So ya wanna sell motorcycles

[Grey wolf oz]

So walked in to the Honda dealer.,.,.,

Spent 5 minutes walking around the modern FB6,

Could have Brought it for cash, 

Not one of the sales reps came near me

WTF is wrong here ?

[Rams]

No idea, were you packing?    Where was this?   

Rams

[hubcapsc]

I went in to the Honda dealership in Greenville SC and finally started sitting
on motorcycles and making vroom vroom sounds... nothing...

I had to visit four motorcycle shops to find one where they'd let me
test ride my soon-to-be-new-to-me 1800 Valkyrie.

I have a friendly Suzuki dealer in my town, that's where I buy my
tires. We sit around and talk sometimes. He was telling me how
a lot of these people judge the folks who walk in based on whether
or not they look like they might be able to buy a motorcycle. Were
you wearing your good shoes  ?

-Mike

[cookiedough]

the only one Honda and other mfg. cycle dealer will not let you test drive anything crotch rocket, even a 250cc,  but yet you can test drive a new yamaha Vmax or Triumph rocket III, etc.  NOT make any sense to me.    Guess you have to buy the crotch rocket first and if do not like they give you your money back within first 10-20 days or so.  That is so wrong if you ask me.  I wonder if you get 100% back, bet NOT, since then considered a USED cycle.  

I would never buy any new cycle anyways not worth the cost when there are 100's of good used cycles out there with low miles at half the cost of new.

[Jess from VA]

I prefer not to be pestered by salesman when walking around vehicle showrooms.

If I have questions, I'll find someone to ask (if I want to).  I'd appreciate them waiting to be asked.


Over the years, I taught a few to ride and took a few of those to dealer showrooms to look at used bikes for my trainee to buy as a starter.  When they wouldn't let me ride any and I couldn't even get them to start them up and ride it around the parking lot a little so I could look and listen to them, we went elsewhere to buy a bike (cash, several times).  

[..]

I've been into a few dealers over the years.

Many years ago my local one in England let me borrow a 200cc to take my test on because I promised him I would buy a 400 if I passed.

Since then the only customer friendly seller I've been into was WOW in N.W. Atlanta.

https://www.wowmotorcycles.com/

The multi brand dealership in Roswell, GA was pretty useless.

The local one here in Waynesville is more than useless. I went in to to buy some winter clothing and there was no one to be seen. I waited about 10 minutes - it was cold outside - and finally yelled GOODBYE in best best school bus driver voice to then see a few heads pop out of doors as I walked out. Never been back and never will.

M&R in Asheville are great if you need service right now. When someone in the group has a flat or no tread they've helped out right away. I have their number in my cell phone.

https://mr-motorcycle.com/

[h13man]

I liked being left alone to look but if they ask I tell them precisely what I'm looking for though the last time they tried to steer me toward a Indian which is nothing like late model CB1100. 

[Rams]

I liked being left alone to look but if they ask I tell them precisely what I'm looking for though the last time they tried to steer me toward a Indian which is nothing like late model CB1100. 

I tend to agree, leave me alone, if I want help I'll ask.   Because, it's been my experience that once they think you're a serious buyer, the knives come out and they pester you.

Rams

[f6john]

The business owes it to the customer to at least acknowledge that you are there. You are their guest if you will. A smile and a handshake would go a long way in establishing a relationship without the need to to break out the condoms and KY. I’ve always done a lot more looking than buying but I still like not feeling invisible.

[carolinarider09]

The business owes it to the customer to at least acknowledge that you are there. You are their guest if you will. A smile and a handshake would go a long way in establishing a relationship without the need to to break out the condoms and KY. I’ve always done a lot more looking than buying but I still like not feeling invisible.

Yes, while it's a fine line, that is the way to run a show room.   Welcome the potential buyer and ask if you might be helpful and if the answer is "Thanks, I am just looking" then the next response is "Well if you need anything I am >>>>> or something similar" and then walk away, slowly and go back to what you were doing. 

Just keep an eye out for a "need".   It's really about being available but not being overly .....  (can't think of the word).

[old2soon]

     Ross-daprez-and I went to the H/D dlr in Sturgis when we were at I-15. As soon as those Valkyries pulled up we could see them leaving the showroom. Had the same thing happen in Il. at an H/D dlr and all we were there for was some parts the guy Ross worked with at the time. The Honda dlr in Rolla Mo. and the dlr I use most frequently-West Plains Mo.-are friendly but after a greeting pretty much leave me to my own devices. In W P I'm greeted by my first name. The Honda dlr my Brother uses-Crystal Lake Il.-also are friendly enough. Too bad some folks don't seem to git-the wind NEVER asked me how I got there or what I wuz ridin.  RIDE SAFE.

[f6john]

The business owes it to the customer to at least acknowledge that you are there. You are their guest if you will. A smile and a handshake would go a long way in establishing a relationship without the need to to break out the condoms and KY. I’ve always done a lot more looking than buying but I still like not feeling invisible.

Yes, while it's a fine line, that is the way to run a show room.   Welcome the potential buyer and ask if you might be helpful and if the answer is "Thanks, I am just looking" then the next response is "Well if you need anything I am >>>>> or something similar" and then walk away, slowly and go back to what you were doing. 

Just keep an eye out for a "need".   It's really about being available but not being overly .....  (can't think of the word).

Another facet to the customer relations scenario is product knowledge. You can’t help me much if I know more than you. After managing a Lumber and Hardware business for 20 years, then being a self employed remodeler for another 20, then going into a Lowes to have a youngster start spraining things to me was both humorous and entertaining.

[hubcapsc]

I don't want to be bothered or followed around. I want to feel like they noticed
I came in, and are glad about it.

-Mike

[RP#62]

The business owes it to the customer to at least acknowledge that you are there. You are their guest if you will. A smile and a handshake would go a long way in establishing a relationship without the need to to break out the condoms and KY. I’ve always done a lot more looking than buying but I still like not feeling invisible.

Yes, while it's a fine line, that is the way to run a show room.   Welcome the potential buyer and ask if you might be helpful and if the answer is "Thanks, I am just looking" then the next response is "Well if you need anything I am >>>>> or something similar" and then walk away, slowly and go back to what you were doing. 

Just keep an eye out for a "need".   It's really about being available but not being overly .....  (can't think of the word).

Another facet to the customer relations scenario is product knowledge. You can’t help me much if I know more than you. After managing a Lumber and Hardware business for 20 years, then being a self employed remodeler for another 20, then going into a Lowes to have a youngster start spraining things to me was both humorous and entertaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEhHEOIYgMY

[Serk]

Another facet to the customer relations scenario is product knowledge. You can’t help me much if I know more than you. After managing a Lumber and Hardware business for 20 years, then being a self employed remodeler for another 20, then going into a Lowes to have a youngster start spraining things to me was both humorous and entertaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEhHEOIYgMY

Heh, you beat me to it!

[Oss]

I think the man was Ken Carr which was just south of where Inzane was in Johnson City Maybe around 2007


Great folks, but  did have to show the 3rd o ring as they replaced my rear tire


I think Charliemac told me about them    Believe Ken passed on a while back  Good shop and good price and they were quick on the work as well  I was in and out before noon which I thought was awesome

[Crackerborn]

The Honda dealer that is closest is south of the cheese curtain but has a good parts department. I was there to get some fork oil recently and they had a used F6B on the floor. No sales people about so I asked the receptionist if I could look it over and maybe test drive it. I was told there are no test rides without a credit card on file but i was welcome to look it over. I opened the oil fill and shined a light in and suddenly I had the sales manager in my face asking if he could help me. I said I was looking for something along the lines of the F6B but wasn't sure if that was what I was really looking for. After a bit of back and forth i asked for a test ride and was told a credit card with $10,000 available was required and what was my trade-in going to be, yada, yada, yada. Told him no trade and if I like it I'il be paying CASH. They still stood firm on the credit card amount available so i told him i want a full refund on the hold upon return from the test ride and I want a written agreement before any of this progressed. His comment was that this is customary and nothing in writing was necessary. That was all i needed to walk.

The F6B is still there 4 months later, I wonder why? And I now get more small OEM parts delivered to the door rather than supporting that local stealership.

[Charlie McCready]

Ossvalk, Ken is still kicking !!  He sold the bike shop and retired but I see him occasionally at Cracker Barrel !!

[baldo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjYo0CBSG9c

[Grey wolf oz]

OK so, been busy,,,,

The Dealership is in Epping north of Melbourne Australia,

I pulled up out front on the Valk,  parked in front of where the sales people sit

Got of, went through clothing looking over helmets,

Walked to the FB6 and circled it looking it over deliberately for a little short of 5 minutes

Not one of the cockroaches moved,

Left the store for the last time in disgust

Note to self this is the shop that failed to note my breaks were worn out when Changing a tyre ,,,,,,,

Maybe the Harley store next time :O