Women Buying Bike Experiences??
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 245
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From: Wisconsin
Women Buying Bike Experiences??
Last September I was ready to buy. Went to a few dealerships - alone - to check out the pre-owned section since that was what I could afford.
All the sales people - men - basically ignored me (no big *****??). I had to seek out someone to help me. Then I had to ask to have the manager dragged over to look over my trade in. Then they just subtracted that from the pre-owned bikes tag. Got the impression I was wasting their time. Never seemed to want to make a deal. Even told them I'd be making a purchase within that week. Next day I took my SO with me and got a little more attention with him at my side. Out of 5 dealers, 1 called me back for an update (the one I had my SO with). The following week I bought a bike from a private seller. Drove it over to the dealership - that got the manager involved - to look at buying some mods. The sales guy saw me drive in and took a double take. Never said a word tho. Nada.
What is with these dealers and women buyers?? Don't think we're capable of buying a bike? We buy cars all the time. This isn't the 1920's. Had I been courted like a guy in the show room, I might have made a deal with them.
I think I answered my own question tho - no big *****.
ps/I bought no mods from them either!
All the sales people - men - basically ignored me (no big *****??). I had to seek out someone to help me. Then I had to ask to have the manager dragged over to look over my trade in. Then they just subtracted that from the pre-owned bikes tag. Got the impression I was wasting their time. Never seemed to want to make a deal. Even told them I'd be making a purchase within that week. Next day I took my SO with me and got a little more attention with him at my side. Out of 5 dealers, 1 called me back for an update (the one I had my SO with). The following week I bought a bike from a private seller. Drove it over to the dealership - that got the manager involved - to look at buying some mods. The sales guy saw me drive in and took a double take. Never said a word tho. Nada.
What is with these dealers and women buyers?? Don't think we're capable of buying a bike? We buy cars all the time. This isn't the 1920's. Had I been courted like a guy in the show room, I might have made a deal with them.
I think I answered my own question tho - no big *****.
ps/I bought no mods from them either!
Last edited by softone; Jan 8, 2011 at 03:17 PM.
Club Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 87
From: Stokton, CA
Softone....
Sorry to hear that....If I owned a Dealership I would fire any sales person that ignored anyone.
So tell us about your bike....what did ya get.
And about the Boods, are they at least medium....LOL....Sorry about that, ya did mention them....
Enjoy the ride....
Sorry to hear that....If I owned a Dealership I would fire any sales person that ignored anyone.
So tell us about your bike....what did ya get.
And about the Boods, are they at least medium....LOL....Sorry about that, ya did mention them....
Enjoy the ride....
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 245
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From: Wisconsin
Thanks for asking Griff08fxdc.
Got a 2003 FLSTCI. Dealers always wanted a premium for the anniversary edition - fools. They are a dime a doz. Wasn't looking for the annv. specific, just wanted a soft heritage that I could afford with low miles, not too old, not abused and nice enough looking. It fit the bill.
RE: Trickling down to the dealers. I think most of the sales people have been doing this for um-teen years. Pride themselves in doing so. Hard to change a mentality. But not wise to overlook what could have been in their wallets.
Got a 2003 FLSTCI. Dealers always wanted a premium for the anniversary edition - fools. They are a dime a doz. Wasn't looking for the annv. specific, just wanted a soft heritage that I could afford with low miles, not too old, not abused and nice enough looking. It fit the bill.
RE: Trickling down to the dealers. I think most of the sales people have been doing this for um-teen years. Pride themselves in doing so. Hard to change a mentality. But not wise to overlook what could have been in their wallets.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 606
From: Raleigh NC
Softone....
Actually... that isn't an uncommon experience for males as well. Some Dealerships (of ALL brands) seem to regard the consumer as an intrusion , or worst
While other dealerships (of ALL brands) seem to welcome visitors into the showroom, and engage them in a friendly way.
Just doesn't make sense to me either
Actually... that isn't an uncommon experience for males as well. Some Dealerships (of ALL brands) seem to regard the consumer as an intrusion , or worst
While other dealerships (of ALL brands) seem to welcome visitors into the showroom, and engage them in a friendly way.
Just doesn't make sense to me either
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 8
From: Detroit, the asshole of America
It's definitely not just you being a female (regardless of boob size!). I went to 3 different dealers and sent out emails to 4 others when I bought my Road King. A dealer here in Detroit reluctantly let me test ride an '09 RK, had all of my info, I even submitted a loan application online, and they never followed up with me when they got what I wanted in stock. Another dealer in Milwaukee was very helpful but way, way overpriced (like $3k overpriced...). I emailed another dealer in the area asking if they had one in stock. A day later I get a response, called back right away, and within an hour I was driving up there to sign paperwork and ride it home.
Especially if the dealer isn't busy when you walk in, there is no excuse for being ignored. It's their loss though, so don't worry about it.
Especially if the dealer isn't busy when you walk in, there is no excuse for being ignored. It's their loss though, so don't worry about it.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Regardless of gender, I have seen the same behavior at dealers, almost like its a privilege for the customer to be there.
Then again, I have also been harassed by a dealer to buy, of all things, an Iron 883 just because I mentioned it was a good entry bike to Harley.
Truthfully, I don't think their behavior is any different than other Sales guys in related industries. In my area there are a lot of women riders, I would hesitate to say either 1 in 6 or even 1 in 5. It is a pretty common thing to have a female rider around at the dealerships here in the metropolitan corridor between DC and New York., so they tend to get treated just like everyone else when it comes to buying a bike.
Then again, I have also been harassed by a dealer to buy, of all things, an Iron 883 just because I mentioned it was a good entry bike to Harley.
Truthfully, I don't think their behavior is any different than other Sales guys in related industries. In my area there are a lot of women riders, I would hesitate to say either 1 in 6 or even 1 in 5. It is a pretty common thing to have a female rider around at the dealerships here in the metropolitan corridor between DC and New York., so they tend to get treated just like everyone else when it comes to buying a bike.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,542
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From: In your head rent free
To give you an accurate answer to the issue, we'll have to see the *****.
But, on a more serious note. When my wife bought her Heritage it was great experience. She was treated well and taken seriously thoughout the whole process.
I don't think it's that your a woman. I think a lot of salesman just suck.
But, on a more serious note. When my wife bought her Heritage it was great experience. She was treated well and taken seriously thoughout the whole process.
I don't think it's that your a woman. I think a lot of salesman just suck.
