| Author |
Message |
    
Edmsportster
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 12:11 pm: | 
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I am really in a bind. I do NOT want to give my business to these folks, but 300 miles to the next nearest Buell dealer is a little absurd as well..... |
Bud
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 12:45 pm: |
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My first harley dealer experience was disappointing to say all the least,
Same story, sitting on the bike tinkering with switches en levers ( half the money for the bike in my back pocket )
After one hour off tinkering I had enough and walked away, and I was going for this dealer because off the regular buell ads. in magazines .
And did go to the next dealer on my list,
where I was very welcome and they where and are very in to buell’s ( won a Pegasus award a few years back )
Ok he’s not perfect either, ( something about long waiting on oil lines 2 years back ) but nobody is,
but at least there buell minded. ( and no harley dealer only buell , with moto guzzi & triumph )
Walked in today and he welcomed me with “ did you see the new models !? “
I’ll bet you my xb12x demo is all ready on the boot, there going to sell like hotcakes
First look , very good, a bigger motorcycle ( as he had some deals turned down on the size off the bike )
I love that guy for that, he really has to fight to sell a buell next to the triumph’s & guzzi’s
If he makes me a good deal on the beemer, I think he is gonna sell me a second buell 
Gr.b |
Ingemar
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 12:56 pm: |
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And did go to the next dealer on my list,
where I was very welcome and they where and are very in to buell’s ( won a Pegasus award a few years back )
And who might that be if I may ask? |
Whodom
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 01:15 pm: |
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Edmsportster:
I am really in a bind. I do NOT want to give my business to these folks, but 300 miles to the next nearest Buell dealer is a little absurd as well.....
EDM:
Please send me the name of that dealership.
Thanks,
Court
Did you get the info to Court? He can get the info to the right people to "enlighten" this dealer. |
Buellishxx
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 01:22 pm: |
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Edmsportster, Calgary is only 300km and I just bought an 04s for 11k CDN. They have a mechanic that has a buell and has had for a number of years. Like any dealer they don't have a lot of stuff, but are good to deal with, and will deal, sometimes. The salesmen are willing to jump in, but it seems the deals are to be had with either Diane or Tom. Diane is the sales manager and makes the final decision and by talking to her direct she undercut her own salesman by $500.
Note that they will take a credit card for the full purchase price (airmiles etc). |
Edmsportster
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 03:27 pm: |
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Whodom: I emailed Court directly but he has not replied as of yet....
Buellishxx: Thanks for that info!! I would much rather go somewhere that gives a crap about Buells, I have a trip planned to the mountains first week of August and I am staying in Calgary for 2 nights so I will definitely stop in...which Calgary dealer? Kane's or the other one (sorry can't recall the name)
Darcy |
Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 03:55 pm: |
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I'll chime in about my local HD/Buell place, HD of Danbury, CT.
Sales people have been helpful and interested in Buells to a certain degree (at least they didn't deride my choice of bike). They will stay and talk with you for awhile. I also believe that they have a few Buell loyalists working in various capacities.
Parts counter is a little slow, but helpful, and they've gotten the orders right.
Had one young lady sales associate??? go out of her way to help me find a non-existant part for the Blast. (I was looking for a carb/air cleaner support for the Blast Pro-series intake. Due to an optical illusion on a Blast picture we thought that such a part existed.) She was very nice and diligent.
Service has been OK. They are cordial but I had one situation with a repair on my S3T, but they got it running right so I didn't complain. I'll take good results over good a$$-kissing any day. I told them that the S3T needed a new ECM and was assured that they would find the cause, and after a couple hundred $ in diagnostic work and dyno runs, the final verdict was new ECM. But as I said I was just happy that it was working right again.
I believe one of their techs races a Blast.
I wish they had Buell merchandise. Even though that stuff is not too important to me, I'd sport a Buell t-shirt if I had one. It's good for morale too.
Just my 2 cents and I wanted to put in a good word for them since it seems we only see alot of the bad HD dealer threads. Overall I give HD of Danbury a B, and I know they are trying to become great.
Steve |
Ivanski
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 04:03 pm: |
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I Hope Erik Buell is reading all this. I Bought my 03 XB9S @ Santa Maria Harley & had to endure the same condescending attitude as well as the dealer's endless boasting that he was a Hell's Angles pee-wee. (I think I was supposed to be impressed, I don't know.) The service department SUCKS. (This is echoed my friends that have taken their HD's there) I vowed to not give them another penny.
I then went to Santa Barbara Harley. The service people were a little better, but the floor staff were just as bad.
I now go to Ventura Harley (it's in Camarillo not Moorpark as stated above) They're not experts on Buells, but they are polite, honest and thourough.
As for Santa Maria and Santa Barbara HD... Neither sell or service buells anymore. But my expierence has already cost them 2 sales.
ha ha... Screw 'em |
Buellishxx
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 04:49 pm: |
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Calgary Harley Davidson formerly known as HD of Southern Alberta. It's just off McKnight BLVD near the airport (sort of).
The other place to check out is Lethbridge Harley as they had a 04 12R @ $10,300 cdn (in May). By the time I phoned them it was gone, but they always have great deals at the end of the year. Their harleys used to be about 5-10% less than Calgary prices till Harley started lowering the msrp's |
Danxb9r
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 05:12 pm: |
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I prefer to be left alone when I'm looking at a bike or a car. If i'm serious about purchasing I'll walk up to them. I can't believe how offended you guys get because someone hasn't come over to you. If you’re so serious about purchasing, it only takes 2 seconds to walk up to a sales guy and ask a few questions. I kind of prefer this method that way I can scope which sales person seems to be the most knowledgeable or willing to help. |
Bud
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 05:48 pm: |
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ingemar,
stan van noort in lisse
a fuw years back, the award is still in the bookshelf behind his desk |
Chellem
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 06:10 pm: |
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I know that at our dealership, I would want to know if my employees were treating customers this way. Since we're obviously not allowed to record every customer interaction with each of our employees, a lot of times the management/owners don't even know that this goes on, and would be horrified if they found out! I know I would be.
I know, sometimes getting in touch with the owner of a dealership is not the easiest thing to do, esp. if the problem employee is a manager. But someone was asking how the "little guy" can effect change - this is the only option I can think of.
Hopefully, if the owner or General Manager is a business person, he will understand the importance of not just customer service, but brand loyalty, and just plain civility.
I can only speak for our dealership, but *I* would want to be told. Not to FIRE anyone, necessarily, but to help the particular employee see the error in his ways. And from what I've heard other dealer principals say, they all believe they give STELLAR service, so I'm sure that is their intention, even if there is some disparity between their lead and what actually happens. Not in every case, I know, but it a lot of cases.
And this isn't an excuse, but the same problem that Buell enthusiasts face in the general public, employers face when hiring people - it's just not that well-known of a brand. A lot of the Buell training is completely from scratch when a new employee is hired, and it's a steep learning curve, especially if the employee isn't that interested. It's human nature to stick to what makes you comfortable, and not leave that comfort zone. It's been one of my biggest hurdles since we've been actively trying to get our Buell dealership up to par.
Like I said, I'm not trying to excuse any of that behavior - I would be horrified if I ever heard one of our employees make those comments. But if I didn't actually hear it, I'd live in blissful ignorance until someone like you guys filled me in. |
Rek
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 07:05 pm: |
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but 300 miles to the next nearest Buell dealer is a little absurd as well.....
Oh come on, it's 384 miles from my house to the CLOSEST HD/Buell dealer. 
Rob |
Chasespeed
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 08:03 pm: |
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Wedge said"having similar problems of unknowledgeble salesmen here in VA, but I'm getting 11,400 out the door prices, so I guess thats better than you guys, for a XB12S"
Hey Ken, you HAVE to be talking about SouthSide HD..
I will be back in town on before the 8th(on leave). Troy, guy with the partial sleeves, knows tubers(races them), and Rick(probably who you talked to, older guy), is well...yeah...
In parts, talk to Joe, he has a nice ridden hard S1, he is short...in service, well...Jon, is good, hes retired GSCM...
Anyway, there are a few of us in the area, but very few...
Chase |
Tank_bueller
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 09:27 pm: |
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Anyway, there are a few of us in the area, but very few...
Amen on that one, brother!
I made a call to Southside HD about a tire change because I want to switch to the syncs,......
Almost 3 weeks for an appointment.
Guess I'm ridin the 207's at the gap.
tank |
Chasespeed
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 09:47 pm: |
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Yeah, its funny, I was able to finagle Jarreds XB in, found it was a wiring issue...and they are fixing it..free(03 with 2200 miles)...Jon in the back is pretty good...did I mention, it was on Saturday?...funny...I was feeling lazy, didnt wanna do the sercive myself...called up...uh..after the 8th? Uh, not that lazy...lol
As far as tires...If you ards gonna head the way, might as well take it to cycle world...they did my tire(front), for the same reason, didnt feel like waiting for SSHD...(service is ALWAYS backup)..
BTW Tank, yeah I managed to get teh time off, BUT, I came up here to spend time wiht my daughter before I fly out in a couple weeks...in the spring, before I move back up this way...we have to make a run to the Gap..on the bikes...(whats a trailer?)
Anyway...BOT...
Chase
(Message edited by chasespeed on July 28, 2005) |
Tank_bueller
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 10:13 pm: |
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Family first....good luck and godspeed on your "trip".
tank
p.s. Give me a call in advance.....I'll ride!
(Message edited by tank_bueller on July 28, 2005) |
Roadrage
| | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 12:17 am: |
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Edmsportster.
I second what Buellishxx said about Calgary HD, bought mine there, great sales and service.
And the parts and service people really do know and like the Buell. |
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