Dealer doesn't stock parts anymore
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Sounds like Internet shopping makes the best solution for you! Not all dealers are created equal. My local dealer is in a city of 130,000, and there are probably 6-8 dealers in a fifty to sixty mile radius, so there's a heavy turnover of even the obscure parts, plus they stock many parts just for their very active service department. Their situation is such that it's to their advantage not to let customers divert to other dealers for any reason! Hell, someone might walk in for a Johnson rod and end up taking a fancy to the latest and greatest scooter and ride out on it!
Now, if your dealer of choice is in BFE, that ain't as likely...plus their turnover and profit margin is different. Just the way it works...ya know? It's just a business strategy!
Now, if your dealer of choice is in BFE, that ain't as likely...plus their turnover and profit margin is different. Just the way it works...ya know? It's just a business strategy!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,978
Likes: 6,074
From: Florida
If you're talking about that dealership on 1&9 in Rahway (B&H, or B&G, or D&G, or D&H; I forget) they have been there awhile & should have at least a muffler clamp. Bought my 1st new HD from them in '87.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 40
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
dickey that dealership on 1&9 is long gone. So is Deals in Wheels and many of the other Harley Dealers. The big sales explosion for all things Harley petered out about ten years ago and many indies and dealerships have shut their doors.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 6,884
From: NC
Many businesses are taking advantage of the faster shipping of today and ordering on demand. If they order one, it is supposed to be looked at to determine if 5 should be ordered. That's the theory.
In practice, most dealerships would rather spend their money on the stuff that sells rather than having 300k or more in slow moving parts inventories.
My method is this: if it is in stock (they can hand it to me), I'll pay retail prices. If you tell me you have to order it, now you're in competition with the internet, and have to match those prices, and I'll pay now so your money isn't used. As you can imagine, I order online frequently. Sad thing, I've ordered from Harley online, and had it sent to the dealership with free shipping. Once, jus for giggles, I ordered through the dealership a $250 accessory (backrest), and sat in my truck in the parking lot and ordered the same parts. I did that because I called a buddy and already had it sold. Guess what part came first, and what part took 10 days longer to arrive?
In practice, most dealerships would rather spend their money on the stuff that sells rather than having 300k or more in slow moving parts inventories.
My method is this: if it is in stock (they can hand it to me), I'll pay retail prices. If you tell me you have to order it, now you're in competition with the internet, and have to match those prices, and I'll pay now so your money isn't used. As you can imagine, I order online frequently. Sad thing, I've ordered from Harley online, and had it sent to the dealership with free shipping. Once, jus for giggles, I ordered through the dealership a $250 accessory (backrest), and sat in my truck in the parking lot and ordered the same parts. I did that because I called a buddy and already had it sold. Guess what part came first, and what part took 10 days longer to arrive?
Last edited by Goose_NC; Jul 25, 2017 at 07:43 AM. Reason: spelling
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 555
Likes: 93
From:
So I was at the dealership again this past weekend in NJ where I live. I wanted some exhaust clamps but they are not in stock. Had to be ordered. I thought these bikes used the same clamps for years and years. A few weeks back I wanted some molded hoses for the oil breather line and oil lines, you guessed it not in stock. I know the bike I have is an 06 but these parts were used for many years production runs. I guess they need all the room they can get for the t-shirts and baubles that they do have in stock. I have had the same experience at a second dealership and the third dealer I tried had a new parts tech that didn't seem to know much when I enquired about longer cables.
That's my rant for today, now I feel better
That's my rant for today, now I feel better
Any business that sells "things" has a limited amount of storage room available, and cash to fund inventory, to sell those "things" so they will stock the items that they sell the most of......
YMMV
Lon
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 851
From: Puyallup, wa
It is simple economics. Our state charges an inventory tax. My local dealer has the basics but not much more than that.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
My method is this: if it is in stock (they can hand it to me), I'll pay retail prices. If you tell me you have to order it, now you're in competition with the internet, and have to match those prices, and I'll pay now so your money isn't used. As you can imagine, I order online frequently.
If I go into my local HD dealership and they don't have what I need...and normally, this would be on a weekend...it will be in by the following Thursday, and this is a dependable situation. I've never had anything take longer than that. I have no problems having them order something.