:grouphug:it seems I have found ANOTHER good dealership with regards to thier service ethics....I'll report back after the install......
Ohio Motorcycle, Oakwood Ohio
www.ohiomotorcycle.com
Only after you 'explained' the situation to them, Rich. They didn't sound good until after that. In fact, they sounded more the norm. Let us know how it goes.
Only after you 'explained' the situation to them, Rich. They didn't sound good until after that. In fact, they sounded more the norm. Let us know how it goes.
My 2 pesos on this, since I'm a business owner . . .
I won't defend the dealer and his crappy service, BUT part of what you're seeing is the result of every damn person looking for the absolute lowest price on everything. A lot of products have very slim margins and all this price competition is fierce. A dealer or any other business that can't make a profit eventually ceases to exist.
In my neck of OH we've seen some of the biggest dealers go **** up the past few years, lessening competition and increasing servicing time because there are now too many people with no place else to go.
We've also had customers in our store whip out their cell phones to either photograph our products and prices or to go online and check for a lower price. And hell, I've even done that myself in Best Buy . . . still, it's not appropriate.
I try as much as possible to purchase my bike parts from local dealers. I will NOT use M/C Superstore or their ilk. How many of you know that Dennis Kirk the catalog/online site is actually owned by Parts Unlimited, the 800-lb gorilla of m/c distributors? How would you like to be a bike shop with this kind of price power being used against them?
End of rant . . .
i see people looking at high end stereo stuff in bestbuy then whip out there phones and buy online at the push of a button (bar scan app) same price minus taxes and free shipping.
... Apparently I have to try the Wally's Drive-in next time around.
My 2 pesos on this, since I'm a business owner . . .
I won't defend the dealer and his crappy service, BUT part of what you're seeing is the result of every damn person looking for the absolute lowest price on everything. A lot of products have very slim margins and all this price competition is fierce. A dealer or any other business that can't make a profit eventually ceases to exist.
In my neck of OH we've seen some of the biggest dealers go **** up the past few years, lessening competition and increasing servicing time because there are now too many people with no place else to go.
We've also had customers in our store whip out their cell phones to either photograph our products and prices or to go online and check for a lower price. And hell, I've even done that myself in Best Buy . . . still, it's not appropriate.
I try as much as possible to purchase my bike parts from local dealers. I will NOT use M/C Superstore or their ilk. How many of you know that Dennis Kirk the catalog/online site is actually owned by Parts Unlimited, the 800-lb gorilla of m/c distributors? How would you like to be a bike shop with this kind of price power being used against them?
End of rant . . .
I dunno. I have always found, in any line of business, for every pissed off customer that can't stand the dealer/business/store, etc. there is another customer that rants about how fantastic they are.
I have always kept my opinion to myself, because I know I can be a cantakerous, unreasonable old fart. There are several business here in Katy, Tx. that I won't give my hard earned money to, for various reasons. My wife thinks I am crazy on a few of the reasons. But it is my money and I will give it to who I want.
But I guess there isn't any sense in participating in a forum if you don't try to warn fellow participants about the pitfalls of some businesses. I gues my main point is just make sure it is justified, and hasn't reached a personal leve..
For what it is worth the lack of good customer service has driven me away from my local dealers and onto the computer. I would rather support my local guy and spend 10% more if there was a mutual benefit, but when I go there and get treated like crap from the pimple faced kid at the parts counter then I lost feel no reason to pay more.
Another good post. I like the idea of supporting local business, but the dealer / buyer relationship has to be mutual. Just as much as its crappy for a customer to window shop and purchase online, a good dealer should be willing to work with a customer as well.
Case in point, a local, very large dealership in De Pere (I'm sure those in WI can figure that out) routinely charges ABOVE MSRP for gear. Ok, I can appreciate paying a little more to have good gear in stock. Now, I went there earlier in the year to get boots. They didn't have my size but offered to order them in for me. I was about to agree, but then they guy said I'd have to pay in advance for them and when I asked what about if they don't fit, he said I would have to pay a restocking fee. I'm sorry, at that point I said no thank you and went online. It sucks, but when it costs more and the return policy sucks, it pushes me towards online retailers. The real kicker is this dealer is awesome to work with when it comes to test riding and buying bikes, its just their gear department that sucks.
Case in point, a local, very large dealership in De Pere (I'm sure those in WI can figure that out) routinely charges ABOVE MSRP for gear. Ok, I can appreciate paying a little more to have good gear in stock. Now, I went there earlier in the year to get boots. They didn't have my size but offered to order them in for me. I was about to agree, but then they guy said I'd have to pay in advance for them and when I asked what about if they don't fit, he said I would have to pay a restocking fee. I'm sorry, at that point I said no thank you and went online. It sucks, but when it costs more and the return policy sucks, it pushes me towards online retailers. The real kicker is this dealer is awesome to work with when it comes to test riding and buying bikes, its just their gear department that sucks.