| Author | Message | ||
     Firebolt020283 |
So Jay I noticed you was the one that posted that. And last time i was in Austin I went to yalls shop and the guy that I was talking to there said the austin shop was dedicated to buells and used bikes and the round rock store was dedicated to the new h-ds so is it because yall are going to be doing this to the austin location? | ||
| Nik |
So if they're growing does that mean they'll be hiring any more engineers in the next year? I noticed they took the careers part off the Buell website. (Message edited by nik on October 30, 2008) | ||
| Greenlantern |
What's REALLY frustrating about this is that is exactly the fulfillment setup that H-D has for it's online site. We're a fulfillment center for H-D's e-comm site. I don't know why they don't just use the existing infrastructure, and just put Buell parts in it. So instead, I'm sitting here as a dealer trying to figure out a way to do what they already know how to do. Argh. Maybe that is a question we can all ask through kindly worded letters/ emails? | ||
| Kyrocket |
My local shop would have to do a 180 to get me back in the door. Last time I went there, after I called to see if they even had the part and was told they did, they did not and acted like I was crazy for even asking. I went home and did what I should have done in the first place and ordered from American Sport Bike but I was on a tight time schedule. The time to wait for a part wouldn't be bad but I'll be darned if I order from someone who acts like an a$$hat and treats me poorly for wanting to give them money. Let them get someone else to pay for their big new barn by the interstate.  | ||
| Bomber |
I'm having a big old case of Deja Vu all over again here . . . . . . I'm thinkin that BUell knows exactly what Buell riders would like to see in a dealership I'm thinkin that HDI has a pretty good grasp of the facts, as well I'tll be intersting to see HDI make it happen at the dealer level -- the dealer, if he/she is to succeed, has to be in teh black -- for any of our communal suggestions to be profitable, we (as a group) will have to change some of our habits, and go back to the dealer (many of us havn't set foot in one for a while) It'll be fun to watch, more fun to be part of, I'm thinkin | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
So Jay I noticed you was the one that posted that. And last time i was in Austin I went to yalls shop and the guy that I was talking to there said the austin shop was dedicated to buells and used bikes and the round rock store was dedicated to the new h-ds so is it because yall are going to be doing this to the austin location? Yep, we're supposed to be getting a remodel soon (guessing next 3-4 months). Don't know if they've actually purchased one of the Buell package stores or if they're doing it custom (they keep me in the back in a closet so I don't find out anything and spill the beans).  I've seen an architects rendering of a possible exterior and, if they go with something like it, we'll have a much greater Buell presence, inside and out.  HellBuelly J | ||
| Glitch |
Well since all y'all hooligans have made it all the way round to be back on topic... Here's a little bit of what Anonymous sent to me. Enjoy, and discuss...  | ||
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| Ferris_von_bueller |
Graffiti wall???? | ||
| Jaimec |
Where can I get them little Buell motorcycle miniatures?? | ||
| Midknyte |
oh no doubt! The day I can walk into a Walwart and buy a HotWheels Firebolt, I'll know "we've arrived" | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
thats awsome Jay Im glad to hear it. The only complaint I have about yalls shop is there was one guy that I talked to there that was tring to sell me a bike (i think) and he asked me what i rode and i tole him a cyclone and he asked who make that. I then told him it was a buell and he said He never herd of it. Then I asked how he worked at a Buell dealership and not know what a cyclone was and he told me they did not pay him to know about buells. But other than that guy I have felt good every time I go to yalls shop. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Every time I see this thread title, I think it says Buell wants to Growl. Then I think about how my XB's sound like lawn tractors, and then I think, "Yes, I bet my Buells would like to growl." | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I was about to ask about the buell miniatures too. | ||
| Court |
>>>I was about to ask about the buell miniatures too. Don't ask. It's a fairly ugly story.  | ||
| J2blue |
Uhg. Now that I see what they are talking about all I see is a big waste of money so some marketing types can stroke their egos. Don't get me wrong, the design and execution are cool. How is that going to sell more Buells? I see them still sitting in a corner collecting dust. I still see no Buell rep hanging out around the bikes. And what Buell owner really gives a rat's patooty about the boutique when they can't get parts or accessories easily and cheaply? Spend less on marketing fluff and packaging, please. Invest more in Buell people! | ||
| Paint_shaker |
"Just to chip in: How about several regional Buell super shops, with no Harleys, just Buell? Such a shop would be where other shops go to get stuff/advice when they are out of either. Here are some cities that may work well: Las Vegas Denver(of course) Atlanta Daytona St. Louis Seattle Buell Headquarters, Wisconsin Dallas Cincinnati NYC" I am curious as to how you arrived at those specific cities on your list? | ||
| Oddball |
While those make for attractive displays they will be just that, a corner display. Why not take the industrial/pit/shipping container look all the way? Construct independent dealerships using containers. I'm sure the gents who've conceived the above designs have seen homes and buildings built from them. Perhaps center the dealership design around the service area. So the customers on the floor could watch from 360 degrees. Or even a more open service area where customer and tech could discuss as work is done. Ok that idea may be naive and unworkable. Insurance companies could have a hissy as well. But it would help personalize owner to tech, tech to owner, owner to dealership. A bit of the "Cheers" greeting 'Norm'. A much more family feel. Keeping with Buell's like of multi function in single parts have salesmen and techs be one in the same. The man who sells you the bike can also service it if he was working service shift and not sales floor shift at the time. Even have scheduled appointments with preferred tech/salesmen. Maybe I dream too much and that vision i have would end up as huge and expensive as the orange and black palaces. But it shouldn't need the footprint those places use. Designed for the most efficient use of space, floor/parking/service and basic industrial construction shouldn't be that much overhead. Wish I was rich so i could afford to experiment with the idea. See, I can be positive.  | ||
| Babired |
Just chipping in too How about a V-twin shop with Buells, Ducaties, Moto Guzzis, etc. The Buell garage is exciting! K | ||
| F_skinner |
It would be nice to walk into a dealership and see something like this because it indicates a certain level of dedication to the brand. I agree that it is just a marketing tool. HD has been very successful marketing their bikes, clothes, lifestyle, etc. It does not make up for poor service and sales but that is up to the managers of the stores to handle. I fail to see the connection; "created for riders, by riders" I do wish my garage was as organized with room for several bikes. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I like the garage concept. Don't look at it as a "Buell boutique", but more of a spatial seperation from the world of black and orange. Buells are smaller than HD's. Put them in the same lineup, and it can be like trying to find the Prius in a line of Escalades and Ram pickups - they're easily hidden. The garage concept puts SOMEthing in the "skyline" that says Buell. It can draw you from across the room. It also goes to brand identity. Sure, every dealer could come up with their own idea and it would be cool. But for newbies to the brand, going in a dealer at home, then a dealer on the road or on vacation, and having two totally different experiences kinda tears the "identity" apart. Consistency will help the brand, especially with newbies and metric converts (which we're going to need in order to grow). Are there cheaper ways to do it? Probably. Are personnel the most important part of the equation? Absolutely. Am I impressed that Buell has the concept going at all, and the drive to try and make it happen? HELL YEAH. Baby steps, folks. Let us try and meet the personnel needs and smaller items first, then lets worry about a standalone building. We can all agree that a big, Buell-only building doesn't do much good if the right people and infrastructure aren't present. ...I *so* need to get back to work.... | ||
| Rubberdown |
Spend the money on stocking parts and training sales and service to meet customer expectation. That should be priority one, not window dressing. | ||
| F_skinner |
Joe, you are a lot closer to this than I am. The point I am trying to make is it will not change the dealers attitude toward Buells and Buell riders. I really don't care about the separation of HD and Buell as I like to look at them all. I do believe the average perspective Buell buyer is a lot different than the perspective HD buyer. HD Buyer: Wants to buy a Harley it is just a matter of which one. Buell Buyer: Looks at many different makes and models before deciding. I can see this helping a Sportbike buyer swing towards Buell if you can get them in the store. The buyer will want to talk to someone that knows Buells, here in my town there is no such beast. I have seen some interesting developments in our local HD empire. When you come out in June we can talk about it. | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
If I may play dealer's advocate... Good idea, bad timing. The economy's in the toilet and sales of anything over $10,000 are down. Meanwhile, the average Buell dealer is trying to pay off the note on a multi million dollar big box store while selling 10 Buells year. So the new Buell concept "store within a store" is a nice suggestion... But if it's mandated evern more dealers will be dropping the Buell brand. Better to spend the money upgrading parts and service, which tend to do better in a recession anyway. And if the Motor Company wants to mandate anything, mandate that a Blast be displayed right by the front door, and that it go out the door for less than $5000+TTL. And build them in KC, as East Troy can't keep seem to... | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
If I may play dealer's advocate... Good idea, bad timing. The economy's in the toilet and sales of anything over $10,000 are down. Meanwhile, the average Buell dealer is trying to pay off the note on a multi million dollar big box store while selling 10 Buells year. So the new Buell concept "store within a store" is a nice suggestion... But if it's mandated evern more dealers will be dropping the Buell brand. Better to spend the money upgrading parts and service, which tend to do better in a recession anyway. And if the Motor Company wants to mandate anything, mandate that a Blast be displayed right by the front door, and that it go out the door for less than $5000+TTL. And build them in KC, as East Troy can't seem to... | ||
| Miamiuly |
I noticed the new Buell sign under the HD sign at Petersons South. Thought it was pretty cool. Haven't been inside yet. When I bought my Uly, Petersons north was looking for a Buell enthusiast to replace the one that left. I was one step away from taking the job but I would have had to sell Harleys to survive which means learning a lot of alphabet soup. I also wasn't keen on having to have my cell number printed on my cards to be reached 24/7. And being required to go to bike night each week. I've worked in the business before and sort of wanted to keep work and play separate. | ||
| Babired |
It is a LOT more fun being a customer than an employee at HD!K |
