Business Must Be Good!

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 7, 2007 | 08:23 AM

#11

2007fxdc

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 4,722

Likes: 7

RE: Business Must Be Good!

Quote:

ORIGINAL: voyager1

Short story... This is back in the 70's . friend of mne goes to buy a Sportster. The sale guy was " lets just say in a gang". Not to mention names. My friend offered the guy a little less than asking price in cash money... The sales dude says " I don't give a f>uk if you buy the bike or not... But if you don't want it get the *** out.... True story. Well, my friend bought the bike . If i remember is was a 1972 sporty .

Well, the late 80's and 90's fostered that attitude even from the "more professional" type dealership people. But, the writing is on the wall and they'll have to change to stay afloat. They're probably still in denial and blaming the slowness on other factors and predicting a big turnaround. But, with a dealer on every corner and more and more riders and potential riders becoming more educated about the process, the market has to shift in the direction of the consumer sooner or later.

Dec 7, 2007 | 08:41 AM

#12

grandpawmoses

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 894

Likes: 1

From: Northport, AL

RE: Business Must Be Good!

Quote:

Similar story, in 1972 & in the service, A buddy of mine and myself had just returned from an overseas deployment and he wanted a new Sportster (an XLCH I believe). We went to the dealership in Jacksonville, FL (a little "mon & pop" size place with two bikes on display). They refused tosell the display model. They wanted him toget on a waiting list but they ended up selling him the display model because he was in service.

Dec 7, 2007 | 08:49 AM

#13

flynavy

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 791

Likes: 1

From: New Hampshire

RE: Business Must Be Good!

VERY surprised to hear any HD dealer in their current overstock situation, at THIS time of year being ambivolent to a prospective new customer.

I believe if the home office found out they'd be fired on the spot.

Dec 7, 2007 | 08:52 AM

#14

2007fxdc

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 4,722

Likes: 7

RE: Business Must Be Good!

Quote:

ORIGINAL: flynavy

VERY surprised to hear any HD dealer in their current overstock situation, at THIS time of year being ambivolent to a prospective new customer.

I believe if the home office found out they'd be fired on the spot.

You'd think but not the case. A lot of dealerships train and/or expect their sales staff to be hands-off and low pressure. Like I said, thinks will have to change though - they may have just not figured it out yet.

Dec 7, 2007 | 09:06 AM

#15

cigarman

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 121

Likes: 0

From: Hershey, PA

RE: Business Must Be Good!

You should check to see whether the salespeople are on commission or salaried. When I looked for my last bike I was surprised that one of the local dealerships gave very little customer service and were downright unfriendly. Itgot the impression that if you don't have tatoos and call yourself a biker, forget it.

I mentioned this to a guy I know and he told me that the owner "transformed" the business from commission-based to salary (and the salaries were not comparable to the $$ the commissioned salespeople made).

The owner's logic was that HD bikes "sell themselves". The dealership is in a great location and sells bikes by the truckload--but not to me. I went to a smaller dealership (White's in Lebanon) and bought my last two bikes from a personable salesguy named Scott. In addition my buddy bought his there and my buddy's brother traveled about 100 miles toorder his new bike from them. They gave me a good trade-in, a good price on mine and followup calls afterward to see if all was OK with the bike. A class operation in my book.

I'd never buy any vehicle from a dealership that didn't treat me right.

Dec 7, 2007 | 09:15 AM

#16

voyager1

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 3,432

Likes: 0

From: SW Ohio

RE: Business Must Be Good!

Easy solution... My last 3 bikes : I only deal with the manager/owner... No sales people.. Works for me .

Dec 7, 2007 | 11:09 AM

#17

Tony P

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 5,763

Likes: 371

From: North of Hell, South of Heaven

RE: Business Must Be Good!

I don't live in So Cal, but my experience between the two metro Atlanta dealers I worked with was positive. The salesman I didn't buy the bike from is still friendly towards me. And the saleman I actually bought the bike from is a good dude who I could see riding with one weekend. It sounds like the So Cal dealers are still living in the past...

Dec 8, 2007 | 03:52 AM

#18

Oranje

Novice

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 21

Likes: 0

From:

RE: Business Must Be Good!

If you're in La Mirada, jump on the 5 south and go down to OC-HD dealer (near Verizon Amphitheatre).
Ask for Spyder, he'sa good guy and will treat you right.