i find george to be hard to get hold of sometimes but is well worth the wait ........ when i visited him from north qld he even remembered my name and the stuff i had bought from him months before he is always helpful. just my 2 bob worth😂
I'd rather pay the extra freight cost and at least get it here.Not have to make 20 bloody calls,emails,faxes etc etc.
Yeah,the Oz companies will unfortunately die if THEY don't lift their game and bow and scrape to the consumer and answer the phone or return messages.
If they close up,who are they gunna blame? 'Oh,the internet suppliers blah blah blah' Bullshit,answer ya phone or hire a secretary.
I've heard so many times how bad local disrtibutors are in the short time Ive been in the VW community.
Supply me the name of a company that will GUARANTEE a delivery within 5-7 days and I'll buy from them.
Or at least someone that will answer the phone for once
Wannavee wrote:Buy from the US mate,its cheaper and a lot quicker.
Save yaself the hassle and agro that local companies seem to thrive on
its not quite that simple...
the shipping can be very expensive...
as every gram is paid for...
and if You receive the wrong part... like a rear window rubber for a 75 beetle instead of a 1968 beetle...???
You can't really send it back... lol
plus remember that Aussie models and German models sold in the US aren't identical... then there is the RHD and LHD parts.. and lights that aren't really legal in Australia..
heavy items postage is expensive.... but You may find some items not really available [brand etc] in Australia...
and I find many parts are described much better than You will find in Australia... the parts may be made in US or Germany or Brasil , but they do tell You on the websites..
usually...
and South Americian or Chinese or Taiwanese parts are much cheaper...
I have bought parts from the USA... but for anything urgent or heavy I usually buy from an Aussie VW parts shop...
[not classic vee dub] but that's just Me...
also a few other shops I don't go to any longer... lol
"I do not intend to be mean or offensive at all.
this is a genuine question."
what nationality is George,at times i found him hard to understand
over the phone?
Again,all in good will.= )
"A car for the people, an affordable Volkswagen, would bring great joy to the masses and the problems of building such a car must be faced with courage." Adolf Hitler At opening of 1934 Berlin Auto Show
Wannavee wrote:I'd rather pay the extra freight cost and at least get it here.Not have to make 20 bloody calls,emails,faxes etc etc.
Yeah,the Oz companies will unfortunately die if THEY don't lift their game and bow and scrape to the consumer and answer the phone or return messages.
If they close up,who are they gunna blame? 'Oh,the internet suppliers blah blah blah'
Bullshit,answer ya phone or hire a secretary.
I've heard so many times how bad local disrtibutors are in the short time Ive been in the VW community.
Supply me the name of a company that will GUARANTEE a delivery within 5-7 days and I'll buy from them.
Or at least someone that will answer the phone for once
agreed
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
pete wood wrote:Lebanese I think. But I could be wrong.
My Guess too...
LEE
Does it matter, who cares? Always enjoy chatting with George, even when Bob calls he asks how i am.
I find a lot of people hard to understand on this forum at times?
We always try to get a lot of our parts from George, and think he does an awesome job. It's hard to keep everyone happy. The phone rings non stop, for those who's call gets answered straight away are stoked, those who's don't, whinge, so therefore there will always be a whinger whilst he's on the phone to someone else. If he hired another person to take calls, his prices would go up to cover that persons pay, therefore someone would whinge about prices going up, but another person would be happy about their call being taken. Who's to say that person who's been hired to take your call would know as much about VW's and parts are George would.
Honestly, persistance pays off, and i'm happy with the service and prices George provides at the end of the day and are happier to be keeping an Australian VW business alive!
1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"
Wingers about service.... I bet 95% are employees.
I've always ran my own business and know it's not just 'hire a secretary' What a ridiculous statement, $570/week pay ( that's the award minimum or somewhere near it) + super workers comp and holidays, call it $1200/week cost to the employer, then in reality they are only 50% productive so they need to make the shop $2400 each week to be profitable......and what do they say on the phone....a call for you George, someone needing details on the correct part to buy !!!🙅
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
matberry wrote:......and what do they say on the phone....a call for you George, someone needing details on the correct part to buy !!!🙅
I disagree Matt. If I read the situation right, business in the VW parts world is pretty competitive.
How many sales has George lost to people who know exactly what they want, but cannot get through? I was in that situation. I only spent a couple of hundred with George, but I very nearly took that business elsewhere.
Look how many disgruntled people are in this thread. Imagine how much sales he has lost because he did not meet these people's expectations, so they went elsewhere next time?
It seems he is popular, but if his business is to continue to flourish employing someone to process the orders and respond to enquiries even part time would be a good idea. But in the end, it's his call because it's his business.
Cheers,
Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder
He needs to get with the times and get a online store going... I was heavily into brewing last year and they have the same problems. And the most successufull buisness craft brewer. was the one with the best website.
It was always accurate and eliminated the need for calling..
Sounds like he could make allot of money with a simular setup.
Cheers Vice
Currently driving my 1st VW.. 67 type 3 1600..And loving it..
So therefore must employ someone to maintain the website on a constant basis to ensure the inventory matches, big $$$$ and time needed there. Then people will whinge the prices have gone up to cover the costs. If i haven't gotten through on the phone, an email has always worked!
1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"
MISS VDUB wrote:So therefore must employ someone to maintain the website on a constant basis to ensure the inventory matches, big $$$$ and time needed there. Then people will whinge the prices have gone up to cover the costs. If i haven't gotten through on the phone, an email has always worked!
Actually thats not quite true. There is plenty of software available today that makes it very quick and easy to update a website.
But there is nothing wrong with his website as it stands. It's well maintained and shows the parts and often a price as well. Much better than most websites where they show a small collection without prices and rely on a call for anything else.
Cheers,
Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder
I have bought many parts from George and allways great service although a pain in the butt to get a hold of. Give George a break, he's doing the best he can and if the buying public arent happy they can go else where.
As far as i'm concerned George is a decent bloke!
hard to get hold of, but instrumental in keeping the prices in Australia sane.........that's how and why he came to open the business in the first place
had my first visit there not long ago and the phone LITERALLY did not stop ringing
68AutoBugBeetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --
AUSSIE_MICK wrote:I have bought many parts from George and allways great service although a pain in the butt to get a hold of. Give George a break, he's doing the best he can and if the buying public arent happy they can go else where.
As far as i'm concerned George is a decent bloke!
Hi
I'm not saying He's not a decent bloke...
He is selling parts much cheaper than elsewhere...
so He is very busy and in demand...
and if He got help... the cost of parts would go up...
I know all that...
but I can never get Him on the phone..
it's always busy...
so, I like many other people , go elsewhere...
He is selling probably as much as He can handle..
so, He's not going broke...
and other VW shops are also selling stuff...
Lee
PS I think that's what happening... IMHO..
and I don't know any of the VW parts shops people personally
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
68AutoBugBeetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --
hard to get hold of, but instrumental in keeping the prices in Australia sane.........that's how and why he came to open the business in the first place
had my first visit there not long ago and the phone LITERALLY did not stop ringing
I agree...
He really is making other vw shops lower their prices....
which We all agree is a good thing...
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
Jeeeez man,it's not a ridiculous statement at all Mattb,Its my opinion if thats ok?
If I ran my business by not answering calls,I wouldnt be in business very long would I?
Yeah,youre right that it would cost a shitload more per year for a secretary,thats why I answer my own calls or return messages to my clients.
I would say it about ANY company selling ANYTHING. Consumer service is all I want.
If George can supply me the bits I need when I need them,great,send them down,if he can't,I'll go somewhere else. Is that too hard?
If I gave you a quote for what I do and I can't supply it when you need it,you'd go somwhere else ay? My bad luck.
As much as he sounds like a good bloke etc,I've never dealt with George because Ive never had a phone call or messages returned,so I'm not bagging the guy or his business ok?
I would like to buy from him,as Ive heard nothing but good things,but I'm not going to wait thanks.
Thats all from me
George seems to be happy with the way things are going...he must be aware of the calls he misses .....if hes happy ....that's the main thing..its HIS business....i haven't used him....only because i drive past Roy at the Bus Stop and Jamie at Kustom all the time and like to shop locally...both offer gr8 service and the phone is always answered....Will be using Mick...because i know hes the only one with a part i need...
COFK
Wannavee wrote:Jeeeez man,it's not a ridiculous statement at all Mattb,Its my opinion if thats ok?
If I ran my business by not answering calls,I wouldnt be in business very long would I?
Yeah,youre right that it would cost a shitload more per year for a secretary,thats why I answer my own calls or return messages to my clients.
I would say it about ANY company selling ANYTHING. Consumer service is all I want.
If George can supply me the bits I need when I need them,great,send them down,if he can't,I'll go somewhere else. Is that too hard?
If I gave you a quote for what I do and I can't supply it when you need it,you'd go somwhere else ay? My bad luck.
As much as he sounds like a good bloke etc,I've never dealt with George because Ive never had a phone call or messages returned,so I'm not bagging the guy or his business ok?
I would like to buy from him,as Ive heard nothing but good things,but I'm not going to wait thanks.
Thats all from me
Srry mate, it wasn't a personal attack, just that my opinion was that it was a rediculous statement. I use George a few times a month, I always speak to him, and he's always nice and helpful, if any problems, he'll always rectify it, no question. Can't say the same for all VW busnesses in Oz, but hey that's life.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
matberry wrote:......and what do they say on the phone....a call for you George, someone needing details on the correct part to buy !!!🙅
I disagree Matt. If I read the situation right, business in the VW parts world is pretty competitive.
How many sales has George lost to people who know exactly what they want, but cannot get through? I was in that situation. I only spent a couple of hundred with George, but I very nearly took that business elsewhere.
Cheers,
The reason I want to talk to a customer buying parts is that although the buyer thinks he knows what he wants, he doesn't know the exact in's and out's of every product, so as part of my customer service, I like to explain any pro's or con's regarding the requested item/items.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
Craig Torrens6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion
matberry wrote:......and what do they say on the phone....a call for you George, someone needing details on the correct part to buy !!!🙅
I disagree Matt. If I read the situation right, business in the VW parts world is pretty competitive.
How many sales has George lost to people who know exactly what they want, but cannot get through? I was in that situation. I only spent a couple of hundred with George, but I very nearly took that business elsewhere.
So why didn't you take the business elsewhere ?
Why did you give him another chance ?
Would you shop there again ?
poor george.
he has a 2 page thread about him.
he is just trying to do his job.
"A car for the people, an affordable Volkswagen, would bring great joy to the masses and the problems of building such a car must be faced with courage." Adolf Hitler At opening of 1934 Berlin Auto Show
He will have to update his website at some stage one would think. It's the only logical decision. www.cip1.com has one of the most detailed volkswagen parts websites I have ever come across and is very easy to use. sure it may cost a bit to maintain and upkeep but surely if we are buying from cip1 which is in the USA than if Classic had a decent website maybe even the yanks would start buying VW parts from Australia! just think about it. Technology is being updated at a amazing rate and if you want to really succeed in business the only way forward is to keep up with the times. My 2 cents
1973 Super Beetle
68AutoBugBeetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --
matberry wrote:The reason I want to talk to a customer buying parts is that although the buyer thinks he knows what he wants, he doesn't know the exact in's and out's of every product, so as part of my customer service, I like to explain any pro's or con's regarding the requested item/items.
Quite correct Mat..
We my think We know what We want...
not knowing what else looks and sounds the same...lol
I usually quote part numbers if possible... plus I always give My chassis and engine number [if its an engine part] etc..
plus any other info...
cheers
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
