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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through October 13, 2006 » Behind the Counter « Previous Next »

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Bonjoxb12s
Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 09:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Mainstream....I would love to give you the low down on everything, but I would have to say that I dont think dealerships, nor Buell would like that sort of info going out. What I will say is that Buells DO come pretty much ready to go. What I mean by that is any good tech should be able to check fluids and go over that checklist in just a few hours at TOPS. Buell prices are the same no matter where you go in the country. ANY good dealership should be willing to bend over backwards for the sale. Just like electronic sales.....if you dont like the deal then go somewhere else. If the salesman isnt willing to drag you out of the parking lot and back into the dealership, then I think your best bet is to go somewhere else. A good rule of thumb is that your salesman is going to treat you and the bike just like the service/parts dept will. A crappy sale is just one part of a worn down ladder, that will only cause you problems in the end. One thing alot of customers dont understand from a dealer perspective is that for alot of dealerships that stock buells, its a uphill battle. (Now I am sure that someone will argue, but this is only from my point of view). Dealerships with a very strong buell base can wheel and deal on both motorcycles and product. Dealerships that dont have alot of interest are stuck with merchandise and motorcycles they cant sell, so when it comes time to reorder bikes and clothing they take a smaller amount. Thus, we get guys in here that complain we arent trying to market to them. Its not that dealerships arent marketing product....its that they know HARLEY branded products and bikes are what pays the bills. We have tried sales, demos, open houses, but its the lack of CUSTOMERS that makes the dealership decide to focus money and energy elsewhere. My advice to consumers.....if a dealership doesnt have what you like, dont get mad. Ask if they can show you a product booklet and have them order something for you. Most dealerships would love to help with that. But unless you have more then just a few people wanting parts,clothing, accessories the best deal is to just ask the dealership to give you the option to order it, and expedite the shipping for you. (since most dont stock buell parts) Thats my 2 cents......hope this gives you some insight!!!!
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Johnnylunchbox
Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 10:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

And the award for non-sequitur of the year goes to....
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Midknyte
Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 10:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

par

a

graphs

please ;)

(Message edited by midknyte on October 10, 2006)
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Midknyte
Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 11:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thats my 2 cents......hope this gives you some insight!!!!

Thanks. A good many of us also still go in with a chip on our shoulders. It's a cyclical problem.

Thanks for stepping up to the plate eh?
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Jaimec
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 08:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

And some of us STILL wonder what would happen if you took Buell OUT of the Harley dealerships and either sold them in stand alone dealerships or alongside Ducatis, Aprilias and the like...
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Teeps
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 08:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I (too?) have always thought that the Buell line of motorcycles is being sold at the wrong place.
They should be selling them at an enthusiast shop like would sell Ducati, Moto-Guzzi, or other niche market bikes.

As it is now, it's kind of like going to the local bar, for expensive champagne served in $300 crystal flutes. Then getting pissed,when you find out they only sell beer and whiskey.

Yes, it's time for Buell to break away from the Harley Life-Style and go solo. Or at lease hang with the other niche market bikes.
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Spiderman
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 09:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Jaimec,
Call Modesto Ducati in Modesto, Kalifornia.

They sold Buells next to ducatis for years...
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Mainstreamer
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 10:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You can wish you life away on how you think it should be. The reality is that today they are sold at H-D/Buell dealerships. There is no reason to think that if they were sold at an 'enthusiast shop' that the enthusiasm would carry over to the Buell line. Frankly I've often found service and parts to be way more expensive at 'the enthusiast shops'.

For those of you with the chip on your shoulder, it does you no good and it does the rest of us no good. It would be best if you went to the dealership with the same enthusiasm you expect from them. Just maybe you can help spread the enthusiasm you claim to have for the brand, then the entire Buell community can benefit.

The enthusiasm displayed by the contributors here from the sponsoring dealerships demonstrates that it can be done. Wouldn't you like to help spreed that enthusiasm.... Who knows maybe it will become highly infectious and will lead to a world wide epidemic of Buell enthusiasm.

Court and others are working the back door and we need to work the front door. Go with enthusiasm, seek a partnership, use the entire support structure that has been put in place for us. With our help the Buell support system will get better much sooner then if we work against it. IMHO!
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Jaimec
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 04:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Cool! Though Modesto, CA is on the wrong coast for me...

I've no chip on my shoulder that wasn't put there through years of dealing with apathetic salesmen and service personnel.

Things are SLOWLY changing at my local "Chrome Emporium" but if I were greeted as warmly as I am at my local BMW Dealership from the beginning I'll bet the chip wouldn't be as large as it is now.
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Holling
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 07:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I was in a Harley dealership today looking for Buell merchandise and lo and behold they had some! I bought a hat and lightning t-shirt.

I also looked at and sat on a new 12R for some time and no salesman ever approached me. Typical.
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