The issue of Pierce's sales & marketing strategy (and I will include Dealer Network in the mix) sometimes costing them potential sales in certain areas could not be more true.
And, the question concerning the problem (and it's a real one) of " . . . how does a customer who might only purchase a vehicle once every two decades have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to ensure that the vehicle was constructed to meet the specs? Or, more importantly, that the specifications given to him by the sales rep were adequate to meet the demands that the customer will put upon the vehicle?" Is answerable by one word: Consultant. I know that's often a dirty word to many, but the fact remains that as long as every single fire department, large, small or in-between is convinced that they are ALL experts, and that they know more than the engineering departments of the manufacturers, and as long as the gap between this delusion and reality continues to grow, there is a fertile and lucrative field available for knowledgeable and credible fire apparatus consultants. You need someone working for YOU and your department, not the dealer and/or manufacturer. I have done this for a few departments (and no, I'm not looking for business) and I have saved them a lot of money and trouble, and assisted them in acquiring apparatus that actually suits their needs, fits their budget (and their fire station!), and that should provide them with years of functional, reliable service. The delivered rig came in on time, within or under budget, and compliant to the department's specifications. How many horror stories have YOU heard about rigs coming in built incorrectly, missing equipment, over budget, oversized, or that "weren't what they expected"? There is no viable reason or excuse for any of that in this day and age . . . And particularly in light of the spiraling cost of fire apparatus. Your department has not only the right, but the duty to see that these huge sums of money are spent wisely. Bear in mind that for some rigs purchased via grant money, the cost of a consultant can be included in the grant. To make a long story short, get your money's worth. Do the homework, invest the time, and get it right. Get help if you have to. Your brother and sister firefighters, and the citizens you are sworn to protect, deserve no less.
And, the question concerning the problem (and it's a real one) of " . . . how does a customer who might only purchase a vehicle once every two decades have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to ensure that the vehicle was constructed to meet the specs? Or, more importantly, that the specifications given to him by the sales rep were adequate to meet the demands that the customer will put upon the vehicle?" Is answerable by one word: Consultant. I know that's often a dirty word to many, but the fact remains that as long as every single fire department, large, small or in-between is convinced that they are ALL experts, and that they know more than the engineering departments of the manufacturers, and as long as the gap between this delusion and reality continues to grow, there is a fertile and lucrative field available for knowledgeable and credible fire apparatus consultants. You need someone working for YOU and your department, not the dealer and/or manufacturer. I have done this for a few departments (and no, I'm not looking for business) and I have saved them a lot of money and trouble, and assisted them in acquiring apparatus that actually suits their needs, fits their budget (and their fire station!), and that should provide them with years of functional, reliable service. The delivered rig came in on time, within or under budget, and compliant to the department's specifications. How many horror stories have YOU heard about rigs coming in built incorrectly, missing equipment, over budget, oversized, or that "weren't what they expected"? There is no viable reason or excuse for any of that in this day and age . . . And particularly in light of the spiraling cost of fire apparatus. Your department has not only the right, but the duty to see that these huge sums of money are spent wisely. Bear in mind that for some rigs purchased via grant money, the cost of a consultant can be included in the grant. To make a long story short, get your money's worth. Do the homework, invest the time, and get it right. Get help if you have to. Your brother and sister firefighters, and the citizens you are sworn to protect, deserve no less.
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