Like I've said before...I love my Harley, I drink the koolaide when it come to t-shirts, leather & gear & what not. But what I've read, seen & and experienced...Corporate just isn't that concerned about customer service.

 

Not since the new leadership came into play--------just ask the general manager of any dealer about the candy store concept for your answer here

 

When sales are up and times are good, quality and customer service take the back seat and only reverses when sales are down and they remember who keeps them afloat. Same thing applies to the automotive industry. Seen it often in the 40 years i worked for Ford.

 

That's why they don't need to be so concerned.

 

for every rider they lose by poor service they gain a t shirt sale.The dealers are running under the same principal as amway--------there is a constant stream of newbies walking in .ITs their job to get them sold and wait for more newbies.Sell the plan not the product

 

I remember going into a dealership that some guy started in the 50's, bootleg harley t-shirts that worked and lasted longer than the present day ones. Oily parts on the homemade counter top, ashtrays, beer in a old metal cooler, swearing, talking shop all day without buying anything, helping the mechanic change a tire or clutch basket, sharing a joint for lunch hour, and a sense of belonging, community, and friendship.
The Moco destroyed 80 years of loyal family dealers- ending a buyer-seller culture that you can only find in independent shops today.

The last time I spent any length of time in a dealership I sat in a chair with my greasy pants and jean jacket- and the sales rep nearly had a fit! I think that was around 1983...

 

I can sure remember those days. You could go in get a part and and fix your bike in the parking lot. Most of the time one of the mechanics would come out and help for no charge. Now days they **** a brick if you pull out a tool bag and wrench on your bike in the lot. Ranuio's Stockton Harley-Davidson Long since gone.

 

Spent '82-85 in Gillette. No Harley dealer there yet. Car dealers there at the time behaved this way. Not as nice a town as much of Wyoming- boom town and strip mine central.

 

Not so funny, but the OP can now claim he 'got shaved' in Gillette.

 

I'll be that guy....