globalrider
Alps Adventurer
I do not have a vested interest in any motorcycle dealership.
But you do seem to take the side of the dealer, shop or business owner.
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I do not have a vested interest in any motorcycle dealership.
But you do seem to take the side of the dealer, shop or business owner.
It is my hope this makes sense to you and others who are sometimes so quick to become internet reporters without all the facts at hand.
Growing up in the automobile industry as a GM of a few dealerships I will add my $0.02 here.
The auto industry is basically a dishonest one, made that way by the actions of its customers. People go to a dealer in an attempt to steal his profit and the dealer responds by stealing it back any way he can.
Growing up in the automobile industry as a GM of a few dealerships I will add my $0.02 here.
The auto industry is basically a dishonest one, made that way by the actions of its customers. People go to a dealer in an attempt to steal his profit and the dealer responds by stealing it back any way he can. I don't think motorcycle dealers in general are nearly as "bad" as their four wheel siblings but the customers are driving them that way too.
Please spare us or I will have to get the violins out. You make it sound like they live in poverty.
A local Ford dealer tracks and races a Porsche GT3; I guess a Mustang really isn't that good after all.
It takes quite a few sales to pay for the ones he writes off, lets not even talk about their operating costs.
I've worked in a few car dealerships and a motorcycle dealership.
Anyway, back on track. I got the answer to my original question and my vehicles are maintained far better than they can at any dealership. End of story.
I think you just ID'd the "invisible hand" of the free market and perfectly described Ricardo's "Rational Man". Each and everyone of us enters the marketplace intent on maximizing our income. The consumer maximizes his income by paying the lowest possible price. The merchant maximizes his income by charging the highest possible price. Accordingly, we have the usual dance of the dealer and the customer trying to see who can win.
Someday, when we're tired of this silliness, the dealer franchise system will replaced by company owned retail stores which will eliminate the wasteful expense of the franchise and dealer/distributor/manufacturer exchange fees. You'll deal with the corporation or national distributor instead of a franchise owner. As a result, the price of new products will drop, just like they did with large household appliances.
But, what about parts? In this new retail model, the "dealer" is likely going to ignore anything that's older than the warranties he must service, which will drive service to independent shops or force the customers to "purchase up" instead of holding on to older models.
Please spare us or I will have to get the violins out. You make it sound like they live in poverty.
A local Ford dealer tracks and races a Porsche GT3; I guess a Mustang really isn't that good after all.
It takes quite a few sales to pay for the ones he writes off, lets not even talk about their operating costs.
I've worked in a few car dealerships and a motorcycle dealership.
Anyway, back on track. I got the answer to my original question and my vehicles are maintained far better than they can at any dealership. End of story.
Well, how do you feel after you ruined my morning via a guilt trip for being an aggressive shopper? "Stealing", that's kinda harsh,don't you think? I find it interesting to contrast your blatant statement,r.e. me stealing when I reflect on my shopping experiences. A recent purchase the dealer sent us a bottle of wine & chocolates(spare me the cheesy crap & make it the lowest price thank you!) yet that was the best price by far & yet I was "chastised" by another dealer where I had also priced & discussed a purchase. I've had the good guys in the white hats(remember them?) actually block me from exiting the store before(that was a good story) and one dealers getting stole from is another dealers business plan. The last place I bought a PU they send me a letter every year hoping I'll come back and yet there are others that hope I never come based on my desire to save money which isn't in their plan.Growing up in the automobile industry as a GM of a few dealerships I will add my $0.02 here.
The auto industry is basically a dishonest one, made that way by the actions of its customers. People go to a dealer in an attempt to steal his profit and the dealer responds by stealing it back any way he can. I don't think motorcycle dealers in general are nearly as "bad" as their four wheel siblings but the customers are driving them that way too.
Sounds good in theory but let me ask this question. Will the big corporation take care of its customers any better than the franchise? We are all well aware of how difficult and impersonal large corporations can be. And the lack of concern shown by so many of its employees. These very same things can and do exist at the smaller levels as well but my hunch is things would get worse rather than better. I really don't know however.
I prefer to deal local and keep the money in the local economy if possible. But the local economy then has the obligation to take care of me as a customer should be taken care of. I am not offended by those who disagree however.
Selling parts is no different than selling anything else. Your business model can be selling fewer goods at a higher profit per unit or selling more goods at a lower profit per unit. As we learned in Econ. 101, the law of diminishing returns is a delicate balance.
In my experience, customer relations are largely a function of the corporation/national distributor policies. I've seen this with several multi-line car dealerships where the customer service varied wildly based on the brand. IMHO, some companies (Toyota & Honda, in my experience) enforce a level of customer service to insure brand satisfaction while the "Big Three & others" operated on the basis of "screw you, you'll get what we give you".
I like the idea of dealing local, but it's challenging to find those sources.
In my experience, customer relations are largely a function of the corporation/national distributor policies. I've seen this with several multi-line car dealerships where the customer service varied wildly based on the brand. IMHO, some companies (Toyota & Honda, in my experience) enforce a level of customer service to insure brand satisfaction while the "Big Three & others" operated on the basis of "screw you, you'll get what we give you".
I like the idea of dealing local, but it's challenging to find those sources.
But you do seem to take the side of the dealer, shop or business owner.
I'm still waiting to find out where the discounted parts can be had?