| Author | Message | ||
     Paint_shaker |
Found this in another thread... Sounds kinda interesting... Buell: Coming to an H-D dealer near you...again It's no secret that Buell bikes haven't been readily embraced by the ultra-devoted Harley crowd. It's highly probable that if they didn't at least have an American powerplant they would've been driven from the village by pitch fork and flaming torch (or at least flaming paint job). If you've been to two different H-D dealers that carry Buell then you may have seen one dealer shoving its three dusty Buells into the corner next to practical riding gear, while another dealer may have gone so far as to create a separate entrance for the Buell side of the shop. In an effort to raise brand awareness and foster current growth, Buell has created a dealer within a dealer, called The Buell Experience. For now, this will still be at H-D dealers, but two stand-alone Buell dealerships are running, though they are an extension of existing Harley dealerships. The entire retail environment is designed around creating a "garage feeling" as well as an atmosphere of being uniquely Buell, catering to those riders who currently love their Buells, and enticing those that may have been interested in a Buell but most likely wouldn't have set foot in an H-D dealership. Along with displays tailored to the Buell fan, areas to hang out and general Buell goodness, each Buell Experience will have a "Knowledge Center." This will be an interactive information kiosk replete with computer terminal there to help you get Buellified. Three Buell Experience shops exist with more in the works: Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson & Buell, Riverside, CA, Granite Mountain Harley-Davidson, Conyers, GA and Harley-Davidson of Ocala, Ocala, FL. Though I am not a big fan of Ocala H-D/ Buell I went to check it out, but it was still under construction. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
While I love the idea, I don't think that a majority of current dealerships are going to embrace having to either partition an existing dealership or build a whole new building. What we could see is less Buell dealers because of it. If Harley throws money at dealers to expand on the "Buell Experience", so there isn't money coming out of dealer pockets, then I think it would be a kickass program and we could see more, and better, dealers. | ||
| Torquemonster |
I saw Granite's setup and was THOROUGHLY impressed. Made me damn proud to be a Bueller! I snapped a few shots while hanging out and would be happy to post em up. Hang tight, pics to come. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
each Buell Experience will have a "Knowledge Center." This will be an interactive information kiosk replete with computer terminal there to help you get Buellified. Great idea! Seeing as how most dealerships don't have an employee that can answer even the most simple of Buell questions. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
There needs to be a BadWeB link on that computer.  | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I could so work there.... | ||
| Torquemonster |
Me too.... fingers crossed! | ||
| Midknyte |
Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier just to designate (a volunteer of course) a salesman as the "Buell guy" and [this is key] give him one. i.e. make an evangalist out of him/her. We need pics of what the "experience" entails. It's gotta be more than a kiosk in the corner... | ||
| Badlionsfan |
this thread has a drawing of the skip fordyce store. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/171 43/334167.html?1204789443 | ||
| Midknyte |
I am really rather skeptical at this point. And here's why. My dealership, last year, was reportedly the #2 dealership in number of sales of Buell bikes. Yet, you walk into the store right now (it's down the street as I type) and just inside the door is a lonely kiosk and two Buells - a TT and a Ulyses. No Firebolts, no Lightnings, not even a Blast. They've given up all Buell and sportbike related clothing. They did/do have two 1125's, AT THE VERY BACK WALL OF THE STORE! If your number two store, in terms of sales, is no more excited naturally than this, how are you going talk any other dealerships into hosting this "experience" center? They used to have a whole row of them in the front window - some impressive/serious real estate in terms of floorspace. I asked where all the Buells are now and was told that they're sold out. C'mon - if they were really sold out, wouldn't you get more and keep pumping them out the door? | ||
| Honu |
Mark and Travis, I was just thinking the same thing when I read Your replys.. No need to reprogram one of the HD sales guys when they could just hire us.  | ||
| Paint_shaker |
While there (at Ocala), I was listening to a Harley sales guy talking about the Uly and comparing the bags to a "bagger". To me, it sounded like the harley sales guy was trying to sway him towards a bagger... Kinda ticked me a bit... If I thought I could eek out a living, I would like to sell Buells or be a Buell "guru" at a dealership... | ||
| Glitch |
this thread has a drawing of the skip fordyce store. Looks just like the Granite Mountain store. fingers crossed! You moving to our neighborhood Travis? w00t! There needs to be a BadWeB link on that computer. Stone Mountain & Granite Mountain are both owned by Greg. You can bet they'll be keeping an eye on BadWeB. | ||
| Torquemonster |
Sorry I didnt post those pics like i said i would last night....I came home, took the girls around the block (the 7 year old's FIRST ride- she leaned with it like her last name was "stoner")  ate dinner, and PASSED OUT. I've been beat since Monday. Guess a weekend full of adrenaline and beer will take it outta ya. I promise Ill have those shots posted today. Im hopin' and prayin', Glitch...i'll pm you the details. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Its all allocation. I would love to have more 08 ULY's but we get a set amount direct from the factory. through out the year you get chances to realign bikes and at the end of the production year there maybe provisional units available, but for the most part we know how many Buells we will get for the entire year by August. And the goal is always to sell out, so there maybe days where there are not any Buells on the floor. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Midknyte, at one time they had either 14 or 15 2006 Uly's in their front window like you said but the sales manager decided to put those fancy custom motorcycles up in the front window and the Buells in the back warehouse. I think they still have a couple of 2006 Uly's yet. Kevin is a super salesman and knows his Buells since he use to work for Buell in East Troy, but the ownership doesn't support the Buell line like they use to. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Its all allocation. I would love to have more 08 ULY's but we get a set amount direct from the factory. through out the year you get chances to realign bikes and at the end of the production year there maybe provisional units available, but for the most part we know how many Buells we will get for the entire year by August. And the goal is always to sell out, so there maybe days where there are not any Buells on the floor. is it possible to do what car dealers do and trade inventory? for instance, could you trade a geezer glide for a ULY or a sporty for a cityx? | ||
| U4euh |
I have been in three dealers that have already set this type of area up. Maybe that is why their sales figures were astronomical compared to those who do not. Take their #'s and look at why, it might be a good indication why the company wants more of the other dealers to look at this. | ||
| Buellgator |
All I have to say is that a dealer that couldn't give two sh!ts about Buell now, builds a Buell experience area. Do you honestly believe that it's going to improve how they feel about Buell?  | ||
| Torquemonster |
Paul...if instituting "the experience" is a genuine step towards improving the Buell service offered, then yes, I believe that a crappy dealer can become a good one. However, if theyre just trying to make the place more "pretty", then no. Its just wasted funds and efforts. People change, directives change, opinions change...lets hope that the current status of Bueller's treatment @ certain dlrshps. is on the mend by these dealers wanting to change for the better. I gotta come down and see your shop. You guys sound like the bee's knees! Take care man! ARRRGH.....forgot to post those pics. I got em loaded in photobucket last night but got caught up in the badness pic thread. Pics of "the experience" @ Granite TONIGHT, dammit! (Message edited by TORQUEMONSTER on April 03, 2008) | ||
| Iamike |
I remember one time I was talking to a friend who worked at the Honda shop. He was reading up on Kawasakis & Suzukis so that he could give comparisons to his clients. Then I went into the HD/Buell dealers and am told by 2 different salesmen that "they don't know shxt about Buells". Is it any wonder that the last two bikes that I've bought were Hondas? I just can't support a dealership that doesn't even care enough to learn about their own bikes on the floor. | ||
| Sgthigg |
Hey I am stuck in Japan. This sounds cool, could someone send me a pic of what this looks like at the dealship in the USA? Thanks! | ||
| Torquemonster |
Sarge, Ive got pics but the home pc took a major poop last night. I cant access my photo hosting site from work, so shoot me an email addy and Ill send em to you or Ill try to post from my sisters pc tonight. | ||
| Torquemonster |
Sorry it took so long.       |
