How to make dealerships better?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 9
From: Texas
Treat the women with respect. Find out in a smart way how much they know about motorcycles. Don't insult the ones that don't know a lot, and don't put down the ones that do.
I think a salesman has to be a really smart psychologist. You have to feel out your customer and adjust to their personality. Not easy. For instance. I do my homework, I know what I want, and I don't want a salesman bugging me too much. Just the fact's, the bottom line, what can we negotiate, and I'm outta there. Another person wants to jabber for a couple hours, tell their life story, don't know that much about the product and want someone to tell them a little about each bike and kind of "guide" them into what you think would fit their body, their mind, and their money situation.
You have to know when to leave them alone, and when to help them a lot!!
In my lifetime of buying vehicles I think I've met about 1% of great salespeople that are really smart, people wise, and product wise. I went back to my car salesman for 3 cars because he was so good.
Good luck in getting the position. (OH, and tell the women they look marvelous on that bike...it helps!)
I think a salesman has to be a really smart psychologist. You have to feel out your customer and adjust to their personality. Not easy. For instance. I do my homework, I know what I want, and I don't want a salesman bugging me too much. Just the fact's, the bottom line, what can we negotiate, and I'm outta there. Another person wants to jabber for a couple hours, tell their life story, don't know that much about the product and want someone to tell them a little about each bike and kind of "guide" them into what you think would fit their body, their mind, and their money situation.
You have to know when to leave them alone, and when to help them a lot!!
In my lifetime of buying vehicles I think I've met about 1% of great salespeople that are really smart, people wise, and product wise. I went back to my car salesman for 3 cars because he was so good.
Good luck in getting the position. (OH, and tell the women they look marvelous on that bike...it helps!)
But over all, be knowledgeable, honest, and only promise what you can deliver.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore!
MSankey,
I agree!
Actual Conversation with HD salesman a few years back.
ME: "Hi, Can you tell me about this bike compared to the Honda VTX 1300 and the Triumph America?"
Salesman: "Well, it's not going to be as fast as the Triumph, or ride as smooth as the Honda, or be as reliable as either one of them."
ME: (astonished at the honesty) "But...?"
Salesman: (contemptuously) "But they're not a Harley."
I mean, really? Crap, no maker can afford salespeople with that kind of attitude. Customers are smart and they want to know the pros and cons of any make of mc, including HD.
I hate that kind of smug "But it's a Harley" attitude, and you still find it even in times like these...
Anywho...
I agree!
Actual Conversation with HD salesman a few years back.
ME: "Hi, Can you tell me about this bike compared to the Honda VTX 1300 and the Triumph America?"
Salesman: "Well, it's not going to be as fast as the Triumph, or ride as smooth as the Honda, or be as reliable as either one of them."
ME: (astonished at the honesty) "But...?"
Salesman: (contemptuously) "But they're not a Harley."
I mean, really? Crap, no maker can afford salespeople with that kind of attitude. Customers are smart and they want to know the pros and cons of any make of mc, including HD.
I hate that kind of smug "But it's a Harley" attitude, and you still find it even in times like these...
Anywho...
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Midland, TX
MSankey,
I agree!
Actual Conversation with HD salesman a few years back.
ME: "Hi, Can you tell me about this bike compared to the Honda VTX 1300 and the Triumph America?"
Salesman: "Well, it's not going to be as fast as the Triumph, or ride as smooth as the Honda, or be as reliable as either one of them."
ME: (astonished at the honesty) "But...?"
Salesman: (contemptuously) "But they're not a Harley."
I mean, really? Crap, no maker can afford salespeople with that kind of attitude. Customers are smart and they want to know the pros and cons of any make of mc, including HD.
I hate that kind of smug "But it's a Harley" attitude, and you still find it even in times like these...
Anywho...
I agree!
Actual Conversation with HD salesman a few years back.
ME: "Hi, Can you tell me about this bike compared to the Honda VTX 1300 and the Triumph America?"
Salesman: "Well, it's not going to be as fast as the Triumph, or ride as smooth as the Honda, or be as reliable as either one of them."
ME: (astonished at the honesty) "But...?"
Salesman: (contemptuously) "But they're not a Harley."
I mean, really? Crap, no maker can afford salespeople with that kind of attitude. Customers are smart and they want to know the pros and cons of any make of mc, including HD.
I hate that kind of smug "But it's a Harley" attitude, and you still find it even in times like these...
Anywho...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
Actual Conversation with HD salesman a few years back.
ME: "Hi, Can you tell me about this bike compared to the Honda VTX 1300 ?"
Salesman: "The Harley is metal."
ME: "Hi, Can you tell me about this bike compared to the Honda VTX 1300 ?"
Salesman: "The Harley is metal."
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore!
Jim, you know what? I have ridden many makes of motorcycles, including Hondas and I ain't got a bad thing to say about any of them. We ride Harley's because we like them. I'd own a Honda in a heartbeat if I could afford more than one motorcycle. I'd have, if I had my druthers, the following stable... (not in this order)
Honda VRF 800
Triumph Thruxton
Ducati Monster 1100s
1965 Electraglide
2010 Fat Bob
2010 Road King
Vincent Black Shadow
ANY Knucklehead in good condition
SuckerPunch Sally's Sled
and a late 70's Kawasaki KZ1000 all tricked out and cafe racered up...
uh... and LOTS more...
Only SOME of those are HD, you know?
I think that VTX is a great bike, but in the end I went with my Superglide and I'm glad I did, FOR ME. I'm not going to belittle folks for something as petty as which MC they ride. I'm just glad they've joined the brotherhood of those that DO ride.
Less divisions, more brotherhood!
Four Wheels Good, Two Wheels BETTER!
Honda VRF 800
Triumph Thruxton
Ducati Monster 1100s
1965 Electraglide
2010 Fat Bob
2010 Road King
Vincent Black Shadow
ANY Knucklehead in good condition
SuckerPunch Sally's Sled
and a late 70's Kawasaki KZ1000 all tricked out and cafe racered up...
uh... and LOTS more...
Only SOME of those are HD, you know?
I think that VTX is a great bike, but in the end I went with my Superglide and I'm glad I did, FOR ME. I'm not going to belittle folks for something as petty as which MC they ride. I'm just glad they've joined the brotherhood of those that DO ride.
Less divisions, more brotherhood!
Four Wheels Good, Two Wheels BETTER!