| Author | Message | ||
     Mideon |
I know a lot of us use online sources for parts and such. Some have things done at the dealer and some don't and do most everything themselves. I know there was the thread about dealer's dropping Buell. So what would a dealer do to get you into their doors? I know I would love to see mine doing things like tech classes and such. Also maybe have something special for the Buellers when the new year stuff is rolled out so we can see what things are. So what would you want? | ||
| Hughlysses |
1- At least one sales guy who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Buells 2- At least SOME Buell apparel in stock- one style of T-shirt in 3 or 4 sizes would be an improvement. Immediate dismissal for any HD counter babe who asks "What's a Buell?" when you ask about Buell apparel. 3- Buell signage prominently displayed outside the store (not the smallest sign they can find buried under the HD sign in front of the service entrance). I don't think that's asking too much, do you? | ||
| Xbimmer |
If it's a Buell/HD dealer then make sure the techs give a rat's butt about Buells and actually know what they're doing. If it's a HD-only dealer then I'm not interested in getting into their doors anyway... | ||
| Nobuell |
I wanted to get a Buell Mesh jacket but my local dealer has no Buell clothing. I purchased one at Hals during the Buell home coming because I could try it on. I have purchased Buell clothing from every Buell dealer that I have stopped by when stuff is in stock. Those are sales my local shop lost. I do always go to my local shop for Buell parts. They treat me very good and have no complaints in that regard. I work on my own bike because it is what I enjoy. Nothing against the dealers. | ||
| Thetable |
I'd love to see discounted prices on special order items. I go in, and you don't have a part I'm looking for on the shelf, sell it to me for 10% off. You still make plenty of money, you don't have any money tied up in that particular inventory, you don't have to waste shelf space on it either. On top of that, the dealerships would start paying much more attention to what was being sold, and work on keeping all the popular stuff in stock. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
What I would want is for them to keep some very common parts in stock. Things like oil filters and clutch levers. Stuff like that. If they have to order every single time I ask, I can do that from home and for less money usually. What I think they SHOULD do is to have some kind of events for the Buell riders. An organized ride, track day, suspension seminar or darn near anything that would get groups of Buellers to show up. This would have the added benefit of attracting the attention of non-Buell riders that see the group of Buells. They would notice and might be potential customers. | ||
| Slinky |
Have someone that works there, and actually rides a Buell. This will never happen, but.... a seperate Buell dealership, so that I don't have to go to a HD dealer and deal with all the Harley BS/image. Buells are too interesting to be second fiddle to HD's. | ||
| Mike_dinger |
I like the tech day idea... isn't that where we Buell owners go to the dealers to teach the techs how to fix and farkle our precious steeds in exchange for cookies and sodapop? I kid. I would like to see just one item of Buell clothing at ROCKLIN FRICKING HARDLY-DAVIDSON/buell !!!! (obvious use of lowercase letters) | ||
| Kurbennett |
I think deals like the fly and ride offer would do it. I visit the local shop here but they really need to improve their service reputation. When I start hearing local HD and Buell guys commenting on the great service I may be more likely to also use it. | ||
| Ourdee |
It would be nice to have store personnel understand why Buell riders think different than HD riders, and the ways we think different. Get them a class to explore Our different hierarchy of needs. | ||
| Petereid |
Get them a class to explore Our different hierarchy of needs. I think the needs are the same regardless of which bike I'm riding. I want a dealer who is knowledgeable, has a good selection of parts and accessories, a quality service department and above all honesty and integrity. I'm lucky I have a dealer who is "most" of that. I would like more Buell products in their shop but they are limited to what the distributor brings into Canada. Aside from not having all the goodies available in the USA they are a great place to deal with Pete | ||
| Mad_doctor |
You know, I really feel kinds of guilty, Greatlakes HD does have very knowledgeable people,and the ladies in the shop know what Buells are. The only thing I wish, They had more Buell clothes with the shop name. But I understand it is a small shop, and they have to buy a large quantity if they buy any. I would think the motor company would give the dealers a break. | ||
| Teeps |
What Slinky said. And, a proper Buell dealer should have at least one example of each model on the floor ready to ride. | ||
| Curly |
I cut a tire down on the way to VIR last week and HD/Buell of Greensboro didn't even have a single Buell tire in stock. I asked if I could purchase a tire somewhere and have them put it on and they said "nope". I then inquired as to where the next nearest Buell dealership was and the guy says "I don't know". So, basically I would just be happy if the dealerships would loose the don't give a crap attitude and stock some common needed items. | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
I live in NYC but my job has me based in Louisville, KY. I had some time to kill in Louisville, so I stopped into one of the dealerships and asked if they had an "Uly's" in stock. The sales guy looked at me like I had seven heads and asked "any what?" I repeated "any Uly's?" He replied, "I don't know what that is." I said, "the Ulysses...motorcycle...Buell." He said, "oh...I've never heard it called that before." Tipsy (Message edited by tipsymcstagger on August 20, 2009) | ||
| Sparky |
If the dealer is going to sell and service Buells, they should always have at least one tech certified through Buell Technical Training... and have that diploma prominently displayed at the Service counter area. | ||
| Cycletlh |
All Buell franchises should be required to stock the major parts that keep us from riding. Levers, mirrors, belts, fans, turn signals, wheel bearings, brake pads. I am guessing on the XB line this would cost the dealer less than $1500. 3 trips to the dealer to get something fixed is stupid! I ride to the dealer with a leaking oil cooler. Service writer says they have to have a tech verify. I say look at all the oil it puked on my boot. Service writer says it may just be a loose line. I say if it was a loose line I would not be here. Service writer says I have to make an appointment and they can not order the part until it is verified. Long story short, 1 1/2 hour wait on 2nd trip to verify, 1 week for part, 2 hour wait for install. Even though it was warranty, I could have mail ordered and fixed inside of 3 days. If my time is worth anything, paying for the part would have been cheaper. I say eliminate all dealers! Eliminate the warranty! Let us mail order the bikes and parts direct from Buell at dealer cost. Include the parts and service manuals. I am willing to take my chances. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
It is a round peg in a square hole. Having the bikes is a big thing, the ability to get them if you dont have them is even better. I horsetraded out sportsters to get the Buells I needed to sell. Alot of local dealers were happy to make that kind of trade cuz it was easier for them to sell a sporty.... Having someone on STAFF that is excited, knowlegable and RIDES the brand is huge. It is what made that job fun. Management needs to understand that Buell is NOT Harley, and the cookie cutter ideas for Leather nite, or Dark Custom nite aint gonna fly. The Buell bike nite, was meet in the parking lot, and ride. The Harley equivelant was 2-3 hours in the parking lot with a hour and half loop back to the shoppe! Ya gotta open it up to all brands to get the converts, you have to get the crew that is on the competing markets to see the bikes, to ride with them, and time to stare at the tail lights... and when the weather goes to crap, its time to do dual sport rides, bring in the KTM, BMW, Husk, Zuk, Strom riders, you will be surprised what that does for atmosphere. But you cant teach it, and cant train it, you have to really be a Bueller to get it. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
How about a dealer that is willing to work to create a reason to visit the dealership? How about a dealer that actively works in the sportbike community to promote the brand, be visible, drive sportbike related activities at the dealership? How about a dealer that takes Buells to track days to allow sport bike riders to test ride them between sessions? How about a dealer that takes a keg to the track day for after the last session and cooks dogs and brats during the break? How about a dealer that voluntarily creates and promotes "Buell Demo Days"? How about a dealer that creates and promotes "dyno days"? How about a dealer with TWO enthusiastic Buell sales people? How about a dealer with an OWNER who rides and RACES Buells? How about a dealer that stocks "crash parts" (parts commonly broken in drops and crashes)? How about a dealer that places Buell service on equal footing with HD service? How about a dealer that looks for every opportunity to create a "yes"? | ||
| Davidxt |
The dealership next to me has got new managers and they have moved the buells to the platform in the front window now. It doesn't really help either when people on here say they would never take their bike to a shop to get any work done on it, if they dont get any work there wont be a dealership  | ||
| Rwven |
I've had one experience with my dealer working on my bike, let's just say I was underwhelmed. I was never told the actual cause of the problem (bad grounding system) and I was led to believe that it would be a warranty claim to replace the plug on my fuel pump that burned up because of the ground problem (starting current flowing through the ground wire to the fuel pump). My claim was denied because I spliced wire in (on the side of the road mind you)so that I could ride the bike home. To top it off the repair was done and charged to me without informing me that it would not be covered. In addition they had trouble getting a Buell repairman in so the job was delayed and I had a 3 day group ride planned with hotel reservations made. I had a friend who was kind enough to offer me the use of his HD ElectraGlide so that worked out OK. I paid full price for my bike believing that it promotes the value of the product and that I would get good service after the sale. More fool I... | ||
| Ulynut |
Well, my dealer is one of the good ones. Buell riders in the shop, Buell riders in the parts department, Lots of bikes and accessories in stock, I don't have any complaints. One of the smartest things they've done is put the Buells right next to the parts counter. When you are waiting for the next available parts guy, you can't help but wander over a few steps just to take a look. They are actually more visible than putting them in the front of the store since everyone stops by the parts counter and spends some time lingering there. I've seen quite a few assless chap and vest guys (I know - profiling, right) checking out the 1125 models. And most of those guys would'nt be caught dead looking at a sport bike. | ||
| Slinky |
cityx and ft bstrd, you guys hit the nail on the head.  |
