Good help is very hard to find and harder to keep when you do. I don't have an answer other than take your business elsewhere. There are good dealers out there but many of them need lessons in how to operate a business. I've been in sales for many years and find it frustrating that something so easy can be so difficult for so many. All a salesman needs to do is acknowledge the customer, listen, and fulfill. Well, it's not always that easy, but it is when the customer comes in and asks for something specific that you should have. Ignoring the customer is wrong no matter what the scenario. Sounds like the owner needs to be made aware that his staff is taking up space and not doing their job.

 

Thats one thing that just DOES NOT happen around here. First off there are 5 Harley dealers and 3X that many independents within about a 30 mile radius of my house. The competition is tough, and each dealer knows it. Secondly....my local home dealer is a big a$$ building....three floors...they have just about any part you want in stock, and the motor clothes department is about the size of a Home Depot.....the principals have to pay that note each month, and they will never do it by chasing away potential money spenders. Whenever I walk into my dealer (I call it MY but thats the dealer I use and the closest one to my home....like 3 mi. away) the staff always greet me by name....in the mornings there is fresh coffee and donuts and bagels and rolls there for the taking. If you go over to the motor clothes dept, within seconds there is a knowledgeable girl at your side trying to help you find something. The service dept is huge, with at least 20 or more line mechanics and a half dozen or so others who detail and move bikes around, prep, and such. This place is well staffed with people who not only know the product....they know their job. Along with that they are willing to help you....that alone is something hard to find these days. They sponsor a HOG chapter and right now we have almost 450 members....every month we get new members. The dealer also offers a MVP program where you get points for different things. Then after you get to the first level you get a bunch of perks....like 10% off anything....the next level you get more % off and more perks. When you get to the platinum level you get a auto 20%, your invited to all sorts of members only events and parties. There is no waiting for most types of service, and the service dept will even come to your house with the truck and take your bike in....service it, and bring it back to you when its done. You get points for personal mileage on your bikes, attending dealer sponsored rides, HOG rides and meetings.....you can get points for most anything. Its programs like this that will drag more people in. I just can never understand why these dealers sometimes shoot themselves in the foot by having employees who dont care about the customers, dont know the product AT ALL, and who are sometimes downright rude. I tell you what though.....that **** dont fly here in New Jersey......if someone was disrespected by a employee at the dealer by whatever means, there would be a whole **** load of static behind it. People around here sure have short fuses these days, and all you got to do is say one word the wrong way and you could be in a world of **** real quick.

Now let me get off my friggen soap box.....put the bottle away, do my anti-rain dance, and hit my rack.....I got to ride in the AM!

 

I went to the dealer to pick up some soft lowers for my RK to extend the riding season up here in Michigan (wanted the removable regular lowers like on the ultra, but wife says I spent enough money on the bike this year). Anyway the parts guy goes in back and brings out a package with soft lowers part number hand written on it, but inside the package was the hard-lowers soft storage bag, I show it to him and he argues with me that it is the soft lowers. He eventually gets a manager, the manager looks at him and says "are you an idiot, I don't care what part number is written on the package, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that is a storage bag and not a set of soft lowers. get your head out of your *** and get the customer what he asked for." Good help his hard to find I guess, I was laughin my *** off.

 

Same over here in SE Florida (Broward County). I go past 3 Rossmeyer dealerships (their service departments are just plain bad) to have any service work done at Petersons. Incidently, every dept at Petersons is top notch.

 

Bought my '08 Super Glide from Hammond Harley-Davidson in south Louisiana. Salesman greeted me quickly and was very friendly. You could tell he loved his job, and made me feel like a valued customer even though I told him it would be several months before I could get the finances in order. He made follow up calls every few weeks, and when I finally was ready, I made sure that he got the sale. In between I made several visits to just look at the bikes and dream. Another salesman researched some other options and colors for me. When he found out I had originally talked to salesman number "one", he said he would be happy to order any bike I wanted, but he would not "steal" the sale from the first guy. It just shows the integrity that exists at this dealership. The motor clothes girls are always helpful and friendly. Parts and service good also, with the exception of one smarta** counter guy who thinks he's doing you a favor to look up a number or application. Definitely a poser. Service guys are pretty good if a little vague about estimating labor costs for modifications/upgrades. All in all, I'd probably buy my next bike from them. They are a relatively new dealership, but they are on the right track.

 

I needed help finding treated lumber, had to run after one and tackle him.. then he swore he was a customer...

 

Back in 1979 I purchased a Suzuki GS-750 ES from Hammond Suzuki-Harley Davidson
Back then it was just Malcolm as his dad just retired. He was very good to work with, and made sure each customer went away happy. I'm glad to see that he's still in business, and doing his father proud

Frank

 

Maybe you should be sorry for only wearing your 1" thick reading glasses because i think he was talking about customer service which is crappy anywhere you go and the days of getting your jimmy waxed every time you walk in the door are over. If you don't by it the next guy will.

 

It's a shame the dealers cannot get all their folks to care and be courteous!

 

We have to remember the dealer gets what they pay for!! The dealer pays their help next to nothing to sell their t-shirts and apparel; what do they make $8.00 bucks an hour?? Maybe $10.00 if you last 2 years with them?
I do not beleive they pay the parts people much more. When I go in asking about parts I feel Iknow more than they do!!!
Yes, Home Depot is the same way, no cashiers; all self serve checkout...............
But, then they want you to answer the survey TOTALLY SATISFIED! PLEEEEEEASE!