We lost another dealer today.......

[stevec677]

Phibb's in Albany, NY is officially closed. They lost the Kawasaki dealership some time last year and lost the Yamaha dealership earlier this year. I had spoken to Jerry Phibbs back in March and he was going to continue his service department and sell used bikes. I stopped by today and there were chains on the front doors and it was empty inside. Jerry did post contact numbers: (518) 669-1031 or (518) 587-4038. On the bright side, Yamaha sent me a $50.00 coupon the other day, stating that my selling dealer had closed and gave a list of the closest dealers. Maybe this will open up the market for a new Yamaha dealer.

 

[bigjohnsd]

It can be a tough business, especially with only one or two lines.

 

[Steel_Gin]

Not the first dealer I've heard of that Yamaha dropped. Wish Yamaha would advertise more in the region to help them out some. Seems like I can't turn on the TV without seeing a CanAm ad.

 

[lonerider]

Always sorry to hear of someone else that can't make it in this business.

 

[lnewlf]

dmmmt...that's bad news. bought a least 4 bikes and all kinds of stuff from Phibbs going back to the '70s.. a stand up dealer. No way I'm going to Troy ****** Garage.

Guess I go over the mountain to Ronnies- a good outfit but must needs bring my wallet...

 

[J Paul]

My dealer in N Va,Blalocks,had his Yamaha franchise taken away about 2 wks ago with no notice.He had to refund me money on parts ordered for my FZ as Yamaha won't fill his backorders.Aparantley he sold 2 bikes less than corporate had decided was needed-38 instead of 40.Between him and his father they had been a dealer over 40 yrs.That leaves no shops I will deal with so I guess it's internet parts from now on. Jeff

 

[08FJR4ME]

I believe that the aftermarket parts sales are a big part of why dealers are shutting down. It had to at one time be a big part of business. Without that extra money coming in for parts it has to be harder to keep inventory. I can see my dealer going this route maybe soon. I know there bike sales are down compared to other years. they have been here forever too.

Fingers crossed,

Dave

 

[bigjohnsd]

The business model has been that in a well run dealership Parts and Service should carry 80% of expenses leaving Sales and F&I to complete the nut and generate the profits. With the loss of parts sales to the larger online retailers selling at or below MSRP the little dealer is hurting. The Japanese cruiser market has not recovered from the 2008 recession. The Bolt was a Bust. The FZ07 and FZ09 are great but a niche market. ATVs and SxS are where the $$ are.

 

[JustinNck1]

I live in an odd area, I have 3 Yamaha dealers in a 30 mile radius. Our dealers have all been around for many years, but I can tell a major shift in their parts departments. Salesmans are busy selling bikes everytime I visit, but the parts counter is usually empty with an employee flipping through a magazine. Online aftermarket has taken a hit on parts departments in dealerships, but I try to support my local dealers unless its a outrageous price difference.

 

[wnyfjr]

My local dealer (sold both motorsports and bicycles, etc) dropped the motorsports side of the business. The next-closest Yammy dealer (25 minutes away) I found out, no longer sells new. Still does service, and sells used, but he's not sure how much longer even that will last. Leaves me with a long ride to the next-nearest dealer, a big one, Bob Weaver, about 45 minutes away. Not hideous, I know, but definitely a sign of the times.

 

[timk]

One that went under here told me MamaYama was forcing dealers to stock non popular models in their showroom. Saw a couple models that were 2 yr old "new" bikes.

 

[Niehart]

It's a tough business that's getting even tougher with the internet pricing.

The only time I really made good money [Yamaha bikes & snowmobiles; Honda bikes and power product; Arctic Cat Snowmobiles {dropped Kawasaki}] is when I sold the business. The fellow I sold to is still in business but has dropped the snowmobile line and lives on his ATV four wheel sales.

 

[Mossyrocks13k]

Motorsports Nation in Plainfield CT, converted the first floor of the building to an ACE Hardware Store. I keep thinking it must be fun getting the bikes up the spiral staircase.

 

[G Squared]

Yes it is a tough business getter tougher all the time due to several factors.. But the one overriding factor that is sickening is how people want and appreciate some of the finest engineered equipment on the planet ,,but don't feel that THEY should pay a fair price for the gall damned thing. Near, at, or below invoice IS NOT a fair price for a motorcycle or the accessories that go with it. In one way or another nearly every business is selling a service or product or what have you to someone else. What if your employer sold his product or service cheap enough that YOUR pay or career for that matter was cut. Or eliminated altogether. When there is a brick and mortar store where millions of dollars are invested to bring a product to that area is bypassed to get something online or at another dealer who will keep cutting his own and that of his fellow dealers throats, you are driving a nail into that coffin. And when the smoke clears what have you got left???? ******' Walmart.

 

[Iris]

Steve,

Just an FYI Phibb's had lost Yamaha and Kawasaki last year - sometime around January, February of 2014 (not this year).

We had ordered our 2014 bikes from them and knew that something was wrong. They kept delaying the delivery. We had ordered them in Oct of 2013 and never got them until the end of March in 2014. When we discovered what had happened. We were afraid the chains were going to be on the doors with our bikes on the inside!

It was an awful fiasco. It was very upsetting to us.

It's sad that Phibbs has closed but it's been a long time coming. The store was grossly miss-managed by the Owner.

 

[Bounce]

Noticed that N Texas House of Motorcycles (formerly Yamaha of Texas & Ft. Worth BMW) was closed.

Reviews in recent years have been less than favorable (1 star).

Looking around it looks like a nearby HD dealership bought them out and they consolidated at that location.

 

[Mike Aldea]

Bergen County, New Jersey is one of the most affluent places in the country. It is home to the U.S. headquarters of BMW of NA, Mercedes-Benz of NA and Ferrari. There hasn't been a BMW motorcycle dealer in North Jersey for at least 10 years. All the BMW owners I know take their motors to MAX BMW in Connecticut for service. All the Japanese franchise dealers in Bergen County closed a few years ago. Only Bergen Harley-Davidson is left.

The most amazing thing is the Motorcycle Mall in much poorer Essex County, just South of Bergen County, actually managed to move into an enormous new building while all the Bergen dealers were closing.

This building (the above image only shows part of it) is actually bigger than most automobile dealerships. It has three levels and is home to 13 different motorcycle franchises plus ATVs, Quad, personal watercraft and snow mobiles. Of course, the owner is so cheap he won't even hire a janitor to clean the place. But it is basically the only motorcycle dealer in Northern New Jersey.

I guess that is how they managed to be designated

I guess there is no accounting for how someone is successful in this business.

 

[Bounce]

The multi=story megaplex dealership with multiple brands, clothing, and eateries on-site is a really successful model overseas.