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Panhead_dan
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 09:36 am: | 
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For me, buying cost as well as maint costs are very important. If Buell sells more volume, they should remain innexpensive. Standalone dealerships will probably drive the price up and would make them less attractive to me. There are lots of bike manufactures to choose from. |
Nguzzi
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 10:16 am: |
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If you want I can pick your bike up (on a Sunday) free of charge and have it serviced up here. When your bike is ready I will bring it back to you. We have 4 Buell techs who love working on Tubers.
I go down to Albert Lea every weekend to see my little Bueller.
Let me know. |
Naustin
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 10:44 am: |
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I guess I don't see the "insult". I stated that I hope they know what an S3T is, and that I'm not holding my breath - so as to state, that I feel the odds of them having an average understanding of the buell model range without lookin in a damn book is pretty low. That's not an insult, it's and expression of my lack of confidence in their knowledge of Buell which has been instilled and reinforced in me every time I have ever walked under a "Harley Davidson" sign.
Harley Davidson likes to throw their tough guy image around, and if that measly chide remark bruises their eye then they are awfully sensitive aren't they?
As for taking my business to a different dealer - the only dealer that actually officially carries Buell anywhere near my location is over 100 miles away. If I was smart, I'd buy a Kawi locally rather than drive 100 miles to get to a dealership. I don't like feeling STUPID every time I look at my bike that I love so much. But I do, because I feel like I have no dealer support what-so-ever - Ironic because I was initially drawn to Buell because of its association with HD, I thought I would never be in that situation.
The only thing that is required to make my experience satisfying is a minor culture shift. How do we change the Culture surrounding buell in traditionally anti-Buell dealerships? We have a goddamn religious crusade and (metaphorically, of course) slaughter the bastards.
Buell will never be a great motorcycle until it has a reliable dealer network. Harley Davidson has a responsibility to change dealer attitudes. These guys are salesmen. Their jobs are to sell things. It is unbelievable that they are allowed to fail, and often allowed to refuse even to try!
Harley should defiantly not FORCE them do do things they don't WANT to do. It should however, CAUSE Them to DESIRE and ENJOY selling and working on Buells. I'm talking about ALTERING THEIR MINDS. I don't care how!! Brainwash them (aka marketing), or beat them until they don't remember why they didn't like Buells. Whatever - Just do it already.
If they intend to wait until the dealers figure it out for themselves, or the baby-boomers' kids finish burning up the inheritance or whathefuckever, they will have squandered something beautiful.
EDIT Nils - thank you for the generous offer. I'll keep that in mind and I do appreciate it. I'm hoping to meet you and come on some of those weekend rides this year...
(Message edited by naustin on April 03, 2007) |
Nevrenuf
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 01:48 pm: |
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naustin, the biggest thing that i see and hear on this board is there is hardly no one that wouldn't go out of their way to help out another bueller as just with the case of nguzzi, i'd hate to see you get rid of great ride that you have out of the bs that comes from some of those dealers out there. besides if you were to get rid of it and i had the room and the money i'd be the first to make you the offer if you did. if i said it once, i'll say it a hundred more times that what goes around, comes around. |
Daves
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 02:05 pm: |
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Naustin
You are also not far from Waterloo Iowa.
They have good Buell techs there.
Talk to Jim, the service mgr, tell him I sent you.
Tell him to have Reece or Eric work on yours |
Naustin
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 02:57 pm: |
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Daves - Cool. Thanks for the inside contact.
I'm not getting rid of my S3T anytime soon. I love it. I just got the Zero Gravity screen for it today from Al and almost hugged my UPS driver I was so excited. I've got time off in July for Homecoming and I'll probably go.
I need to stop thinking about this for awhile... Honetly, I'm going to blow a gasket if I don't just get over it.   |
Liquorwhere
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 04, 2007 - 10:57 am: |
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Some interesting info.....
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Com panyFocus/HowHarleyStockCouldRoarBack.aspx |
Tommy_black_shark
| | Posted on Thursday, April 05, 2007 - 09:22 pm: |
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I must be really lucky, I live 10 miles from TWO and have 2 really good Buell dealers within a couple hours ride. I would suggest to anyone who receives a cold shoulder in a Harley shop to consider the source of the rudeness. is this someone who was selling discount stereos last week, was their knowledge and attitude formed by a few issues of Easyriders? If I'm really treated badly in any retail establishment I don't hesitate to make sure that a manager knows about the problem right away. I have only had to do this twice, but they made things right immediately. If its just a matter of not having the parts or accessories you need you can always order online. There are several dealers who sell Harley parts at a discount on the web, if they have Buell they probably would do those parts as well. Life is too short to get worked up over things that you can't change. Don't sweat the petty things, pet the sweaty things. |
Buellshyter
| | Posted on Thursday, April 05, 2007 - 10:24 pm: |
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Cruisers are not a dying breed my friend
While that may be true, the average age of a HD owner continues to rise every year. That trend can't continue or they will be out of business. I'd guess HD purchased Buell as a way to attract younger sportier riders. I further surmise that Buell's upcoming foray into dirt bikes is another example of HD's grand vision of getting new blood into the ownership ranks. I've been told that HD is dropping several models next year, perhaps, to make room for newer exciting models. HD is one of the best run American companies. I 'm sure they have a few smart people working for them |
Iamike
| | Posted on Friday, April 06, 2007 - 09:32 pm: |
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Nick-
When the winter finally breaks around here, you, me and Bluz M2 (Nguzzi, you're welcome too) need to get together over some beers and talk bikes.
I've gone the frustrating dealer part too. They have gotten better (at least Waterloo) and I have confidence in my bike even at 60,000mi. The more I have worked on it the more I feel that I can take care of most problems. The dealer has given me good support to that end.
Do you want to ride out to Homecoming with us? |
Naustin
| | Posted on Friday, April 06, 2007 - 09:44 pm: |
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You're on Iamike, that sounds great! |
Naustin
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 12:22 pm: |
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I got a reply to the letter yesterday:
Dear Mr. Austin
Thank you for your recenet(sp) letter to Buell.
We appreciate your feedback and opinions on ways to improve the level of customer service at our authorized Buell dealerships.
Please fee(sp) free to contact Buell Customer Service Department at 414-343-4056 Monday through Friday 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m Central Standard Time. We would welcome the opportuinity(sp) to address your questions and or concerns.
Best Regards,
Signed,
Buell Motorcycles
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Customer Service Department
715760
Funny, but I didn't write the letter to Buell. I specifically wrote and addressed the letter to Harley Davidson.
Spelling errors in an official letter like that are very unprofessional.
Nick
(Message edited by naustin on April 17, 2007) |
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