Mark Barnes article in this month's magazine.

[stevenrankin]

Having read Mark Barnes's article in this month's magazine I am really wishing he had mentioned the dealership name.
As a long time airhead rider, lately I have been seriously considering purchasing a RnineT bike to make up for my second bike I wrecked.
The issue I have is that I have no dealer near by the closest is 150 miles away. All the dealerships I have considered seem to be well run, the biggest being Max whom I have an account for parts with. They have treated me well over the years but, I have never purchased a bike from them so I have no idea as to how they or the other dealers near me are in regard to service and repair.
My late local dealership pissed me off when he opened and told me he wouldn't service my bike because I didn't buy it from him. Since then I have had work done at an independent shop. This is fine for my airheads but alas, he won't work on anything newer than 95 and only airheads.
I DO NOT want to buy an expensive bike and find out the dealership I purchased it from is a nest of vipers as Mark's encounter sounds like.
Maybe it is time for a MOA dealer rating guide?
It is too bad BMW pulled the plug over floor space on a local dealer a couple of years ago before they even got started selling. That is another issue I won't comment on much here. But it galls me BMW will pull a dealership for nonsense yet allows stuff like Mark's experience happen. St.

 

[ackme]

Having read Mark Barnes's article in this month's magazine I am really wishing he had mentioned the dealership name.
As a long time airhead rider, lately I have been seriously considering purchasing a RnineT bike to make up for my second bike I wrecked.
The issue I have is that I have no dealer near by the closest is 150 miles away. All the dealerships I have considered seem to be well run, the biggest being Max whom I have an account for parts with. They have treated me well over the years but, I have never purchased a bike from them so I have no idea as to how they or the other dealers near me are in regard to service and repair.
My late local dealership pissed me off when he opened and told me he wouldn't service my bike because I didn't buy it from him. Since then I have had work done at an independent shop. This is fine for my airheads but alas, he won't work on anything newer than 95 and only airheads.
I DO NOT want to buy an expensive bike and find out the dealership I purchased it from is a nest of vipers as Mark's encounter sounds like.
Maybe it is time for a MOA dealer rating guide?
It is too bad BMW pulled the plug over floor space on a local dealer a couple of years ago before they even got started selling. That is another issue I won't comment on much here. But it galls me BMW will pull a dealership for nonsense yet allows stuff like Mark's experience happen. St.

Which month's issue are you referring to? I only see the digital issue on the web site. The current issue there is August with Barnes' article about rider contact points on the bike. Perhaps you get the hard copy and September has delivered already but not yet available digitally.

 

[CaptCF]

Was it this article from the June issue?

Stealerships - BMW Owners News

Why would the titular slur be hurled so often at the places where we buy our motorcycles, get them serviced, and load up with gear and accessories? Those are supposed to be good events, right? Certainly, there are many dealerships that treat their customers well. It’s a pleasure doing business...

www.bmwownersnews.com

 

[stevenrankin]

I get the magazine mailed to me, have already read it and recycled it, I assume it was the September issue? St.

 

[oldcamper]

Look up “Service Absorption Ratio”.
This paradigm states that for a successful car/bike dealership, 100% of fixed cost AND owner profit should come from parts and service profit. New and used unit and accessory sales, insurance contracts, and finance arrangement fees should be just icing on the profit cake. It’s partly why you are charged $20 rather than $6 for a quart of oil and are billed flat rate for even routine service. A well managed service department can carry the entire dealership financially.

Remember most dealership owners are in it to make as much money as possible. Big, successful (profitable) dealerships are not your friends. Better to do what you can by yourself and avoid aggravation. It’s one more reason simple bikes are easier to own.

 

[omega man]

This discussion reminds me of a scene in Grand Torino-

If you are sensitive, ok to skip viewing.

I have been resting up for a dealership trip on a vehicle airbag recall.

OM

 

[powwow]

I get the magazine mailed to me, have already read it and recycled it, I assume it was the September issue? St.

Yes, it was the September issue.

 

[skibum69]

Our local BMW dealer was my shop for over 15 years. After 2 pretty big misses on one engine rebuild and their $$ guy bitching me out for helping a couple of guys from the UK with an issue I left them for good. Just cause we went to high school together he feels he can say what he wants to me which is nothing he would ever say to a regular customer. To hell with them. And I'm not surprised to hear other people have issues with the same dealer.

 

[smswy]

Having read Mark Barnes's article in this month's magazine I am really wishing he had mentioned the dealership name.
As a long time airhead rider, lately I have been seriously considering purchasing a RnineT bike to make up for my second bike I wrecked.
The issue I have is that I have no dealer near by the closest is 150 miles away. All the dealerships I have considered seem to be well run, the biggest being Max whom I have an account for parts with. They have treated me well over the years but, I have never purchased a bike from them so I have no idea as to how they or the other dealers near me are in regard to service and repair.
My late local dealership pissed me off when he opened and told me he wouldn't service my bike because I didn't buy it from him. Since then I have had work done at an independent shop. This is fine for my airheads but alas, he won't work on anything newer than 95 and only airheads.
I DO NOT want to buy an expensive bike and find out the dealership I purchased it from is a nest of vipers as Mark's encounter sounds like.
Maybe it is time for a MOA dealer rating guide?
It is too bad BMW pulled the plug over floor space on a local dealer a couple of years ago before they even got started selling. That is another issue I won't comment on much here. But it galls me BMW will pull a dealership for nonsense yet allows stuff like Mark's experience happen. St.

“Stealership” was a good article. I bought one bike (1250 R) at multibrand dealership and they charged the extra freight charge and a dealer set-up charge. Bought another bike (1250 GS) at a BMW only dealership and they charged neither of those. When I was discussing that matter, the BMW only dealership said the bottom of the “Munroney” style build document clearly states that set-up is included in MSRP. The sales manager also stated that the reason some dealers add these extra charges is so they can offset a greater trade-in offer to make the sale. So, seems if you are not making a trade-in you are in effect subsidizing the deal of those who are. I would first learn if a dealership is BMW only or multi-brand. Then call the dealerships and ask if they are MSRP sellers or if they tack on additional freight and dealer set-up even thought the BMW docs state that is included in MSRP. At least make them squirm.