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Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 09:49 pm: | 
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by a 4-to-1 margin, supported Harley-Davidson’s recent decision to eliminate the Buell brand and sell MV Augusta
I wonder if the dealers contacted even carry Buell? But that does sound right.... its the kind of support Buell was getting from H-D dealers
This may have been a hard pill to swallow at first..... But I can't wait to see what happens in a year or two.
I love my BUELL!!
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M2nc
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 11:28 pm: |
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Dealers got it......
Baird, which contacted 70 dealers in compiling the report, noted that dealers, by a 4-to-1 margin, supported Harley-Davidson’s recent decision to eliminate the Buell brand and sell MV Augusta, the Varese, Italy-based manufacturer of high-performance motorcycles that it purchased last year.
You say this in jest, correct? For this statement quantifies the title of this thread and probably the biggest hindrance to Buell Motorcycle Company success. I've often said before this most recent turn of events, that most dealerships do not have salesmen and they would starve if they actually had to sell. I am referring to the hey day of Harley when people would line the store to walk off with a bike at full mark up plus $500 of accessories and first three services paid in advance. Well, they are look a little thin these days, very Ethiopian even. I hope they learn how to hunt, but then again it may just be Darwin's law at work. |
Jammin_joules
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 01:15 am: |
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I feel ornery tonight.
A case can be made for my position on this, and that of a good many of my fellow dealership employees, being more upset, frustrated, emotionally drained, et al than posters here on this board for Buell having been canned by Wandell. After all, not only are some of my favorite motorcycles to ride now not able to be replaced when I wear them out, I no longer have a great many good customers to come in and share Buell stories, take demo rides on the new models, discuss latest model year improvements etc. And another part of me felt depressed at the prospect of only selling chromed out Harleys.
But some of the trash talk I read here aimed at Harley riders and dealer employees makes me realize how much the gap between Buell riders and Harley riders is the fault of the Buell rider. I can openly say with pride that not a single Harley owner I know has ever come close to slamming Buell owners with the malice and angst like so many here have expressed blatantly toward them.
And I know some of you here are sensitive and respectful in prequalifying your statements about stealerships by acknowledging that some do a good job. Some here are even good customers and friends, you know who you are.
But in a rage of brief cognitive dissonance I have to say, if Buells were sold in stand alone dealerships, (and examples in the real world exist also in multi-brand dealerships) the attitude and behaviors expressed by a large number of you would result in dealerships failing. A dealer has a huge outlay of capital in supporting a brand and a sale, whether it be a motorcycle or a service provided, is a two way street. People claim to be Buell enthusiasts yet many express total disgust for Buell dealers. In most cases these dealerships are the origin of many a Buell buyers first and only Buell experiences without which ownership in the greatest American sport/adventure bike would not have happened at all.
I have to wonder, have they ever tried to improve the relationship, talked to the dealer principle about their expectations and where the dealer personnel are falling short in attaining them?
Anyone can bitch, even more so here in cyber space. But truly enthusiastic people work in the real world. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Forgive my rant if you have tried, but my sense and experience is that you are a minority here.
As we move on in time, perhaps some of you can help though. Far fewer Buell dealers will remain, fewer still will be BadWEB sponsors. Spend some brain waves, time and energy and talk to people at your nearest remaining Buell dealership and try to build bridges if they are needed, make relationships where perhaps strangers existed. Worst case, nothing happens.
But my bet is that you won't regret having done so.
I've said it numerous times, don''t let an il-fated poor decision in a board room raise barriers between two groups of riders that have more in common then they are different.
~jammer
PS. cognitive dissonance - that feeling you get when you know you shouldn't do something, but you also know that it feels damn good. |
Snowscum
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 01:51 am: |
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I seen that article and remember this thread
and thought it was interesting take on the percentage of dealers that no longer wanted Buell to be in their stores. Thats where my comment came from. The dealers did get it.
Get it the hell out and let us sell just harleys. Not all but enough strong voices were heard and the rest is history....
What I dont understand about the article is what did HD dealers have todo with MV? Did they sell them in their stores? Why would they have a say in selling MV?
Discuss.... |
Jammin_joules
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 11:39 am: |
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FWIW, many on BadWEB realize it was a necessary relationship between Buell and Harley that enabled things like ten times the number of selling dealerships, the XB platform design and production, the Loki platform design and production, racing successes and support. Others still feel Buell would have been more successful without Harley corporate support and Harley dealers.
Consider this real world relationship between sales, Buell sales since black Thursday, and Harley support, or motorcycle sales in general in the last 18 months.
* Credit is still tight even after tens of billion$ given to numerous banks. They shored up their balance sheets, improved earnings, and paid executives rather than help small business.
* Consumer credit availability was/is not much better. How else can you explain Harley/Buell down in sales only half of the drop that Honda, Suzuki, BMW etc. logged in the last year? In the past 18 months I have had countless sales of first time buyers who were considering imports but either could not get financing or refused the outrageous terms they would have had to pay through private institutions. Dealers have Eaglemark Savings, a Harley finance unit, and imports rely on local banks. Surely it is not the continued demand for chrome couches on wheels. For what it's worth, at least 60% of my Buell sales since 15Oct were made possible by ESB-Harley based loans. Even with near half off pricing, most buyers would not have been able to purchase without ESB and their reasonable loan terms. (downpayment, rate & length of loan).
* Consumer credit was given a kick-start when banks held on to bailout funds instead of stimulating spending thru Cash for Clunkers. It was like instant $4,500 free cash that made loans right sized for a good many consumers. No such stimulus was given to motorcycle sales. Buyers had to find their own means for purchase rationalization. Harley had numerous programs to help Buell buyers; "Can't Say No", price discounts (before 15Oct) on select models, demo ride promotions (back pack, water bag, tire gauge, locks)
Like them, love them, hate them despise them - H-D enabled Buell on a much higher playing field than Buell would have been able to reach on its own in the last ten years. |
Dynasport
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 12:10 pm: |
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Like it or not, Buell was not a good fit at Harley dealers in general. This may make me unpopular here, but I recall my exposure to a Buell. I had never heard of Buell and was in the HD dealership in Orlando. I was considering a Sportster at the time. The salesman actually tried pretty hard to sell me S3T (I think). In retrospect, that would have been a much better bike for the way I like to ride, but at the time I was not interested in the least. I didn't like the way it looked and I was not familiar with Buell. I would think selling a Buell to someone who walked into a dealership wanting a Harley is a pretty hard sale to make. It has taken me a few more years of riding and getting to the point that performance and comfort are more important to me than looks, for me to buy a Buell. I have friends, who despite my regular positive talk about Buells, wouldn't want one if you gave it to them. They want chrome and HD badges. You can call them the pirate brigade if you like, but they are the core HD customer and most of them just don't have any interest in a Buell. I wish they did, but they don't. Some of them are very good riders who could probably ride circles around me, but they will have to do it on their Road Kings, because you won't get them on a Buell.
On the other hand, I have been to the closest BMW, Ducati, Triumph dealer several times. Whenever I mention Buell to them, they actually seem much more hostile to the brand than any Harley rider or dealer I have ever talked to. So, I don't know what the best way to have sold Buells was. The HD dealership plan was not very successful. I don't believe any dealer could survive selling just Buells. I don't think many European bike dealerships would be interested in selling Buells. Japanese bike dealerships? They doesn't sound the best either. I don't see any easy answers. The best hope to me would be the BMW/Ducati/Triumph dealership route. It's all academic at this point though I suppose. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 12:18 pm: |
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My local BMW dealership would have LOVED to have been able to carry Buell. Something we discussed many times. He followed the development of all of the "competing" brands, and found Buell to be the most compelling. Damned shame he was never able to carry them. |
Sparky
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 03:09 pm: |
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Some dealers get it. My first exposure to Buells in real life was surprisingly at a Harley dealership in Culver City, Ca. If you read Court & Dave's book and recall the story about the Dealer's Cruise, one of the key players who listened to Erik's pitch for Harley buying into Buell's production plan was Bill Bartels. Bill and a few other dealers present were racers or enthusiasts who seemed interested in the concept of sport bikes by an American company.
So some years later, when I would bring my Harley to Bartels' dealership for parts or service in Culver City back in '88 or so, it seems there was almost always an RR, RS or RSS coming, going or parked in the back lot. That was eye candy for sure. I was able to get a close-up view of these wonderful machines to whet my appetite for the S1 that Buell eventually produced in '96 and I bought later that year.
Bartels was one of the original dealerships that committed to the Buell line from the start and they continue to sell, service and support the brand today. I believe the reason for him doing that is that Bill is a racer and performance enthusiast who is also a businessman.
I don't know, perhaps if Harley would have only channeled the Buell Motorcycle Company to a network of racing and performance minded enthusiastic dealers instead of the entire general dealer network, things might have bode differently for BMC today.
Maybe, if there is to be a Round Two of H-D backed production of Buell street bikes in the future, H-D would learn from its mistakes and focus on like-minded dealers who are committed to the Buell demographic. Fat chance, eh?
After the bikes are designed and produced, IMHO the key to Buell's success wrt the buying public lies in the dealers who actively sell, service and support the concept of sport bikes, Buell American Motorcycle style. |
Nobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 04:03 pm: |
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I have always been treated professionally anytime I enter my local dealer. I always get invites to events and the GM always responds to my emails quickly and professionally. Service has always been handled well and purchasing Buell spare parts, no problem.
One place the my local HD dealer has a problem is non-OEM parts. They just do not understand sport bikers and the types of accessories needed. Some examples:
Tires - I wanted continental for my last replacement. They cannot order that brand.
Handle Bars - I wanted a protaper. Cannot order that type.
Riding Gear - It is either Buell or HD gear.
Basically, if it cannot be ordered from Drag Specialties, no can do.
Since buying my XT back in July 08, I have spent thousands of dollars on parts, gear and accessories. Most were not purchased from the HD dealer. I alway try to support the local dealer, but if I cannot get what I need, it is money lost.
I was able to get most everything I wanted from any local Non-HD dealer.
So, I purchased my Buell and the dealer gets very little in the way of accessory sales.
It is not always a failure just in Bike sales. Most HD shops have more accessories than most any other shop. Just not the right type in stock or to be ordered. |
Panhead_dan
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 04:47 pm: |
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I got a card in the mail from my local dealership with "Black Friday" on the front and some words inside tempting me to shop there for the holiday season. It was signed by the owner of the dealership.
My local dealership went tits up several months ago. It does not exist!
"Doesn't get it" indeed. |
Jammin_joules
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 05:12 pm: |
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" when I would bring my Harley to Bartels' dealership for parts or service in Culver City back in '88 or so, it seems there was almost always an RR, RS or RSS coming, going or parked in the back lot."
I am off today but yesterday, in service we had no less than 8 new Loki being set up, 3 XB's in service, two Loki in service and five tubers in service.
Hmmmm.... heady days to be sure, not likely to be seen again.
It is hard for a dealer to stock after market parts; clothing or performance parts, when many of these do not go through a wholesaler who can set up payment terms and reasonable minimum quantities. When you have to buy 10 handlebars, or 40 Continental tires and you sell 60 Buells a year, and 40% of those people will order from across country on-line to save $20, so you sell one pair of bars or two tires, it just isn't affordable.
It's not for lack of wanting to be more serving for the customer base, but the volume just wasn't there.
~jammer |
M2nc
| | Posted on Thursday, November 26, 2009 - 01:48 am: |
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To say it is the customers fault for not establishing a relationship with the dealership goes against every accepted marketing approach known, especially in a retail market. Though such comments do not surprise me from a Harley dealer. For the record, I have talked to the owners of most of the local dealers about Buells. One cussed me, one ignored me, and one talked a big game. I bought from the one that talked the big game. Five of us NC'ers started a BRAG chapter there  . I was the only one of the original five that did not have financial ties, past, present, or future to Buell or a dealership. As time passed this dealer started to wain in support. Key Buell personnel left and remaining staff just could not sell the brand. A dealer that once sold several Buell each month, could not move a 2007 Ulysses until the $5,000 payoff from HD this month. Let me say I have always been treated fairly at this dealership, but they no longer know the Buell product. It would be like me trying to sell women's underwear. "This one looks pretty."
I was in the dealership just a couple weeks ago and of course the Buell traffic was heavy with the discounts now well known among the riding public. I watched these Harley salesmen try to sell Buells and it was almost painful. A woman got on a CityX and it was too tall for her. I looked at the salesman and said "SCG?" He looked at me confused. We found two in the back when we sized one up for Ulywife so I reminded him, "the low ones in the back."
I paid for my inspection and was walking out when I saw two seasoned sport bike types looking at an 1125R. The salesman was trying to pitch the pamphlet stuff they already knew. They had this confused look on their face so as I was walking out I stopped and said, "Think Gixxer-750." They looked at me with interest. I continued, "The bike is lighter than a liter bike so it will out-handle them. Also with the low center of gravity it makes this liter-plus bike handle as well as the little 600s, but like the Gixxer-750 it has more power, not as much as a liter bike, but more than a 600. One difference from the Gixxer-750 though is that with the 1125cc V-twin, it has flat power curve all over the RPM range instead of up high. All out though the two bikes are very close." Their confused look changed to smiles as I clearly gave them a verbal picture they could understand. I walked out and do not know if they purchased the bike, but I did my part as I have since I bought my first Buell just a short six years ago. In that time I have changed several hearts including a few Harleys to Buells, most notably my riding buddy and infamous solid gold dancer.
With that said I can say I have been in some of the best Buell/HD dealerships around. I consider these dealers the Alpha dealerships. I have also been in some of the worst of the Omega dealerships. In my younger days I hung around a Harley dealership before the big Walmart type dealerships of today with the rough type 1%'ers frequent patrons. Dealership personnel were as likely to cuss at you as to smile at you. I am not thin skinned and call it like it is. These roots run deep in many dealerships out there still today and I have found my way into them with my Buells. I can tell you any Harley hater interested in a Buell that mistakenly walked into one of these Omega dealerships, would never consider the brand again. And as in any pack, there are far more Omegas than Alphas. I consider the 4 to 1 ratio listed above quite low.
As I said, I tell it like it is, and have to acknowledge first hand accounts as well as read a plethora of web entries of encounters with these Omega dealerships. With that said, I have to be a little understanding that there are several Alpha dealerships here that have done a great job with Buell product sales and support, one not far from me. |
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