Another dealership closing :(
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 848
From: The High Plains, USA
Another dealership closing :(
Doerfler's H-D in Hays, KS is closing their doors after 45 years in business.
https://hayspost.com/posts/5e9a7616eb7f17053602d9d0
This is the dealership I've used for over 15 years now. Bought 5 bikes there. They're really nice people and have gone out of their way to help countless riders over the years. I found two things interesting from the article-- the quote about HD making it difficult on smaller dealerships and the fact that HD has offered a voluntary buyout. The owners are pretty young, relatively speaking. I hope they find new opportunities in the near future.
If you've ever been to this dealership, chances are you've interacted with BJ Rupp who, as the article states, is going to continue the legacy on a smaller scale with an indy shop with his wife.
Those of us in the southwest Kansas area have already lost one dealership in Liberal, KS. The dealership in Dodge City was closed for a while but is under new ownership. The closing of Doerfler's leaves us with a 3.5 hour ride one way for any warranty issues (Wichita, KS or Pueblo, CO) if Most Wanted H-D in Dodge City can't survive.
https://hayspost.com/posts/5e9a7616eb7f17053602d9d0
This is the dealership I've used for over 15 years now. Bought 5 bikes there. They're really nice people and have gone out of their way to help countless riders over the years. I found two things interesting from the article-- the quote about HD making it difficult on smaller dealerships and the fact that HD has offered a voluntary buyout. The owners are pretty young, relatively speaking. I hope they find new opportunities in the near future.
If you've ever been to this dealership, chances are you've interacted with BJ Rupp who, as the article states, is going to continue the legacy on a smaller scale with an indy shop with his wife.
Those of us in the southwest Kansas area have already lost one dealership in Liberal, KS. The dealership in Dodge City was closed for a while but is under new ownership. The closing of Doerfler's leaves us with a 3.5 hour ride one way for any warranty issues (Wichita, KS or Pueblo, CO) if Most Wanted H-D in Dodge City can't survive.
Last edited by Gizmo83; Apr 21, 2020 at 06:08 PM.
Popular Reply
Apr 21, 2020, 09:16 PM
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,765
Likes: 22,967
From: North Carolina
Lets look at some numbers:
There are approximately 132,000 Harleys sold per year in the US amongst 700 dealers. Or on the average 188 Harleys per dealer per year.
Where as, there are 1,340,000 Chevys sold per year in the US amongst 3,000 dealers. Or on the average 450 Chevys per dealer per year.
So, comparing to the Chevrolet model...there are too many Harley dealers. So, its no surprise some of the lower volume dealers can not sustain their business model,
There are approximately 132,000 Harleys sold per year in the US amongst 700 dealers. Or on the average 188 Harleys per dealer per year.
Where as, there are 1,340,000 Chevys sold per year in the US amongst 3,000 dealers. Or on the average 450 Chevys per dealer per year.
So, comparing to the Chevrolet model...there are too many Harley dealers. So, its no surprise some of the lower volume dealers can not sustain their business model,
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 124
Likes: 35
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
I hate to hear of any dealer's closing.
i see how Pig Trail Harley in Rogers AR let's their senior sales staff treat people, and I wonder how such a rude dealership stays in business, while good ones go under. It's not just me, I've heard many people speak of Pig Trail and how they will never step foot in there again, yet they stay open.
I do all my business with independent shops unless there is just no other way than to go there.
i see how Pig Trail Harley in Rogers AR let's their senior sales staff treat people, and I wonder how such a rude dealership stays in business, while good ones go under. It's not just me, I've heard many people speak of Pig Trail and how they will never step foot in there again, yet they stay open.
I do all my business with independent shops unless there is just no other way than to go there.
Last edited by Mmmhoss; Apr 21, 2020 at 06:20 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 848
From: The High Plains, USA
There's a small dealership in Dodge CIty, KS which is about 45 minutes away. If they go under, which they already have once, it will be 3.5 hours each way.
I live in one of the towns listed in this study: https://www.hppr.org/post/high-plain...ay-researchers
I live in one of the towns listed in this study: https://www.hppr.org/post/high-plain...ay-researchers
Last edited by Gizmo83; Apr 21, 2020 at 08:24 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
Let’s look at some numbers:
There are approximately 132,000 Harleys sold per year in the US amongst 700 dealers. Or on the average 188 Harley’s per dealer per year.
Where as, there are 1,340,000 Chevys sold per year in the US amongst 3,000 dealers. Or on the average 450 Chevys per dealer per year.
So, comparing to the Chevrolet model...there are too many Harley dealers. So, it’s no surprise some of the lower volume dealers can not sustain their business model,
There are approximately 132,000 Harleys sold per year in the US amongst 700 dealers. Or on the average 188 Harley’s per dealer per year.
Where as, there are 1,340,000 Chevys sold per year in the US amongst 3,000 dealers. Or on the average 450 Chevys per dealer per year.
So, comparing to the Chevrolet model...there are too many Harley dealers. So, it’s no surprise some of the lower volume dealers can not sustain their business model,
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 848
From: The High Plains, USA
Lets look at some numbers:
There are approximately 132,000 Harleys sold per year in the US amongst 700 dealers. Or on the average 188 Harleys per dealer per year.
Where as, there are 1,340,000 Chevys sold per year in the US amongst 3,000 dealers. Or on the average 450 Chevys per dealer per year.
So, comparing to the Chevrolet model...there are too many Harley dealers. So, its no surprise some of the lower volume dealers can not sustain their business model,
There are approximately 132,000 Harleys sold per year in the US amongst 700 dealers. Or on the average 188 Harleys per dealer per year.
Where as, there are 1,340,000 Chevys sold per year in the US amongst 3,000 dealers. Or on the average 450 Chevys per dealer per year.
So, comparing to the Chevrolet model...there are too many Harley dealers. So, its no surprise some of the lower volume dealers can not sustain their business model,
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,752
Likes: 3,272
From: West Central Florida
Its all about the shareholders. My local is closing but opening a mega store 15 miles away. I have just guessing at least 6 within a 50 mile radius and probably 14 or 15 in a 100 mile radius.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
I don’t want to see consolidation of the small guys into fewer mega stores. One of the good things about HD is the extensive dealer network, and that no;matter when you are, you are usually within 100 miles of a dealer.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,765
Likes: 22,967
From: North Carolina
Lets look at some numbers:
There are approximately 132,000 Harleys sold per year in the US amongst 700 dealers. Or on the average 188 Harleys per dealer per year.
Where as, there are 1,340,000 Chevys sold per year in the US amongst 3,000 dealers. Or on the average 450 Chevys per dealer per year.
So, comparing to the Chevrolet model...there are too many Harley dealers. So, its no surprise some of the lower volume dealers can not sustain their business model,
There are approximately 132,000 Harleys sold per year in the US amongst 700 dealers. Or on the average 188 Harleys per dealer per year.
Where as, there are 1,340,000 Chevys sold per year in the US amongst 3,000 dealers. Or on the average 450 Chevys per dealer per year.
So, comparing to the Chevrolet model...there are too many Harley dealers. So, its no surprise some of the lower volume dealers can not sustain their business model,
