Modern Vespa

I hope this isn't a double post. I searched around.

Emailed Max from Scooterwest tonight and got this auto-reply:

Hello Scooterwest.com customer,

Sadly, my last day working here was January 27th, 2017. Please email sales@scooterwest.com for all inquiries about parts and ordering from us. If you are emailing about us purchasing parts from you, please email purchasing@scooterwest.com.

I've developed so many positive relationships that I cherish and will miss. Thanks to everyone that made me love this job for 14 years


What a drag. Max always took such good care of me and I always appreciated his input on these messageboards.

He'll be missed.

Turnover there lately is kinda high. Four former employees now gone in less than a year. The biggest bummer for the YouTube viewing crowd was the loss of Steve. Robot has carried the torch pretty well though.

Yeah, I heard about Steve. That sucks. One can only hope that Robot sticks around.

I could pretty much single handedly credit those guys with getting me doing all the main service work on my GTS, and then sharing tips from that with the 5000 or so readers on the mainly UK *whisper* GTS Owners Facebook page.

14 years at a job is pretty darn good. I hope Robot sticks around, but whatever happens it's great their video legacy stays on YouTube. Hats off to the guys for doing that for the greater good of Vespa riders.

Wow. I will say that it hasn't been the same place for a few years now. Sad to see that a place that has truly been the place to get most of us started to DIY on our bikes going down the tubes. BB spot on. Their legacy will live on and hopefully whomever is left, will keep the lights on.

I hope max is reading this thread. Thank you got all your help over the years Max. I hope you resurface someplace in the scooter space soon!

Best
Michael in Santa Cruz

That really sucks to lose an employee after so many years of dedication. Max helped me countless times figuring what to order and where i could save a few $$$.

Not that i want to be nosy but what happened Max , why the change ?

Max was always helpful their loss, Who was Steve was he the one with all the stuff on his waist?

Yes.

The rats are leaving a sinking ship.

Why do you say that? I've never heard anything but praise for Scooterwest. What did I miss?

Best
Miguel

M, me to.

I've only had stellar service and those how to videos are simply incredible by real scooter enthusiasts.

I will still do business with Scooterwest and support there business.

(¿me too?)

presumably you were referring to:

Miguel
>>>> GordoPolo wrote: The rats are leaving a sinking ship.

>> Why do you say that? I've never heard anything but praise for
>> Scooterwest. What did I miss?
>> Best
>> Miguel

If so, why did you say:

Judy

Wow. I will say that it hasn't been the same place for a few
years now. Sad to see that a place that has truly... going
down the tubes.

You seem a bit confused.

E he just hasn't been the same. A few years after he moved to the bigger shop he seemed way more stressed. He wasn't the same. More than one person over here noticed it. Understandable and with staff leaving now I'm sure it's worse. Seeems like you ignored the fact that I stated he was the one who got us and helped us (others too) to DIY

For the past 8 years I have been lucky to call Alex, Steve, Max, and Robot friends. The commitment they have made to the scooter community is one like no other. The move from the old rented shop to the owned building was a major step. As any scooter shop will tell you you don't survive on scooter sales, you make it on service and parts. Scooters sell in the summer and when gas is expensive. Online i.e. mail order is the bread and butter of Scooterwest's cash flow. Discussions saying "they are going down the drain" may cause others to look elsewhere for parts. That is the last thing we should do. Steve and Max's departure involve issues we cannot discuss for reasons of privacy and it not for anyone speculate on the matter.

Excellent point!

Our MV community should even make a greater contribution to support Scooterwest.

I've been in business a long time, sometimes it's necessary to upgrade , building , staff ... no choice to survive in a market place that is never standing still.

Both those guys made a huge contribution but the world belongs to new generation.

It is what it is , but today too stay in business you need too think outside the box and frankly speaking guys who have done the same job same way for more than a decade really can't change .

Change is good ...

From my crystal ball Scooterwest will survive and even get stronger

Support them as I will

So what are you saying they push them out because of their age they are Scooter people their loss will be a big hit to Scooterwest .

I'm not saying that is what's happening at SW. But i will tell you sometimes its important to shake up a business in order to survive. That unfortunately effects aged employees. It happens all the time in business and sports.

I for one think Scooter West has damaged their brand with the loss of Steve. If mail order is their bread and butter they have lost an oddly appealing front man. That last series of You Tube videos of their 10 day Mexico adventure was truly outstanding and this reflected positivily on Scooter West. The DIY series with Steve and Robot were magic, again, establishing a brand for the company.

I don't get the comments on change and the need to turn-over people to sustain or grow a small retail scooter shop? The shop was clearly well organized, you can see this from the videos and if Robot is any example of the talent in the service departments staff then that's certainly no issue. This was clearly a motivated, customer focused team.

I've seen no visible change in their marketing strategy so why would disrupt a good thing by exiting one of the key front men, makes no sense to me.

Obviously, I have no idea why Steve and others have left the company, but what I do know is it has impacted their brand negatively and that isn't good for them. I also wish Scooter West well and only what them to prosper.

I haven't seen any outward signs that their brand "has been negatively impacted". What am I missing that you are seeing. I strictly buy parts from them and have not visited the store. It's 500 miles south.

Somewhat unrelated, but when I was in business, one thing I found out was that the best people will leave. That is, unless you can find a way to keep them, be it more money, better working conditions, etc... Talented people are usually looking for a better deal, a better job, or maybe to go into business for themselves. Some of the more denser bosses I have worked for created their own competition just by ignoring and not taking care of a valued employee. This is a business, it happens, great employees are not at all common. I wish SW all the best, they certainly treated me well.

All i know is that i saw a marked change in them. Bad choice of words on my "going down the tubes" comment but in a way it was sorta true. I'm sure MAX has his reasons for leaving and that is none of my business. Since i live in HI i haven't a clue about anything other than mail order. However their YouTube DIY videos were/are awesome. There were things that happened to me that make me feel this way and again it's none of anybodies business. I just don't think he was happy there anymore for whatever the reason. I hope he finds peace and that he realizes that he alone, is the reason that we could have our Vespa's over here. Without his company and knowledge i doubt that we would of been able to survive this long. Things change and this is what happens in the business world.

Max is dong fine. Just bought a Zero motorcycle. He came by the shop to show it off. He is doing fine.

That said I have been asked to offer up the following:

If you live and breathe scooters, have the drive to provide service to the scooter community, and are looking for a position in SUNNY SAN DIEGO! Scooterwest would like to talk to you. Send your resume to alex@scooterwest.com detailing your qualifications to be considered for the position. The pay is great and you can ride year round.

Awesome. Glad he's happy and having FUN. It's really hard to own a company. Takes a lot out of you.

I think plenty of good things have been said here about Max, Alex, Steve and Robot at this point and any further speculation about these changes could be harmful.

The only certainty in life is that change is inevitable and Scooterwest is obviously in that moment. They are our friends, fellow dealer and I am even their client on the parts side. Let's let them get back to work, they all have to deal with that awkward uncomfortable thing called change now.

The powersports industry is struggling, support your local shop more now than ever, do it selfishly, you are buying your future ability to use their services.

Off to the shop...

Best,
SDG

I concur with SDG... We are a small community and should support our dealers.

Thanks for the update Perry.

Best
Miguel

FYI, a few weeks ago I saw a youtube video with Robot, Steve, and a friend of theirs doing the one day Northern Baja loop. Steve is working in construction now and apparently doing well.

Glad to hear Max and Steve are doing fine.

Judy I though the tube thing was kind of funny because the YouTube video aren't the same sans Steve. That being said Robot still does a great job solo.

I can't speak to ordering from them as the shipping costs to Canada are brutal.

It sure has been quiet on their youtube channel. Months since last video.

Producing videos takes time and with shifting personnel, it's likely it's been put on the back burner.

I called Scooterwest the other day and the service is outstanding. I still hate their web site and they are a touch pricier than other sites. Still, if you need a scooter part quickly, they are the best!

I have ordered from ScooterWest also, but their website is absolutely worthless. If they really cared about maintaining and developing their on-line business, they would have upgraded the site long before now. Hard to understand why it is not a priority for them.

What God awful title is this ...... sounds like someone died

Alex and Monica are putting long days and nights getting the new website up. With as many items as Scooterwest carries this is not an easy task. It is being worked on.