So you think the point is the same? Motorcycle dealer service shops are paid to work on bikes. If you are willing on paying them to work on a tire you already have why wouldn't they?
Let's ask this question another way. Are you one of those people who would be okay for a dealer to not work on your bike because you didn't buy it there?
The only reason dealers don't want to install parts not bought there is because they are being dicks about the fact that they don't want to compete against internet businesses. They have the right to do so, but we have the right to be dicks right back and go elsewhere. We are willing on paying them a fair labor rate that will make a profit for them, and mounting a name brand tire does not add any liability to them. In fact, you should know that they frequently buy their tires from the same places we can buy them from ourselves, but they get a dealer discount.
Like I said in an earlier post, they would do a whole lot better using a positive approach and asking you to work with them next time on buying the parts/accessories, and taking great care of you on the service end. I've actually had more than one dealer take this approach, and because of it they scored big points with me.
I have a couple of questions...
"mounting a name brand tire does not add any liability to them"
You are technically correct, but, why would any business enter into a business arrangement that did add liability? What it does is add "potential liability"...scratched wheel, lost bolt or nut, etc...and, while these are easily handled at the dealer level, the biggie - a catastrophic loss of air pressure while riding causing bodily injury...now becomes a potential that the shop must have insurance to cover...I mean, think about it...would a doctor, or nurse, inject you with medicine you bought elsewhere?
So, in most cases, the dealership is faced with this challenge: Who changes the tires? And, how much do we pay them? Does the seasoned mechanic with years of experience get the call because of his ability to do the job right without causing any damage or losing any parts in the process? With twenty years of experience in the industry, and all his acquired knowledge, should he be pulled away from the technical repair that he is working on, and, I might add, that he is the only one in the shop capable of doing correctly? And, if he is being paid a reasonable wage (commission), you need to understand that he will not make as much for changing a tire (50% commission for $70 per hour shop rate is more than 50% commission for a $40 tire change)...so, as his earnings go down, he will begin to look elsewhere for work...
Or, should the high school kid who rides a KX125 change the tire on your Concours 14 (or Goldwing!) when he comes in this afternoon? The shop can afford to pay him $8 or $9 bucks an hour to do the job...right?
"you should know that they frequently buy their tires from the same places we can buy them from ourselves, but they get a dealer discount."
Actually, that is incorrect. Most dealerships have accounts with distributors that DO NOT SELL TO THE PUBLIC! Motorcycle Superstore is a competitor to your local franchised shop...they buy from the same places so they can sell to their customers...us! The two biggest factors, however, are the size of their orders...most franchised shops rarely order $25,000 of tires at a time...while a large internet seller regularly might order $100,000 or more in tires on a single order...which one do you think gets better pricing?
"The only reason dealers don't want to install parts not bought there is because they are being dicks about the fact that they don't want to compete against internet businesses."
Don't forget about the less than fair laws regarding sales tax that penalize your local shops by collecting state and local sales taxes from them...but, not from the internet sellers...most shops just want a FAIR CHANCE at gaining your business...nuff said here?
"Like I said in an earlier post, they would do a whole lot better using a positive approach and asking you to work with them next time on buying the parts/accessories, and taking great care of you on the service end. I've actually had more than one dealer take this approach, and because of it they scored big points with me."
I AGREE WITH YOU 100% ON THIS!!!!!
But...understand...it is a two way street...and WE have to meet somewhere towards the middle!
Times are changing the business climate. It isn't a simple answer to a simple question. And, they aren't new questions, either. But, it is important to our sport, and our industry, to keep the conversation alive...
