Went to my local dealerships Open House this past weekend. Now Ive been to many open houses over the years and looking back, see some of them as a real blast, and some of them as a snooze fest. However they all had one thing in common.... they all fed me while their salesman did their best to sell me a bike.
This open house was different. Got there to find not a snooze fest but a SAUSAGE fest. They did have a decent band but the only food available was a vendor charging ripoff prices. Along with a food vendor there were also product vendors that Ill bet were paying the dealership to set up their stands for the day. Of course there was the obligatory bikini bike wash featuring a couple of decent looking spinners young enough to be my granddaughters, but the main eye candy was the bikes that you couldn't even stop for a second to look at, without being mugged by way overly aggressive salesmen. All in all I seen it as a wasted tank of gas. My buddies and I were out of there pronto looking for some real food that was worth the money. Here is what I'm wondering??? Do you guys think I'm being a DICK and experiencing feelings of entitlement?

 

Well if you have to ask that question one would think you already know the answer...

 

I just wouldn't go to their open house again.

The dealer I use is a family owned business.
Their open house consists of FREE food and a blanket 20% off all parts and clothing.
Extremely deep discounted pricing on one offs and discontinued items.
Good deals on bike purchases with no salespeople pouncing on you.
No dancing girls, bands or bikini's.
It's an opportunity for the dealership to thank it's customers for the business, not to rip them off.

 

This has been my experience at every open house that I've been too. I've always been really impressed with my local shops and their events.

 

Sounds like the dealership grew tired of feeding people on their own dime.

 

I am always stunned by people buying a motorcycle costing in excess of twenty thousand dollars bitching about not being able to get free five dollar meal. Bonus points for bitching about having to spend money on gas to get there. Triple bonus points for starting a thread about it.

Most of the time at these dealer events where they are selling food, bike washes etc. it is a fund raiser for some charity or person in need.

 

[QUOTE=turbotom1052;15193590 Here is what I'm wondering??? Do you guys think I'm being a DICK and experiencing feelings of entitlement?[/QUOTE]

..Yes.

 

Yes, you are...

 

It's very simple - the dealer looked at prior event costs and revenue driven from those events. Feeding a bunch of looky-loos apparently isn't profitable. Next time you are selling your bike, put on Craigslist that you are having an "open house" and make a bunch of kickass barbecue for everyone who takes a look. See how it goes.

 

I have seen them both. Guess the ones with vendors are mini-rallys. Hey, at least you have an option to leave or set up camp and watch the bikini bike wash.