| Author | Message | ||
     No_rice |
title says it. what do you think? common sense tells you that there is no way we can stock everything. this place is is not even 30,000 square feet. maybe 6-7,000 of which is parts, so obviously i have to fight a bit for some space. i need to make that space count. i atleast have an ear listening here at my shop. i need to take advantage of it. with appleton possiably dropping buell it gives me a better shot at some things. like sponsoring badweb. i have been looking at it for awhile, but its just hasnt been feasable. this is a business, and obviously if i cant make this place some money and get them some customers(more than a couple) the plug will be pulled shortly. so why shouldnt i try to take advantage of the (i think good?!) reputation i have built up on here over the years. i need some good ideas. what parts would you expect to see in stock. and please be realistic!!!  | ||
| Froggy |
All the stuff that breaks off in minor wrecks, like pegs, blinkers, controls. Also belts, bearings, fans, and the wear/maintenance items like oil filters, gaskets and breaks. That covers most of what I think would be common. Now you still got 6990 feet of space left | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Here's my two cents, listed by priority 1. Scheduled maintenance stuff like filters, spark plugs and common seals and gaskets. Also have at least one of each type of belt, and maybe a clutch cable for each model. Getting a guy back on the street asap would get you a customer for life IMO. 2. Common crash and drop parts. Foot pegs and controls, levers, turn signals, frame pucks, traction grips and such. 3. Popular accessories like select seats, a set or two of the most requested wheels, tank, tail and saddle bags. 4. Apparel. Use Buell geeks like to look the part. | ||
| Mikej |
Standard tipover parts, brake/clutch hand levers, shifter lever parts, foot brake lever parts, mirrors, turn signals, so on. Service manual(s) and parts book(s) either in stock or available for a customer to look at. Some type of bar end mirrors (CRG, others). Spark plugs. K&N filters and cleaning/recharge kits for them. At least two sets of tires in stock (this might be bad though since one local shop had a set of Avons in their inventory and in their clearance area for several years that I'm not sure if they've ever sold, last time I was in there they were not out in the display area but were getting close to being dated due simply to age of the rubber). Is there any way you can poll the distribution center at H-D/Buell and see what the bigger selling items are? Then use that as your basic in-stock inventory. It would also help to cross-train the parts and service people to keep an open mind with Buells and know which Sportster parts and BigTwin parts interchange with Buells, this would reduce Buell-specific inventory as a line item. Just a few thoughts. | ||
| S2pengy |
A good attitude to everyone that walks through the door no matter what they rode there on...... | ||
| Cowboy |
Can you set yp a system where parts ordered through you will be delivred to the costomer and save going through the dealership. A smile and sound service will get you all the customers you can service. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I agree with having the basic crash/tipover, common failure and maintenance parts in stock. Think of what might break and would need to in stock in order to get the bike up and running as fast as possible. I woudln't expect any Buell dealer to have things like accesory seats, luggage, wheels, bar-end mirrors in stock. People don't need these a.s.a.p. in most cases, and as long you can get them in a few days or a week it wouldn't turn me off as a customer. Some of the popular stuff should be availible though - Traction grips, the aluminum airbox protector, and maybe a tank bag since they fit all models and folks seem to like them. Good luck in keeping the brand alive where you are. Hearing about dealerships continuing to drop Buell is no comforting amidst all this news of growth in the brand. | ||
| Barker |
All good ideas, may I add a few. Small items that can cripple a bike, and known problem systems. Just a few off the top of my head. Some of these are HD parts that fit buells. Dip stick. (I have lost 2 now, had to wait 2 weeks for one.) Drain plugs. Stators Voltage regualtors Speed sensors plugs coils batteries front isolators the new ones clutch cable wire forms all the levers/shifters/pedals/pegs | ||
| No_rice |
well i usually stock r and s pegs, most clutch cables, some belts, turn signals/turnsignal parts, blast carb boot, and some clutch and brake levers. harley/buell will only ship to dealers and not customers so that is where some of the time comes in when ordering things. any specific normal use parts that i might not be thinking of? wheel bearings, steering head bearings, lyndal brake pads, some good tires. | ||
| Mikej |
Verified good bearings sets would be nice along with a ready cross-reference of what they go to like notes in the parts books on the counter. I know I'm looking at replacing the steering head bearings on the S2 and probably the M2 when I get around to it (or get tank-slapper motivated), but those sorts of things can be a long time between customer needs so they might sit on the shelf for a year or more and then you'll need three sets all at once. Isolator pucks for the front engine mounts for both tubers and x-framers, good ones and not the 90 day specials. Swingarm isolators and instructions on what is needed for something like the S2. Just all depends on what your local and internet customer needs are or will be. Kind of a fine balance, keeping both the customer and the dealership management happy at the same time. | ||
| Court |
That's an excellent summary of items. Is Buell still providing a list? The last time I saw one was when I worked with two folks at Harley-Davidson to develop a set of 3 lists, "A", "B" and "C" that were targeted based on prior years sales of vehicles and parts. It was only a "suggested" list in that HD could not require ("our dealers are independent . . . blah, blah. blah) dealers to subscribe to it. Another idea to keep in the hopper is think about teaming up with other nearby dealerships and establishing a "shared pool" of things. The key is, at a reasonable cost, to allow you to respond meaningfully to the most probable list of Buell show stoppers. It starts with mindset and moves to management. The good news is that I was amazed, when we prepared the list, how little $$$ it was. A lot of the items were washers, oil plugs and inexpensive stuff. If you need help let me know. Court | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I wonder how well "25 Years of Buell" would sell in a HD/Buell dealership? | ||
| Djkaplan |
Coffee. | ||
| Toona |
Any current redesigned/upgraded parts, the new kickstand kit comes to mind. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
+1 on Common accessories like Select Seats (if only one "R" and one black "S") Traction Grips & Pegs, Tank Bags, ect. And T-shirts!!! I hate that my local dealer never has any good t-shirts. Oh and something I thought about before... Maybe slip some Buell shirts in with the HD apparel. That way some of those shoppers that wouldn't normal wander over to the Buell section might buy one. | ||
| Court |
>>>>I wonder how well "25 Years of Buell" would sell in a HD/Buell dealership? It'll be interesting to see. There sure seems to be significant interest beyond the Buell rider community. Frankly, and I confess my interests are not without bias, I figured HD would provide each purchaser of a 2008 "25th Anniversary Edition" Buell with a copy. Imagine having 10,000 folks, excited about a new purchase, armed with such a powerful sales tool on their coffee table/desk when their riding pals appear. Didn't happen. HD is quite scared of the book and it'll be interesting to see how sales go to HD dealers. To date, I am aware of no dealer stocking the book. | ||
| Darthane |
...bleh...still waiting on mine from Whitehorse. Sorry, Court, but with spending who knows how much on the trip in the first place I just couldn't justify buying a second copy 'just' to get you guys to sign it. >.< The lists above look good to me - I'd love to see a dealership actually have a service manual in-stock. This is much easier now since 2008 consolidated all XB bikes into one book. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I have two on order, one for home, and one for my desk at work.  Gotta do something when you are in for service and stuck at the dealership for a bit. All the Buellers seem to gravitate to my desk anyways. There seems to be a rash of kickstands being needed. It took me 3 weeks to get mine, AL @ American Sportbike beat the company back log with an 2 day ship. Great to have a Sponsor with that kind of response. He will continue to get all my business that I cant get locally. We put the ordered one in stock, and two days later a BWB'r was in the same 3 week wait for a kickstand.... Being here I was able to get it out to him and he is back on the road, I think the factory part is still on order. Maybe the Kickstand needs to go to the Pay it Forward section Being able to respond to a customers needs in a timely manner is the most important thing, good weather riding up here is so few days, you hate to be with out a bike because it is backordered, not on hand, obsolete, EPA prohibited (dont get me started) | ||
| No_rice |
i have been thinking about getting a copy or 2 to have on the shelf here already. just havent pulled the trigger since i havent even seen my copy yet! i already have a request in for a list of the top buell parts and acc sales, hoping to hear back from that in the near future. we just got one for HD not long ago, but never did see a buell one. my hardest part in this will be the tuber stuff. i am just not as knowledgeable when it comes to them since i havent personally owned one(although i will own an S1 before i die!) i am by no means oblivious to them, i just dont know as many of the quirks like i do the xb's. i dont have a problem looking for the answer though. we do have a nice selection of shirts! i had to do some complaining to get some good floor space. now i just have to get them sold lol. i just hung up a tank bag the other day and sold out of my traction grips at the moment right after i put them out. also got in some patches(the best one ive seen in a long time, the black pegasus with silver stitching) and some oval buell american motorcycle patches/stickers. have to start somewhere i guess. | ||
| Tramp |
a good dealer should have a VIP lapdance room in the back for service customers. | ||
| Court |
There are another 4,500 copies arriving this week. I suspect they'll be shipping Whitehorse, Amazon and Barnes and Noble orders within the next 10 days. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
another suggestion NoRice would be to contact Andy and see what he sold a lot of. | ||
| Ravensmith22 |
This may seem obvious, but nuts, bolts, and washers. I've actually had to order stuff like that. Parts to re-build forks: fork seals, fork oil, etc. As for non-essential stuff, how about different colored body work/windscreen bolts, axle sliders, bar-end weights, and little stuff like that. Oh, and those plastic body work washers. Maybe a variety of engine oils. Plexus and Novus. Maybe a couple Buell helmets, and a selection of gloves, jackets, boots, and such. Nothing extravagant, just few things for the rider. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"I figured HD would provide each purchaser of a 2008 "25th Anniversary Edition" Buell with a copy." And leftover 25th T-Shirts! | ||
| Court |
>>>Andy and see what he sold a lot of. Which is an excellent idea. That's largely the way the list was developed was based on previously years velocity. We were surprised to find that the single most sold Buell part was a nondescript fastener of some sort . . . like a $0.98 part! I don't remember the number but to stock the 100 "most sold" Buell parts was not over $1,000 in inventory. Could be totally out of whack with today but I'd base the stocking decision on facts not just guess. Except . . .I'd darn sure talk to Dave Gess who knows a LOT about Buell parts. | ||
| Elvis |
There are another 4,500 copies arriving this week. I suspect they'll be shipping Whitehorse, Amazon and Barnes and Noble orders within the next 10 days. So in the next week and a half to two weeks, I can look forward to: 1. 25 years of Buell book 2. Moto-ST - Barber 3. Canadian Superbike - Mosport 4. Dealer meeting Wow! That's some cool Buell stuff to look forward to. Does anyone know what the film crews at homecoming were working on? Was that clip a preview of a "Birth of the V-Rod" or "Motoczysz" type Buell documentary for the Discovery Channel or something? That would be cool. | ||
| Ulynut |
Spark plug wires, and those dinky little light bulbs for the tach and speedo. | ||
| Hexangler |
Brake pads. Dealership trained me toward BadWeB sponsor and after-market parts!!! My 3 local dealers lost out on 3 brake pad sets in the last 1.5 years. (2 front and 1 rear.) Now I never go to them for parts if American Sportbike has them. I would have been happy to use stock brake pads for my riding style if they had been available. But now, I will not use stock pads since I have found Lindall Gold to work just fine. Don't you want customers to come to your showroom for simple parts and a look around? Also: all body-plastic bolts, and anything else that can rattle off like belt tensioner nuts, exhaust can straps, and cables, etc. | ||
| Hammer71 |
Knowledgeable employees | ||
| Ratbuell |
Court - Buell sent a list of "service parts" or "stocking parts" (I forget the verbage) over H-Dnet when the 1125r was released. It was things like belts, filters, drain plugs and gaskets, turn signals, etc. I'd guess there is a list of items similar to that for each model, but don't have my hands on them to prove/disprove it. I agree dealers should stock tipover parts, regular maintenance items, and the like...but since our items don't interchange through as many models as, say, an HD filter or drain plug, our re-order point is likely to be one or two in stock, not ten or twelve. So, if 2 other guys the day before the ambiguous "you" need the same drain plug or primary gasket you need now....there's a greater chance we'll be out of stock at the moment you come in. It never hurts to call first, as if you were scheduling a service. Pre-order maintenance stuff when you can. Obviously not an option on tipover stuff, but there's less chance someone else will need that footpeg at the same time you do.... |
