A Sad Day in Florida

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Jul 12, 2012 | 04:54 PM

#21

tj316

Thread Starter

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 3,121

Likes: 489

From: sunny florida

03psd , read my original post , I apologized to others who have posted on here about their dealership being closed for thinking the same thing you are thinking , but when it happens to your dealer you will understand , Harley doesn't think closing a dealer will cost them business , they believe everyone will go to the next closest dealer and buy, but with fewer dealers equal less competition and prices will stay higher and why would they close a dealership they could sell ????

Last edited by tj316; Jul 12, 2012 at 06:03 PM.

Jul 12, 2012 | 08:11 PM

#22

Bruce00

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 16,125

Likes: 24

From: Linden New Jersey

damn, sure hate hearing about Bobs passing, but 90 is a goal we all can strive for.
But hate hearing more about the closing.
While I live in NJ, I grew up in Tampa and spent more time in Fletchers and Jims in St Pete than I did in Tampa HD. This was back in the 70's and early 80's.

Sad but true, the family owned HD is fast becoming a thing of the past

Jul 12, 2012 | 09:43 PM

#23

Black_Hog

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 559

Likes: 5

From: Tampa Bay, Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by tj316

you obviously don't know them or the dealership , Bob Fletcher retired in 1998 and for the last 14 years his kids have been running it and when I say his kids the oldest is in her 60's and youngest in her 40's ,working hard has nothing to do with it , they are good people , believe what you will but Harleys CEO has stated he feels they have to many dealerships and it is devalueing the product so he plans on folowing Fords model and closing dealerships , he has been doing it for 3 years , the truth is our area doesn't need 5 dealerships in this area , 3 or 4 is enough , it's just Fletcher's was the one that fought for the customer and treated you fairly , the others have a car dealership mentality

I'll second that. Bob Fletcher built a great dealership. The three Fletcher girls made a great dealership greater. They were always there and were hands on with the day to day workings.

Harley's C.E.O. has never owned or rode a motorcycle and doesn't care if one or 100 dealers are forced to close. It's all about the bottom line, not the great family owned dealerships.

Jul 14, 2012 | 11:38 PM

#24

Sport King

Road Captain

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 573

Likes: 7

From: Florida

Not to mention the MO FO CO left them holding the bag !
Dont forget the other property they bought with intentions to comply

Last edited by Sport King; Jul 14, 2012 at 11:41 PM.

Jul 16, 2012 | 10:19 AM

#25

Greg MacD

Novice

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 21

Likes: 1

From: Gulf Coast

I live up in New Port Richey, Not far from Gulf Coast (A Ferman owned Dealership), anyway I will drive the 20 miles in a second to shop at Fletchers rather that deal with Gulf Coast. I always have been treated with top notch respect and service from Fletchers. Another note to add, until Bob's passing, it was often on a Saturday afternoon to have Bob and his wife visiting the dealership, I have spoke with his wife on a few occasions as she explained all the family pictures that adorn the walls of the shop. As a dealership, you will be missed, the family is involved with many things in the community, like animal rescue, so I will bet that we will still be seeing the Fletcher Family around the Clearwater area.

Jul 16, 2012 | 10:46 AM

#26

CWO USN

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 507

Likes: 5

From: Florida

Regret to hear the passing of a Bay Area motorcycle icon and the closing of an institution. My respects to Bob's family and to the folks at the dealership.

Jul 16, 2012 | 11:25 AM

#27

fat daddy

Road Master

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 825

Likes: 10

From: Florida

I'm assuming they will close their clothing store in Clearwater beach. This mo co and the big money dealers just don't get it . A perfect example would be destination Daytona their mark up is crazy. Good luck and best wishes to the fletcher family.