A pointless post & vent
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,795
Likes: 7,422
From: OH
A pointless post & vent
Today I will be visiting the family owned ( and staffed) dealer that I have frequented for over 40 years as they are no longer a dealer and will be liquidating until year end.
In the `70`s they were in a typical building in a somewhat seedy part of town. ( was a `40`s car dealership with an car sized elevator, very cool)
Late `80`s they did the "Clark-Ritchie" update on that facility per Corporate`s direction
Mid `90`s they bought very expensive property near a mega mall visible from the interstate per Corporates direction and built a new store.
Now they are closing due to the MOCO`s new business "model"
I will be stocking up on small consumable parts that I like to have in stock and saying goodbye
I am sad and angry
Rant over.
EDIT: one assumes that after 6 months or a year of paying 20K a year in property taxes on an empty building the owner will receive a low ball offer on the property from the multi dealership owner in the next county
In the `70`s they were in a typical building in a somewhat seedy part of town. ( was a `40`s car dealership with an car sized elevator, very cool)
Late `80`s they did the "Clark-Ritchie" update on that facility per Corporate`s direction
Mid `90`s they bought very expensive property near a mega mall visible from the interstate per Corporates direction and built a new store.
Now they are closing due to the MOCO`s new business "model"
I will be stocking up on small consumable parts that I like to have in stock and saying goodbye
I am sad and angry
Rant over.
EDIT: one assumes that after 6 months or a year of paying 20K a year in property taxes on an empty building the owner will receive a low ball offer on the property from the multi dealership owner in the next county
Last edited by eighteight; Nov 7, 2020 at 04:46 AM.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,795
Likes: 7,422
From: OH
North Canton OH
only dealer in Stark County
Let me add that the Akron police dept travels to have their bikes serviced there rather than use the local mega dealer
Last edited by eighteight; Nov 7, 2020 at 05:39 AM.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,795
Likes: 7,422
From: OH
in this case P&A are currently 25 percent off
that may increase as time goes by
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
They get fantastic reviews on Google Maps. What kind of marketing strategy is closing your best dealerships? There was another thread about a dealer that always won awards being forced to close. I forgot where it was.
Al Muth in Black River Falls, WI was a beloved dealer. He closed last year after the tragic death of his only child in a motorcycle race. My favorite dealer Sauk Prairie Harley, a destination ride for many, closed after the owner bought the Madison store, which is a blah location. I feel bad for these stores, and it makes me wonder how competent HDs leadership is. Pleasing your corporate dealers and screwing your customers is a good way to lose market share.
Al Muth in Black River Falls, WI was a beloved dealer. He closed last year after the tragic death of his only child in a motorcycle race. My favorite dealer Sauk Prairie Harley, a destination ride for many, closed after the owner bought the Madison store, which is a blah location. I feel bad for these stores, and it makes me wonder how competent HDs leadership is. Pleasing your corporate dealers and screwing your customers is a good way to lose market share.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 887
From: Upstate New York
Probably right about the low ball offer down the road. That`s capitalism. Hopefully there will be more than one interested party and the owner can recoup a little more than expected.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,468
Likes: 2,517
From: Lititz Pa
They are closing dealers all over. In my area Chester Springs is closed. They were owned by Whites who also own Iron Valley. They were told to close. As far as parts go I guess they kept them for there other dealers and the extras they are having a sale.
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