| Author | Message | ||
     Blublak |
Ok, I'm picking this up from the MD/PA thread.. and here's a quick run down of the VA dealers that are 'local' for me. I'm in Northern VA not far from Dulles Airport, so if you know where that is, you get the idea. There are four H-D dealers in easy 'striking' distance, so here are some observations on those four. Whitts HARLEY DAVIDSON (oh and that funny lookin' thing over there).. Most of the sales slugs are ignorant and will try to get you away from the new Buell and onto what you really wanna ride.. that Ultra over there.. (seriously that's what happened to me).. They had a demo bike, but it had the suspension set so soft at the time I rode it I almost dumped it in a turn (set for 'cushy cruising comfort' I think).. No clothing or 'stuff' except for the usual H-D stuff. Someone told me they are trying to improve, I'll have to go back and check them out sometime. East Coast - In Dumphries. Not too sure about them either. They had the bikes up front last time I was there, with their standard $3K markup. Nice enough place, but not so sure they understood what they had either.. of course, this was a few years ago. Heard from a newbie how it took 6 months to get plastics for her Blast, then an additional $1500 over the estimate to get her bike back after a low speed drop, there apparently were other things that had 'broken' on her bike that they didn't know about until AFTER the new plastics had arrived and they still took two MORE months to finish the job. Now she thinks all Buells and dealers are the crap her UJM friends have told her they are and has sold her bike. Hopefully they will realize what they are doing to the sport and get out of motorcycling all together. Groves - Winchester H-D/Buell - New building, haven't been there yet so can't say what it's like. They sponsor a CCS racer that works there, so that's a good sign. They also have a BRAG chapter, but I haven't looked them up yet so I'll have to check into them as well and report back. Last time I was there they had four bikes, no other items. But the one sales guy I spoke too (not Jeff the racer.. Don't know if he's in sales or not) seemed like he was interested in the bikes and may have seen some of what we see in them. So I have high hopes for my next visit there. Perhaps this weekend? Patriot H-D - Doesn't even want to know Buell exists. Last time I talked to their service mangeler, she said anyone that owned a Buell should be shot in the head. Nuff Said. Uhhh.. damn, I didn't mean this to turn into a rant.. Sorry about that. I'm probably off the X-mas list of a few of these joints huh? Oh well.. | ||
| Daves |
Could I interest you in a trip to WI? | ||
| Blublak |
LOL.. You never know Dave.. Next bike I buy.. well, from WI to Va would be a pretty good break in run.. Don't you think? I promise, you'll be one of the first people I call.. | ||
| Blublak |
OK.. Here's the news.. As stated today I rolled past both Whitts H-D and Winchester h-d Buell. Here's what I found. Whitts appears to be working on turning around it's previous stance on all things Buell. Well, sort of. They have a new General Manager and I think he's had an effect on the staff there already. Within 5 minutes of standing in front of the small line of Buells, placed in a nice space where you can see them from the front door as you walk in. I had a sales guy come over to chat with me. He was telling me about how they have been having good numbers selling Buells all of a sudden and they have even started buying them from other dealers to fill their customer orders. They had nothing that I could see when it came to Buell goodies though. They may even start a BRAG chapter, if they can find the people to manage it.. or some such.. Hmmm... Winchester has a new home.. and it's HUGE! Not the biggest dealer I've ever been too, but this is a really big boutique. Jeff, the racer they sponsor is a sales guy there and he's trying to get them to open up even more Buell room. When I was there they had four bikes on the massive floor, 2 Blasts, 1 12R and 1 12Ss. Jeff said he's been trying to get some Uly's in, but what he got was sold so fast he almost didn't get to see them.. and he sold them. They had one small rack with some tee shirts and a few jackets on it. I mentioned that he really needed to push them into getting more Buell stuff.. At this time, while I can't say either dealer is a 'great Buell shop' but I'd like to believe that they are trying to move that way.. Oh.. and another thing.. and this is just rumint, to should be taken that way.. But during my visits, I got the impression they were expecting some dealers in the area to let Buell go on their own. We'll have to see where that goes. No names at this time, since I don't know all the players involved and don't want to speak out of turn.. I know Court and Blake will understand that.. |
