I think I can speak on behalf of the majority of Canadian Harley Owners and confidentally say that we Canadians are tired of the price gouging that Deeley Canada has been putting us through on bikes, parts and accessories. This forum is a powerful tool and a way that we can all unite and take a stand against Deeley.

Deeley infringes on some antitrust laws. One being a form of price fixing. Deeley dictates all pricing for bikes, parts and accessories for the Canadian dealers. You can say that this is okay because we Canadians have the option to buy from US dealers right? Not anymore, since HD has been cracking down on all US dealers selling new products to Canadians. Since this has started to happen, and we Canadians cannot even by bikes, parts and accessories freely from the U.S., I think we have an antitrust issue. This is absolute price fixing and they are dictating who and where we can buy from.

Deeley can even be considered a form of a Monopoly. Harley Davidson enjoys the majority of all street/crusier/touring bike sales. Since Deeley controls all Canadian dealers, we Canadians have no choice but to do our business with Deeley. Is that fair? Governments usually step in, in these types of situations.

What value does Deeley bring? Really they are just a price increasing middle man. The actual dealerships are locally owned and operated.

I truly think there is a legal case here. Especially with St. Paul Harley taking a stand already. Now might be the time for us Canadians to do something too.

What do you say? Are you guys and gals with me?

 

Mooooo.

 

You must consider the MoCo is quite OK with this arrangement (over how many years?) as they have effectively one dealer (Deeley) to negotiate with , quite the opposite in the USA. And last time I checked both Deeley and the MoCo have some high priced talent on retainer for just such contingencies. Don't get me wrong it is a straight up monopoly, and when those lawyer/owners of Thundersports started up in Canmore Alberta, both organizations effectively reduced them to used/grey market bikes. I think it is shocking the CDN govt and laws allow such a monopoly, but this wheel (pardon the pun) was put into motion back before WWII with legal contracts (smart move on Deeley Sr part). Don't think you have a fighting chance unless you have big funds for big legal battle and even then you run risk of HD throwing their weight behind it as it benefits them as well.Suspect the current flow of parts and used bikes across the border is hurting CDN dealers but you can expect MoCo to keep twisting the constraints tighter. Also keep in mind CDN Price gouge = More TAX revenue for CDN Gov't ! ...IMHO.

Have read some insightful comments on this exact issue from both north and south of the US/CA border on this forum before. Also consider what some of these other countries pay ...over here recent FLHTK spotlight available in North America sold for $35.00, over here in Holland, sold for close to $100.00 ...Ouch !

 

Nope. What do you think the MoCo is going to do, charge the dealers less for the same product so the dealer can pass that along to us? It ain't going to happen, and I can tell you that both dealers in SK Regina, and Saskatoon are not making much over 6 figure profits idf that every year. Chill out and ride your bike man.

 

Does a snowballs chance in hell mean anything? When you consider that Deeley has been involved wtih HD since 1917 and that they were ASKED by HD to become the exclusive distributor for Canada and that Deeley's CEO sits on the HD board of directors I would say you've not a chance in hell of shifting the things. Fact of the matter every country other than the US has an importer and TD is Canada's.

 

One, it is not a monopoly as it is a distributor of one manufacturer and there are many other brands available.

Two, it is not price fixing as it only involves one brand. Price fixing is when other manufacturers get together and sell for the same price.

Please educate yourself on the terms that you use and while you are at it learn how a "Franchise" operates and what it means. A franchise is not nor ever will be legally a monopoly.

Go buy a Honda in Canada and see how that works for you. Better yet move to the USA if the prices are too high in Canada.

 

I liked the first two paragraphs. Clearly stated information. The last two were mean-spirited and insulting to the OP.

 

I understand all the OP is saying, seen the difference in the price of bikes every time I cross the border, but then again wages in Canada are higher so comparatively speaking there isn't a big difference in price if you look at it that way.
There are 2 dealers in Calgary and both charge the same for everything, take a look at what the dealers in B.C. charge and it's much cheaper.
You have to shop around for a deal in this vast country.

 

You got it, chief.....As a show of American support, I can assure you they won't get a dime from me.
Howzzat?

 

There is something we can do. We can stop shopping at dealerships. Pay a little more to get it through an indy or save some cash and buy it online.

There will likely always be times something is only available at the dealer, but if we all stop shopping at the franchises, they'll notice. Not just the HDForums guys... they wouldn't notice that. Strong-arm your riding buddies into staying away from the dealerships, don't ride by dealerships when the wife is on the back, and most importantly... buy used bikes.

The least you can do is fire off an email to Deeley and HD corporate letting them know that you are not going to shop at Deeley supplied dealerships until they stop the gouging.