| Author | Message | ||
     Ulykan |
Here is another Buell customer who had a bad experience/treatment by a dealer and wants to complain to Erik. Read this on a web site tonight and thought I'd share. How can I complain to Erik Buell about the crappy job Harley-Davidson dealerships do with his bikes? Posted by admin | Under Harley Accessories Saturday Apr 4, 2009 I'd like to get his e-mail address, if you have it. They don't have an e-mail link at the Buell or H-D websites. I believe it is because they would get a trunk load of grief about how much H-D dealerships and sales people hate the Buell bikes. Hide 'em in the back. Don't know the prices. Haven't ridden them. Hate them. Think they are stupid. Don't know the accessories. Can't sell, won't sell, lower seats (Buells are WAY too tall). The dealerships hate them, won't EVER let you ride one, don't want to service them and generally should not be selling them. I think Buell should buy their motors from someone else and get rid of H-D. Of course, I can't complain to Erik Buell because he's hiding somewhere. If you agree, post your answer below. If you know how to get in touch with him, please share. | ||
| Froggy |
Link? | ||
| Froggy |
http://www.motorcyclemerchandise.net/harley-access ories/how-can-i-complain-to-erik-buell-about-the-c rappy-job-harley-davidson-dealerships-do-with-his- bikes | ||
| Court |
Funny . . . . and the thing that galls me about websites. . . .those folks had been having that ridiculous back and forth dialogue for the better part of a week, I read the question and gave them an answer in 54 seconds. Folks need facts. Court Canfield: Your comment is awaiting moderation. You may write: Bill Evers Director, Dealer Development Harley-Davidson, Inc. 3700 West Juneau Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53208 | ||
| Skvarki |
Riding in the US and stopping at 4 or 5 [I like stopping in because Buell dealers aren't that common up here, in Canada that is] I've found HD dealer apathy towards Buell the rule rather than the exception. I consider myself lucky, in Canada the couple dealers I've dealt with are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and excited about the bikes. Having a good dealer experience has enhanced my ownership experience and helps sow the seeds of brand loyalty. Too bad the apathy is fairly common, ultimately a good product suffers which is a shame. | ||
| Itileman |
Having a good HD/Buell dealer here is one of the main reasons I have a Buell. Never mind that it's the most insanely fun/functional bike I've ever owned. | ||
| Fung |
For me the only draw back of owning a buell , is to have to deal with the Bad dealers you run into. Thank god I have a good one near me. I don't get why somebody that is going to sell motorcycles for a living, knows way less then the consumer? If a plumber is going to do some plumbing, would you think he should know more than the customer? | ||
| Werewulf |
i was just by destination daytona harley... they have removed the buells from the building and relocated them across the street to the triumph dealer... | ||
| Ulykan |
removed the buells from the building and relocated them across the street to the triumph dealer... I'm glad to see that one HD shop has the right idea but to the Triumph dealer? Are the two dealerships owned by the same person? Topeka, Ks. HD has Honda in their shop but they were grandfathered. Supposedly HD no longer allows other brands in their dealerships. | ||
| Werewulf |
i think there is some kind of bubba deal between the two... the triumphs use the harley shop for warranty repairs.... the harley facility has a huge unsold inventory, but the prices are as outrageous as ever... last month, i was just going to sleep at 1030pm... the phone rang and i jumped up, as someone must have died... it was the haarley dealership trying to sell me a bike... are you believing that?.. i was to sleepy to cuss them out.. | ||
| Froggy |
A dealer open at 10:30??? I'm lucky if I can make it before mine closes at 6! | ||
| Werewulf |
the only thing i can figure, is that they had hired solicitors in california to make the calls and i live in florida.. when i was at the dealership, i ask one of the managers about the late calls and he just gave me the deer in the headlight look.. | ||
| Werewulf |
they had a sportster all duded up for only 16k... i might jump on that deal before someone beats me to it.. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Supposedly HD no longer allows other brands in their dealerships. That's inaccurate information. | ||
| 4dwuds |
Supposedly HD no longer allows other brands in their dealerships. Up until about 2 weeks ago I believed that statement. Then I am riding down through Tucson and I look over at the new H-D store and say to myself "Well I'll be dipped in shit and hung out to dry" There's a VESPA sign hanging in the window of that Harley dealer. Times , they are a changing. | ||
| Snakebreak |
I have been reading couple of threads like this. I am not sure this is a HD specific thing. My local Honda dealer doesn't know much about their bikes. My local Yamaha dealer is great and I have them do anything I can't. In general I think many dealers of all brands are more into sales than service. I have not given my HD/Buell dealer much of a chance. (Since my setup was bad, I just figure they are not into bikes.) I have never had a good experience in a HD shop as they seem more into image than into riding. I bought a Buell because it is an amazing bike, knowing service would be a problem. I am more in love with it every day, and I do not have any regrets, except I didn't ride it today. (Getting my dirt bikes ready for spring.) | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I have been to several shops, as I have to shop the competition, and I am always amazed at what is customer service vs customer perception. When they meet in the apex its great and really we hardly ever hear about it, when it misses the curve and ends in an off camber dismount from the corner; we seem to hear about it all the time.... Its a great bike, you cant have mine back. | ||
| Hooper |
My dealer, Battley Cycles in Gaithersburg, MD (near DC) sells Harleys (sold me one), Buells (sold me one), BMW (oooooh...), Ducati (mother f'er!), and Yamaha (V-Max...say no more) all on the same floor. Their showroom is WAY too small...they have a great warehouse, but their showroom size just doesn't help them. That said, it debunks the myth that a H-D dealer can't market another brand. They do a good job selling all brands (believe me, I'm in the market for everything). In fact, they have a dedicated BMW legend on staff...his GS parked out front is an inspiration. I won't take away anything from the other area dealers, especially Frederick, Laurel, and Winchester. What I've always hoped is that Buell could branch off from H-D and get into other shops. I truly believe the squids and racers and stunters and sportbikers would LOVE Buells if they could ever actually HEAR of them. Wild guess: I don't think most (51+%) sportbike riders (or Japanese bike riders) have heard of Buell. That said, I would venture that 89+% have heard of Ducati. We need to get Buells right next to Ducatis, Yamahas, Hondas, and Suzukis. They NEED to be an alternative. I don't know what that would cost the Buell corporation or whether or not we as Buell riders would want an influx of yahoos, tools, and wannabes... ...but hey...isn't it about making Buell one of the prime world motorcycle brands with the sales/parts/support infrastructure that we want? Personally, I want Buell to be bigger and better. Had a GREAT weekend on my Uly...it is dirty as hell, my having found some muddy roads in rural Maryland. (Message edited by hooper on April 06, 2009) | ||
| Scotty_j |
Crappy dealers make me save some green by buying Buells from Badwebbers. Crappy service has saved me some green (and bought me some knowledge) by performing my own service, or doing so with the help of my Bad Weather Friends (more the latter than the former). Unfortunately, it took the bitter experience of purchasing my Uly from a dealership, a $300 tab for my first service, and a severe scolding from the NEBO 'tards to figure this out. (Message edited by scotty_j on April 08, 2009) | ||
| Invisible_monster |
The dealer experience seems to vary widely when dealing with Buell. I've been to three H/D Buell dealers here in the Denver area. Two of them are very good, even excellent in some respects. Knowledgeable sales staff, competent service, decent parts selection etc... One however, sucks. I mean REALLY sucks. I bought my Uly at one of the excellent places... | ||
| Dynasport |
Yeah, it seems most of the HD dealerships I have visited don't have sales staff that are knowledgeable about Buells. That is not a unique situation, unfortunately. The guy my son bought his Monster from was a BMW expert, but knew very little about the Ducs and didn't care at all for the Triumphs sitting on the floor by the BMWs and Ducs and was happy to tell you that. He didn't like Buells either, but he doesn't sell them. I think I have known more about pretty much every car I have ever bought than the salesman did as well. Apparently you don't need to be an enthusiast in order to sell something. | ||
| Petereid |
Apparently you don't need to be an enthusiast in order to sell something. No you don't......but if you are I promise you would make far more sales | ||
| Dynasport |
I agree Pete. | ||
| Court |
>>>No you don't......but if you are I promise you would make far more sales I sure of it . . . I read it right there in "9 ways to sell a Buell". | ||
| Packdog |
I've taken several coast to coast (and back) trips the past several years I have had the chance to visit a lot of HD/Buell dealerships. I have to say that darn few of the dealerships seemed Buell friendly. There are a few shining gems where it seems like the entire dealership is excited about Buells. There are quite a few dealerships that have one or two employees who are enthusiastic about Buell, unfortunately those folks are usually not in sales or parts departments. When I bought my Uly I already knew it was what I wanted. I went to the nearest dealer to me (the other two had already shown a lack of interest in selling Buells) and walked around the Buell area for about 30 minutes. Since nobody approached me I went to the front desk girl and asked her if she would send her favorite sales person over to see me. The sales person showed up and I told her I wanted the black XB12X for $X.00 out the door. She gave me a blank look, asked which one it was. So I pointed at it, she wrote down the inventory number and came back with the paper work a few minutes later. I hadn't visited the dealer for two years until this weekend. They just re-opened their dealership in a brand new huge building. I went to visit and look at 1125Rs. They have $9,500 price tags on the 08s, but over in the corner was an 04 Firebolt (I like the color scheme of the 04s) and it had a $12,500 price tag on it. I asked a sales person how much they really wanted for it and he looked at the tag and said "yeah, that's the price." So I questioned, did they really want more for a used 04 XB than they did for an 08 1125?? He just looked at me and said, "well, have you looked at the Sportsters? We have some great deals on those with the Ride for Free program". Sigh. | ||
| Widowmaker2011 |
That is the situation in my neck of the woods also.. The Rochester Buell Dealer, Cycle Stop, has 2 dusty Buells on the floor tucked out of the way, The ULY has a tag hanging on it that is exactly $1000.00 over msrp PLUS freight and setup... I spoke to two salesmen (not about price) and learned in about 2 seconds that Buell is a word they really don't like. The kicker was when I went to swing a leg over the ULY and was told "whoaaaaaaa" "hold on a second , if you'd like to talk about putting down a deposit , we'll let you sit on it"... Are you kidding me? So I traveled 1400 miles to buy a ULY and deal with a dealer who "got it" and cared about the brand. What Harley doesn't realize is that there are a bunch of dealers like that ( I stopped at 7 dealerships on my 1400 mile trek home) and it not only turns off the customer to Buell , but loses a customer to the Harley brand. Tilley HD Buell in North Carolina is an example of a good Buell dealer in my book , the second I walked in there was Buell merchandise apparent , the staff was super knowledgable on the ULY and they had alot of accessories. Further north , Shenedoah HD Buell in Roanoke VA was an impressive sight to see, really impressive looking facility and when you walked in it appears first class... familiar story though , of the 75-80 plus bikes in the enormous showroom , 2 buells , a 1125r and a 2 year old leftover lightning....no Buell display , no accessories, staff was super friendly but not versed at all on the Buells.... Not all of us will take the time to go search out a better dealership. Working in the auto industry , I remember when Scion came to select Toyota stores. We had to invest a TON of money and training to get that brand on the lot with our Toyotas. And the continuation of training and certification and SALES STANDARDS is not easy to keep up with. In my opinion , Harley davidson needs to get tough on Buell Dealers or break them apart and offer them as a stand-alone product. I know a bunch of great powersports dealers that would LOVE to have Buells on the floor and would do an awesome job with them. | ||
| Nutsosane |
Widow, the Shenandoah HD/Buell is not located in Roanoke Virginia. They are north of on I-81 about an hour. I cannot speak of their service as I have never been there. My local dealership is Roanoke Valley HD/Buell and they have been excellent in every respect. I bought 2 Uly's from them and my service tech is a Buell racer. Good stuff from the folks in the Valley. NUTS | ||
| Mad_doctor |
My dealership,(Greatlakes HD in Bay City MI.), is a GREAT place to deal, if it's Buell, or HD. they are very helpful and know about both. I was also at Liberty HD in Lincoln NE. and they are also Buell friendly. the nice thing to both, they are close to a major highway if you are traveling. | ||
| Widowmaker2011 |
Nutsosane, I was so cold and shivering I must have still thought I was in Roanoke... it was defineately Shenandoah...  | ||
| Mnrider |
Everyone at My dealer really tries and they are nice,but they look at you funny when you walk by the super fancy HD display to get to the little Buell area.The manager who wrote up my sale put under brand-HD and model-Buell so now it says on my title my bike is a HD.  It's no big deal and I'm not surprised. |
