Nope, Arkport sounds like a nice multi-bike dealer but its far from Up-State. I'm talking about North End in Plattsburgh, NY.

 

If you have a superior product, why wouldn't you want the competition sitting next to it?

 

+1
Harley's brakes, cooling system, handling, and top speed are far superior to any japanese bike, so Harley shouldn't be afraid of the competition sitting so close.

 

Well, I used to be a franchise owner of an international "brand" of product. Won't say which one, but not HD.

They (franchisers) have put long term dealers (franchise owners) out of business for years and this is not uncommon practice for franchisers. The loop holes and "fine print" is built into their "game."

Generally speaking and basically, they (franchisers) want to get rid of any franchisee who has figured out how to make money without the franchiser getting any (or most) of it. And that's the truth, regardless of the products or type of business.

 

Over here in the UK a lot of people buy mailorder from HD Jersey. Good to deal with but I have had some parts on order for a while. When I telephoned I was told that they had just had a large delivery of parts from HD. They gave me the impression that their order from HD had been delayed by 'credit checks'!

 

Sorry I did not get back on this. Yes the dealer is Sovie's. He has sold Harleys for 30 years. For those of you who visited and noted that he did not have much in there, he has always run the shop the old fashioned way, not the market mall structure that Harley is now pushing. He also sells Honda and other products, but has always worked on any model that a customer brings in. I have dealt with him for more than 30 years, before he had Harley, and have always had good service, honest work, good prices, and have had the pleasure of dealing with the owner. Other places I have visited have been changing over to the new approach and seem have only one or two people who know what they are selling and what they are doing. I have not been everywhere and I do note when people tell about good dealerships and services. The problem up here is that the population does not support multiple dealerships. The geographic territories are wider and spread farther apart. Seems to be that way for any dealership. Its a numbers game and marketing dictates centering in population areas for maximum sales. As for the dealer doing illegal or unsavory practices, I don't think so. I have not pried and do not wish to know all the details at this point. The post was just made to vent and point out that in this economy who knows what will happen.

 

I for one don't have a problem with Harley not wanting metric bikes selling next to thiers. As far as the franchise owners go, who cares, it's thier decision, Harley isn't forcing them to buy only Harley's for resale, if they want to sell the competition, Harley doesn't care, they just won't be selling Harley's along side them. I guess you have to look at it from Harleys point of view, they spend millions plus on advertising, why should they spend so much money to get the consumer into a dealership to have them look at the competitions product? Thats like asking the dealers to become the "Walmart" of dealership, f*ck that, if you want to sell metric, fine. But not along side a Harley.

 

Interesting? are we talking about out buddies south of easthampton or springfield?

 

+1 I owned a franchise business for 10 years as well. That is the usual reason.

OR the guy just stopped paying royalties altogether.. Otherwise they would have no reason to shut him down.

 

The MoCo probably found out the dealership sold a bike under MSRP.