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A funny thing here in Sweden is that the dealerships that got Harley franchises were dealerships that sold other brands as well (small country and not enough buyers to enable single brand dealerships, goes for cars too) Never the less, Harley forced them to build separate buildings to house their wares because no Harley can be sold next to another brand... "are you ready to step up to a Harley?" well are you... punk.... lol.
H-D today is a money-making business. Selling the "image" is part of that business. Not that long ago H-D was hanging by a thread for nearly 20-years (1969-1987) and almost went bankrupt at least twice.
Times have changed drastically. Today one can bend the "image" in every direction possible!
My dealer was great, I bought my bike at one and buy my parts/accessories at one closer to my house. The one I bought my bike off of has trailered my bike back twice for warranty service (only a 90 day warranty but it has been back twice, kinda sketchy buts its an old HOG). The parts people here at the closer dealer REALLY know their older stuff, happy with Harley so far.
However, I needed some hardware mounted on my replacment bag lid, one dealer wanted $190 and the one I bought the bike form wanted about $80, DONT KNOW WHY!
hmm.. yet another reason for me to appreciate my small-town midwest dealership... Funny, back when I had my Hondas (our local HD Dealership is also a Honda service place) they never gave me the time of day... since I got my used Street Bob (from an individual and NOT their dealership) I'm all of a sudden one of their favorite customers and they even know me by name. I don't know if it's because they're lazy, but anytime I walk around and gawk at the new bikes, the only thing anyone has ever said to me is "You can sit on that one if you like".
Now, the other day when I walked into one of the Tulsa places, well, they were all over me asking if I rode, and WHAT I rode and blah blah blah. Of course, they have their competition on the other side of town and the OL and I pulled up in our cage cuz we had friends in town to carpool with. I'm sure it varies from dealership to dealership.
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
I'm confused about the image. What image are they trying to project that offends you guys? I see freedom and tradition as the image they're trying to project. Maybe I'm stuck in days gone by and don't pay attention anymore.
I love my Harley I don't like the fact that the local dealer thinks the the parts in they sell are dipped in gold $20 for a $4 flasher relay? I guess it's true what they say about Harley dealers. HD stands for hundred dollars just to walk through the door.
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