dealers?
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
RE: dealers?
No complaints with my dealer........msrp plus state tax and I was out the door
with a new 08 R/G, even tossed in the security and 1000 mile service with synthetics.
Parts Dept is on the ball for accessories....will see how the Service Dept
fares with my first appointment
with a new 08 R/G, even tossed in the security and 1000 mile service with synthetics.
Parts Dept is on the ball for accessories....will see how the Service Dept
fares with my first appointment
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Lower Alabama
RE: dealers?
I agree with your view for the most part. A dealership with a good service department is worththe expense, and I don't mind them making a buck.
However,I have seen a wide disparity of quality among the five HD dealerships with whom Idealt over the past five years. I purchased my first Harley (Sportster 1200XLH) in 2003 from a HD dealer in Portsmouth, VA, and that bike gave me constant problems due, in part, to bad dealer prep and service. When I moved from Virginia to Alabama three years ago, I was not happy with the quality of service from the local HD dealership, so now I take my bikes to Pensacola (70 miles) when I need service. I like the Pensacola dealership and will stay loyal to them as long as they maintain their standard of quality work.
HD really needs to implement some level of quality control on their franchises to reduce some of this inconsistency in service among their ranks. One bad dealership can inflict considerable harm on the reputation of HD.
However,I have seen a wide disparity of quality among the five HD dealerships with whom Idealt over the past five years. I purchased my first Harley (Sportster 1200XLH) in 2003 from a HD dealer in Portsmouth, VA, and that bike gave me constant problems due, in part, to bad dealer prep and service. When I moved from Virginia to Alabama three years ago, I was not happy with the quality of service from the local HD dealership, so now I take my bikes to Pensacola (70 miles) when I need service. I like the Pensacola dealership and will stay loyal to them as long as they maintain their standard of quality work.
HD really needs to implement some level of quality control on their franchises to reduce some of this inconsistency in service among their ranks. One bad dealership can inflict considerable harm on the reputation of HD.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
RE: dealers?
ORIGINAL: tonymacomb@yahoo.com
what is with people on this forum calling the dealers STEALERS?.Let me start out that i'm not anyone other than a rider. But what do expect the hd dealers to do give you free service or something? Maybe you all think its easy to run a business, pay your employees ,overhead, maybe even make a profit.I'm sure you take into consideration the initial start up costs of maybe acouple mil. for the building ect... i have had work done at Motorcity hd. farmington mi. and Wolverine hd. in Clinton Twp. Mi. both have done great work, was it exspensive ya maybe but just think before you all critisize the H.D. dealers. Maybe you can just fix your own bike like you can fix your 08 ford , Chrysler or GM. just a thought[&:]
what is with people on this forum calling the dealers STEALERS?.Let me start out that i'm not anyone other than a rider. But what do expect the hd dealers to do give you free service or something? Maybe you all think its easy to run a business, pay your employees ,overhead, maybe even make a profit.I'm sure you take into consideration the initial start up costs of maybe acouple mil. for the building ect... i have had work done at Motorcity hd. farmington mi. and Wolverine hd. in Clinton Twp. Mi. both have done great work, was it exspensive ya maybe but just think before you all critisize the H.D. dealers. Maybe you can just fix your own bike like you can fix your 08 ford , Chrysler or GM. just a thought[&:]
My poor (retired) stealer is now living
in Southern Spain in a big white villa
with an olympic size swimming pool.
I really feel sorry for him [8D]
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: dealers?
Some are good. Some are bad. One thing for certain, though. I've never seen a dealer standing in line for food stamps. However, I have seen them drive expensive cars, live in big housesand wear Rolex watches to show us common folks that "They have arrived" financially.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 4
From: Beverly Hills, Fl. Swimmin pools. Movie stars
RE: dealers?
My experience is that like most things, some are excellent, others are good, and some just plain suk! No bad help only bad managers; if they were good they'd get rid of the bad help. Good guys and bad guys in all businesses. The great thing is that we all get to pick (in most situations) where we go. Like is said all the time here, get a sevice manuel, tools and get busy.... then it's a non issue
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 513
Likes: 2
From: Coconut Creek, FL
RE: dealers?
For me, it's the difference in their attitudes. I don't mind paying for what I get. WhatI DO mind is paying for crappy service and/or a bad attitude.I think one of the biggest problems HD has with their dealers is a lack of consistancy. Some of them make you feel welcome, sincerely appreciate your businessand are glad you are there. Others cop an attitude from the start and make you feel like it is a privilige to be doing business with them. Fortunately, there enough dealers in my area that I can go to the ones who do a good job and make me WANT to spend my hard earned money with them.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
RE: dealers?
ORIGINAL: roxnatwist
For me, it's the difference in their attitudes. I don't mind paying for what I get. WhatI DO mind is paying for crappy service and/or a bad attitude.I think one of the biggest problems HD has with their dealers is a lack of consistancy. Some of them make you feel welcome, sincerely appreciate your businessand are glad you are there. Others cop an attitude from the start and make you feel like it is a privilige to be doing business with them. Fortunately, there enough dealers in my area that I can go to the ones who do a good job and make me WANT to spend my hard earned money with them.
For me, it's the difference in their attitudes. I don't mind paying for what I get. WhatI DO mind is paying for crappy service and/or a bad attitude.I think one of the biggest problems HD has with their dealers is a lack of consistancy. Some of them make you feel welcome, sincerely appreciate your businessand are glad you are there. Others cop an attitude from the start and make you feel like it is a privilige to be doing business with them. Fortunately, there enough dealers in my area that I can go to the ones who do a good job and make me WANT to spend my hard earned money with them.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 1
From: Tallahassee, Fl
RE: dealers?
My opinion of HD dealers is this....... yes it takes a ton of money to start up and maintain a dealership and if the dealer can afford to start it up, maintain it and make a profit (all businesses should strive to do this) then why should any of us have a problem with that. It's the American way .... ( go look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself you wouldn't want to be in his shoes) not all of us, myself included can be in that position but I wish I was !! As for the bikes and the service, we are all humans and we sometimes make mistakes, our bikes are assembled for the most part by humans and they are definitely serviced by humans in the dealerships. We aren't going to always get the peach, sometimes there is a lemon in the bunch and sometimes the guys working on our bikes are going to make a mistake, that's just life. No we don't have to like it and if we choose we can buy/service our bikes elsewhere but getting bad service and sometimes bad attitudes does not just hapen at HD dealerships, it's happening everywhere we go. I know this is a FORUM and everyone is entitled to their own opinions (oil, tires, Stage 1 etc.) but just remember not all dealerships and personnel are alike and they all will make mistakes occasionally but I know for a fact that the FOREIGN bikes and shops are just as bad or worse so you can choose...... buy AMERICAN IRON or the other brand, we are adults and have a choice !!!
P.S. I once worked at a HD dealership and do understand the cost related to opening one and maintaining it, and no it's not cheap but it is better than the alternative.[sm=usa.gif][sm=biker.gif]
P.S. I once worked at a HD dealership and do understand the cost related to opening one and maintaining it, and no it's not cheap but it is better than the alternative.[sm=usa.gif][sm=biker.gif]