Arb!?!?!

[bishbashbosh]

Mate shop will always dearer as the overheads are higher than someone online who maybe has a small warehouse, I know there are lots of things people can buy online than through my shop ( not 4wd ) but I do talk to my customers and try my best to give good service as that's how I get sales. A lot of online stores don't offer that,My 2cents

Stroppy it was the same company in relation to the battery - The online price was cheaper than the online store price plus free delivery so you don't have to travel anywhere..

I'm more than happy to shop at the local high street store with higher price if the service and support is there.. can't beat a relationship..

[Winnie]

Did you mention the online price to them? Surely they would match it? If not, stuff them!

[bishbashbosh]

Did you mention the online price to them? Surely they would match it? If not, stuff them!

They gave me the more expensive price straight up as to what I saw to their online store.. so rather than say anything and give them my cash I went and ordered it from the head office online store who then send the order to the closet store.. funny thing is the guy that delivered it was the guy in the shop that i dealt with..

[Drewboyaus]

I wonder if ARB (David) are checking this thread out? Might be worth hearing from them.
Personally, I have had rubbish service from the ARB franchise in Keilor but has been quite good at Thomastown and at Kilsyth.

[Drewboyaus]

Everything was just so negative. I've already got air with tank and cut out switch, but he had reasons why that wasn't any good and I really needed theirs or their would be extra charges. Also without theirs it wouldn't be safe coz I could actually switch it on going down the highway???

I have to say, I have also encountered this attitude of "superiority" at ARB before, that if you don't do it by their text book your doing it wrong.....
I wonder if their position of making market leading products (generally) has contributed to a bit of an "Our chit don't stink" kind of thing going on and perhaps some training for their sales staff is required to demonstrate that in this "lifestyle" we enjoy, there are many ways to skin a cat and not everyone can afford the ARB burger with the lot.
Certainly a sale for a locker installed (without compressor, fries etc) is better than no sale at all. Perhaps they need to listen to what others are saying. That is the salespersons best tool....their ears.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[cgm]

I've yet to experience anything bad with my ARB, discounts, help, free fixes, quick warranty fixes, quotes on other products, maybe because they were an independent prior to being an ARB store.
Although I have heard similar stories of the store having unsatisfied customers.

Had another rant and must have pressed the wrong button and lost it

I think this pretty much sums it up. You can get good service from them , but it is not consistent and not a given. Clearly sometimes it is crap.

I think Stropp mentioned about building a relationship. Surely with our hobby (addiction) we'd be the ideal candidates to make a relationship with. Most of us convince ourselves, our Missus and even the dog that we really must have <insert latest item from list> and MUST have it before we go this weekend. (Ok, we never actually convinced the Missus, but she loves us anyway, pretends and goes along with it). I think, at least for me, a small investment in good manners and a few chats and it must be easy to get an ongoing customer. Do a good job and then there are plenty of things left on the wishlist to come back for.

As I said before, I was really impressed with our tour at ARB and especially their commitment to manufacturing in Australia. They are clearly a good company. I hope they do take notice of some of the comments about their customer facing stuff.

In the end if they don't there are lots of other options out there.

[macca]

I earlier sang the praise of our "local" outlet, nothing has changed there.

I had forgotten about the store that is north of here, time has dimmed the pain of my last visit.

The owner fancies himself as an alpha male, loud, in my face and apparently I'm his best friend. Would have to be the worst shopping experience I have ever had.

It's him, not the brand / products that stops me from ever going there again.

Sorry about the memory lapse LOL