Stopped into our local branch to buy a single H7 headlight bulb, should be simple but. cheapest one on the shelf is some mystery brand and it's $35- the Narva one is $45. so I ask at the counter if I can buy one that's not blister packed from bulk out the back, same as a mechanic could buy. First guy says no, not possible so I challenge him, daytime Bob the weekend manager chimes in saying, I could go and get you one sir but it would cost the same as the one on the shelf. At this point I tell them I used to work there and know full well what is and isn't possible, I didn't raise my voice but I did ask them if it was a new company policy to lie to the customers. In over ten years as a parts jockey I never felt the need to lie to a punter like this, sure sometimes people spoke to you poorly or rudely and the level of favor they got would be reduced but to refuse a reasonable request like this is just ******. Also $35 for a single filament 55w bulb as common as this -- what!
rbd,
Sep 4, 9:20am
You expect decent prices and service,. at Repco?!?
djrandomguy,
Sep 4, 9:21am
was late on saturday - I know the score and had avoided them as long as possible.
purplegoat,
Sep 4, 9:41am
So you think because you used to work there that makes you special ? Would love to have been a fly on the wall listening to you " challenging " the dude without raising your voice . lol
beno,
Sep 4, 9:42am
they wanted $125 for a water pump for a 1992 1300 corolla from me. needless to say I waited until Auto Stop opened on monday and paid $35 for one
djrandomguy,
Sep 4, 10:03am
not saying i'm special, i'm saying I knew what they told me was a case of them not wanting to go out the back and get the part and instead deciding to fob me off with an untruth. also remaining calm while dealing with tension is a big part of my job now so I can easy tell someone they're pissing me off without going red.
sw20,
Sep 4, 10:17am
That is Genuine Toyota price.
3tomany,
Sep 4, 10:23am
Last weekend i went to ripco as was looking for an after market flashing light for a JD tractor, yip no problem $150 but we do not have one in stock, so needing one on the day i thought bugger will try the dealer. Good news folks a genuine JD light $90 + gst and in stock. I did not see that coming
holdenparts1,
Sep 4, 11:38am
you knew it wasn't the case "when you worked there"
unless you left days ago things can and do change.
tgray,
Sep 4, 11:52am
Accusing him of lying was a bit rough. Wer'e only talking about a bulb here. I would have just walked out.
desmodave,
Sep 4, 12:08pm
That's what to many Kiwi's do , then they turn up on here having a bleat while looking for their spine . How doe's 1 know their service is not up to scratch unless it is pointed out .
djrandomguy,
Sep 4, 12:16pm
100% agree, there was nothing aggressive about what I did or said, I wanted them to be aware they shouldn't lie as you can be caught out, is it the end of my world, no, I got one through another connection for a hell deal. When I stood in their shoes a while back I had people speak a hell of a lot worse to me on the daily.
janbodean,
Sep 4, 12:22pm
Couldn't agree more. The art of complaining is not one that most Kiwi's are comfortable with so they put up with shoddy service whilst moaning about it to everyone but the one they should have spoken to. As the saying goes, "You get what you deserve".
franc123,
Sep 4, 12:28pm
Why not? It's a fairly common scenario. One of the few reasons why Repco is successful is because people don't do their homework on pricing, assume the agent is too expensive, and don't plan ahead.
desmodave,
Sep 4, 12:34pm
Fixed that for ya franc123 , it was the whodackywhatsit playing up
wind.turbine,
Sep 4, 1:50pm
at the end of that day OP they are a business, they have over heads to pay etc and a profit margin to make. if you don't want to shop there then don't, I personally don't mind their service, have always been good with returns etc. price wise, some things are cheap some things are not, depends if you need the item right then and there or if you can wait for a big sale. people always shop around for the best price, I know this as being a fencing contractor, have people come along and say "oh but joe blogs gave me a slightly cheaper quote" the reply is always " go use him then" never have had any problems with finding work so why drop prices just to keep one person happy?
_peas,
Sep 4, 1:55pm
I worked there well over a decade ago while I was at Uni. I know what you are on about. They used to have Lucas branded loose bulbs that were far cheaper than the retail Narva blisters. That said from my memory when you entered the LLB part number into the sales screen with teh cash sale account up (i.e. not a trade account) it priced to the corresponding Narva product so there may well be some truth to what you have been told. You're wasting your time talking to the duty manager. they probably had a good chat about what an awesome customer you were. like I would have and like you probably would have too if you had a customer trying to tell you the facts of life.
gerald4,
Sep 4, 2:22pm
A standard repco h7 blister pack bulb is $27.99, it is important for halogen bulbs to be wrapped, so that you know noone has touched the glass.
kazbanz,
Sep 4, 2:29pm
OP--Im missing your point entirely. You wanted a cheaper bulb so why not go somewhere that would sell you a cheaper bulb. Their shop their price.
djrandomguy,
Sep 4, 2:38pm
everything in a blister pack costs a lot more, i knew this going in, explained clearly what i wanted and was told it was not possible, I didn't want cheap, I wanted a good brand at a fair price. also as far as don't touch the glass, i know this and the wurth branded one i ended up buying had a wee foam protector on it. If I was given an explanation about changes made since I left of shown any proof of their claims it would be different. Yes i agree they are in business to make money but by their own actions instead of a sale for less money they got 0% of my business. It sticks in my craw as I used to go the extra mile to help out and when sales staff just look and act like they CBF' I can't handle that jandle.
djrandomguy,
Sep 4, 2:39pm
Maybe, in this case they didn't have any repco [re]branded bulbs on the rack.
franc123,
Sep 4, 2:53pm
A bit of advice here, if by chance its a Saturday pm or Sunday and you are in need of basic auto electrical supplies (be honest, we've all been caught short because of one little thing that's stopped you from finishing a job), go to Mitre 10. Why? Because its actually possible to get some auto related things cheaper there than it is at SCA or Repco. I know this because I've done it, and was disgusted to find a pack of electrical terminals I'd just bought from an auto parts shop was more expensive than them, considering that Mitre 10 would be shifting far less volume of them.
sadmuddle,
Sep 4, 2:54pm
Business spend thousands on advertising then screw some poor sod who then rubbishes them all over the place. The poor sod was me a few times. Firms like garages run processing system when they should be a service industry. I now travel up to a hundred ks to do something from here.
purplegoat,
Sep 4, 2:54pm
Fark you sound like an arrogant one , firstly you seem to think cause you once worked there you're special . Then you seem to think they have to provide proof they don't have what you demand they get from out the back . Wonder if repco have blacklisted you . lol
djrandomguy,
Sep 4, 3:02pm
How does your mind work? I know something exists. I ask for it. They say no. I explain how I know where it is. They then say I can't have it anyway. I speak my peace then leave. Arrogant no, annoyed yes. Repco did not blacklist me btw and that's the 2nd time you've written lol, you child. I explained i don't want magic treatment, but like a stuck record you post the same thing, maybe you should join the ace repco squad, you can spend your days putting down anyone who dares question your way of thinking and overcharging for common things. $45 is too much for the part in question, were I in their shoes today I'd have gone out the back, got a boxed one and sold it, no hassle, no fuss, no trade me post.
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