First off I don't know what the right answer is but this is just an observation. I love motorcycles and being in outside sales I drive a lot and rarely pass by a motorcycle dealer with out stopping, doesn't matter what brand I love looking at all scooters. Seems some of the Harley dealers are becoming extremely aggressive or overly friendly. For example I stopped into a harley dealer last week and there was a group of sales guys by the front door who greeted me, I kindly told them I was just there for a part and one of the guys had to escort back to parts asking questions the entire way, what do I ride, have I seen the new m8, what do I think of it and so on. Personally this makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I really just wanted to walk around and browse at some bikes. Being in sales myself I realize 1 thing, the dealer is not there for any other reason but to sell bikes. I typically don't stick around long if I feel I am being watched or pressured but should they really care as I am not there to buy. It's a tough job and I'm not sure what the answer is but I am getting to where I really don't want to stop at harley dealers any more. The Jap dealers are always a different story, they allow me to browse around with no pressure, but are they loosing a sale? Never a right answer in sales I guess.

 

Being is sales, you know the routine. I think most Harley dealers are aggressive right now because it's Spring and that's when most bikes are sold. Plus, they inevitably have leftover 2016 inventory.

 

It varies dealer to dealer for sure - remember, they're not all one company.

I've seen and felt it but for me, it's a little bit reading the guy too. Often I find it's just another motorcycle guy wanting to bench race a little, not always a sales job.

I definitely prefer the places tho where I am not pushed but we still talk and bs about bikes.

 

I prefer to be left alone until I have questions, then I'll find someone. Those in your face guys will be asked politely once to back off. I'm not going to let them ruin my visit, and if I happened to be there to make a purchase and I bought from someone else, I'll make sure they know before I leave. I'm a dick like that though.

 

If I don't feel like hearing it, I usually just tell them - Thanks but I'm good. - That's usually enough and they get the hint.

 

It's not like that here with the dealers that I visit. Maybe I don't look like someone who can afford a new Harley or maybe as my wife says "I look like a grouchy a$$ old man" and they don't want to deal with me.

Either way it works for me

 

I went in to our dealer for a couple of wheel bearing seals for the EVO and got jumped by a couple of women. One of them put her arm around me and walked me over to the bikes all the while trying her level best to schedule me for a test ride. I told her that I had enough troubles with 4 bikes in the garage already; 2 of them dinosaurs at that. She wasn't having it. I guess their next tactic will be to put a brass pole in there and have them dance for you.


I'm going back next week!

carl

 

We all be different... over the yrs in here I've read post like yours about feeling pressured and I've read just as many about some saying they felt ignored because no one asked them anything during a visit . Anytime I fell pressured I always just tell the salesman that I'd like to have some time to just browse myself.. and if I feel ignored and want a question answered I'll look someone up and ASK....


Its really pretty simple if we just communicate a little with the salesman....

 

Recently I was out of town on business and stopped at two different Harley dealers that I never get to stop at. At both, I was immediately attacked (that's how it felt) by sales people, and at both places I was asked if I was looking to get into motorcycling. Huh? I'm 63. Been riding for decades. I currently have four bikes. I responded, "No, I'm not looking into getting into motorcycling." The appeared confused. Why am I in a Harley shop if I'm not looking to get into motorcycling? "I have four bikes now and my wife would kill me if I came home with another." With shocked looks on their faces, they recomposed themselves, and proceeded to try to get me to sell my 2014 Fat Bob and get something else. WHat? Just leave me alone.
Hard sells may work on a majority of people, but not on me. Pisses me off. IF I want your help, I'll ask for it. Besides 9 out of ten sales folk seem to know less than I know about the bikes they have on the floor. (This is even more true at car dealerships)

 

I'm starting to see a lot of Indians around, yes the metal ones... Maybe Indian is making a dent on HD sales.