| Author | Message | ||
     Firstbuell |
read it before it disappears....[from Hell for Leather, 12 hr post] http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2011/04/how-to-s ell-a-harley-davidson/ How to sell a Harley-Davidson So you’re a salesmen tasked with selling someone a product they don’t need, that they can’t afford, that isn’t competitive with rivals, that isn’t new and won’t make buyers stand out or demonstrate unique taste. How the hell do you do that? Don’t worry, the official Harley-Davidson test ride manual is here to help. The manual was captured from the enemy by a member of the Yamaha FZ1 Owner’s Association. As you can see, a Harley-Davidson test ride isn’t about demonstrating the objective merits of the product, it’s about immersing potential customers in the pirate lifestyle, assless leather chaps strongly encouraged. This setup is pure genius. The potential for staged interactions with, say, a hot blonde, are literally limitless. As you can see, not only is it important to limit the distance of the test ride to just a couple miles (although you still need to stop for water 4 miles in apparently) so the potential customer won’t be exposed to the long term limitations of the product, but it’s also crucial to structure the route around opportunities for posing. So how do you sell a Harley-Davidson? Basically, you make the person taking the test ride feel like they have a huge penis. That’s pretty damn smart actually. | ||
| Sifo |
Pretty normal sales/marketing strategy. The part that I find questionable is...
It's a shame they have zero emphasis on helmets. BTW, as long as you brought it up... Do you spend much time thinking about Harley riders penises?  | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
And? Yes, they use other peoples opinions (passerbys) to help sell bikes. Sportbike people use track tests etc to do it, what is the difference? As for the part about 'competive with rivals'.....if it wasnt competitive then others wouldnt make their bikes to look like HDs But I am glad you posted this, should be for some good reading in the next few days | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
 Are they just trying to flush themselves down the toilet?? | ||
| Spikey |
I do have a big one! and I ride a Buell!  | ||
| Sifo |
Are they just trying to flush themselves down the toilet?? Marketing is one of the things HD has done extremely well. In fact without that marketing they would have been past the water trap long ago. Most companies would sell their nuts for that kind of brand recognition. The reality is that I got more comments on my Wide Glide, or either of the two Sporties than I ever got on any other bike. If I really cared much about that I wouldn't have sold the WG for the Buell. The fact is that I didn't fit with most HD riders, and many sport bike riders couldn't figure out the guy wearing protective gear on a HD. I kind of liked that part of not fitting into peoples pre-conceived notions. Now people just see another "nut on a crotch rocket". That's their problem, and their ignorance. One thing I will say is that my Wide Glide only cost me 11 cents per mile in depreciation. Any bike that I can ride for 11 cents per mile will put a smile on my face. | ||
| Whatever |
Well... I am not interested in feeling like I have a huge penis...  ... in fact it would just get in the way of riding my Buell... | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Not to "defend" HD, but this is common practice in 99% of all sales. Get your hands on a salesmens handbook on everything from toy cars to automatic rifles. Sales is sales. It is about hyping your product, and selling a vision / feeling / lifestyle. You point out the products strengths, while limiting it's limitations. For Buell is was: Own the corners. And Buells arn't meant to be ridden on, but be hung off of. Not: You won't really fit in with either crowd. Or, Still not as fast as a crotch rocket. When I was a painter I had a good friend that used to be a Wagner air-less rep. Read some of the propaganda the company sent him. Funny to read about how an air-less spray rig made you a cooler painter that everyone would want to be like. I just saw a commercial where two little girls were imploring their father to use just for men. Cause it's all about the image, the lifestyle. Daddy's got to look good ya know. | ||
| Sifo |
I can pretty much guarantee you that you will not be successful in sales by making your customers feel like they have a small penis. I don't care what you are selling. Except maybe penis pumps. | ||
| Gunut75 |
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| Joshinga |
ok I did sell HD's prior to and a little after the shutdown. I quit/was fired (depends on what side of the table you were on)  It is damn near impossible to sell one. with a few exceptions. 1:The potential buyer is obsessed with the life more than likely born into it or peer presser.2: Prior owners 3:RUB's (rich urban biker) that just want it to show off to there friends how much money they can blow on a toy that will go next to the jet skis and motor-home. 4: and last type is the one that has been hopelessly uncool there whole lives and in a desperate attempt to gain some street cred go off and cash in there 401k to buy a out dated POS in the hope to get laid by the first scooter tramp that looks his way. | ||
| Joshinga |
BTW I quit /was fired because I was tired of screwing people out of there money. It didn't set well with me. And I was tired of the pissy paydays while the douche canoe in the sales office sat on there ass all day raking in the cash. God Im still pissed about.This ass had the audacity to try and tell me that he didn't make any more money that I did even thou he just bought a 60k F-350, a house, 2 motorcycles and a boat. While I could barely pay the rent on my •••••• little apartment.  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
it was the track days that sold me on Buell, because the dealership certainly wasnt doing much more than featuring them on the floor with the sales tag. (and in all fairness I was not interested in Buell until the Uly came out - the promises of the capability of that bike flat out made me drool. tragically I am too short for the ULY so the CITYX is doing that duty) And the demo ride.... sure it will sell a bike, but I wouldnt send you out on one without an eval of your trade in, or a pre apped credit check. This aint Disneyland. And I wasnt there to show you bold new colors and assless leather pirate wear. You want a bike, you gotta pay to play. And usually, the prequal would shut down the joy riders. The shop never did quite understand the Sport bike nites I held at the dealership. And when I left, so did the event. Pity. I made a few conversions out of that group. And some great friends. Want to know how to effectively sell a Harley ? Spend some time in the funeral business selling 35000 dollar coffins  |
