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View Full Version : Hein Gericke Interview!


Amanda
11-03-10, 02:53 PM
OMG!!!!

Just took a call from the Area Manager and after dropping a CV in a few weeks ago with an unimpressed sales clerks I got a blooming interview.

Am SOOOO excited now. How cool would that be to get paid talking about bikes all day. OK, OK I don't know my HD from my HT and my K & N from my H & M but like anything I am learning all the time and can be very good at something I put my heart into.

Roll on next Thurday!!!!!!!!!!! :smt060

Sally
11-03-10, 02:55 PM
Good luck :)

the_lone_wolf
11-03-10, 02:56 PM
Can you get me a discount yet?

Amanda
11-03-10, 03:02 PM
Can you get me a discount yet?

Blimey, I haven't even got the job yet. You only love me for my discount :(

Alpinestarhero
11-03-10, 03:17 PM
As long as you can help people buy kit that fits them properly, then thats all you need to know :D

Amanda
11-03-10, 03:24 PM
As long as you can help people buy kit that fits them properly, then thats all you need to know :D


Oooooo, do I get to measure any inside legs for that??? Suits you Sir

Wideboy
11-03-10, 03:47 PM
Ah nuts to you then, your going to be one of those comission grabbing ones that wont leave you alone them come up to you at bike meets and pretend to be your friend.... i know your type

;) well done get us some discounts

G
11-03-10, 03:49 PM
Congratulations and good luck, I would love to work in the motorcycle industry.

This is not a personal dig by any means (after your self admision that you know very little about bikes) however, I have never understood why shops like HG employ people with very little product knowledge or understanding of bike.

I appreciate it can be learnt etc by the right person pretty quickly.

The last time I went into HG in nottingham there was two gormless people in there who did not say a word to me, just kept reading (non bike related) magazines. Infact you could have sworn they had absolutely no interest in bikes (or working) whatsoever.

I then asked if they had any other XR1100s in different colours, however apparently they only come in plain colours at the moment (they only had silver and black). I then asked about the basic difference over the XR1000. Neither of them had the slightest clue.

HG seem to be the worst for doing this!

punyXpress
11-03-10, 04:03 PM
Well done & good luck
They even sell horns, so you know what you're doing day one!

Amanda
11-03-10, 04:22 PM
Ah nuts to you then, your going to be one of those comission grabbing ones that wont leave you alone them come up to you at bike meets and pretend to be your friend.... i know your type

;) well done get us some discounts

Yep!! Sell, sell, sell, I gotta lifestyle to fund ya know, I'm high maintenance.

Congratulations and good luck, I would love to work in the motorcycle industry.

This is not a personal dig by any means (after your self admision that you know very little about bikes) however, I have never understood why shops like HG employ people with very little product knowledge or understanding of bike.

HG seem to be the worst for doing this!

No offence taken. This is a retail store with no bikes for sale just equipment, etc. Hopefully I am a fast learner and DO have a keen interest. I would never try to pretend to be something Im not so would offer good, friendly service and practical knowledge. I would never try and cow poop my way through something as you just look like a pratt and lose any credability you have.

Well done & good luck
They even sell horns, so you know what you're doing day one!

Hey, come on ye of little faith, see the thread. I fixed my horn all by myself. I is A-MAZE-ING ..... :cool:

Mej
11-03-10, 04:29 PM
im in there every now and again so ill pop in and say hello WHEN :) you get the job.

good luck.

Dave20046
11-03-10, 06:26 PM
OMG!!!!

Just took a call from the Area Manager and after dropping a CV in a few weeks ago with an unimpressed sales clerks I got a blooming interview.

Am SOOOO excited now. How cool would that be to get paid talking about bikes all day. OK, OK I don't know my HD from my HT and my K & N from my H & M but like anything I am learning all the time and can be very good at something I put my heart into.

Roll on next Thurday!!!!!!!!!!! :smt060
Welldone amanda.
I spent a bit of time in the local HG with the manager and basically they do like you to know what they sell. Try learn the parts but do make it clear you love bikes and you're a quick learner so should get to grips everything fast. Also learn what they sell, they pick very select lines i.e they'll stock sidi but not oxtar (for example) as they're rivals so big up sidi (or whoever they're backing) and run off speel about them being the best.

The blokes at my local (don't know if this is nationwide) are very salesmanny (or saleswomanny :) ), and very competitive. They were always boasting how much their numbers were up on the closest other HG (and were overjoyed when they shut down).

yorkie_chris
11-03-10, 07:01 PM
Bird working in a bike shop, you're just there to look pretty anyway, noone expects you to know a damn thing ;-)

Amanda
11-03-10, 07:04 PM
Bird working in a bike shop, you're just there to look pretty anyway, noone expects you to know a damn thing ;-)

Which will be a nice surprise when I do know something then :cool:

Dave20046
11-03-10, 07:21 PM
Bird working in a bike shop, you're just there to look pretty anyway, noone expects you to know a damn thing ;-)
One of the female ones in the sheffield branch actually told a joke when she was passing me my leathers (obviously someone else had took the payment and bagged them up) - I was very taken a back, didn't know they did that. Wanted to pat her on the head:).

disco
11-03-10, 08:17 PM
I went to buy a jacket and trousers from reading last weekend and my jacket size was a 56 I think this could be unique to HG or the country they are from/made - If you were to know sizing conversions when you went to interview and I were the interviewer Id think you'd taken the time to notice and find that out the sizes relating to s/m/l/xl. Its just an idea. Good luck

Old Git
11-03-10, 08:23 PM
Well done & good luck, hope to see you in a HG store soon.

Amanda
11-03-10, 08:45 PM
I went to buy a jacket and trousers from reading last weekend and my jacket size was a 56 I think this could be unique to HG or the country they are from/made - If you were to know sizing conversions when you went to interview and I were the interviewer Id think you'd taken the time to notice and find that out the sizes relating to s/m/l/xl. Its just an idea. Good luck


Oooooo, I know that already cos I have Hein Gericke clothing. They are European sizing so 56 is the equivalent 46 in British sizing.

tigersaw
11-03-10, 09:05 PM
HG in southampton make you a cuppa tea on sundays, proper cup using a kettle and tea bag. Gets my vote.

Amanda
11-03-10, 09:10 PM
I know that is one thing I would suggest tbh. Our one used to have a little machine that you used but that has since gone. Can't beat a cuppa after riding your bike in the cold.

Mej
11-03-10, 09:12 PM
i wouldnt say no to that, i went into to HG once on the way back from a ride to buy those inner gloves as i couldnt feel my hands, now that would have been a good time for a tea.

clanger
11-03-10, 09:30 PM
I know the boss man at Soton shop, he sayes that HG don't pay well, but if you like the job then it makes all the difference...so good luck to you :smt038

Specialone
11-03-10, 10:05 PM
Word of advice Amanda, personality sells :)
If you cut the bullsh1t, have a good personality, genuinely wanna help people get the best kit for them you can sell anything.

Being a builder, i have to 'sell' my services to customers all the time, its not just about price (albeit i do feel like i do some jobs for free).
I probably get around 95% of the quotes i submit to people, cos i believe i dont bullsh1t them, just offer best advice i can for their budget and situation.

Good luck anyway :p
Phil

Amanda
11-03-10, 10:15 PM
Word of advice Amanda, personality sells :)
If you cut the bullsh1t, have a good personality, genuinely wanna help people get the best kit for them you can sell anything.

Being a builder, i have to 'sell' my services to customers all the time, its not just about price (albeit i do feel like i do some jobs for free).
I probably get around 95% of the quotes i submit to people, cos i believe i dont bullsh1t them, just offer best advice i can for their budget and situation.

Good luck anyway :p
Phil

Yeah I know exactly where you are coming from. I have a strong retail background and the one thing you must have is respect for the customer. Repeat business and recommendations don't have any advertising costs. Every new customer is a potential regular. It's great if you get a nice big sale but if you pee off that person and they never come back then you have lost in the long run. Whereas make a warm, comfortable, friendly environment that people enjoy coming to and you have done all the hard work then all you need to do is relieve them of their cash. lol

Lozzo
13-03-10, 09:55 AM
The last time I went into HG in nottingham there was two gormless people in there who did not say a word to me, just kept reading (non bike related) magazines. Infact you could have sworn they had absolutely no interest in bikes (or working) whatsoever.


This is probably due to the fact that working in the bike trade kills your love of motorcycling. I did it for many years and it got to a pont where I didn't want to even see a bike when I got home or had a day off - in short I got sick of my life revolving solely around bikes

Lozzo
13-03-10, 09:57 AM
I went to buy a jacket and trousers from reading last weekend and my jacket size was a 56 I think this could be unique to HG or the country they are from/made - If you were to know sizing conversions when you went to interview and I were the interviewer Id think you'd taken the time to notice and find that out the sizes relating to s/m/l/xl. Its just an idea. Good luck

Measured in centimtres across the shoulders, European stylee.

Lozzo
13-03-10, 10:01 AM
I know the boss man at Soton shop, he sayes that HG don't pay well, but if you like the job then it makes all the difference...so good luck to you :smt038

I managed two shops for them over the time I was there, they don't pay well at all, and the hassle just isn't worth it.

If this is what you want to do Amanda, then go for it, but I wouldn't go back to working there. That said, the Head Office and Area management has all changed, and that's pretty much what I had a problem with

missyburd
13-03-10, 07:45 PM
Wahey well done Amanda :-D Hope the interview is successful, sure you'll knock em for six hehe

Whereas make a warm, comfortable, friendly environment that people enjoy coming to and you have done all the hard work then all you need to do is relieve them of their cash. lol

Definitely. Every customer I see gets a smile and a warm greeting, as the way I see it, that could be the only smile that person sees all day and who knows? maybe they're loaded :D

Amanda
13-03-10, 07:59 PM
Thanks for the heads up Lozzo. TBH I want a job that interests me. I know I could go back to Boots or even McDonalds now pay more than basic wage but hopefully Hein Gericke will be more than just a job.

Amanda
15-03-10, 10:00 AM
OOooooh , interview moved to tomorrow x

dyzio
15-03-10, 10:06 AM
Good luck!

sunshine
15-03-10, 04:26 PM
if you get the job you need to organize an .org discount :D
Good Luck tomorrow.

custard
15-03-10, 04:44 PM
havent read the whole thing so apologies if anyone has mentioned this already.

drop Hooters a PM, she works in the Luton branch.

good luck!

Scoobs
15-03-10, 05:33 PM
drop Hooters a PM, you've got the figure for a job there!

Bit forward Custard me old China.

PS Good luck Amanda.

Amanda
15-03-10, 07:28 PM
LOL

Interview tomorrow - think I mentioned that already BUT ....

to bike or not to bike ???? If so what to wear??

TazDaz
15-03-10, 07:30 PM
Bike, no brainer! :p

Leathers, with bikini underneath? Might get a bit nippley though aha.

Hein Gericke leathers too, if you've got any! :)

Amanda
15-03-10, 07:32 PM
Bike, no brainer! :p

Leathers, with bikini underneath? Might get a bit nippley though aha.

Hein Gericke leathers too, if you've got any! :)

Keenness with added sex appeal??? :confused:

... and does noone read signatures or look at profile pics anymore??? :smt120

TazDaz
15-03-10, 07:37 PM
Keenness with added sex appeal??? :confused:

Well the girls in HG up here are generally eye candy I thought, and its always good to appear keen at a job! :p

... and does noone read signatures or look at profile pics anymore??? :smt120

Too many lines...yawn! :rolleyes:

Wideboy
15-03-10, 07:38 PM
... and does noone read signatures or look at profile pics anymore??? :smt120

pfft now your just trying to bump it so everyone looks and you get loads of profile views!!;)

GOOD LUCK!! take the bike aswell the weather is meant to be **** hot tomorrow!! :)

Wideboy
15-03-10, 07:38 PM
Well the girls in HG up here are generally eye candy I thought, and its always good to appear keen at a job! :p

what one?! i may have to visit :-dd

TazDaz
15-03-10, 07:40 PM
what one?! i may have to visit :-dd

Farnborough...I'm sure there was a couple of nice blondes in there last summer time!

Wideboy
15-03-10, 07:42 PM
i'll go there then, one down here is crap and so is J&S........ not that go specifically for that! 8-[

Stu
15-03-10, 07:52 PM
Farnborough...I'm sure there was a couple of nice blondes in there last summer time!
YUP, it's a shame I hate them for charging me a restocking fee when I changed my mind about my boots that were unworn.

But good luck Amanda :D

-Ralph-
15-03-10, 10:26 PM
The last time I went into HG in nottingham there was two gormless people in there who did not say a word to me, just kept reading (non bike related) magazines. Infact you could have sworn they had absolutely no interest in bikes (or working) whatsoever.

ROFL, sure at least one of those is an org (or ex org) member

OOooooh , interview moved to tomorrow x

Good luck, tho I'm sure you won't need it! :thumbsup:

Amanda
15-03-10, 10:28 PM
Hahahaha - 6 votes - 2 on each option!!! This is not helpful to my decision making.

Think I will car it for the interview to arrive unruffled. :D

Bri w
15-03-10, 10:31 PM
Best wishes for the interview, hope it goes well.









Leather jacket, 46inch chest please - - - - my usual discount?

Amanda
16-03-10, 01:06 PM
Well looks like I got a job of sorts. Gonna go in for 4 days over 2 weeks and see if its for me. All being well they have a part-time vacancy now and a full-time vacancy mid-April. Managers gonna phone me again tomorrow to confirm everything. Whoop Whoop.... x

Luckypants
16-03-10, 01:07 PM
LLongyfarchiadau! :cool:

lily
16-03-10, 01:08 PM
Yay that's great news amanda... WELL DONE! :-D

sunshine
16-03-10, 01:44 PM
congrats, does that mean we all get a discount from hg stores now???

Amanda
16-03-10, 01:46 PM
Maybe my one - you will have to arrange a visit lol

G
16-03-10, 01:49 PM
Good stuff, can you get me a baffle for a Yoshimura RS-5 system please ;)

Amanda
16-03-10, 01:51 PM
I'll have a look for you when I start my first shift!!

SUPERSTARDJ01
16-03-10, 02:18 PM
Well done.

-Ralph-
16-03-10, 02:36 PM
Nice one Amanda, well done!

So which poll option did you go for in the end?

Amanda
16-03-10, 02:46 PM
Well I wore a skirt and walked in the end cos it was a lovely day. Smart for the interview but at least I get to wear jeans for the job - result

yorkie_chris
16-03-10, 04:32 PM
Well done :)

Specialone
16-03-10, 04:38 PM
Nice one Amanda, you could be assistant store manager inside a year especially if your sales targets are good :)
I think they have a high turnover of staff so opportunities will always come up.

Scoobs
16-03-10, 04:43 PM
Don't get cocky kid ;)

Mej
16-03-10, 05:55 PM
congrats. :)

Old Git
16-03-10, 06:34 PM
Well done, hope you enjoy your new job & learn all you want to know in the process.

Tom_the_great
16-03-10, 06:45 PM
Just saying well done :)

Amanda
16-03-10, 06:57 PM
Thanks guys. I like sales and the tech knowledge will come so all is good.

Bluefish
16-03-10, 07:16 PM
Well done, so the skirt swung it then? :-dd

Amanda
16-03-10, 07:17 PM
Yep could be. Skirt with knee high heeled boots to give it professional but edgy!! lol

Old Git
17-03-10, 07:33 AM
( with a Homer Simpson Voice) MMmmmmmmm Knee high boots!:smt079

Bri w
17-03-10, 08:18 AM
Nice one, well done.

Amanda
18-03-10, 12:58 PM
I start work next Thursday 1st April - whoop whoop.

cuffy
18-03-10, 01:01 PM
Yep could be. Skirt with knee high heeled boots to give it professional but edgy!! lol

http://hdforums.com/forum/attachments/softail-models/27572d1234665383-09-heritage-big-radius-big-sucker-fuelpak-help-this-thread-is-useless-without-pichers.jpg

Amanda
18-03-10, 01:10 PM
Was something like this .........

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af64/SuzukiAmanda/boots.jpg

lol

L3nny
18-03-10, 01:20 PM
Meh, I'll start following this thread when there is talk of discounts!!! :p

Well done for getting the job.

RichT
18-03-10, 01:32 PM
Well done you.

Take it it's the Bournemouth store.

Amanda
18-03-10, 01:33 PM
Yep, just up the road from me. Wicked!

Scoobs
18-03-10, 01:38 PM
Was something like this .........

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af64/SuzukiAmanda/boots.jpg

lol

Nice face, shame about the body. ;)

Amanda
18-03-10, 01:41 PM
Blimey Scoobs, don't you know flattery will get you everywhere!!!

Amanda
01-04-10, 07:46 PM
Yay!!!

Just finished my first day at the store. Was well good and I loved it. I'm rota'd in to work every Thursday and Friday, weekends when I'm not doing my other job and any extra hours that might pop up from holiday and sick.

Had a bit of a shock that the Shop Partner (manager) has left and the 2 guys in the store will be running it jointly for April and a new manager, who ever gets appointed, will take over in May. So there will be more hours in May IF one of the guys running it now gets the position.

Managed to sort the coffee out and I have asked if I can do my Biscuit of the Day and said I can do what I want!! Hahahaha - Bad idea, bless them, they really don't know me well enough yet. Suckers x

Specialone
01-04-10, 07:51 PM
Nice one Amanda, you could be assistant store manager inside a year especially if your sales targets are good :)
I think they have a high turnover of staff so opportunities will always come up.

Remember what i said ;)

Yay!!!

Just finished my first day at the store. Was well good and I loved it. I'm rota'd in to work every Thursday and Friday, weekends when I'm not doing my other job and any extra hours that might pop up from holiday and sick.

Had a bit of a shock that the Shop Partner (manager) has left and the 2 guys in the store will be running it jointly for April and a new manager, who ever gets appointed, will take over in May. So there will be more hours in May IF one of the guys running it now gets the position.

Managed to sort the coffee out and I have asked if I can do my Biscuit of the Day and said I can do what I want!! Hahahaha - Bad idea, bless them, they really don't know me well enough yet. Suckers x

Well done, whens a good time to start getting the discounts in ???

Geodude
01-04-10, 07:53 PM
Well done on day one :) ps whats biscuit of the day? :confused:

sunshine
02-04-10, 01:58 AM
is it just me or does everyone think that store is doomed now they said Amanda can do what she wants?

Amanda
02-04-10, 10:42 PM
is it just me or does everyone think that store is doomed now they said Amanda can do what she wants?

:smt019
It will be the making of it!! They won't know whats hit them :smt072

Amanda
08-04-10, 07:37 PM
I love my job....... :D

What an amazing day today. Properly helping people with helmets, kitting a girl out for the first time going pillion, chatting, making coffee and of course biscuit of the day which today to kick off was Chocolate Hobnob xx

tigersaw
08-04-10, 07:41 PM
what day is jammie dodger? I might come and get some ACF50 lol

keith_d
08-04-10, 07:42 PM
I love my job....... :D

What an amazing day today. Properly helping people with helmets, kitting a girl out for the first time going pillion, chatting, making coffee and of course biscuit of the day which today to kick off was Chocolate Hobnob xx

From there it's only a short step to Bagels on the last Friday of the month... We had that in one of my previous jobs and it was awesome.

Hope it all goes as well as the first day,

Keith.

Amanda
08-04-10, 07:43 PM
Ooooo, what luck!! That's the next biscuit winging its way to biscuit of the day stardom. Might even be tomorrow cos Hobnob was a success today so not many left.

Amanda
08-04-10, 07:45 PM
From there it's only a short step to Bagels on the last Friday of the month... We had that in one of my previous jobs and it was awesome.

Hope it all goes as well as the first day,

Keith.

Hmmmm Bagels, Cinnamon and Raisin with cream cheese and grapes x

keith_d
09-04-10, 07:25 AM
Hmmmm Bagels, Cinnamon and Raisin with cream cheese and grapes x

Toasted onion bagels with farmhouse cheddar
Plain bagels with smoked salmon and decent cream cheese
Plain bagels with peppered salami and cheddar
Chocolate chip with nutella

The toughest part is finding proper fresh bagels since the Canadian Bagel Co. closed down. Supermarket bagels just don't have the same chewy texture.

monkey
01-05-10, 03:09 AM
It's good that you're happy with your new job! Wouldn't life be great if we were all so fortunate.

Now tell me, can I still get the oil and filter deal and do all branches hold oil and filters?

cb1000rsteve
01-05-10, 06:44 AM
I wish our local HG would get some new staff. Fed up of being told what i should be buying instead of getting info on the stuff i think is best value/cost/safe. went in other week for new helmet as Arai is well noisy due to the pods and he wouldn't stop banging on about getting another Arai even though i told him straight i didn't like it!!!! The wife even commented! 'now u know wot its like when no one listens' Cow. :^(
PS i'm glad you doing a job u enjoy. keep at it. :^)

TheRamJam
01-05-10, 06:39 PM
Good to hear your loving the HG job

Keep up the good work :thumbsup:

Amanda
01-05-10, 07:06 PM
Thanks guys!

Job is fantastic, really enjoying it and the store is finally attracting some good attention. We were really busy today and although hitting targets, I think the customers left with what they wanted. I personally hate pushy sales so won't crowd people but will still offer good advice with confidence and knowledge in what I'm selling.

Monkey - Yeah all stores are running the buy the oil and get the filter free offer and should have the right filter for you (assuming you have an SV??)

Steve - They're muppets then. First rule of service is listen to your customer. Shubert would be the best for noise reduction failing that, and the fact they are limited on style choice, the AGV Stealth SV or GP Tech as they have a better neck roll helping to keep the noise out.

Amanda
01-05-10, 07:09 PM
p.s. Just realised this is the older thread. Did I mention I'm now the manager!!! Whoop whoop

madcockney
01-05-10, 07:55 PM
Congratulations, and well done in such a short time.

monkey
01-05-10, 09:31 PM
Blimey tha't what you call moving up the chain quickly.

Thanks Amanda. I visited my local shop today along with another orger and spent a fortune. Got loads of essentials as well as a lovely almost essential lid.