Waterdawg...open Bash Session!!!!

[Waterdawg Kustomz]

it's not that simple sometimes. i'm not trying to defend WD, just saying, i used to answer phones for TLR (Todd Lachance) when i was in between jobs and hanging out at his shop all day.

99.999999% of the calls are "is todd there? can i talk to him?"

when will my bike be ready?
is he working on it today?
when can i call back?
he hasn't called me back in a day or two i want to talk to him now?
has he water tested my boat?
is my suspension done?
i need to talk to him becuase i need jetting recommendations for the motor i just received that he built.
bla
bla
bla
bla

you end up having to go bug the guy anyways.

seriously, think about it, people don't want to hear "hey, he's busy working on someone else's ski/bike, call back later"

just some food for thought because i know how that goes a bit.

Just for the record. I left my phone in the office one day and did not answer a single call, in order to get some work done. It was there from 9am to about 10:30 pm. How many missed calls did I have? 173, no joke. Some had to be repeats, but still. :kabong:

Jeff

 

[waxhead]

do you make a replacement bottom hull for the superjet then that handles
i dotn see the point in putting on a new top deck its the bottom thats the heavy part

 

[Waterdawg Kustomz]

Alright ... I'm going to sum this up, and Jeff, if you're not willing to quote this reply in the thread, and answer the questions point by point, you're digging your own grave.

You asked for this thread, now man up, and answer the questions ... again, I expect this to be quoted, and all questions answered point by point, anything less will be seen as running scared, and will only serve to take a questionable name in this field, and turn it into one that is no longer questionable ... but is surely, and without question, a name to be avoided at all costs.

1. Numerous people have already stated that they've purchased products, only to find it nearly impossible to get you on the phone, via email, or through any other means.

And, before you give us the "'I'm busy" line, that's crap ... there is no business person who can't find the time to take 30 minutes a day to respond to a few emails, or return a few phone calls. So, the question is ... are you avoiding your customers on purpose because you know you're going to disappoint them with dates well beyond those originally promised? Or, do you simply not care one way or another.

And no, there are no other options.

I am on the phone constantly. Not just 30 minutes a day, try 4-5 hours. And I still can't come close to getting every call. I also respond to a ton of emails, about 50-60 daily. I do care about my customers. I have to figure out how to handle the growth of my business better and I am working very hard on that.

2. Why can you not give your clients, especially those who have already paid for their products, solid delivery dates? And, if those dates will not be met, why are these customers not contacted, IN ADVANCE of these missed dates, with a new date of delivery?

I do that, actually, WAY TOO MUCH!!! I am trying to get to the point that there are very little, if none, missed dates. It takes more than a few months to adjust to the growth that this business has faced in the last year. It will work out. There are other companies that I hear my customers bitching about constantly. They just don't get the same treatment. Is more than a year too long to wait for a 62t motor, that every part is available, not custom? What do you think "Royal Flush"?

This is the ONLY thing you can do that will come close to beginning to restore your name in this field ... that, coupled with offering clients 10% discounts on the product for each week you miss delivery dates by.

For example, if you sell a hood at $500, and agree on delivery in 5 weeks, the price would be $450 in week 6, $400 in week 7, $350 in week 8, etc ... until the point that you deliver free, and, we'll be keeping tabs on the board.

That will never happen. There are more than a few members on this forum that owe me money, quite a bit actually. I shipped product based upon their promise to pay after receiving shipment. Hell, some are even hulls!!! :smashfreakB: That is why you buy with a credit card. If you don’t get it, dispute the charge. Is that not the way of the world? Anything wrong with that type of transaction? If you order something and expected it yesterday, and you are pissed, call and dispute the charge.

Clearly, you're accepting too much business out of greed, and all your clients are suffering as a result. Maybe if you have a little skin in the game, you'll give a crap.

I don't even know what to say here. You don't know me or my passion for the sport. Come spend a week with me in the shop and then question me. That is an honest offer.

3. Why are you unwilling to setup a dedicated "phone time" so that you clients with questions can reach you? If you're busy, as you keep claiming, schedule this time in advance, and post the time you'll be willing to take calls at here on the board, and on your website ...

We'll hold you to it, and if you're unwilling, don't be surprised when you keep seeing people bitching about not being able to get a hold of you.

I do this on daily basis. You wouldn't know that because you assume that it doesn't happen. DONT ASSUME!!!!

4. Why did you so obviously avoid answering any specific question in this entire thread? Many asked you specific questions, on specific orders, and you didn't address a single one?

Was this because you knew it'd make you look bad, or because you don't have answers for these people?

Again, I specifically posted, at the top of this thread, that any response that isn't quoted is going to be seen as nothing more than an admission that you're not willing to answer anything specific, and are just going to continue playing your word-spin game with everyone.

So, you willing to man up and answer, or are you going to put your tail between your legs, and run away as has been your history?

It's put up, or shut up time ...

Gary

I think this is answering questions, right?

Jeff

 

[Waterdawg Kustomz]

Alright ... I'm going to sum this up, and Jeff, if you're not willing to quote this reply in the thread, and answer the questions point by point, you're digging your own grave.

You asked for this thread, now man up, and answer the questions ... again, I expect this to be quoted, and all questions answered point by point, anything less will be seen as running scared, and will only serve to take a questionable name in this field, and turn it into one that is no longer questionable ... but is surely, and without question, a name to be avoided at all costs.

1. Numerous people have already stated that they've purchased products, only to find it nearly impossible to get you on the phone, via email, or through any other means.

And, before you give us the "'I'm busy" line, that's crap ... there is no business person who can't find the time to take 30 minutes a day to respond to a few emails, or return a few phone calls. So, the question is ... are you avoiding your customers on purpose because you know you're going to disappoint them with dates well beyond those originally promised? Or, do you simply not care one way or another.

And no, there are no other options.

2. Why can you not give your clients, especially those who have already paid for their products, solid delivery dates? And, if those dates will not be met, why are these customers not contacted, IN ADVANCE of these missed dates, with a new date of delivery?

This is the ONLY thing you can do that will come close to beginning to restore your name in this field ... that, coupled with offering clients 10% discounts on the product for each week you miss delivery dates by.

For example, if you sell a hood at $500, and agree on delivery in 5 weeks, the price would be $450 in week 6, $400 in week 7, $350 in week 8, etc ... until the point that you deliver free, and, we'll be keeping tabs on the board.

Clearly, you're accepting too much business out of greed, and all your clients are suffering as a result. Maybe if you have a little skin in the game, you'll give a crap.

3. Why are you unwilling to setup a dedicated "phone time" so that you clients with questions can reach you? If you're busy, as you keep claiming, schedule this time in advance, and post the time you'll be willing to take calls at here on the board, and on your website ...

We'll hold you to it, and if you're unwilling, don't be surprised when you keep seeing people bitching about not being able to get a hold of you.

4. Why did you so obviously avoid answering any specific question in this entire thread? Many asked you specific questions, on specific orders, and you didn't address a single one?

Was this because you knew it'd make you look bad, or because you don't have answers for these people?

Again, I specifically posted, at the top of this thread, that any response that isn't quoted is going to be seen as nothing more than an admission that you're not willing to answer anything specific, and are just going to continue playing your word-spin game with everyone.

So, you willing to man up and answer, or are you going to put your tail between your legs, and run away as has been your history?

It's put up, or shut up time ...

Gary

what parts are you currently waiting on from jeff?

Gary has NEVER ordered from me, but has a huge opinion of me. :newangel:

Jeff

 

[Waterdawg Kustomz]

Havasu!!!!!

i beleive jeff is working on bringing "inventory" to havasu

We are DEFINATELY going!!! :fing02::fing02:

 

[Waterdawg Kustomz]

Even though you had to go bug the guy, it can still be a time saver for the guy to answer your question vs answering the 3 others that the customer thinks up while he's on the phone with the guy.

I know this because in my business I am "the guy" that everyone goes to and it usually takes less of my time to answer a questions via a technician or receptionist than if I get on the phone directly with the owner of the pet. Often I can answer the questions while doing something else, I don't have to stop what I'm doing, wash my hands, go to the phone, introduce myself, have them explain everything all over again, yada, yada. It obviously won't work for every question, but it works for a lot of questions.

It sounds like Jeff needs a shop manager who's primary job is answering the phone, taking orders (they will often be more realistic with time estimates than an owner once they have a little experience), keep orders IN order so the owner is less likely to jump some orders ahead while neglecting others, shipping, and whatever else the owner needs them to do.

Finding the right person to do all this can be a challenge, but once you have them, things go so much smoother that they will pay for themselves with increased business. You then hire more shop help to make more parts, therefore more money, etc. This is how businesses grow.

Jeff, your business will stagnate and then slowly die if you do not learn how to hire the right people and delegate some of your load. We, as customers and members of the freedride community at large, need your expertize designing, testing and building, not answering phones. Hire someone, please, so we can at least have fewer of these threads.

JMHO, (and I've seen a LOT of clinics that succeed or fail, not based on the doctor's qualifications, but on their business management skills),

Sharon

Thanks for this post. I read it at least five times.

Jeff

 

[BATMAN]

I think nobody wants to spend time with silly questions...You`re all right that a good business depends on good service, but even if I would answer all mails and calls, i wouldn`t have the time to work on things where I can earn money !!!

It`s not easy to find a person which has the experience of that all to answer the questions...

Just my oppinion about that !

 

[wayne]

We are DEFINATELY going!!! :fing02::fing02:

:spankme:

more porn.

:aargh4::booty::Banane26:

 

[yamaslut]

Jeff, PM me your number.... my phone died

he he he... :Banane19:

 

[MADMAT]

surf is for posers

flatwater rules forever

LOL.

 

[MADMAT]

Way to go Jeff. :biggthumpup:

Great pics!!! Great responses!! I'll PM you Spooks # in a minute.

Now get back to work!!oke:

























just kiddin man.......see you in Daytona.

 

[Tuttle]

Way to go Jeff. :biggthumpup:

Great pics!!! Great responses!! I'll PM you Spooks # in a minute.

Guess them Spooks are getting around. We have bunches of em here in Florida. :smashfreakB:

 

[MADMAT]

Guess them Spooks are getting around. We have bunches of em here in Florida. :smashfreakB:

Now that is just wrong!


















































but right!:147:

 

[GinoNewOrleans]

A little too late.

I am working on a refined "REV" foothold design for the Superjet. Easy install. Remember they were named "REV" footholds for a reason.

If your working on them for a Super Jet now, why swear by them when someone calls to ask a/b them. You should tell them how hard they are to install and how bad they fit in a SJ. I would think as good buisness you wouldn't sell something to someone they won't be happy with. I will make a deal w/ you, when the new ones come out I will send you the REV's back for a swap.

 

[sjetrider]

do you make a replacement bottom hull for the superjet then that handles
i dotn see the point in putting on a new top deck its the bottom thats the heavy part

DING DING DING DING DING WE HAVE A FRIGGIN WINNER. I have been saying this for 2 freak'n years to only be shot down by TOP DECK Conversion Enthusiasts. Thanks WAX for this post. Should see WATERFREAK on here in a minute LOL. Not sure why WDK's bottom decks can be used for an SJ, Maybe not the REV bottom but he has others like the one he built for Butti and I would think the X-Jet bulkhead would work?

 

[Idok]

DING DING DING DING DING WE HAVE A FRIGGIN WINNER. I have been saying this for 2 freak'n years to only be shot down by TOP DECK Conversion Enthusiasts. Thanks WAX for this post. Should see WATERFREAK on here in a minute LOL. Not sure why WDK's bottom decks can be used for an SJ, Maybe not the REV bottom but he has others like the one he built for Butti and I would think the X-Jet bulkhead would work?

butti's ski is a rev bottom with a sj copy topdeck...

 

[Idok]

no comments to post 211...

holy ********!?!??!!

 

[GDFL]

If your working on them for a Super Jet now, why swear by them when someone calls to ask a/b them. You should tell them how hard they are to install and how bad they fit in a SJ. I would think as good buisness you wouldn't sell something to someone they won't be happy with. I will make a deal w/ you, when the new ones come out I will send you the REV's back for a swap.

I wouldn't call them HARD to install, they're just a little more involved than some others. Honestly, I didn't find it very difficult at all. It may not be the best mod for a first time fiberglasser, but had that been my first job I wouldn't be complaining too much. I found them to be only slightly more difficult than my WCF footholds.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Welllllllllllllll doggie he a silva tounged devil ain't he?:sly:

Should I start the WDK is a watercraft god thread now or do you want to wait a few minutes?

 

[onesojourner]

If your working on them for a Super Jet now, why swear by them when someone calls to ask a/b them. You should tell them how hard they are to install and how bad they fit in a SJ. I would think as good buisness you wouldn't sell something to someone they won't be happy with. I will make a deal w/ you, when the new ones come out I will send you the REV's back for a swap.

are you kidding? they fit fine in a superjet. Lots of people have them in. Including me and that was my second foothold install. its not even hard to get them in it just takes more time. There are tons of threads on here of rev installs so you should have known what you were getting into. Speedfreak was on of the first people I knew of that had them so I pmed him.

Jeff if you do decide to make a new mold for these I would like to see them to sweep in a bit at the toe or make them shorter so they clear the exhaust better and I would like to see them a little taller so we can add more padding. I can not even ride any other skis now. I feel like I am standing like a girl in other holds. yours rock.