| Author | Message | ||
     Krassh |
 | ||
| Point_doc |
Racerxusa, "only Buell store within a store west of the Missisippi now" Did San Diego HD stop selling Buells? SDHD is just south of you...not sure what you are saying or selling? | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Point, he's talking about the "store within a store" set up. basically it's a stand alone buell store inside the dealer. | ||
| Point_doc |
Badlionsfan, Thanks, is this so unusual? Really, what are we talking about a sheet of drywall between dealerships? Are they not located on the same piece of real estate and under the same roof and have the same address and same phone number? I went to there web page to try to understand why this dealership is so special that he states, "only Buell store within a store west of the Missisippi now"? I could not locate any info to explain it. http://www.skipfordyce.com/aboutus.asp Address: Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson 7688 Indiana Ave. Riverside CA 92504 Phone: 951.785.0100 Fax: 951.785.4915 Toll Free Phone: 1.800.429.4349 If this place is special, I would like to visit. It would be nice to visit a “Buell” store. To have sales persons who only deal with Buells. I would like to check out a 1125 with knowledgable sales people. I just wish to understand the significance of that statement. It was the first time I have read a statement like that from a Buell dealer. Thanks, (Message edited by point_doc on September 14, 2008) | ||
| Oddball |
He had his full salesman game on. #1 Buell dealer in his district. #6 Buell dealer in the country. #11 HD dealer in the country. In the 4 months of his employment he has almost sold out their entire overstock of 1125's. Then plugs that their supply is the latest of the 08's and has all the updates to date. After getting past the plugs for himself and his dealership he lays out his plan agreed too by his GM. MSRP + 1000 gift card. It may work in California but I don't know it will do much better that the 675 deal anywhere else. Store in a store could be a corner decorated with enough buell signs and bikes to stand out in a sea of harleys. | ||
| Buellborn |
If those are true points, kudo's to him. Why do we ant to burn him at the stake. Yes his incentives are weak, but it sounds like they are moving their inventory. Supply - demand, yada yada | ||
| Point_doc |
Buellborn, If it sounds like I am trying to "burn him at the stake", not so. I am asking for clarification on a matter that is not clear to me. If there is a “super Buell store" near me, I wish to check it out. | ||
| Buellborn |
Gotcha, I too would like to see it! | ||
| Krassh |
Well I have been there for the opening of the Buell Store at Skip Fordyce. It is like walking into a separate room. There is more Buell branded merchandise at this location than I have ever seen at a dealership. They have many Buells on display. I would have to say 10 to 12 when I was there in if I recall March. Sure he is plugging his dealership. They are a sponsor and I have met him at our local SCAB meetings. He is a very enthusiastic person. Maybe to some this comes across as pushy but he is a nice guy. | ||
| Krassh |
Hey Rob if it not against your dealers rules maybe you should snap a couple pics and post them up for everyone to see. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
go to their site, the have pics in the photo area. Can't give u a link cuz I'm outta town and my only Internet is my iphone. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I really hope this concept works and eventually dealers are required to do this in order to sell the brand. I used to think my dealer was really good for Buell, but I'm starting to change my mind. They have been slowly losing the Buell guys from the service desk and parts dept over the past few years (they still have some good Buell techs), and the P&A area for Buell has gotten pretty small as well. I used to be able to go in there and shoot the sh!t with a couple of guys there that were into Buell - now there are none. Guys know about them, and can talk well about them, but they aren't into them like the old guys used to be. I'd love to go in there and really revamp the Buell image, but I don't think I could earn the living I'm used to in order to do it. What really burned me was going to the open house this past weekend - 15% off in stock P&A. I wanted the 'noid eliminator, aluminum airbox trim and heated grips kit. They had none of it. I know they sell bikes - they've sold at least 5 or 6 1125's I'd say. but I don't know who's the "Buell Guy" anymore. | ||
| Krassh |
Duh should have thought of that myself. Thanks. http://www.skipfordyce.com/Photo_gallery.asp?category=&page=1            | ||
| Pridayr |
Nice. Wish I was closer! Rob | ||
| 01xjbuell |
wow, that looks good nick | ||
| Buellborn |
That is sooo freeking cool!!!! | ||
| Point_doc |
Nice...thanks for taking the time to share. I may be up this weekend! John | ||
| Boltrider |
That place looks worth it to make the trip from Norcal. I will swing by one of these days. | ||
| Blazin_buell |
Wow !!! I haven't seen a dealership with that much inventory and support for years. I've been all over Tx and miss the days when you could wander into a strange store and pick from more than two T-shirts. | ||
| Xnoahx |
Seeing those pictures makes me feel sad to look over at our pathetic Buell section. Maybe we will see more like that as the brand continues to grow | ||
| Racerxusa |
Thanks for not tearing me another one! LOL! and thanks Krassh(Ken)and others for the pics,etc...I just got back to work today..my days at the SkipFordyce HD/Buell shop are Wed-Sunday, 10AM-7PM most days. I try my best and have only worked out here since Early May 08 and I am from the East Coast!, Please don't get me started...LOL! Also the design engineer/concept is being sold to Glendale Harley/Buell in So Cal and Deeley HD/Buell in Canada from the last time I met with the consultant/design engineer: Michael Powell,PhD, Brand Strategist. I met him, a very well spoken young fella with other fellow Buellers he wanted to meet with feedback. We need good feedback for this concept for Harley/Buell corporate as we pay for this concept as a dealer and it has done us well based on sales and customer's feedback. I do get with Management quite frequently in what we can do to better serve the customer and Buell, the DM,Jim Sorenson, the one acting owner Jay Dabney(Dealer Principal), GM, Sales Managers and Service/Tech Managers for Updates, ECM, Issues,Warranty,etc)from HD-NET and much from all of you guys on here. I want to thank everyone who does support me. I do have other choices as far as work and where to live. I try to go the extra mile...passion and wanting to help out. I have already contacted K&N to take our demo 1125R so they can finally make the new air filter that customer's have been requesting for some time. I thought they had it already when I came on in May, but after research on here everyday I finally made a call and emails to K&N and they have the bike as we speak. Please give me suggestions and reasoning on what you would like in the store's especially in our store in Riverside, CA and what would be a good incentive to clear out remaining 08 1125R's in stock in the california area. I'm offering the $1000.00 gift card and make the best deal on a 08 1125R or any of the new bikes we have. Thanks again and I do listen in spite of being a Jersey guy from the East Coast...Sorry for the book!  Rob SkipFordyce HD/Buell 951 785-0100, Ext: 226 Call Anytime! (Message edited by racerxusa on September 17, 2008) (Message edited by racerxusa on September 17, 2008) (Message edited by racerxusa on September 17, 2008) | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
The manufacturer-dealer relationship is rarely a friendly one. The Man wants to produce and sell as many units as possible to the dealers. Remember, a dealer is a customer to the Man- he has to pay for (more likely get a loan for) all the units for stock. The Man wants the dealer to buy as many as possible, the dealer only wants as many as he hopes to sell- left over units cost money sitting on the floor (paying interest to the lender). The Man is not concerned if the dealer is stuck with leftovers- as long as all of their production is gone/paid for. If I was a dealer, after seeing the looks of the 1125R, I would have ordered two, and maybe one CR. As many dealers are finding out now- it would have been a wise decision. The leftover '08's are killing the dealers- either making no (or likely loosing)money on each one. People who think motorcycles (except H-D) have $3,000.00 mark-ups are fooling themselves. At $9,995.00, an 1125R is selling at the minimum profit for a dealer. The main problem is that because of the styling, the 1125R line has a very small market. It appears they have surpassed the saturation point. Discounting hurts everyone- especially owners who paid full pop. I predicted this would happen after seeing the first pics, and I hope my fears of these models being the final nail for Buell does not come true. What does Buell need to do to solve the sales problem?... redesign the bike. | ||
| Slypiranna |
"The main problem is that because of the styling, the 1125R line has a very small market" This customer came from over 20 years of Yamaha Vmax(x2), RZ, R6(x2) & R1 style to the Buell 1125R...that is a huge market. "It appears they have surpassed the saturation point." Have you stopped to consider that the bad press and learning curve...not to mention the economy may have something to do with this? Perhaps the new reflash will relight the buying candle? I for one wish I could afford to buy a few 08 1125R's with updates for resale!!!! "Discounting hurts everyone- especially owners who paid full pop." I paid full pop and I have communicated with over 30 owners, worldwide...not one was sorry to pull that trigger, only questioning of the few issues that left corrected. I for one am happy if you get a good deal! That is what you get for being patient of anything NEW!? "I predicted this would happen after seeing the first pics, and I hope my fears of these models being the final nail for Buell does not come true." Without blowing this author's statement out of the water...why has not BMC hired YOU yet? Your profile lists "I have a degree in Philosophy"...but no where could I find ownership of an 1125? I hope this post helps you in some way as I only mean it as such...after all, I did not respond to the majority of your post's content. mm (Message edited by slypiranna on September 17, 2008) | ||
| Buellborn |
I was hoping the 2009 would be updated in the styling also. I think it's logical that an attractive design has more consumer demand than a less than...... perfect design. It works for clothing, home furnishings, cars and more. Maybe even motorcycles? | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
I don't own an 1125 because after four Buells they finally made one I really don't like. I have worked in the motorcycle industry for years, and I get to talk to a huge number of current and future motorcycle owners. The current average of "love it" to "hate it" comments I hear is 1 out of 10. With these numbers, Buell has an uphill battle with this design. A "market" consists of a large number of individuals (of which you are one). For something to have a large market, a majority of those individuals must desire/purchase that item. As motorcycles go, the 1125 does not have a large desire or purchase number compared to it's competitors. Please understand I am not commenting on 1125 buyer's tastes, rather I am questioning Buell's choice of design for a bike that's trying to win over buyers from other makes. Obviously, it's not wise to polarize the buyers with a style that attracts the minority instead of the majority. True genius can do both, and I think Buell can do it- but he certainly missed the target here. Discounting does hurt purchasers because the perceived value of their bike takes a nose dive when the new models are drastically cut. Seeing how Buell already has a poor residual value, it's really the worst thing that can happen. The real problem here is H-D dealership thinking- Buell owners are not likely to sell their mother to by anything with H-D stamped on it, and dealers don't like/aren't used to that kind of customer. Buell needs to be sold in stand-alone dealerships, and again, that's why I'm concerned because there must be a huge increase in sales for this to happen. The general opinion of the XB is a neat bike with minor quality control problems and lacking in the power dept. The general opinion of the 1125 is great performance with new model gremlins, minor quality control problems, and major styling issues. It just shouldn't be that way. Of course, on this site there are a ton of 1125 fans- but that's not how it is "out there" if you stop and listen to people. The sales numbers bear this out. Even if the numbers are higher than previous Buells, I guarantee that Buell expected them to be much higher. I wish I had been on the team that approved the 1125 design- without any doubt I know if they had listened to me the sales numbers would be higher. Laugh if you want, but anyone with an atom of styling/design savvy would have known that this design would not go over well. The bad press has not helped, either. The 1125 could be a bike that most enthusiasts hang a poster of on their wall and drool over (like Ducati, MV Agusta, Benelli, Bimota... notice this styling cues here), but other than members of this forum it ain't gonna happen. The performance deserves this kind of respect, but the styling is holding it back. I love Buell, and want them to succeed, that's why I'm so frustrated by this bike. It has the potential to be breakthrough- but not in it's current form. | ||
| Slypiranna |
Thank you for taking my post in a manly matter. I agree that the Buell effort in sales should be divorced from HD...the pics above us mimic nothing short of a dream for a Buell customer. The only step better would be just Buell on the entrance doors... BUT from a real world business standpoint, the above pics also show what is an improvement within what is workable. It is a win win situation in all financial questions. For BMC to step out and divorce this mindset would be a true failure. After all, how would anyone in Buell's position best negotiate otherwise without the major financial backing that HD affords?...AND benefits BY. I don't know about you, but my BUELL motorcycle payment goes right to HD! The bottom line is that it all isn't as simple as it seems...nor do any of us on the outside really KNOW what is being planned years and decades, ahead of time. Example, who did HD just buy? Hint, hint. And who has spent most of his life helping HD? Hint, hint. Why would anyone select a win lose-lose win situation over a win win that both grow by? Forget the sharing of tech/information. Forget the combined market power of 2 to 1. Forget the heritage that more than one market combines. While not perfect, I can see the HD/BMC angle...if I squint my eyes a little, I can see it. If no one upstairs listened, then why would we have these very simple but yet excited pictures above these posts? Mr. Buell doesn't look unhappy at all to me. Does he you? They are improving and they are growing. Together and in a win win effort. Whether I like it or you like it really isn't a care. I for one have always been completely against the HD brand, engine and dealership experience. BUT, I cannot argue with the success that they have maintained far before I was ever born. They will never hire me though!  For Mr. Buell to voice the 08 1125r's black and blue paint job (reason) is enough of itself. Have you wondered why the 09's frame is BLACK? This is quit a study!!!! Why would any business invest so much within the customer as BMC has proven to a newbie, like me? Have you questioned the following of Buell? I did, read my many ill posts in archives. Take another look from outside the box at what might be going on and then type accordingly for public view. I'm officially done with this thread as I think I've said enuff! Peace, mm | ||
| Fresnobuell |
The main problem is that because of the styling, the 1125R line has a very small market. YOUR OPINION, BRAD. FRANKLY (AND I THINK I SPEAK FOR MOST PEOPLE HERE), I AM SICK OF YOUR "I HAVE BETTER TASTE THAN YOU ALL" ATTITUDE. Why don't you stick to the XB board. You do own an XB right? What the point of posting your BS here? Oh yeah, you are replacing Brad as BMC's Savior.  ...again | ||
| Buellborn |
Fresno grabs his marbles and runs home crying? | ||
| Pridayr |
That's where the CR comes in.  Rob | ||
| Zac4mac |
I think Loretta's beautiful |
