Zannotti's closing down
I love Harley Davidson motorcycles but I have no love for the Harley Davidson corporation. I also have no love for my local dealers. HD dealers that give online discounts that amounts to 30%, as stated above, are a great resource indeed.
I get to talk to the owner/partner of my local HD(real douche-bag)from time to time.
I told him-"I'd buy parts/accessories from you if you give me the same deal I can get from online HD dealers".
He goes- "Show me where you can get the prices you claim".
I say-"get on your computer and do some research"
I bet if I showed him the HD dealers online that do these discounts, that mustached rat bastard would be on the phone with HD corporate in a minute. I'm sure that's how HD corporate finds out about them.
Mike
P.S. I mean no offense to any man or woman on this forum who has a mustache and who is not a "rat bastard".
I get to talk to the owner/partner of my local HD(real douche-bag)from time to time.
I told him-"I'd buy parts/accessories from you if you give me the same deal I can get from online HD dealers".
He goes- "Show me where you can get the prices you claim".
I say-"get on your computer and do some research"
I bet if I showed him the HD dealers online that do these discounts, that mustached rat bastard would be on the phone with HD corporate in a minute. I'm sure that's how HD corporate finds out about them.
Mike
P.S. I mean no offense to any man or woman on this forum who has a mustache and who is not a "rat bastard".
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 352
Likes: 3
From: NorCal
A couple of years ago I was asking the local dealer about a cam install. Somehow we got on the subject of people working with their parts guy, getting all the numbers, ordering online, and bringing in the parts and asking them to install. Some might say - what's the big deal ... parts is parts. He just said it ws hard for them to compete with online discounters. I don't know - I used to do electrical work and when people wanted to buy their own material for me to put in - it used to bother me a little, not to mention they usually bought the wrong stuff.
On the other hand - I bought plenty of stuff (and saved) from Zanotti and Chicago Harley but I never asked anyone else to put it in for me.
My $0.02
Jimbo
On the other hand - I bought plenty of stuff (and saved) from Zanotti and Chicago Harley but I never asked anyone else to put it in for me.
My $0.02
Jimbo
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 838
Likes: 35
From: Northern California
A couple of years ago I was asking the local dealer about a cam install. Somehow we got on the subject of people working with their parts guy, getting all the numbers, ordering online, and bringing in the parts and asking them to install. Some might say - what's the big deal ... parts is parts. He just said it ws hard for them to compete with online discounters. I don't know - I used to do electrical work and when people wanted to buy their own material for me to put in - it used to bother me a little, not to mention they usually bought the wrong stuff.
On the other hand - I bought plenty of stuff (and saved) from Zanotti and Chicago Harley but I never asked anyone else to put it in for me.
My $0.02
Jimbo
On the other hand - I bought plenty of stuff (and saved) from Zanotti and Chicago Harley but I never asked anyone else to put it in for me.
My $0.02
Jimbo
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: ohio
A couple of years ago I was asking the local dealer about a cam install. Somehow we got on the subject of people working with their parts guy, getting all the numbers, ordering online, and bringing in the parts and asking them to install. Some might say - what's the big deal ... parts is parts. He just said it ws hard for them to compete with online discounters. I don't know - I used to do electrical work and when people wanted to buy their own material for me to put in - it used to bother me a little, not to mention they usually bought the wrong stuff.
On the other hand - I bought plenty of stuff (and saved) from Zanotti and Chicago Harley but I never asked anyone else to put it in for me.
My $0.02
Jimbo
On the other hand - I bought plenty of stuff (and saved) from Zanotti and Chicago Harley but I never asked anyone else to put it in for me.
My $0.02
Jimbo
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,435
Likes: 28
From: Living in open carry state :D
The dealers near me will not install anything that was not purchased from them. They are losing out on two sources for income. Parts because they charge too much, And labor not installing out-sourced parts. Sure they still get some people who are not mechanically inclined. But for me I will continue to purchase parts online as long as it is cost effective for me. The company is out to make the most off thier products and I am out to get the most for my money.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 837
Likes: 1
From: Radcliff, Ky
i'll buy online, ill put the **** on.. i'll get the numbers where ever.. **** the greedy bastards..
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
As a rule of thumb the labor charge makes a dealer 3X's what the part mark up is. So it is one dumb dealer that would refuse to install.
Some business men just do not know how to cultivate customers. They are the ones that we hear about closing down on this forum.
My dealer is having one of his best years and his staff go out of their way to keep customers happy.
Some business men just do not know how to cultivate customers. They are the ones that we hear about closing down on this forum.
My dealer is having one of his best years and his staff go out of their way to keep customers happy.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1
From: -
If Zanotti closed because of the restriction imposed by HD to international sales I dont now, but sure there are a lot of US based dealers selling a lot less than before the ban. As of LSHD1, or Lakeshore HD, I was a happy customer but when I contacted Bill Sparks last December for a new order here are his own words:
We no longer Ship International as per H-D Factory Rules to their USA Dealers
ALSO we do not take Overseas Credit Cards -OR INTERNATIONAL PAYPAL ACCOUNTS
We will sell to USA Address with USA Credit Card
NO FREIGHT FORWARDERS - NO ALTERNATE ADDRESSES
If the wholesale prices of the parts/accessories are the same in US as in the EU, which I believe as everything is imported from US whether made in US or not, then the EU dealers are taking their customers for a ride (!). The bikes are already way more expensive here than in US (i.e. 15400 for a new 96 2011 FXDC) but having to pay more also on the parts it is ridiculous. If Kury and other brands get their act together and produce alternative parts for EU customers they will lure them away from HD easily.
Its a bit of a shame that the US company producing an, or maybe The american icon as a made in USA HD bike, a product so full of american tradition, heritage and soul that makes us so proud to own one, its now putting its own US dealers out of business in order to rip the EU customers off via their EU dealers instead. Not a great move, regardless of the franchise agreement. How can I buy retail from a US dealer, have it shipped to Germany at high cost (~70 USD a box via USPS), pay 19% VAT, pay 4% custom tax and still save considerably compared to the EU dealer?? Its the HD-EU dealer trying to rip me off, plain and simple. And the service provided by the dealer? Well, I find the advice of the people here in this very forum much more valuable and unbiased, and if I ask the dealer to install a part Im not capable of installing myself, for 109 /hour they charge they should thank me that I didnt go to the local Indy or they could get a bit more honest when selling me the parts. I hope for you in the US that a lot of Indies will open up for business and specialise in HD bikes for you to have your parts installed properly at a honest price. For us in the EU lets hope HD come to their senses. If you spot a guy pulling a suitcase full of chrome in NYCs JFK well its probably me with my bike upgrade project parts.. Sorry for the rant , it really winds me up that I cannot simply order my stuff from HD in US anymore but sure as hell my next purchase is the Service Manual (btw 90 vs 60$) and Parts catalogue and no more services at HD once the warranty is over, no more 109/hr for any installation!
We no longer Ship International as per H-D Factory Rules to their USA Dealers
ALSO we do not take Overseas Credit Cards -OR INTERNATIONAL PAYPAL ACCOUNTS
We will sell to USA Address with USA Credit Card
NO FREIGHT FORWARDERS - NO ALTERNATE ADDRESSES
If the wholesale prices of the parts/accessories are the same in US as in the EU, which I believe as everything is imported from US whether made in US or not, then the EU dealers are taking their customers for a ride (!). The bikes are already way more expensive here than in US (i.e. 15400 for a new 96 2011 FXDC) but having to pay more also on the parts it is ridiculous. If Kury and other brands get their act together and produce alternative parts for EU customers they will lure them away from HD easily.
Its a bit of a shame that the US company producing an, or maybe The american icon as a made in USA HD bike, a product so full of american tradition, heritage and soul that makes us so proud to own one, its now putting its own US dealers out of business in order to rip the EU customers off via their EU dealers instead. Not a great move, regardless of the franchise agreement. How can I buy retail from a US dealer, have it shipped to Germany at high cost (~70 USD a box via USPS), pay 19% VAT, pay 4% custom tax and still save considerably compared to the EU dealer?? Its the HD-EU dealer trying to rip me off, plain and simple. And the service provided by the dealer? Well, I find the advice of the people here in this very forum much more valuable and unbiased, and if I ask the dealer to install a part Im not capable of installing myself, for 109 /hour they charge they should thank me that I didnt go to the local Indy or they could get a bit more honest when selling me the parts. I hope for you in the US that a lot of Indies will open up for business and specialise in HD bikes for you to have your parts installed properly at a honest price. For us in the EU lets hope HD come to their senses. If you spot a guy pulling a suitcase full of chrome in NYCs JFK well its probably me with my bike upgrade project parts.. Sorry for the rant , it really winds me up that I cannot simply order my stuff from HD in US anymore but sure as hell my next purchase is the Service Manual (btw 90 vs 60$) and Parts catalogue and no more services at HD once the warranty is over, no more 109/hr for any installation!