they put it out to indies a long time ago who are better equipped to do what they know best. You will not find any of them in a prime spot, as when you give a service, people come to you, and this has always been the case.

If MB want to make service so dam expensive,,then they only have themselves to blame when it goes elsewhere.

A business where one thing subsidizes another is doomed to fail. All large shops make every square foot of the store pay

 

[roadhog]

That's actually not such a bad idea. Turn the dealerships into shops and get the work done elsewhere. Oh hang on, I do that already. Roadhog, once again ahead of the times. :lol:

PS: It won't help with the training issue which I think is a very valid point. Perhaps the manufacturers could train the service and repair guys direct even if they work for third party companies as long as they're approved to carry out the work?

 

[television]

That's actually not such a bad idea. Turn the dealerships into shops and get the work done elsewhere. Oh hang on, I do that already. Roadhog, once again ahead of the times. :lol:

PS: It won't help with the training issue which I think is a very valid point. Perhaps the manufacturers could train the service and repair guys direct even if they work for third party companies as long as they're approved to carry out the work?

The MB dealer nearest me would appear to have 3 engineers and 5 service reception, so you can work that out for your self as to any costings