| Author |
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Mark61
| | Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 01:08 pm: | 
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My big question here is WHY do they make it so complicated? Also some where I believe I saw numbers saying HD has 5,7xx manufacturing people and 3, 8xx "business" side people? Seems like a lot of office chairs compaired to production! Can you explain this?
mark61 |
Chellem
| | Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 02:03 pm: |
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Can you explain this?
No. No I cannot.
Only HDMC could explain that. If they ever do, I'll be sure to explain it here though!
;)
->ChelleM |
Court
| | Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 04:37 pm: |
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That ratio looks reasonable. HD manufacturers in only a couple places and maintains business operations in many countries. In addition I suspect that the legal group has a large group. Heck, just think how many facilities folks it keeps to maintain that much factory machinery. Corporate travel group, insurance . . . I have a phone directory . . maybe I should break it down.
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Gtmg
| | Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 11:44 pm: |
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Not going to argue any more. Not sure you guys belong to the Lemco groups but it seems like a alot of HD shops do. If you do ask to compare typical ratio numbers of HD shops to Japanese shops. Then come back and tell me you aren't leaving sales on the table because of pricing issues.
I have a couple of HD dealers in town and they have always told me they could get any bike I wanted even if they didn't have it. I have not asked about any super specials like the Screamin' Eagles etc... They never acted like it was a big issue.
They are really contrasts on my side of town. You can tell one is struggling accessory inventory is down sitting on older bikes etc while the other one seems to be thriving in not as good a location and has recently opened another shop about 60 miles up the road. The one that is struggling though is right down the street from one of the biggest Jap brand dealers in the nation. They appear to be just the opposite .... doing quite well. Not sure if that has anything to do with it but the cause and effect appears to be very strong as I have seen people leave the HD dealer in frustration and show up there while I was shopping both stores.
By the way neither one of these shops thinks they should carry any Buell accessories even though they carry the line. The one that is thriving actually talks to me when I come in about my Buell though.
I will personally tell you that I think that many people are willing to pay more like Court says for the best shop just not dramatically more. My limit is probably around $500.00 to do business with a shop that does some good things for me. It does seem though in my experience the service and accessory sales teams could really give a crap if you bought the bike up the road for $1000 less in most dealers I talk to because of the way they are compensated on their department sales vs entire dealer profit.
(Message edited by gtmg on April 20, 2008) |
Sleez
| | Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 10:04 am: |
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Michelle,
you make a great point in your dealer A vs B statement. however, it has no bearing on my particular situation. if i were equidistant from each dealer, i would be going to dealer B anyhow. they have a nice new building and carry about twice as much Buell goodies. i have no real experience with their service capabilities, but would not hesitate in utilizing them. i know you were generalizing a bit, but i feel it was not a factor in my deal. i truly believe there was a communication breakdown on my local dealers part, where he quoted an XT to the salesman who then tacked on the accessories, therefore making the bike $2000.00 more.
regardless of the how, the attitude of the OWNER was atrocious!
(Message edited by sleez on April 21, 2008) |
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