| Author | Message | ||
     Sshbsn |
This came up on a different thread, but seems to touch a nerve or two: Harley dealers don't seem particularly interested in Buell bikes or riders, including my own local shop. Complaining on this site will probably not change this. Contrary to many people in their showroom, I didn't look to buy a lifestyle or entrance to the "club," I bought a sport bike, and they know as little about sports riders as I know about cole-slaw wrestling biker chicks. I'm frustrated with them, but maybe they just need somebody to walk them through a new type of customer relationship. In return, if they like, they can walk me to a cole slaw wrestling chick... Or maybe a good way to bring the HD dealer network around is to reward good dealers with discretionary spending and acknowledgement in public forums like this. So, I am taking my beloved 12R from Southwest Florida to Tulsa and back again, hopefully going up through Tennessee. It will be in pretty much the hottest part of the year, and if anybody knows of good HD dealers along the way please speak up! It'll probably need the 5K service somewhere, as well as an additional oil change and who knows what. I didn't mean to get on a soapbox, but I don't want to unleash a flood of dealer bashing... | ||
| Fdl3 |
I read an intriguing marketing analysis on HD. In it is documented very well how HD switched from selling a mere product to also selling a lifestyle. Well, it seems to have worked, huh? Unfortunately for Buell, HD dealers are extremely indifferent to anything Buell. I guess it is resistance to the infringement of something non-HD on the HD-only "lifestyle". Sorry for not answering your question... | ||
| Bomber |
Fd my experiences last summer (I live about an hour south of Milwaukee) tell me that the life-style sales technique may well backfire - - - the dentists/investment bankers/librarians/advertising exces who bought into the silliness will tire of it, I'm thinkin, when they get past the point where some fat-b*stard/b*itch screaming "get a real bike" to any non-HD mounted rider ceases to be amusing, and only annoying . . . . . the good dealers are aces, the bad ones are, ehm, bad . . .. ya gotta hand it to HD, though, they've brought a helluva lot of people into motorcylcing SS -- there's a Knowledge Vault area for data exactly like what you say you're looking for . . .. . . . . it may be of assistance | ||
| Sshbsn |
Thanks. I'd thought I'd tried the vault but must've been for something else. Wow, am I getting old... | ||
| Bomber |
SS -- better than the alternative . . .. btw, I was in your local shop (vacation right after the holidays) figurin if nothin else I'd bring my brotherinlaw (UltraClassicRoadHogBaggerTHingiewithaWindshield rider) a pin from the dealership, and have a look see . . . .. well, I got the pin, saw even less Buell stuff than I'm used to, and left a puddle about 1/2 inch deep around a Confederate scoot they had on the floor . . . not a soul said boo to me . . not at all a friendly place | ||
| Macbuell |
I heard a rumor a while back and I do not know if there is any truth to it but the rumor said that Buell was considering putting their bikes in other dealerships outside of HD. Dealerships that cater to sportbike enthusiasts. I think sticking Buells in a dealership along side of Ducati's, Triumph's and Motoguzzi's makes a lot more sense than sticking them in a HD dealership where they are looked at as the ugly stepchild. I don't think it makes much sense to stick em in a dealership with Japanese bikes either. Not many people that are looking into an R1 or GSXR1000 are going to have any serious interest in the Buell. Now, put a Ducati Monster and a Lightning next to each other in a dealership and I wouldn't be surprised to see some prospective Ducati buyers ride off with the Buell. Dealerships that cater to the sportbike enthusiast looking for a fun but unique bike would be perfect IMO. I think HD and Buell are shooting themselves in the foot by marketing the bike in a HD dealership. And I mean no offence to the good/responsive Buell/HD Dealers. I know they are out there but they seam to be few and far between. Just my honest opinion here. edited by macbuell on April 05, 2004 | ||
| Dyna |
the dentists/investment bankers/librarians/advertising exces who bought into the silliness I dont agree with that claim of whom is buying the bikes. Oh sure there are a few, but by & large its just us average Joe working grunts who are buying em. That whole Dr, lawyer, etc deal is some story cooked up by HD to combat the outlaw image in an attempt to portray bikers in a better light. Look at what the HD machine tries to tell us about the buyers of Buells. They are younger....LOL...younger? Younger than what, a blue hair in a Buick? | ||
| Bomber |
and that's what makes a horse race, Gregg . . .. . . . (grin) | ||
| Dyna |
$15 on "prettyboybuell" to show.  | ||
| Bomber |
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Sshbsn |
Bomber-- So you met them. Fun loving, happy-go-lucky group! | ||
| Bomber |
that musta been the weekend crew you're talking about! what a bunch of dour sourpusses! sheesh . . . .YOU PEOPLE ARE WORKING IN A SERVICE INDUSTRY! SELLING SOMETHING NO ONE NEEDS! SMILE FERCRYEYE! yessir, I did Dyna -- how about pink lady for $5? | ||
| Dyna |
To win or place? hell may as well go for the trifecta & take prettyboybuell to show, pinklady to place & "cantrideasnowmobilewithoutbreakingmyleg" to win | ||
| Buellny |
I don't know about the "other" dealers, but the two that I deal with often (Woodstock HD in Kingston, NY & Brunswick HD in Brunswick, NY) treat me great. I feel like they treat me like any other customer there. They both have employees that deal with only the Buells and that's who I always talk with. I have no complaints. | ||
| Bykergeek |
How many of you suspect your dealer would abandon the Buell brand given half a chance? Maybe I'm wrong but i don't feel the brotherhood when I pull in on my bright green Buell. As far as I can tell, there is $0 support for any local BRAG chapter from their 3 area locations. Queries about why they don't stock any Buell parts or accessories have gone unanswered. edited by bykergeek on April 05, 2004 | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
My dealer has dropped Buell, but I have to admit, they treat me great, even now. They really are great Buell people, now if only the bikes would sell in po dunk Yuma... | ||
| Blublak |
Hmmm... Let's see.. As mentioned elsewhere, I have both a Harley and a Buell (best of both worlds for me!) Anyway, there are two dealers within easy striking distance to me. One has nothing but derisive comments (from the service Dept.) regarding the 'junk' that is Buell and they actively campaign the owner to NEVER try and bring those non selling, always broken, unrideable pieces of &*&#&$@@(&$^ to their showroom. The other dealer, while they carry Buell are too busy trying to get potential Buell buyers to purchase 'a real bike' like the Ultra one (not) sales (really)jerk actually steered me away from the two pair of Firebolts and Lightnings and told me the bike I really wanted was this $20,000.00 full boat over that uncomfortable little bike I'll outgrow in less than a season) It seems that theirs just no commissions to be made in tryin' to sell the cheap stuff, so they just have to try and get you to spend as much as possible.. I think most of the H-D chain has problems like that, but if you look, you'll find a couple of them that like the bikes, like the people and know that they are catering to the very best in motorcycling (at least IMHO).. and they will be around for.. well.. ever.. Right Bubba? Right Dave? Later, | ||
| Buckinfubba |
Charlie they will sell in yuma...given half a chance by "sales", I use that term lightly, people that want to do their job. Blublak.... hmmm...you just never know do ya? | ||
| Bomber |
I'm not altogether sure it's an anit-buell thing in many cases (although those DO exist) I've noticed in many HD shops that, if you're known to someone on the staff, you're treated like family . . .. . if you're not (Lake Shore is a great example here), the staff looks at you like you're carrying some exotic infection . . . doing business with friends is great and enjoyable, but it's no way to grow your customer base | ||
| Fdl3 |
Almost like a "good-ol-boy" network: if ur in, ur in and treated well; if ur out, ur way out and of no consideration. | ||
| Xb9srider |
This is a fun thread.  For the record, as a customer, I feel no need to walk them through a "how to treat a customer course." I love my XB9S. It's the funnest bike I've ever owned. It is also my last Buell. The relative indifference dealers have shown me is enough. I do get customer service, if I work at it. I've been the one to tell them of wheel bearing seals, snorkel removal, kickstand issues, etc. They give me this puzzled look and a "we'll get back to you." Later, I must call them back to get an answer. Then, they perform the service with a grudge. I personally like the dealer (Tecumseh Harley Davidson) and the people who work there. However, they see the Buell as a pain in their ass and have told me this to my face (very politely). They've never said I'm a pain in the ass (although I imagine they think I am because of my Buell). The concept of selling Buells in Ducati/Aprilia/etc. dealerships is a good one. I doubt Hardley will let him take his sales out of house though. Although it makes the most sense. I bought a BMW 318ti (hatchback baby beemer) in '97. I was sold that I would be getting the same level of service as a 7 series purchaser. Wrongo! I really liked the car, but sold it because of continued lapses in customer service at a few different dealerships. We get one level of service for our Jeep Liberty (and Plymouth Neon), excellent. It's their job to please me as a customer, I shouldn't have to work at it. It has soured me on Harley and I will likely buy something else in the unlikely event I ever put a cruiser in the garage. Ride safe. Mark  Never Give Up! edited by xb9srider on April 06, 2004 | ||
| Bomber |
Mark -- never give up (grin) I love my Buell (and my wife likes hers), and will likely buy another, but it will be in spite of, not beccause of, the dealer network. the few glowing examples are so few and far between as to be incredible! given everything (lapse of the 100th, economic state of the country, phase of the moon), I'd not be surprised to see a shakeout in HD-land in terms of dealers . . . . . the strong will survive, as they always do . . . . let's hope some of them like Buells! I do the vast majority of my own work -- I know that many traditional sportbike riders (read, Japanese) don't -- I'd hate to think of one of these folks at the mercy of what appears to be the typical "service" one gets at the mean HD dealer . . . . been said before, will be agian, the dealer network is the biggest stumbling block that Buell, as a brand, faces sadly, that is the part of the customer's experience over which Buell, as a company, has the least amount of control | ||
| Sshbsn |
"...I don't want to unleash a flood of dealer bashing..." OOPS! I know there must be some good shops out there and was hoping to get some positive feedback. I really believe that the XB series will pull enough "crossover" riders from other sportbikes (they got me, for one) that dealerships will slowly change their tune. We are a growing economic force which, when added to the current group (angry horde?) of longtime Buell riders can significantly add to a dealer's bottom line. Especially if we make it a point to give our patronage to the dealers who want to reach out to this brand, possibly avoiding the more convenient but less accommodating local shop. I waded through the Vault and found few good ratings of dealers there. Surely somebody can speak up for a Floridian or Southeastern US dealership that does well? Or is it really a dark empty void? | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Bubba, I know what you mean, but I really don't fault the sales staff. They did try really hard. One sales person in particular is very Buell savvy and the dealership even brought the line out to the air show to put them in front of 60,000 people. I think it has to do with customer base here. When I ride my bike around, I get a lot of, nice bike, too bad they're still using that outdated engine. If they only knew! I try to tell them but they've all got IL4 on the brain... I have to admit, I like the look on their faces as I shoot by them in the corners though! edited by charlieboy6649 on April 06, 2004 | ||
| Gonen60 |
I heard a rumor a while back and I do not know if there is any truth to it but the rumor said that Buell was considering putting their bikes in other dealerships outside of HD. Dealerships that cater to sportbike enthusiasts. I think this would be a very smart move. Get the XBs out there, so sportbike riders can see them. sportbike riders don't have much desire to go into the local HD dealer..they get laughed at by the HD sheep that hang out in the parking lot, comparing tassles. | ||
| Mikej |
Last summer I was sitting at an intersection waiting for a light to change when four younger rider couples rode past. One pair on a Honda, one on a Yamaha, one on a Suzuki, and one on a Buell XB. Not necessarily in that order.  | ||
| Buellgator |
Sshbsn, I'll speak up for my dealership. Gainesville Buell is a good Buell dealer.http://www.gainesvilleharley.com I am a little biased as I work there, but we try to treat everyone the exact same. Whether your riding a Blast or a $90,000 custom. | ||
| Sshbsn |
Buellgator-- Funny coincidence, I just mentioned you guys on the other thread about Florida. I wish I would have made the drive up there to buy my 12R based only on how I was treated over the phone! Thanks for speaking up!! | ||
| Dyna |
I've noticed in many HD shops that, if you're known to someone on the staff, you're treated like family . . .. . if you're not (Lake Shore is a great example here), the staff looks at you like you're carrying some exotic infection . . . They have always been like that. Hell I bought my bike there & they still give me that odd look. Thats ok tho since they moved down near lambs farm its too damn far & bitch to get to anyways. Anohter thing about Lakeshore is they are very clique..even more so than another chapter that we both know of. When we bought our HD the wife & I asked Richie about joining their HOG chapter. He straight up told us we didnt want to join their chapter because it was a huge clique & we wouldnt fit in. Hey I was ok with that, the guy was up front & honest & didnt try to bullshit us. | ||
| Maxwell |
I will make an addition to this thread. When I bought my Fat Boy in 1990 I returned to the dealer for the first service after just 3 days (Mills in Burlington). The service manager looked me and said, yeah, drop it off next month and we will see about getting to you. When I said that I had just purchased the bike from them three days ago his response was SO? Then I found Bound Brook Harley. The shop was owned by two older men. By older I mean WAY OVER 50. It was not a clothes store but a bike shop. Old NCR cash machine and inventory done on little cards. The way I was treated is just how everyone should be treated, text book. The Fat Boy was never serviced by anyone else. Needless to say, I was impressed and not only said I appreciated their work but put a 10 spot in the wrench's pocket, every time. Unfortunately, shops like that don't last long in life. The brothers sold out to a new owner and the next year, the town of Bound Brook was under 20 feet of water. |
