Dealer gripe - yeah again...

[Munch]

Is it just me, or does it seems like dealers are still a pain in the ass? You would think with the economy going into the toilet they would be more apt to throw you a bone to close a sale.

After reading what I wrote, I guess this is an *rico gripe. So here's my tale... And on second thought, I'll * out the name of the dealer to protect the innocent.

I called *rico last week before finalizing the purchase of my multistrada. I spoke with a sales guy over the phone, asked him if he had an 07 or 08 multi 1100s, he said they only had an 07 1000. I said, "ok, thanks, but no thanks." At that time, I was still leaning toward the new 08 1100s over at Fay. They believe it or not had given me a smoking deal on a new one. Had I not found mine in Texas, I woulda jumped on it in a second. So I keep chatting with the guy a bit, and I explain that I have a good deal on the one at Fay. He asks, "Do you really wanna deal with them?" My answer, "I wanna deal with whomever has the best price. His reply, which shocked me was, "Then deal with Fay". Ok - click. Maybe he was having a bad day, maybe he didn't think I was a serious buying being that it was over the phone. Maybe he was a Fay employee mole planted at *rico to detour sales back to Fay? My mistake, I didn't know it was worth a premium to get reemed at *rico.

Don't get me wrong, *rico has the best looking shop in town without a doubt. But it's still staffed with idiots. Case in point #2:

I go in there last night to look for some Dainese pants. They apparently no longer carry them, but now have Rev-it. The sales guy says they like the Rev-it because they are better able to keep stock, and that they are the only premier dealer in town, and they get great pricing. So I look at a pair, and they are still full retail, $400 and some odd dollars. Hmm, best pricing in town, yet still MSRP. Yup they must be making a killer return on sales.

I make the mistake of going to check out an exhaust system in back, basically get into a arguement with the guy over the fact i "MUST" run a ECU or PCIII. Well friend, I'll take my chance with a stock airbox, and a CO adjustment for now, like countless others have successfully done, and go from there. I'll add one IF needed. I inquire about a price, he fumbles around, picks up the phone, says the Arrow supplier is closed as it's 5:30 MST, and replies: "our best price is going to be MSRP" without ever locating his cost, or price. Wow, here's my credit card I'll take 2!

So, I'll order my $1200 exhaust and order a pair of $300 pants elsewhere. *rico, you stil don't get it. Maybe I caught the few bad apples this week, but I'm not so sure.

Ok, last rant. Who the hell closes at 6pm?

[rubinj21]

my experiance at Erico was basically the same. When I decided to buy an RS about a month and half ago, I knew I wanted an 07, any color. Called on the phone, talked to the "manager", went in. Long and short, was told that there was no way any dealer would let an RS go for a substantial discount, even if it was a leftover 07. I wasnt a stroker, I was ready to buy on the spot. Finished at Fay, bought the last black S4RS for 12450 after all the crap fees. Sounds like 2500 off MSRP, and there was ZERO brain damage. I had a back experiance with Fay a long time ago, but things have changed my perception completely. The morale is, apparently they like being a showroom, as opposed to a dealership

[Bick]

You didn't learn before?

Not sure what they can do now, but way back when, TK got me a smokin' deal on my Arrows for the Monster.  Call Faster and see what they can do for you.

BMS would probably be able to help you out, as well.

[Munch]

Well, I gave em a shot on the Monster service, and they actually did a good job. Just thought they might want some aftermarket sales, and apparently that's not the case.

See you kids tomorrow.

[Randimus Maximus]

PM sent re: pipes

[flynbulldog]

I won't go into the bullshit I went through the last time I dealt with them but I can tell you it was the worst buying experience of my life and I'll never buy anything there again.

They think that holding the line for a $200 part they lost was worth losing me as a customer... Maybe but It was far costlier than the 200 bucks they couldn't live without.  I spent nearly $6000 on extras that could have been purchased through them, instead I bought them through another local dealer (not online).

 Everyone I talk to, and I'm very active and talk to a LOT of people, are steered toward other shops. In fact just yesterday A fellow came up to me and said He'd been looking for my exact Triumph jacket and wanted to buy one ASAP, asked me where I got it... I sent him to Foothills Triumph.  Went on a big ride with over 50 guys this weekend, everyone was sitting around talking about the bikes and then they began asking about Ducati's and where to go in Denver. Guess who was on the "stay away" list!!!

What goes around comes around, they really are the worst dealer in town regardless of how cool the shop looks.
Anybody reading this who's never dealt with this dealership do yourself a favor and drive as far as it takes to go somewhere else. 

[Randimus Maximus]

What goes around comes around, they really are the worst dealer in town regardless of how cool the shop looks.

It's the people and processes inside the cool looking building that makes or breaks the dealership.

[Bick]

It's the people and processes inside the cool looking building that makes or breaks the dealership.

I second that.

Some of the best service I have ever received was at TK, when they were in the old space on Wyndot.  A very cool place to hang out.

And that shop looked like...?

[Manny]

Anybody reading this who's never dealt with this dealership do yourself a favor and drive as far as it takes to go somewhere else. 

As far as travel time to buy from a decent shop, here's an idea:

There are a couple of us that live up north or spend alot of time up north. If anyone needs something, order it from Northern Colorado BMW Ducati. One of the northern peeps can pick it up and bring it down for a thursday Gov's night. You can get shipping on anything you want for the price of a beer!   

[RSVRider]

I always viewed Erico as more of a scooter shop ... until I went in there.  Then I saw all the Ducs, Triumphs, and the ONE APRILIA FALCO there -- and lo it was a Bol d'Or edition.  They wanted full retail for it, but what's worse, no one in the whole shop knew anything about the line.  I know this is a Ducati forum but sheez, if you are going to be in sales, know what you carry and know SOMETHING about them more than the customer does.

Yeah, Erico looks nice, yeah Erico is a cool place.  I've never bought anything from there and don't think that I would.  I get the impression that the sales folks are tools who have nothing better to do than to sit on their barstools and surf the net all day (that's what they've done every time I've been in there).  Oh and let's not talk about the squids that were in there too, crawling all over the 1098's, and throwing specs and facts (I use that term loosely) back and forth about Ducati and how the Hayabusa is a much better bike.

Where were the sales folks?  Surfing the net, oblivious.

I took a friend there this past winter, and he was looking for his first (FIRST) bike ... when I finally got a sales guy away from his computer, we didn't get past "looking for first bike" before the sales guy tried to sell him a new Triumph Daytona.  I mean come on guys this person has never been on a bike before ... seems to me that you'd suggest something more generic, used and easier to take care of (and less drama) ... like a Jap bike.  THEN he should upgrade.

Or maybe I'm missing something.  *shrug*

The dealers on TOB have been beaten up, but I gotta say these days I'm impressed with Fay Myers.  I've not had any issues with them to speak of, and they've gone the extra mile for me more than once.

 

[Randimus Maximus]

I think on TOB there was plenty o' dealer bashing.

I don't think we need to go there on here.

But, we can talk about our experiences in the manner we have so far.

That's all.

Carry on.

[Smitch]

Hey guys,
It's no secret I work at BMW-Ducati Colorado Springs. The above just made me want to say a couple of things to give some perspective:

Nobody here at our shop, including the owners, are getting rich off this place, or by charging MSRP.  I wish I could go further into that, but dealers get beat up more than anybody when it comes to what things cost.  I know parts are expensive, hell I can't afford a lot of stuff I want (pipes) at my employee discount.  But nobody walks into Walmart to haggle price!  Maybe that's a horrible analogy, but it's one I think about from time to time.

And day in, day out, getting beat up by customers and being played against the other dealers on prices, it gets old.  Good, bad, or indifferent.  I'm not trying to change anybody's mind here, just giving you my perspective.

Don't be too hard on the employees.  They have bosses telling them to stop giving stuff away so they can keep the shop open, or actually make a profit.  If you had a business, you'd probably want to turn a profit that made it worth continuing.

That said, I know we mess up from time to time.  Customers get unhappy, and sometimes they have every right to be.  No Dealer is perfect, because they're run by people!  If you have an issue, ask to talk to a manager or whatever, explain your case.  BE NICE!  If you're hot and bothered, you're not likely to get as favorable a response.  Nobody likes getting yelled at, and if you're cool, you might be understood and a compromise can be made.



 

[Randimus Maximus]

To Smitch's point, the net profit level at dealerships (at least car dealerships, I'm assuming moto shops are similar) is extremely low compared to other industries.

Depending on the dealership, a $100 discount would require tens of thousands in other revenue to make up the difference.  No lie.

However, we should support the dealerships that provide good service.

And we can vote with our wallets against those that don't.

[Smitch]

To Smitch's point, the net profit level at dealerships (at least car dealerships, I'm assuming moto shops are similar) is extremely low compared to other industries.

Depending on the dealership, a $100 discount would require tens of thousands in other revenue to make up the difference.  No lie.

However, we should support the dealerships that provide good service.

And we can vote with our wallets against those that don't.

   You're exactly right on all counts bro.

[flynbulldog]

However, we should support the dealerships that provide good service.

And we can vote with our wallets against those that don't.

And that is precisely why I'll continue to do business with Southern Colorado Ducati and Boulder Motorsports 

Hooray for those guys   [moto]

If you're a Dealer or Dealer employee remember this:  It's not the mistakes that count, it's how you remedy the mistakes...