Who says dealerships suck!!!
#1
Who says dealerships suck!!!
The guys at Butte Montana's dealership definitely don't fit into the same model as any dealership I have ever been to... they truly understand what it means to treat people/customers like family. I have no reason to be posting this comment except for the fact that I would like to say there are definitely some old school dealerships left. If anyone has a dealership out there that they would like to say thanks to,go for it they don't all suck... so with that said I just want to thank cooper canyon for treating us like we matter ...
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#4
I remember a time when you walked in to a dealership and the place smelled like used motor oil and cigarettes. There was 2 or 3 different shirts on the rack to chose from and there were usually 5 or 6 old grey beards standing around smoking and talking ****. There was usually a few used bikes for sale and rarely did you see a new bike on the floor. You asked the parts guy a question and he answered you without looking it up in the computer. And most of the time the parts guy was also the sales guy. It wasn't uncommon to see a dude in the parking lot with parts of his bike laying around while he laid on the ground and worked on his scoot. Things sure have changed, some for the better, some for the worse.
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#8
In my 50+ years of "slobbering over" and spending many $'s at H-D dealerships I can say (and prove with T-shirts and poker chips) that I've been to a LOT of H-D dealerships!
I was there when they had "drain pans" under the new bikes to keep the leaking from spreading all of the showroom floor, and I was there when you had to either pay MSRP+ for a bike, or "win" the ability to purchase a bike in a dealer "lottery".
I was also there when a lot of people wouldn't even pull into a dealership parking lot because they thought every H-D rider was either a biker gang member (not that there's anything wrong with that) or that they were selling drugs to support their other bad habits!
Many things have changed since the '60's & '70's, I know I have, and H-D dealerships have also, greatly, and for he better IMHO.
They're much cleaner, brighter, bigger and many have a variety of "distractions" (including restaurants) that can keep non-riders occupied whilst the enthusiast shops.
I think the first H-D dealership that I visited that had a restaurant inside of the dealership was Boswell's in Nashville, TN.
I love their catfish and I plan to have lunch there (again) the next time I visit Nashville.
All that said, I've never been to a "bad" dealership.
I have been to one where they would not work on bikes more than 10 years old (lack of replacement parts issues) and I've been to a few where prices (especially on labor) seem a bit high but their techs have to get paid to keep our bikes on the road and running well.
I've also been very happy (back in my Shovelhead days) to see a "bar & shield" sign when I needed parts, oil or perhaps just some advice.
I was there when they had "drain pans" under the new bikes to keep the leaking from spreading all of the showroom floor, and I was there when you had to either pay MSRP+ for a bike, or "win" the ability to purchase a bike in a dealer "lottery".
I was also there when a lot of people wouldn't even pull into a dealership parking lot because they thought every H-D rider was either a biker gang member (not that there's anything wrong with that) or that they were selling drugs to support their other bad habits!
Many things have changed since the '60's & '70's, I know I have, and H-D dealerships have also, greatly, and for he better IMHO.
They're much cleaner, brighter, bigger and many have a variety of "distractions" (including restaurants) that can keep non-riders occupied whilst the enthusiast shops.
I think the first H-D dealership that I visited that had a restaurant inside of the dealership was Boswell's in Nashville, TN.
I love their catfish and I plan to have lunch there (again) the next time I visit Nashville.
All that said, I've never been to a "bad" dealership.
I have been to one where they would not work on bikes more than 10 years old (lack of replacement parts issues) and I've been to a few where prices (especially on labor) seem a bit high but their techs have to get paid to keep our bikes on the road and running well.
I've also been very happy (back in my Shovelhead days) to see a "bar & shield" sign when I needed parts, oil or perhaps just some advice.
#9
Personally, I can't think of any bad or even marginal experiences with HD dealerships. Some are better than others certainly, and the one that I frequent, (Glendale Harley), has always been and continues to be exceptional in all aspects. Some of the staff have become friends who I will ride and/or socialize with.
I believe that a lot of it has to do with how the customer treats the staff from the get-go. I was brought up to treat folks with respect no matter the situation. So whether I am ordering french fries, some parts for my bikes or a kitchen sink, I will start out by treating whomever is helping me with respect. I've found that in the vast majority of cases, that respect is reciprocated. There have been exceptions, although very few, but in those cases I simply take my business elsewhere. My local Home Depot is one of those exceptions, but that's another story for another time.
But back to dealership experiences, mine have all been positive as I can't think of any negative.
I believe that a lot of it has to do with how the customer treats the staff from the get-go. I was brought up to treat folks with respect no matter the situation. So whether I am ordering french fries, some parts for my bikes or a kitchen sink, I will start out by treating whomever is helping me with respect. I've found that in the vast majority of cases, that respect is reciprocated. There have been exceptions, although very few, but in those cases I simply take my business elsewhere. My local Home Depot is one of those exceptions, but that's another story for another time.
But back to dealership experiences, mine have all been positive as I can't think of any negative.
#10
I love Harley World OKC. Service dept is the best part of the dealership. They are very knowledgeable and love working on older stuff as well.
I wish OK dealers were like TX dealers with beer on tap. I would be there everyday. Still can't forget the time me and wife stopped in Dallas to cool off and there was free beer on tap for customers.
I wish OK dealers were like TX dealers with beer on tap. I would be there everyday. Still can't forget the time me and wife stopped in Dallas to cool off and there was free beer on tap for customers.