| Author |
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Grlryder
| | Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 03:58 pm: | 
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Too little too late I say. If a girl/woman of 2007 goes into a dealership and requests to ride a 12XB then that is exactly what the salesperson should let her ride. This salesman's reaction was very much sexist, and totally uncalled for. It's her right! Find another dealership. |
Jixa
| | Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 04:40 pm: |
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Ok, finally got my login fixed up. Not much of a blogger anymore so Jesse almost always beats me to forums like this.
While I realize that this is either a gender or a brand issue and Jesse is a little more Irish than he wants to admit (luv you hun). It's not that I want to avoid the matter. I just don't let it bother me anymore. For example, I'm a certified auto mechanic, but that didn't stop "Jim-Bob and the Testosterone Squad" at the podunk auto parts store from asking me if I was sure that the alternator I was buying was the right one my husband sent me for. I'm never going to be able to change how a person looks at me or the world so...move on. I took my business elsewhere (always been treated well at Autozone and O'Riely's).
Aside from that, Saturday was my birthday and I had woke up that morning to find my cat had been scared out of our yard and hit by a car thanks to "punk-boy in his thump truck" and all his friends using my driveway to turnaround in. I was in a very apathetic mood (and still am to a degree) and even on a regular day I probably would have done exactly what I did. Talked with the guy long enough to find out if I was going to get my test ride, and just left. I would much rather get honey from another tree as opposed to putting the stick even farther into the hornet's nest and getting nothing but frustration. 
 Just gonna move on. |
Dbahm
| | Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 05:02 pm: |
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Thanks for speaking up. It's difficult to work on solving a problem if we don't know there's one to work on. It's unfortunate that your wife had that trouble (and your mom 'til she met Chris and Lauren). I hope we won't be judged too harshly for the an experience y'all had with one person. I'm the Rider's Edge Program Manager and I've been here for years. We make an effort to be one of the most female-oriented dealerships around. We offer all-women classes and have all-women rides. I'm usually here 6 days a week, and Jean Mishler, who works Rider's Edge and Rentals, is always a great resource and champion of women riders. Our GM, Scott, has supported all of our women-oriented events enthusiastically and financially. And he's Buell friendly. Heck, he supported our getting a Ulysses in our rental fleet, and was always there for us when we had our BRAG group.
I'm just saying that there are lots of us here that are about riding, regardless of sex or type of bike. I hope to meet y'all, not to sell you a bike, but to try to get things right.
You can also stop in at Opal Divine's on South Congress on a Thursday evening. Buell riders from Austin and the surrounding area generally meet there. We also have several Beemer, Ducati and Harley riders there, too. |
Jixa
| | Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 05:20 pm: |
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If we can find a sitter one of these days, we'll be there. 
Besides, I was planning on going back next Saturday for the demo thingie. I was told there would be more availability for test rides then. |
Strato9r
| | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 12:38 am: |
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Wow, this seems so strange; the salesperson at the dealership I bought my 9 from rode a Lightning herself! |
Cruisin
| | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 12:52 pm: |
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Sales Manager at Meredith rides a Lightning herself as well. Never worried about bringing someone in to that store!
It really is too bad in this day that someone who is a competent rider gets denied. The dealerships have insurance so assuming it's dry, they've got an endorsement, and the bike is there, demo rides should be a no brainer. Male/female, big/small, it shouldn't matter.
My dad told me about the time my mom demo'd a bike (roughly 35 years ago). My mom is only 5'4". She took a little 400cc tourer out on her own. My dad's back at the dealership waiting...and waiting...and waiting. Finally they go to see if they can find her. She had stopped at a light and went to put her foot down. There was a pothole where her foot went and down the bike went - and she couldn't pick it up. Did that stop her from getting a bike? Nope.
Talk to the managing principal about your concern and ask him to step in to help out. After the demo ride if you buy, then make sure to talk to him during the process. There's obviously enough people there who love Buells that you'll get good service when dealing with the right people. You also have the added bonus of being wronged in the first place - managers usually prefer to take extra special care to right the wrong. |
Greenlantern
| | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 02:54 pm: |
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Dbahm
| | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 03:24 pm: |
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Hey, Jixa.
Jay and I discussed the entire situation with our GM. He wants to make sure EVERYONE is treated the same, male or female, Buell or Harley. He made it VERY clear to all managers that anyone wanting to demo a Buell, with the proper documentation and experience (just like any other demo) will certainly have that opportunity. If you choose to come back in, Scott, our GM, would like to meet you. Obviously, Jay, myself, Jean, Lauren and Chris would like to say "Hi", too. |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 04:48 pm: |
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I'm thinking one particular salesman is feeling quite the small little man right about now. Kudos for helping to teach the man a valuable lesson. 
Thanks Jay for taking note and helping to resolve the consternation. |
Bkitten
| | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 05:42 pm: |
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Screww that Im a sexy chick and I LOVE my Buell Lighting 2006 12XBS
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Rick_a
| | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 11:29 pm: |
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The salesman may not be altogether sexist. Often times, the Harley guys like to think that the Buells are some kinda high-powered, unruly death machines. I chuckle when a coworker rides one and talks of how insanely powerful they are  |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 05:16 pm: |
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I'm glad action was taken to correct the situation.
Thank you Dbahm for the update! |
Spatten1
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 06:42 pm: |
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Often times, the Harley guys like to think that the Buells are some kinda high-powered, unruly death machines.
That is true. I went to the local HD shop last week to look at the Nightster in person. The sales guy said the Nightster is "scary fast" with really big eyes. He compared it to the V-Rod, as if Ricky Gadson would barely be qualified to ride it.
Chicks on bikes--- I got passed racing YSR's by a girl with daisies painted all over her fairing. She was FAST. |
Xb9ser
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 08:56 pm: |
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At the independent shop I get tires. One of the girls. behind the counter,early 20s rides a ZX10. Shes about 5ft 4in and 120 lbs. |
Spatten1
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 09:25 pm: |
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Many of that drag race teams have girls/women driving now due to their small size/weight.
(Message edited by spatten1 on April 24, 2007) |
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