Suppliers not getting back to you?

[Monkeybusiness]

I had a salesman come out to visit me yesterday after an expression of interest in a new 2.7 tonne mini digger. I made contact with him for the first time the day before, and he’s been amazingly helpful and proactive from the absolute get-go.
That is a lot more than can be said about competitive brands’ reps - I was left out in the absolute pissing rain on the Yanmar stand at Plantworx whilst the person handling my enquiry went inside to look for the details of my local dealer but then seemed more interested in staying inside (no offer of ‘Come in until this shower passes etc) - I gave up after 5 mins but called back at the end of the day, left my details (again), did a Google search last Friday and rung them myself and STILL haven’t spoken to anyone nearly a week later.
As for Approved Hydraulics, they seem like a nice bunch and turn out decent kit but they really need to get their s**t together amongst the sales team IMO!

 

[wee_gus]

I had a salesman come out to visit me yesterday after an expression of interest in a new 2.7 tonne mini digger. I made contact with him for the first time the day before, and he’s been amazingly helpful and proactive from the absolute get-go.
That is a lot more than can be said about competitive brands’ reps - I was left out in the absolute pissing rain on the Yanmar stand at Plantworx whilst the person handling my enquiry went inside to look for the details of my local dealer but then seemed more interested in staying inside (no offer of ‘Come in until this shower passes etc) - I gave up after 5 mins but called back at the end of the day, left my details (again), did a Google search last Friday and rung them myself and STILL haven’t spoken to anyone nearly a week later.
As for Approved Hydraulics, they seem like a nice bunch and turn out decent kit but they really need to get their s**t together amongst the sales team IMO!

I don’t know where you are but i can say that the Yanmar dealers in Scotland are the opposite, I know as I work with them daynin day out as I do all servicing and warranty work in Central scotland, if your still interested in a Yanmar I could pass your details on to the southern Scotland dealer - Stevie Walker Plant Sales, ask for a Stevie

 

[fred]

to echo the above, Kubota UK equally shite. Been waiting 4 weeks for them to get back to me so put out the service light.

 

[Nick...]

Never hear a thing from dealer I bought my digger from.had 4 now over last 18 years and only speak to em when I want another new one.never a social call or phone call.called vet today and dopey girl who answers the phone said can you hold on a second,no please.after 8 minutes on hold I put the phone down.people are getting worse.week on from making enquiries at plantworx still no follow up calls.they must all be really busy or don’t give a s**t about customers.all my customers I either visit or call them every couple months to stay in touch.common courtesy in my opinion
Nick...

 

[Nick...]

On a similar vein,manners on the phone cost nothing either.i called a firm who sell bits for diggers recently for some bucket teeth.girl took order and I gave her card details and she said bits will be with you tomorrow then click.she put the phone down.no thank you for the order or good bye.just click.very poor in my opinion.cant just be me who is getting an angry old fart
Nick...

 

[Hg2702]

in All fairness to this dealer I’ve had an apology and a very good offer of goodwill so alls well that ends well

 

[Nick...]

Probably read this on here.im sure this forum is monitored.i know the farming forum I use gets watched by dealers and manufacturers
Nick...

 

[V8Druid]

Woukd probably spent £100k on a tractor too.f**k em
Nick...

let's hope he's reading this ... if he is on commission

 

[Shovelhands]

Our local Ag rep, who works for a fairly good dealer, sells JD and JCB Ag machines, amongst others. It’s an absolute nightmare to deal with, I get the feeling he just doesn’t give a s**t, and couldn’t care less if you buy a machine or not. Communication is severely lacking!

But he’s not the only one.
I have genuinely forgotten how many companies I left my details with at Lamma, about various products I was interested in. Never had a single one contact me since. And I wasn’t enquiring about pick n mix sweets! Some potentially expensive kit, maybe I was just window shopping? Or maybe not?.....they are not to know either way.

It’s a running joke here to be honest, I think I must have some sort of subliminal message in my voice, which just tells people not to bother contacting me. Enquired about various things over the years, machines, attachments etc. Also materials etc. It’s almost a rarity to get a positive response and a call back.

Easy to catch people on a bad day though I suppose, I can think of one or two names of companies that people regularly rave about, that just never bothered responding to my enquiries.

I suppose we can all be just as bad though, I will admit to being a bit tardy with replies and enquiries at times. But I’m not in ‘sales’, surely if your job is sales, then that’s your main focus?

 

[Grahams]

It is good to know it is not just me. I thought I must come across as a time waster or something as I struggle to spend my money with lots of dealers. No one calls back and most appear to have no interest in demos. Only seems the small guys who care enough to actually want my money.
Graham

 

[V8Druid]

same issue on me fave place to buy stuff ... people have to be chased hard to respond to Q.s .... I know it's not on the same scale, but goes to show that no one seems to care, no matter what they're selling ..... the can't be arsed syndrome is all pervading
trying to get a look at a peach of a miller ATM .... you'd think I was asking for a kidney, not a time I can go take a look-see ... and buy it

 

[CPS]

I did it myself last week, Missed a call which followed by a text looking for something. I replied with Yes we can do that, Im out at the minute but will call in the morning. I also asked what size machine.
Had the phone in my hand the following morning to call him and someone else called me first........ And I forgot all about him. I remembered today and called him right away and he said he had ordered else where, was polite and understanding and will come back to me (hopefully) in the future.

Its not easy for alot of us guys running our own business to remember and do everything... we do try of-coarse

I have been on the other end of it too, asked for info etc with no replies, and i agree, if sales is your "job" then you should be following up.

On a same note, how many here will follow up if they really want info from a dealer etc? Do people just call once or follow up aswell?

 

[V8Druid]

I did it myself last week, Missed a call which followed by a text looking for something. I replied with Yes we can do that, Im out at the minute but will call in the morning. I also asked what size machine.
Had the phone in my hand the following morning to call him and someone else called me first........ And I forgot all about him. I remembered today and called him right away and he said he had ordered else where, was polite and understanding and will come back to me (hopefully) in the future.

Its not easy for alot of us guys running our own business to remember and do everything... we do try of-coarse

I have been on the other end of it too, asked for info etc with no replies, and i agree, if sales is your "job" then you should be following up.

On a same note, how many here will follow up if they really want info from a dealer etc? Do people just call once or follow up aswell?

very easily done .... especially if taking calls on mobiles ... no desk, pad or pen attached, to take notes ... always liked to conduct my biz on a land line, specifically for that reason ... to write it down, 'cos my memory went south, the older I got.

as for chasing ... if it's summat I really want .... I'll be a bloody nuisance, if that's what it takes

 

[Nick...]

Our local Ag rep, who works for a fairly good dealer, sells JD and JCB Ag machines, amongst others. It’s an absolute nightmare to deal with, I get the feeling he just doesn’t give a s**t, and couldn’t care less if you buy a machine or not. Communication is severely lacking!

But he’s not the only one.
I have genuinely forgotten how many companies I left my details with at Lamma, about various products I was interested in. Never had a single one contact me since. And I wasn’t enquiring about pick n mix sweets! Some potentially expensive kit, maybe I was just window shopping? Or maybe not?.....they are not to know either way.

It’s a running joke here to be honest, I think I must have some sort of subliminal message in my voice, which just tells people not to bother contacting me. Enquired about various things over the years, machines, attachments etc. Also materials etc. It’s almost a rarity to get a positive response and a call back.

Easy to catch people on a bad day though I suppose, I can think of one or two names of companies that people regularly rave about, that just never bothered responding to my enquiries.

I suppose we can all be just as bad though, I will admit to being a bit tardy with replies and enquiries at times. But I’m not in ‘sales’, surely if your job is sales, then that’s your main focus?

I bought an expensive grass cutter from the lot you are on about 3 years ago.i had some issues but they woukd not sort as I’m a fair way from ardleigh in south norfolk.i contacted Deere who got burgess to sort my problems.i did not buy from them as they were £500 too dear.ag rep from worlingworth I met when looking at mower before purchase said he would call on me and he only lives 10 miles away but never seen him.dont see B.B. rep either not that I want too as I can’t tolerate the man.the rep who should have bought me a demo tractor works at differant depot and lives in my village.really can’t understand people.in the 70/80s we woukd see a rep or two every week but never do now.used to see construction rep from does a few times a year but since he retired nothing.seems it not just me that has to chase firms to give them your money for their wares.to the companies reading this and I’m sure many will do you and your staff want a f****ng good kick up the arse.you need us far more than we need you.i realise not everyone is like this but a huge amount are.
Nick...

 

[Antony Holmes]

i get new customers and people making enquires to me to text me it helps me to keep track of info we all forget stuff but i do my best not forget too much do it to some of my suppliers too lass chance of them forgetting too

 

[Nick...]

If I get enquiries when I’m on site I ask to txt details and then I can call back later.how hard can it be
Nick...

 

[V8Druid]

I bought an expensive grass cutter from the lot you are on about 3 years ago.i had some issues but they woukd not sort as I’m a fair way from ardleigh in south norfolk.i contacted Deere who got burgess to sort my problems.i did not buy from them as they were £500 too dear.ag rep from worlingworth I met when looking at mower before purchase said he would call on me and he only lives 10 miles away but never seen him.dont see B.B. rep either not that I want too as I can’t tolerate the man.the rep who should have bought me a demo tractor works at differant depot and lives in my village.really can’t understand people.in the 70/80s we woukd see a rep or two every week but never do now.used to see construction rep from does a few times a year but since he retired nothing.seems it not just me that has to chase firms to give them your money for their wares.to the companies reading this and I’m sure many will do you and your staff want a f****ng good kick up the arse.you need us far more than we need you.i realise not everyone is like this but a huge amount are.
Nick...

the old slogan "Customers make pay days possible" seems to have been sadly forgotten

 

[Shovelhands]

Literally just got off the phone from a supplier, already have an order in the process, having spent north of £4K on some materials from them, trying to place a further order. Just seems like hard work and I’m doing all the chasing.

 

[V8Druid]

Literally just got off the phone from a supplier, already have an order in the process, having spent north of £4K on some materials from them, trying to place a further order. Just seems like hard work and I’m doing all the chasing.

**** 'em .... go elsewhere, where your custom may be more valued

 

[Shovelhands]

**** 'em .... go elsewhere, where your custom may be more valued

Difficult when I’ve got product on order, all paid for, and I need more product to match the first order. Kinda stuck with them