| Author | Message | ||
     Roc |
I assume HD/Buell dealers make plenty of money from the sale of bike, service, and accessories; but I am wondering about the break down. Anyone have an idea where the most money is made or maybe a breakdown of the profits? I’m trying to better my understanding of the market and how Buell fits into it all. I kind of suspect more money is made, at least over a few years of ownership, off of accessories and service. But, what if most Buell riders pursue outside service? What if few Buell accessories are carried? Seems like Buells would be a much less profitable product for dealers and that would lead to a poor dealer attitude in relation to the brand. Any ideas? | ||
| Dynarider |
just look at the annual sales report & its broken down. Now that is for all of HD not just a single dealer obviously. But the results should be pretty close to the same. Harley makes more profits..about 3 times as much..from t-shirts then they do off of buells. And yes I think you hit the nail on the head & that may be why a number of dealers have dropped Buell. | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
:Hands every one a stick, wheels in dead horse: Just a few days ago I was picking up my new ignition switch when I overheard a sales man talking too another prospective Buell owner. Ill keep the name of the dealership out of the conversation b/c for the most part they have been good too me and my father who purchased his touring bike from there. For the most part the bits I overheard while waiting at the parts counter went like this.... Buyer: I was looking at this Buell for a while now and im pretty interested in it. Sales man: Ya I like the new Buell line up, did you know sportsters have the same engine? Buyer: Wow..I didn't know that. Could you tell me what kind of warranty comes with the new Buells? Sales man: Ya we just got a new shipment of Sportsters in, there is a really nice black one over there that has (insert chrome parts). Buyer: So how comfortable will this Buell be if I do alot of riding on it? Sales guy: They aren't too bad for comfort but the new sportsters we have are really comfy At this point they found my part and I paid and left. If I wasn't in a hurry I probably would have talked too the guy. If I was looking at it by a money stand point not only do I sell the bike but I also sell all the extra chrome pieces the shirts the jackets and other stuff that people purchase. Now compare that too the little little little little (did I say little?) rack of buell T-shirts and a few odds and ends and in the long run which would I rather push? I think it's really Harley thats causing the low Buell sales. Buell I think has alot going for them with the xb line up but we need the word too get around alot more and by having sales people pushing sportys too prospective Buell owners its really killing Buell. Granted, I have only owned my Buell for about two years now. So mostly this is all guessing on my part but I think a lil bit holds true. Oh well...Just my two cents  | ||
| Country |
When I bought my M2L 2002, I went in with a friend of mine. He was looking for a sportster and I was just "looking". The salesman came over and asked if he could help us. Of course we said yes. He asked what were looking for. I mentioned the Buells and my friend mentioned the sportsters. He pointed us in both directions and took my friend to the sportsters. Now I wasn't really looking to buy, but I found my dream bike. And I waited around for about 45 minutes to be helped again. Once my friend was done looking at the sportsters, he grabbed the guy that helped him and told him how interested I looked. It wasn't until then that I really really wanted to buy it but could find the help. Kinda crappy. Oh yeah and it wasn't even until I started using this board, that I realized that no one set the bike up for me. I didn't know they were supposed to. | ||
| Bud |
I had €13,500 in my back pocket and I was all over the buell, I left the store 3 h later, the sales man walked by 4 times nodding to me. I even posted at the sales office door. I think I didn’t look to match as a biker He will never now Btw, I happen to know some folks at HD-Benelux , as I mentioned it to one off theme, he was taking note’s Gr,M | ||
| Leeaw |
I blame the dealer and not Buell. The place I bought my M2 from had a fair number of Buell's in there small showroom and were enthusiastic to sell me mine. Fastforward four years and they have a new showroom twice as large, are not carrying them anymore. They say nobody is buying but with some old S1 parts on the wall as stock and no advertising, what would you expect? I agree that there should be more Buell parts and aftermarket parts in dealer stock but who wants to keep a large inventory that is not turning over much? | ||
| Chainsaw |
I would like to see Buell sell directly to the masses via their web site. |
