Student project

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envy rides was known for almost going out of their way to piss off their customers, they even had a page where they mocked people that complained about their service. guess who went into receivership and is no longer in business. that's right, envy rides. if you want to make a textbook on how not to run a business look at envy rides. unless you have the supply of the widget that no one can live with out it's a bad idea to **** on your customers. I never did shop there but i'd read zero positive experiences with them and since there were other shops closer i never bothered. I have made the effort to visit places like Pannon, GP Bikes, Rosey Toes and royal distributing.
 
CruisnGrrl said:
envy rides was known for almost going out of their way to piss off their customers, they even had a page where they mocked people that complained about their service.
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Would you be referring to their "haters" page on their website?
I hated how alienating that shop felt. They built it with this whole "homie gangsta" attitude when they should have just concentrated on the bikes. One guy told me I was far to young to be asking about fjr's and insisted I look at an R6. Ugh. Glad there gone.


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Venom01 said:
Would you be referring to their "haters" page on their website?
I hated how alienating that shop felt. They built it with this whole "homie gangsta" attitude when they should have just concentrated on the bikes. One guy told me I was far to young to be asking about fjr's and insisted I look at an R6. Ugh. Glad there gone.


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Hahaha, true.
There were always a couple guys chatting at the counter and wonder if I should've worn my baggie sweats that day
 
Back on topic.

To Student,

I suggest you use the voting buttons on your thread to get the answers you want. People can still contribute to the discussion as to what and why they like a certain bike so much. I think you'll get more answers that way.

Good Luck on your research project.
 
oomis said:
There is a market for electric motorcycles, but the target market is NOT motorcyclists. Anyone who's ridden a motorcycle and has an emotional connection to it knows that an electric motorcycle can't deliver on those things. It doesn't have the power, doesn't have the feel, doesn't have the brand connection, doesn't have the subculture, doesn't have the ability to transport you halfway across the continent and back.

That's not to say that electric motorcycles won't take off - or eventually supplant gas-powered motorcycles, but the early adopter market will probably be scooter riders or bicylists. This market will have a better appreciation for the efficiency, for the cleanliness and a greater tolerance for the products' shortcomings - range, service network, lack of "character" and initial price.

I think you're barking up entirely the wrong tree when you say "try not to focus on customer service". What we're telling you is that this is what's wrong with the market in Canada. The way for shops to succeed is not to cut costs - it's to increase revenue. How do you increase revenue? It's not rocket science. Good staff, good selection of product, competitive pricing. Note that this doesn't mean the lowest price - but make your pricing competitive and your clients will be loyal BECAUSE of staff and selection.

We don't want electric motorcycles. We want motorcycles. And we want a shop that doesn't treat us like crap, gives us a reason to come in and browse, can answer our stupid questions without making us feel stupid, and gives us some sort of a sense of community.
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This is a good post...and apparently this thread is for real.

I dunno...I thought there was something fishy going on, seeing as how Envy Rides went out of business and all. Probably not the best example of what to do around here....

Anyway, oomis makes a lot of great points in his post. Motorcycling is a niche activity here already, and electric motorcycles are a further niche within that niche. I'd say if you're trying to expand your market base, include scooters and e-bikes (assuming e-bikes aren't what you meant by electric motorcycles). The general population is far more likely to jump onto one of those rather than a full blown motorcycle.
 
People, this is absolutely awesome, thanks!

I already talked to my group and we decided to definitely do something about the staff in order to improve customer relationships. When I told them how bad the reputation seems to be and how you feel about Envy Rides, we could agree on some ideas.

Also great comments on e-bikes. We'll take that into consideration aswell.
Again, thank you very much.
 
student said:
People, this is absolutely awesome, thanks!

I already talked to my group and we decided to definitely do something about the staff in order to improve customer relationships. When I told them how bad the reputation seems to be and how you feel about Envy Rides, we could agree on some ideas.

Also great comments on e-bikes. We'll take that into consideration aswell.
Again, thank you very much.
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If you guys take the customer service angle on your project, you might want to consider the fact that many, many Toronto and Mississauga area motorcycle shops have gone out of business over the last 5 years. In almost every case, each had been known to have bad customer service. At the same time, there are some shops, like Parker Brothers Powersports, that continue to do well. Guess what? They're known for having great customer service.

There is currently a major hole in the market here in Toronto, because of all the bankruptcies over the last few years. A company with excellent customer service and professionalism could do well in this market. It's going to be more about the people than the product.
 
Duster929 said:
If you guys take the customer service angle on your project, you might want to consider the fact that many, many Toronto and Mississauga area motorcycle shops have gone out of business over the last 5 years. In almost every case, each had been known to have bad customer service. At the same time, there are some shops, like Parker Brothers Powersports, that continue to do well. Guess what? They're known for having great customer service.

There is currently a major hole in the market here in Toronto, because of all the bankruptcies over the last few years. A company with excellent customer service and professionalism could do well in this market. It's going to be more about the people than the product.
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What duster said +10

all i would add is I have some experience in analyzing business models, if you want to take a small segment of an already niche market you need to be very proficient and professional to make it work. Trying to be the hiphop dealer in a country with a 5 month season when our culture is motorcycling as a hobby more so than transport is the kiss of death. Unless your clever enough to realize your own shortcomings and compensate.
Envy had a large overhead storefront, possibly a large monthly nut on salaries, turnover in the service department and an unfriendly attitude about much of the business. Not much to study there.

You can find guys in our niche market that only work on British twins pre '73 and BMW airheads. They are proficient and professional and know the market they service. You can seem arrogant and opinionated but you need to earn that.
 
crankcall said:
You can find guys in our niche market that only work on British twins pre '73 and BMW airheads. They are proficient and professional and know the market they service. You can seem arrogant and opinionated but you need to earn that.
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And my guess is that they'll take your airhead and do what needs doing, whether or not you know so-and-so, have the right tattoos in the right places, or pet their dog on the way into the building.
 
Hello, again!

Sry, it took a while to do so, but I have been very busy for the last couple of weeks (exams and stuff...).
I just wanted to thank you all for your help!
Your input was mentioned and the fact that I contacted you has been rewarded by my teachers.
We passed very good and I thought it would be rude to not express my appreciation for your work.

Therefore, Thank you very much!

All the best,

student
 
student said:
Also great comments on e-bikes. We'll take that into consideration aswell.
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Heads up "e-bikes' and 'electric motorcycles' are two different classes. Electric motorcycles are perhaps an option in the future once they drastically improve a few aspects. E-bikes are more an electric scooter which doesnt require a license and yet lets the person move around on the road. They tend to ride like bicylist until they decide to follow the rules of the road for their own purpose. I think everyone has nearly killed someone on an ebike for their stupid actions. Cant imagine the amount of people they nearly kill when I see them zooming down the sidewalk illegally.

And Envy
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?111418-What-s-up-with-Envy-Rides

Good luck with your assignment.
 
Cat13 said:
Heads up "e-bikes' and 'electric motorcycles' are two different classes. Electric motorcycles are perhaps an option in the future once they drastically improve a few aspects. E-bikes are more an electric scooter which doesnt require a license and yet lets the person move around on the road. They tend to ride like bicylist until they decide to follow the rules of the road for their own purpose. I think everyone has nearly killed someone on an ebike for their stupid actions. Cant imagine the amount of people they nearly kill when I see them zooming down the sidewalk illegally.

And Envy
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?111418-What-s-up-with-Envy-Rides

Good luck with your assignment.
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Think the OP came back to update us on his assignment and looks like they passed.
 
vkhamphi said:
Think the OP came back to update us on his assignment and looks like they passed.
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Mearly informing him of the difference. I know I would consider an electronic motorcycle (if they can make it loud) but you'll have to kill me before I'll ride an e-bike.
 
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