Things Dealers tell Customers

[ak_diane]

So I broke down and purchased a new motorcycle this year (actually it was my first new vehicle purchase ever) and was thinking about stupid things I was told by the dealer.

When I got the bike I asked where the tools were: "Oh those Disney tool kits, don't need those things anymore."

"If you don't like the KLR try the Verys, it's a more street oriented DUAL SPORT"

"The Vstrom is good but you should really take a seat on the Ducati, it's a 100 pounds lighter - great off road bike!"


Anyone else got some good lines to share?

[ThatGuy]

I can only imagine which shop.....

I went in once to looking for a KN filter as KN listed this shop as a dealer. I was told by the rep " this is a BMW shop".

[bracky72]

This is the last year for "whatever bike your interested in".

[Yooper_Bob]

Dealer - "Yeah...we've got that tube in stock, come on down"

.....30 minute drive later....

Dealer - "well, its not exactly what you asked for on the phone, but it'll stretch".


I called the local KTM dealer, so see if they could mount some tires I had purchased, as I was going to be out of town on business, and would not have time.

Me - "Hello....can you mount a couple of tires for me? I'll pull the wheels off the bike, and drop them by."

Dealer - "Did you buy the tires from me?"

Me - "Um, no I did not....I ordered them on the internet a while back when they were on sale"

Dealer - "I don't want your business"

I have not set foot in the local KTM dealer's shop in the 5 years since that conversation took place.


Both of these are true conversations I have had...

[DarthJ]

Originally Posted by Yooper_Bob

Me - "Hello....can you mount a couple of tires for me? I'll pull the wheels off the bike, and drop them by."

Dealer - "Did you buy the tires from me?"

Me - "Um, no I did not....I ordered them on the internet a while back when they were on sale"

Dealer - "I don't want your business"

I have not set foot in the local KTM dealer's shop in the 5 years since that conversation took place.


Both of these are true conversations I have had...

Damn, that sucks. I like the dealer here, they sell and service anything, took bike in for initial service, and they actually checked it over instead of just doing an oil change. They noted a minor (so minor I didn't notice) water pump leak, they went ahead and ordered the pump, called me and said they'll have it ready as soon as the replacement pump arrived. And that's for warranty work!

[ttpete]

Originally Posted by Yooper_Bob

Dealer - "Yeah...we've got that tube in stock, come on down"

.....30 minute drive later....

Dealer - "well, its not exactly what you asked for on the phone, but it'll stretch".


I called the local KTM dealer, so see if they could mount some tires I had purchased, as I was going to be out of town on business, and would not have time.

Me - "Hello....can you mount a couple of tires for me? I'll pull the wheels off the bike, and drop them by."

Dealer - "Did you buy the tires from me?"

Me - "Um, no I did not....I ordered them on the internet a while back when they were on sale"

Dealer - "I don't want your business"

I have not set foot in the local KTM dealer's shop in the 5 years since that conversation took place.


Both of these are true conversations I have had...

Having worked in dealerships, I'll give you an analogy: Suppose you walked into a diner with all of the fixin's for breakfast in a sack and asked them to cook your breakfast for you using them. Would you feel put out if they refused?

Like it or not, the shop usually covers the cost of opening the doors each day. It's up to sales to make a profit, and you bought over the internet instead of the dealer.

Now, there are independent places who will mount your tires for a fee. I have one nearby that charges 30 bucks if you bring the wheel to them, and it's cheaper if you buy the tire there.

[MotorCade]

Originally Posted by ttpete

Having worked in dealerships, I'll give you an analogy: Suppose you walked into a diner with all of the fixin's for breakfast in a sack and asked them to cook your breakfast for you using them. Would you feel put out if they refused?

Like it or not, the shop usually covers the cost of opening the doors each day. It's up to sales to make a profit, and you bought over the internet instead of the dealer.

Now, there are independent places who will mount your tires for a fee. I have one nearby that charges 30 bucks if you bring the wheel to them, and it's cheaper if you buy the tire there.

Not to put words in his mouth - I didn't get the impression that he was asking them to do it for free... seemed like he was asking them the charge to mount and balance. If not, yup, I agree with you. A man has a right to get paid for his work. His work is motorcycle maintenance - shouldn't have to do it for free.

[ttpete]

Originally Posted by MotorCade

Not to put words in his mouth - I didn't get the impression that he was asking them to do it for free... seemed like he was asking them the charge to mount and balance. If not, yup, I agree with you. A man has a right to get paid for his work. His work is motorcycle maintenance - shouldn't have to do it for free.

I didn't mean for free. The point was that if the dealer didn't sell the tire, he didn't make a profit on it, and anything he charged went to overhead, which is usually a non-profit area.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by ttpete

Having worked in dealerships, I'll give you an analogy: Suppose you walked into a diner with all of the fixin's for breakfast in a sack and asked them to cook your breakfast for you using them. Would you feel put out if they refused?

Like it or not, the shop usually covers the cost of opening the doors each day. It's up to sales to make a profit, and you bought over the internet instead of the dealer.

Now, there are independent places who will mount your tires for a fee. I have one nearby that charges 30 bucks if you bring the wheel to them, and it's cheaper if you buy the tire there.

Let me give you a scenario.

Guy walks into a motorcycle shop asking if the shop will mount tires for him. The shop says, "Sure, but only if you buy them from us, liability concerns. Sorry sir!" Customer, "No problem, I understand." The customer leaves, finds another place willing to take his money, but is not pissed because the first shop treated him with respect.

Later, the guy goes back to the shop for service, supplies or gear. Everyone is happy, and the shop makes money.

See the difference?

Jim

[ttpete]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Let me give you a scenario.

Guy walks into a motorcycle shop asking if the shop will mount tires for him. The shop says, "Sure, but only if you buy them from us, liability concerns. Sorry sir!" Customer, "No problem, I understand." The customer leaves, finds another place willing to take his money, but is not pissed because the first shop treated him with respect.

Later, the guy goes back to the shop for service, supplies or gear. Everyone is happy, and the shop makes money.

See the difference?

Jim

Yup, but the result is the same. First one might have been having a bad day. Second one essentially said the same thing. There are those who go to a dealership and try on helmets, then buy them online from a discount dealer. Same goes for clothing. I just think it's asking a lot to be able to buy online and then expect a dealer to mount them. I don't do that, having been in the business.

[Yooper_Bob]

Originally Posted by ttpete

Having worked in dealerships, I'll give you an analogy: Suppose you walked into a diner with all of the fixin's for breakfast in a sack and asked them to cook your breakfast for you using them. Would you feel put out if they refused?

Like it or not, the shop usually covers the cost of opening the doors each day. It's up to sales to make a profit, and you bought over the internet instead of the dealer.

Now, there are independent places who will mount your tires for a fee. I have one nearby that charges 30 bucks if you bring the wheel to them, and it's cheaper if you buy the tire there.

The difference is, the diner actually has the food in the fridge and all ready to be cooked.

I hate buying stuff at a local dealer...they never carry anything, so I have to drive down there...wait while the parts guy digs thru several catalogs looking for the part I want...then, they have to order it, and say they'll have it in a week or so, so that means a second trip to pick up the part.

Why should I have to go thru all that hassle, when I can do a 5 minute search of the internet, order the part online, and 3 days later its sitting on my front step.

Whether I purchased the tires at the shop or not, the point is, they had the chance to do some paying work (I did not expect them to mount the tires for free), and could have potentially earned a new customer.

Business must so good that they don't need any extra work.

[Road Program]

Originally Posted by Yooper_Bob

The difference is, the diner actually has the food in the fridge and all ready to be cooked.

I hate buying stuff at a local dealer...they never carry anything, so I have to drive down there...wait while the parts guy digs thru several catalogs looking for the part I want...then, they have to order it, and say they'll have it in a week or so, so that means a second trip to pick up the part.

Why should I have to go thru all that hassle, when I can do a 5 minute search of the internet, order the part online, and 3 days later its sitting on my front step.

Whether I purchased the tires at the shop or not, the point is, they had the chance to do some paying work (I did not expect them to mount the tires for free), and could have potentially earned a new customer.

Business must so good that they don't need any extra work.

No shit!!! What is it with dealers and that damn Parts 411 catalog? Motorcycles are a hobby for me, not my business. I shouldn't know where and how to get better parts and accessories than the dealer can, and get them faster and cheaper. One of the sales guys is selling a [used] set of tires on the local rider forum for $10 less ($350) than the price of a new set from several online retailers and is saying they are a $600 set of tires. $600?! From where? I should tell him I'll sell him all the sets of these tires he wants for $500.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by ttpete

Having worked in dealerships, I'll give you an analogy: Suppose you walked into a diner with all of the fixin's for breakfast in a sack and asked them to cook your breakfast for you using them. Would you feel put out if they refused?

Like it or not, the shop usually covers the cost of opening the doors each day. It's up to sales to make a profit, and you bought over the internet instead of the dealer.

Now, there are independent places who will mount your tires for a fee. I have one nearby that charges 30 bucks if you bring the wheel to them, and it's cheaper if you buy the tire there.

Bullshit.

You have a sales department, a parts department, and a service department.

The service department makes money on every tire it mounts, whether it's bought in the parts department, or carried in.

Turning away carry-in tire mounting is cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Oh, and I've worked in dealerships, too.

[duck]

Originally Posted by rocker59

Turning away carry-in tire mounting is cutting off your nose to spite your face.

No kidding. The "it's overhead so there's no profit" argument is complete bullshit. The guys in the shop are getting paid the same hourly wage whether they're mounting tires at $30 each or picking their nose in the lunchroom. So the dealer is pissing away $60 of income by not mounting "walk-in" tires.

Then again, if the dealer is chooses to operate that way then it is their business and their right to do so.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by rocker59

Bullshit.

You have a sales department, a parts department, and a service department.

The service department makes money on every tire it mounts, whether it's bought in the parts department, or carried in.

Turning away carry-in tire mounting is cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Oh, and I've worked in dealerships, too.

My family is in the car biz and I agree with this. Each dept. needs to hold it's own and make $. The correct answer from the dealer should have been, sure the carry in tire price is X $ to mount. thanks for the business. just so you know in the future, if you buy tires from us too it's X discounted/free...

The whole quote about being a liability is bogus too. that's a nice way of say no. why is it then not a liability for the independent guy too? booth shops need and carry insurance.