Tired or ordering parts, just tired of the attitude... Options

[thomasotten]

I am really getting tired of placing orders for parts. I don't want to mention any names but I just placed an order from this place that borders a state that got hit real hard by the last hurricane, and there is just this attitude or smugness that just rubs me the wrong way. I asked if a particular item they had was OEM. Instead of just saying, "I'm sorry, OEM is not available on that part", I get "Now, you tell me where your going to find an OEM of that!" I mean, it's not said in a mean way, but I get off the phone feeling like a kid asking his Dad for something and being told no. And it's just not this one place, I have experienced this with other places and even walk-up places.

It is like the people who dish out the parts have this gnostic know-it-all smugness. If you show any sign of doubt or questions, they sieze on that to show how they know so much more. I am getting to the point that I would just rather place orders completely online, or from Ebay.

Rant Over

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

I think this is a growing trend of lesser customer service and it is not just limited to parts suppliers.

Same scenario happens to me almost weekly at Barnes and Noble. Do you have Porsche, Ducati, Triumph book XYZ? "No, we can order it and have it ready for you to pick up here at the store in two weeks". No thanks, I'll just order it from Amazon.com and have it tmorrow (OK, or three days later if I go priority mail).

The online suppliers seem to fall into two main catagories as well.

1.) I'll sell you this piece of crap part because you won't know any better and what can you do about it. Once I get your credit card number you are dead to me. I could never imagine any value of your repeat business or care for that matter. I'm so cool, I don't need any repeat customers, I make plenty of money without 'em.

2.) I'll sell you the part you need, the exact part you need, and if you need special washers & nuts for the part I will alert you about it before checking out. I will also provide you with step by step instructions or point you to an excellent online article detailing the install. I will meet or exceed your every expectation to earn your repeat business. If something does go wrong, I will own the problem and do whatever it takes to make it right.

I know what sort of companies are getting my business.