| Author | Message | ||
     Jon |
Blake-meister, Real good meeting you, finally. Had fun walking the grounds with you on Saturday. Come back to Cali soon. I have a goofy picture of you and me at the dinner. I'll post in the pictures forum. p.s. nice hat... | ||
| Newxb9er |
Jon.. For sure. Thanks again for lunch. You've got a great family!! We'll ride again for sure. Thinking about the Peach run, but my buddy got out of the Navy and just back from Spain, so I might go to San Diego that weekend. I left the second the GP race was over and scooted right home. Got home pretty fast. No traffic! | ||
| Court |
I'm biting my tounge. This has nothing to do with Peggy or Mary being "nice" persons,; I'm sure they are. Peggy and Mary, like Leslie before them, are executing an S.O.P. manual. The thing at Road America was quite embarrasing. The saving grace was that everyone ended up sitting on the "public access" side. For want of the price of a bag of chips and a can of soda, I'd never tell a motorcyclist who'd just returned from a demo ride, enthusiasm at fever pitch..."sorry, no wrist band....stay clear of the "real" Buell owners". These are precisely the folks I want exposed to my most loyal (as in road from across the country and came from Germany) owners....there are few more powerful sales tools. It was a simple mistake, an extrapolation of the "levels of H.O.G.-dom". It was not their fault, they had no control. The fox pox with Reg is a shame...few folks have done so much for the brand and are, to boot, just down right fun to spend time with. Court | ||
| Donald |
Reg, has done so much to support Buell. I am very sorry to hear what happen. | ||
| Skeeter_xb |
My tickets were Christmas presents so I didn't have the BRAG package. I knew I wouldn't be able to go in, so I didn't even try. From a blanket on corkscrew hill was great for me. Able to see probably 70% of the track and have a big screen between (I think) turns 5-6. Best vacation EVER! | ||
| Choptop |
of course Buell looses money on these kinds of things.... ITS ADVERTISING AND PR WORK. its not about recovering costs. its about the impression you leave on your potential customers and the Buell faithful. Poor form, on every single friggin level on Buells part. | ||
| M2me |
The thing at Road America was quite embarrasing. The saving grace was that everyone ended up sitting on the "public access" side. I don't know what embarrasing thing you're talking about but I didn't see everyone sitting on the "public access" side. I saw most folks sitting on the "private side". It was kind of dorky though with the split tent. I'm talking about Road America and the 2005 Homecoming event. I mean, for our $100 fee we had access to some chips and soda. Oh, and the TV monitors of the race. It was an open tent. The folks in the cheap seats could see the monitors too! Buell should've had just the tent with TV monitors and if they needed to save money they could've skipped the chips and pop and just had cold water for everyone. Remember, access to the "private side" of the Buell tent at Road America was about your having paid the Homecoming event fee. Not whether you were a BRAG member, Buell owner, Buell enthusiast or even motorcycle enthusiast. I believe that we can't blame Mary for the faux pas regarding Reg. Did he pay the BRAG event fee? No? Well, then he doesn't get in. Simple as that. We can argue whether it's right or fair or cool or whatever, but there it is. Mary followed the policy. If you desire change you should question the policy makers. You can still support the troops! Tee, hee! I'm sneaking under the radar and using this thread as a metaphor for something else! Still, I do believe it isn't fair to blame Mary for the Reg faux pas. | ||
| Court |
>>>It was kind of dorky though with the split tent. Yes, it was. No one blamed Mary for anything. It was a simple social and PR misstep..... a regular "fox pox". Easy to see, easy to fix. Next. Court | ||
| José_quiñones |
You also got the ticket to get into the races both Saturday and Sunday, a parade lap ticket, food coupons for both days(did you use them?). Food on Thursday (including the lunch at East Troy), free food, dyno runs and Battletrax at West Bend on Friday, not to mention the official event shirt, pin, sticker, USB memory stick etc..... There is no way $100 covers all that. You either let everybody in the tent or only the people who pay to get in. It's hard to enforce something in between. I did not think the split tent at Road America was "dorky", remember it was mainly there for the comfort of the people signed up and waiting to go out on the Buell demo rides. Daytona was the same, should every BRAG member that wanted to hang out with BRAG members be able to get up into the suite without paying for the BRAG ticket? Of course not. (Message edited by José_quiñones on July 12, 2005) (Message edited by José_quiñones on July 12, 2005) | ||
| José_quiñones |
by the way Court do you still want a slightly used MEDIUM Homecoming shirt? PM me your mailing address. | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
Daytona was the same, should every BRAG member that wanted to hang out with BRAG members be able to get up into the suite without paying for the BRAG ticket? Of course not. I think so long as they had a ticket for the race then it would be fine. Brag events should be for all members. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
It should have been open to ALL Brag Members. I would think it would be an excellent PR/Marketing Way of attracting new members. Sponsor a buddy in to the events!!!! I do realize that by buying a ticket through BRAG you get extras but all BRAG members should have been welcome. Blake has the idea of Keys, however, if you order spare keys from Buell/HD they no longer have the little plastic identification marks. The BRAG Card should be the only ID you require. I'd start a BRAG Chapter but I don't have a Buell Retailer and I'd be a club of ONE. | ||
| Jon |
Court, your explaination about Mary's and Peggy's place in the food chain was what I thought was the case. And just to be crystal clear, I am totally on Jim's side for what happened. It bugged me that he and Reg weren't allowed in. I'd like to see this error fixed for next time. An explaination wouldn't be bad either. What I don't want to see is the whole Brag tent thing thrown out as a screw up, when most of what was done was good and helpful. One place to start is to modify how the Brag package was sold, so that people like Jim who buy their tickets early don't get stuck "outside" later on when Brag starts selling packages and many Braggers already have their own tickets. (Message edited by jon on July 12, 2005) | ||
| Rex |
All of the areas were listed as chalets. You had to have the special sticker on your ticket to get into the whole area. Then you had to go into the entrance of the Buell Brag area ( right next to cycle world ) Of course when you go to sporting events, concerts, football games, etc. there are skyboxes. Upgrades if you will. But, there is always someone to oversee this area....If there is an important person, provisions can be made and people let into the area, even if they do not have creditials... I liked the idea of letting all brag members in, but having a special place up front for package seating. WE are all buell owners and love to visit with each other and share the fun. Something for the promotion person to consider for 2006 events....How to have special packages and let in all BRAG folks. Of course if you have a brag card, or a hog card, both are interchangable.....then would all hog members be allowed in? somthing to consider. Maybe American Sport Bike Night, Sacborg,Badweather, and ATC should have a chalet? | ||
| CJXB |
its not about recovering costs. its about the impression you leave on your potential customers and the Buell faithful. I wish I could’ve said it that good !! I’m not at all advocating that anyone should be allowed to participate without a ticket, and I understand there are rules and S.O.P’s to follow, but any rule can be carried to the extreme. I wasn’t there and can’t know for sure, but it appears that someone without a ticket was going in to “chit chat and say hello” !?? Not that anyone did anything wrong, but in that situation I would have simply said sure go on in and say hi, and not just to Reg either. Given a job I’d follow directions, but I’d also feel like I could use some common sense and if I feel it would cause ill will and the cost to allow someone in to say hello is nothing, I’m going to do just that “let them in” !! And that’s if as Blake said there is sufficient room and the prime spectating spaces reserved for the special BRAG package ticket holders. If it goes against the rules but I believe it’s the right thing to do I’m going to convince my bosses that it’s in their best interests to do it my way, and if I can’t do that I don’t need that job anyway !! People dropping by to visit and hang around Buellers would be great PR, and personally I don’t want to be part of some elite group of riders, I want to visit and chit chat with anyone whether they actually ride a Buell or not. How about if I’m there and my neighbor sees me and stops by to say “hey that’s my neighbor I’d like to say hello”, why not ?! Next thing you know my neighbor may at the very least be telling others how cool it is to ride a Buell, and/or may be a future Buell rider. Tell someone they can’t come in and say hi to me, I’m leaving to speak to them anyway and now I’m annoyed at Brag and Buell for being uptight about some stupid rules, is that better !! were sitting down with us, and were asked to leave after they got in. Must be a hard job to run someone out like that. In my opinion that’s embarrassing for everyone involved including Buell, and I wasn’t there but I wonder if it was “really” necessary to be that strict ? You have to give someone kudos who can do that, because my ••• would have been fired I’m sure. It would be a tough sell to make me believe you want to shut out folks who aren’t there to eat or participate in the events, just simply mingle, a non cost activity !! But I’m a social kind of person, and Lord knows I’ve been wrong before, so I’m just offering my thoughts and opinions. I’m sure there are facts I’m not aware of !! CJ  | ||
| Outrider |
Perhaps BRAG should sell the "Hospitality" portion both with and without the Race Tickets. | ||
| Ebear |
I kinda like Blakes Idea....One part for key or Brag card holders,but the Lions share of space and food and beverage and giveaways for those whom pay....I had the same problem whereas I HAVE to buy entrance tickets to get our 3 spaces overlooking the corkscrew.That would have costed alot more to have both....we allready fork out $1400.00 dollars in November to aquire spots....BUT WE HAVE A SOLUTION!!! Just get you entry ticket then come up to the "Veranda on the corkscrew"!!!We charge NOTHING!!!we have FREE drinks to ANYBODY whether you belong to BRAG,HOG or just the Human Race(OK.loosely belong to the Human Race too)...We have free food too(By the way Jerry,the Chili kicked •••!!)We don't kick out ANYONE and you can sit at our trackside seating with ANYONE you wan't too......I'm not dissing anyone however...I get along great with Mary and I understand her job.Brag put together a great package at RA and I really appreciated it....But we'll allways welcome all at Jerry's Loveshack...that means you too!!And since it is a collection of Buellers,we would hope that Erik,Reg,Mary,Peggy and all those related to Buell would find the time to come visit too!! | ||
| CJXB |
I like the way Ebear does things !!  | ||
| Court |
>>>I'd like to see this error fixed for next time. You will. And, the beauty of Buell's "close to the custoemr" management is that no one has to be "wrong" or take the hit. If improvments will make the expereience better and if they are reasonable, it['ll get changed. Next chapter. It's not always been like this.....the currentl Buell management has worked hard to earn our support. Even with IFP (Intermittent Fox Pox) they are keepers! Court | ||
| Slaughter |
EBear - who you callin human!!?? Actually, the Reg boo boo aside, I don't know why people always feel "entitled" to something they clearly have not paid for. Hell, we're ALL taxpayers - why not get into Laguna Seca for free fercrissakes? I mean, ain't my tax money any good? I pay OHV fees in CA - therefore I'm ENTITLED to get free admission to Laguna Seca any time I want to crash the gate. (maybe I ought to try it next year) I DEMAND my rights! I'm being opressed!! While I'm at it, they MUST build a 4-lane entering and exiting, they MUST have traffic control staff on the payroll to re-direct lane usage (or have electronic signage) and they MUST make tunnels to merge the entering and exiting traffic so I never have to be inconvenienced by waiting in traffic again. Geeez kids... we used the BRAG deal to save money. It is still cheaper to buy the BRAG deal AND grandstand seats for the 3 days than it is to pay parking, admission and paddock separately. Yeah, Reg was certainly treated poorly but some of our BRAG members were allowed back to tell us that Candice's mom had passed away and there were other gate crashers there who somehow had slipped in who had to be chased out. I know I could never be a person who had to deal with the public as I'd end up gutting them and feeding their remains to the hogs by the second day on the job. (Message edited by slaughter on July 12, 2005) | ||
| Viros |
without a doubt Jerry Johnson Love Shack is where the real Laguna Seca hospitality is at. Brag shouldnt even call it a BRAG hospitality considering not all brag members can get in. I had the same fortune as Reg. Ive met Peggy & Mary several times and after seeing how empty it was in there i had to just talk to her. The person working the entrance went and called Peggy out and I talked to her. I Told her i was on the phone the day brag tickets sold out,and i had no luck. The sale of those tickets shouldnt be handeled like some radio contest and it definatly needs work. I offerd the suggestion of paying something there so i wouldnt come off as mooching but i was denied entrance. Had they sold a 15 dollar day pass for brag members that would go into a BRAG fund they would of never had this problem. I was able to pay for the brag hospitality tent last year and was in there a total of 15 minutes the whole weekend. The thing that i like is talking to other brag members. I enjoyed talking with Henry Duga in there last year. Thats the major benefit i see from it. The place is mostly empty alot of the time and I doubt it ever hits capacity. I can understand her not letting me in, but her not letting Reg in is lame. If anything im sure they didnt like having to turn people down and will rethink this whole thing for next time. What sucks is that it never should of came down to this. The biggest issue with Buell is that alot of people that work for em arnt real enthusiast. Had I been the Brag President after Leslie i would of opened a Brag website with forum and would interact with its members about things like this and make sure I plan things with its members to prevent issues like having to deny members entrance. | ||
| Jon |
Thanks for that, Court. | ||
| Gravedigger |
Reg, I would like to extend a big THANK YOU from myself and the KC guys for your hospitality at breakfast Friday morning! Great meeting you guys! And no it did not break our hearts to have to ride down Ca 9 that early in the morning! Sorry to hear that you ran into a little trouble after the treatment you showed us! Blake, great finally getting to meet and visit with you during the races. Keith GO Nicky GO!! | ||
| Tramp |
there are simply too FEW of us, out here, for any of us to discriminate against our own ranks. as court said, it won't recur. it's fixed. "next".... | ||
| Firemanjim |
Just to clarify a few things.The BRAG tent was a terrible place to watch the race from,way better views were available for free.So we were not trying to elbow someone out of the way for a view.Water,sodas,etc free from the Love Shack,lunch also,we were not looking for that.We had tickets to the event so we paid for our admission also.I had the preferred parking also so was parked right next to Buell parking.We were looking to mingle with other Buell enthusiasts,nothing more.There was never any chance of the area being crowded as there just were not that many people there--ever.I got the BRAG tickets last year and as Victor said,spent maybe 40 minutes to an hour total there all weekend.I would be glad to buy BRAG tickets if they would make them available sooner and make the process to get them easier.I have been paying my BRAG money for eons now and feel I should get more for my 40.00 than a map and a couple issues of Fuell.Should have seen what you got on Ducati Island just showing your key.We should be at least as good if not strive to be better than that! | ||
| CJXB |
We were looking to mingle with other Buell enthusiasts,nothing more. And that is what it's all about, when top people in charge of Brag/Buell interfere with that I think the rules are being carried too far and it's ridiculous. Someone else already said it, we are much too small a group to exclude any other Buell enthusiasts from mingling !!  We should be at least as good if not strive to be better than that! Exactly !! That's good PR !! | ||
| Tramp |
don't acknowledge that tramp, whatever ya do | ||
| Jima4media |
For the fifth year in a row, The Love Shack was the place to view the race. Overlooking the most famous set of corners in all of racing, it was in the ideal location, except for that #$%@*! bridge half-way up the corkscrew with all the Red Bull advertising on it, blocking the view. (Another story). Anyway, Thanks a huge amount Eric and Jerry for providing that facility, and organizing all of the camping, parking, food, and drinks. It was great! Jim | ||
| Gravedigger |
Jim, great meeting you at Rocky's. We only stopped by turn 9 for a short time. They sure have a great setup there! Keith | ||
| Eeeeek |
Just a side note here. On Ducati Island, ANYONE with a ducati key got to take advantages of many of their services, no charge. This inlcuded free water, shade, TV, gear check, etc. Vik |
