Please help me with some perspective.

[cleandan]

Today I encountered a situation and I would like your perspective please.
There is a business located about 5 miles from my house called MAPerfromance (Modern Automotive Performance)
https://www.maperformance.com/

They are listed as a distributor of Innovate Tech products and I am going to purchase a new LM2 Kit.
I had some work that had me driving by today so I stopped in to make a purchase...they have the LM2 listed as "in stock"....Great, I'll be using this tonight for some tuning.

I pull up, get out, and find the doors posted with all kinds of "not open for walk in businees due to COVID19" stuff.....
It just so happens two employees are pulling up as I am pulling on the doors...they must have been returning from lunch I would guess.

One of them asks what I want, nicely mind you, and I state I am here to purchase an Innovate LM2 Kit.
He goes into a speech about how they are not open to the public because of COVID restrictions and then explains how I can go home, call in on the phone, or go online and place my order, then come back and pick up my order at the rear shipping door.

I'll admit, this rubbed me the wrong way.
The COVID restrictions have been lifted a while ago around here.
The idea that you would tell a customer to go home, place an order, then return to pick up said order, seems stupid in my eyes...especially when said customer stated they were going to purchase items, not just look around.

I would like your take on this situation to help me form a better picture of what is happening...because at the moment I seem unable to form a nice result in my mind.
Thanks, and have a great day.

[475fetoploader]

Difficult for me to not go political right now.  If you sit in their parking lot, and call on your cellular device to order, could you then pull around to the shipping door and pick it up?

[Diogenes]

Difficult for me to not go political right now.

Agreed, difficult, though completely in order.

I would refuse to do business with them. If anyone operates outside or contrary to your principles and values, in my opinion, you should not do business with them, regardless of convenience or price. This is how I operate.

[475fetoploader]

It sucks because I want to buy local whenever possible, however, local businesses seem to just refer me to Amazon.  Ugh! No, I’m here to buy local, don’t send me to them!

[RustyCrankshaft]

Find a new place to do business.

[Gaugster]

Personally I would drive a little further out of your way and spend the money where you feel welcome and comfortable. That is, unless the owner of the shop walks around with a tank of oxygen in order to breathe or some other serious pre-condition. I stopped using Amazon. Went cold turkey. It was easier than I thought.

[wowens]

Makes me wonder if they "really" have it in stock. I'd go elsewhere.

[cleandan]

Thank you for the replys so far.
I appreciate the perspective.

[Diogenes]

I stopped using amazon many years ago, because I saw them for what they are a long time ago. It is pretty difficult doing business locally, more so when you don't live in or near a major metropolitan area. My girlfriend has discovered that some things she must purchase can only be found on amazon, which doesn't sit well with either of us, though we continue to look for alternatives.

[allrightmike]

Slight hijack here, remember when Japan automakers were "dumping' cars in the USA, meaning selling below cost to eliminate competition? I believe this is the AMAZON business model.

[jayb]

Let's not get political here, please.

With the covid restrictions lifted, I can see no reason why that company is behaving the way they are.  After something like that, I wouldn't do business with them either.

[turbohunter]

I think we all have to work within our own comfort level.
For instance, even though I could work many more years I’ve decided to fire my industry as the level of pain is to much for me to take with the degradation in quality, morons in charge, idiotic restrictions and hoop jumping. So I’m retiring.
With parts it’s the same. How much can you be comfortable with? Is the company you are purchasing from solid? Scat comes to mind. Some (not all) of their parts are cast overseas but they bring them back here for finishing and qc then put out a great product.
What you experienced with this company is bs. Quality people at a quality company would have taken care of you right there. They would have found a way. That was laziness and it’s rampant these days.
I agree with all you guys about taking care of local businesses (those that are left). Unfortunately times are changing for the better AND the worse. We old dinosaurs have to adapt and still try to stay in our comfort zone.

[My427stang]

Owner with high risk, employee safety, the disease still exists, new variants in areas that were pretty stable. Heck some people have actually lost multiple loved ones and may not really care if a political entity says "go" ...anyone can be more conservative than the rule, just not the other way around.

If the price is right and if you want the part and can get it immediately, I say give them a call and see how they perform.  I brought our dog to the vet yesterday, and they still don't have an open lobby, but the service was good and we got what we needed

Now if he was rude, different story, I'd likely go elsewhere, but if it was just conservative policy, as blunt as this sounds, it's his lobby and parts counter.  If walk-ins aren't worth the risk due to low volume, he doesn't have to do anything and has the right to react to the risk he perceives

Again though, if unprofessional, I walk away in a heart beat from different companies

[cleandan]

Thanks for the replys.
A couple of replys seem to go after Amazon.
While you may not like Amazon, and you choose not to use Amazon, my situation, and this thread are not about Amazon, or any other online shipping agent.

My quest is to gather your opinions about what this particular company has chosen to do in terms of treating its potential customers.

The reason I asked for outside opinions is because I can be a bit quick to judge in situations like this and I have found I do better with a little time to think it through.

In this instance I am finding the general concensus is pretty much on target with my initial reaction.

Because this is a local business, and I have gone to great lengths to support local businesses in the past because I think it is important, I will be calling the company and talking with someone in charge.

I want to hear the story from the person forcing the choice in order to get the best information I can.
Maybe they have a legitimate reason for not allowing people inside the building.
Maybe the employees returning from lunch did not want to deal with a customer right now so they sent me away.

I'll reply again after I talk with MAP and learn what I can.

[1964Fastback]

Maybe the employees returning from lunch did not want to deal with a customer right now so they sent me away.

This was the first thing that came to my mind when I read your initial post, lazy employees.  Your planned call to the owner sounds like a good next step.

Pat