| Author |
Message |
    
Aldaytona
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2005 - 10:23 pm: | 
|
Ptrumble1, No, I don't think it's a bad retail mix, the strength of the Harley-Davidson brand quality perception and matching warranties on a high performance bike gives consumers confidence in a product largely unknown to a whole new generation of riders who may not have considered a Harley-Davidson product before. Lots of us old Harley owners have the benefit of a 1 stop shop and both groups reap the benefit of the largest dealer network.
The biggest lacking quality of most dealerships is not having Buell enthusiasts in key areas to promote these very special motorcycles to new prospects and to take care of the existing Buell owners who by the way are far more likely to help promote the Buell product throughout the motorcycling community.
Just think about this, a new rider or a cross over rider buys a Buell and loves it (that's a given) then later wants to add a cruiser or trade to a cruiser, and he/she is already used to going to Harley-Davidson, if they were treated well what brand cruiser do you think they would buy? DA........................
Most dealerships don't take advantage of this relationship and opportunity. Why, it escapes me. |
Aldaytona
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2005 - 11:08 pm: |
|
Daves, You are lucky, and your dealer principle is SMART. By promoting a specialty product and being successful at it insures the regular Harley-Davidson product line will continue to have customers in your area as well. Your finish in the last quarter Buell promo is testimony to the progressive thinking at your dealership and should be a wake up call to other dealers.
A smart dealer would be on this site daily (or have a trusted employee on it).
Your owner realizes the future income potential that comes from new Buell sales, SMART.
By the way, I still ride to work every day, so who's cooler, er, well um, I guess where you're at even if you don't ride this time of year, you're still COOLER.......Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. |
Typeone
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 12:05 am: |
|
I'm not sure if this is the correct thread to crash but... anyone familiar with the two Massachusetts dealers 'Sheldons' in Auburn and 'Paramount' in Framingham? This is my one fear with the purchase of my new Buell from Daves... that my local dealers are gonna suck. Sheldon's has been extremely nice when I was visiting to look over the new Buell line, I just hope their techs are qualified as well. Paramount could have cared less that I was there checking out the Buells. Once in my many visits did they come over to me. |
Chris_mackay
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 02:32 am: |
|
Having been to a few dealerships I think I understand why Buells don't get sold as often as they should. When someone walks into a Harley dealership they already, for the most part, know what they're going to buy. All the salesperson does is help with the color and the add on toys. There really isn't any sales expertise involved. They have become mere order takers. Very much like the drive-up window at a fast food place. Now put a Buell on the menu and that won't always work. These are sport bikes. They have competition! You need to actually sell them! I've had salespeople that slithered away and went back to their desks to await the next "lay down" customer.
So are Harley and Buell a good retail mix? In my opinion, Yes! For the real salespeople. They compliment each other.
Dave's got the perfect mix going. Everybody rides! That's the only way to get truly enthusiastic about something. Do it. Live it. It would be nice to see more dealers follow his example.
Dave, thanks for going further than just asking if we want fries with our order! |
Chickenhauler
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 03:37 am: |
|
well the dealers offer next to nothing as add ons.very little gear.no body armour,just cheap helmets.also white buell t shirts.they should really step up to the plate and do something.
ive spent a couple grand for gear,but not at harley.they didnt have anything i wanted} |
Tunes
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 03:44 am: |
|
Typeone - I'm very surprised at the treatment at Paramount. They are usually very helpful and enthusiastic about Buells. Sales Mgr. Bob DeGangie (sp?) loves 'em. For all I know, he's still there??? If he is there, he's the one to talk to... and mention the past treatment. He'll appreciate it. Bob used to work at Manchester H-D Buell. That's where I know him from, having purchased 3 Harley's and 2 Buell's from him.
Sheldons is a good dealership and have capable wrenches. A good friend of mine used to work there in the Service Dept. and is now trying to get back in... kicking himself for leaving in the first place. |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 05:10 am: |
|
Dave: About time for me to break out the 1995 "9 ways to sell a Buell" tretise.....
You know and I know it's fairly simple. Many dealerships are so busy doing the wrong thing with gusto that they are incapable of seeing the light.
Court |
Daves
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 07:55 am: |
|
I would still like to see a copy of your 9 ways to sell a Buell! |
Tripper
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 09:19 am: |
|
u have to wait for "the book". |
Geoffg
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 12:04 pm: |
|
As a sportbike guy who's used to Big Four dealers, it's been interesting going into HD dealerships (before becoming interested in Buells, I'd never been in one). I'll pretty much always be the ONLY customer looking at the Buells--everyone else is admiring all those other big things covered with bags and chrome and springer front ends, that I don't know the names of (OK, I can recognize a Sportster...). And talking to the other customers, they just don't understand why I'd be interested in a small, uncomfortable bike with plastic bodywork. |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 12:30 pm: |
|
Sure.......come on down.....we got Buells and Hondas.
 |
Typeone
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 04:00 pm: |
|
Tunes, thanks for the input. The Paramount guys were only cool to me via phone when I submitted info through the web and the one time a salesman came over. I've been in tons of times to scope the Buells and nuthin'
I'm closer to Sheldon's, they'll be my servicing dealership. So great to hear they have some good techs and that your friend wants back in. They've ALWAYS spent quality time with me when I came in to look at the Buells.
I gotta say though, I hear you Geoffg, I feel so weird being in a Harley dealership. I've been a Honda guy my whole life. I don't know if i'll ever get used to bringing my sportbike to a HD shop for service. Just a different scene for me. Rarely did I get a rider wave while on my F4i. Mostly snotty comments about my light being out  so i'm happy the XB lights are asymmetrical too. heh. |
Pcmodeler
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 04:11 pm: |
|
________________________________
As a sportbike guy who's used to Big Four dealers, it's been interesting going into HD dealerships (before becoming interested in Buells, I'd never been in one). I'll pretty much always be the ONLY customer looking at the Buells--everyone else is admiring all those other big things covered with bags and chrome and springer front ends, that I don't know the names of (OK, I can recognize a Sportster...). And talking to the other customers, they just don't understand why I'd be interested in a small, uncomfortable bike with plastic bodywork.
________________________________________
I had nearly the same conversation with my uncle the other day (only a few years older than me). He owns a loaded Road King. He was telling me I need to get a big cruiser. I had to tell him there was no way in the world I would ever own a bike that weighs over 800 lbs. That's over twice as much as my XB9. I pray he never has to try and lift than thing up after a fall.} |
Signguyxb12
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 05:32 pm: |
|
Typeone, i am a BRAG member at Sheldon's and believe me if you deal with Jay Hawley(Buell nut)
then you won't have any problems
....give me a call i am in Uxbridge 508-278-9402 |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 07:46 pm: |
|
Court, please tell me that other bike is not being ridden. Course, it's missing even the gas tank so I'll ASSUME it's not. |
|
