Spooky Experience

[JimLor]

Went out in the rain today to check out my Kili, Oxtar boots, and HT Overpants w/liner for leaks. Stopped by a HD dealer to pee and get a drink. When I walked in one guy said hi. After that for the next 20 minutes it was as if I were a ghost - I could see them but they couldn't see me. Except for the young brunette with the tight t-shirt in the clothing department; I told her I wanted to check out the enemy and she said I was in the right place! What a bunch of pud humpers!

 

[teerex51]

After that for the next 20 minutes it was as if I were a ghost - I could see them but they couldn't see me

Congrats JimLor, you just had a "European Service Level" experience... :angry:

This happens every single day and everywhere you shop over here... uke:

Stef

 

[madmike2]

You has ta remember thet dem guys whooz idear uv a ride is ta git dressed in dems Harley ridin' clothes en go ta the dealer ain't reel murder-sikelists, dems are jist struttin' 'round like Leather Peacocks. Not much different than the way some H.D./cuiser/tourer riders are sometimes treated by the sportbike or sport-tourer crowd.

Real riders don't care who you are or what you ride, they only care in shared moments on the road and a great destination. I guess I'm blessed with good riding buddies who own all brands and types of bikes.

 

[Randy]

I, too, was out in the rain today and stopped in at a Triumph dealer to see if they had the new 675 in (they didn't). Got some strange looks, but, all were friendly and curious.

 

[panthercity]

Couple of years back, I took off (From Texas) to ride to my sister's in North Carolina. Forcaster had it all wrong the second day and I was freezing my butt off on the slightly faired R1100RS. Stopped at the HD dealer in Birmingham because it was right off the highway and easy to find due to their billboards.

They didn't have am electric vest, but were more than happy to pump me full of high octane coffee while the called around to other dealerships looking for a vest. Then they gave me written directions to the local Yamaha dealer that had a Widder.

Guess like everything else, there are good HD dealers and sorry HD dealers.

 

[Geezer]

I have been to my local Harley dealer a couple of times. Both times I was driving the cage so they didn't know if I rode or what. I got pretty much the same treatment you describe, they ignored me. I prefer to shop that way as long as I can someone's attention when I want to ask a question or look at something more closely.

 

[FJRSTAR]

Leather Peacocks

:lol: :lol: :lol:
My imagination took over!

What an image.

 

[jrd14]

I know there is an anomosity between the HD riders and the sport tourer riders but, I've been to many HD dealers in Northeast Ohio, on my FJR, and have to say that I've been treated respectably and professionally. They must realize that everyone that walks through the door is a potential customer $$$.

 

[trinibob]

You think that’s bad over here the local Harley dealer in the next town is also the Yamaha dealer in 03 when I asked them about the brochure of the fjr that they had not one person could tell me jack including a list price!

 

[lawinter]

Vickery motorsports here in Aurora is the same way.

they are the local yamaha dealer.

It's like i don't even exist.

Treated my wife the same way when she went in to buy me a farkle.

I caled the sales manager to let him know he lost a sale

He really didn't care. Bought my FJR someplace else.

However the service department ROCKS!!

 

[afterburn]

After that for the next 20 minutes it was as if I were a ghost - I could see them but they couldn't see me

Congrats JimLor, you just had a "European Service Level" experience... :angry:

This happens every single day and everywhere you shop over here... uke:

Stef

Well, I don't know how it is in the US or other EU countries, but here dealers are used as meeting places where you can meet likeminded people, drewl over bikes you may or may not want to have, and such. The last thing you need is some salesguy interfering with your social activities. When you need one, you go get one.

 

[awryders]

Leather Peacocks :lol: :lol: Now that's funny :lol: :lol:

Anyhow,,my local HD dealer(black clothing outlet)sucks!!!!!!!

But,, last March a buddy and I were coming from Key West heading back home to the great white(cold)north.He gets a nasty puncture.No place to stop so we pull off exit ramp.The service mgr.of HD of Miami pulls up on his bike and escorts us to the dealership.Did I say it was Sunday !!!He spends time to see if we could size up a tire,no luck..He calls the local Jap bike dealer,they had a tire,we finish up our complimentary java, get directions to the other dealer,get a new tire and quickly get back on the road..Nice folks. B)

 

[dcarver]

MadMike2 I guess I'm blessed with good riding buddies who own all brands and types of bikes.

Whate he said...

 

[Thumperbike]

Wierd. I went into the local Harley dealer to look for some riding clothes (dressed normally, denim and a plain t-shirt) and was totally ignored. Took my car obviously because I am WAITING ON MY FJR. The place was really busy but the leather crowd had their salespeople. I looked, left and kept my money to spend elsewere.

 

[Okie@Tulsa]

In my town I have been to 3 Yamaha dealers. Their reactions:

Dealer 1 - Indifference. No attention paid in the 20 mins I was there. Will sell FJR only at MSRP. Take it or leave it.

Dealer 2 - Neutral. Willing to help and asks questions.

Dealer 3 - Most positive attitude. Also great price for FJR. Placed PDP here.

You don't need to visit a HD showroom to experience poor service.

My experience with HDs has been good. Of course, they have their occasional d***head employee of the month but in general (95+%) I have received good service at HD dealers.

Does Yamaha make you complete an exhaustive dealer customer service survey after you purchase a bike?? HD does. They ask questions about dealer serive on everything from attitude and helpfulness of apparel staff.

Customers don't drop serious money at HD dealers because service sucks.

 

[Fallen Jim Rides again]

. . . . . . .
Does Yamaha make you complete an exhaustive dealer customer service survey after you purchase a bike?? HD does. They ask questions about dealer serive on everything from attitude and helpfulness of apparel staff.

. . . . . .

I got a similar survey from Yamaha about 60 days after purchase. Even the part about apparel staff IIRC

 

[JimLor]

Okie@Tulsa - good points. In N. VA I've been to 1 x BMW, 3 x Yami, Honda, etc, 1 x HD, and 1 x Suzuki dealer. BY FAR, the most accomodating, friendly, and helpful dealer has been Morton's BMW in Fredericksburg, VA. In fact, that was the only place that would let me test ride bikes - explained that I had just taken the MSF course and was really just beginning biking after retiring from the USMC - his first comment was, "well, we'll start you with a smaller bike first." I test rode 4 x BMWs to include the 1200LT on two different occasions - have to admit I kinda felt bad not buying from them - but I've gotten over it! They have coffee available and folks go down there on weekends and sit around drink coffee, read the paper, and talk bikes. I've bought some stuff there and will continue to do so. 2 of the Yami, Honda, etc places are joints I wouldn't leave a 2x4 for repair - not bad showroom, but the service depts seem to be run by a bunch of f..... punks that treat the bikes under their care like crap! At the one place if you want a test ride you have to fill out paperwork actually buying the bike - if you come back they "say" they'll tear it up - gee, what a deal! The 3d Yami, etc place is ok - but they are more ATV than motorcycle centric. Tough to find a dealer that I would personally trust. I've got 8.5k on the bike and expect one of these days I'll have to have a dealer do some work - just haven't found one I'd trust yet. Except the BMW guys - I plan on having them mount new tires in the fairly near future.

I know there are good HD guys and good HD dealers, it's just that my experience last Sat was strange as hell - I've been to that dealer before and in fact one salesman walked me around and showed me some bikes - even started an "a" and a "b" engine to show how the vibration on the "b" is minimal. I've been ignored in the best places in town, it's just that Sat at the HD dealer it felt like I was being ignored with hostility! And yeah, I'll go back in all my non-HD riding gear the next time it rains!!

 

[boardsNbikes]

There's a chain in New England where I could knock over one of their motorcycles in the showroom and still not be recognized. h34r: Never even got a "hi."

 

[Groo]

JimLor,

I have personal experience with, and others I've sent them say the same... YamahaSportsCenter in Texarkana is a GREAT bunch to deal with. Friendly, customer oriented... and very easy going. Tony O. is the man to talk to if you're buying an FJR in the Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and surrounding areas.