Strange one this. Sort of I do not want to name names but I have a local bike dealer I have used in the past but have found over the years they are not helpful, very reasonable on the price of bikes or motorcycle gear and apart from being a large bike dealer really are not very good. In my opinion. I bought my Blade in South wales as the next dealer gave me a good price and came across to want my business. it was 30 miles further away then the local "other dealer". I am looking at the possibility of a new bike this year (Only 2 that I have any interest is the New Repsol SP and new R1). Both I can get in this "local Dealer" My question. Would you even bother to look at spending time getting quotes at the local dealer if you don't like the place. Or should my pride get put away and see what they can do even if it's just to get a better price elsewhere? really thinking do I waste my time
Personally, if the man has an attitude and an unfavourable personality, i couldn't bring myself to let him profit from my hard earned.. I think its worth travelling a few miles further if your gonna feel looked after and you can get a good relationship with a dealer imho !
Cheapest deal for me every time, cause in my experience as soon as you've signed the deal the dealers could'nt give a toss about you and they are on the hunt for the next customer.
I will agree this happens to much and often the case but I have had it where a dealer as done it's best after a sale and want to keep me coming back which I did for 6 years. this was Honda By the way and their after service was excellent
The first issue is price, it has to be the right deal. If it happens to be with someone I can gel with then all the better. But to answer your question, even if they were the cheapest but are complete assholes, then I would make it my mission to find someone I prefer and barter hard to get as close to their deal as possible.
Difficult one with a new bike purchase. I bought my new Blade from the cheapest supplier but had it serviced at my local dealer. They enquired why I hadn't bought it off them and I stated that they didn't advertise on Bike Trader and I hadn't got the time to fek about with phone calls and 'Call my Bluff' sales talks! Never felt welcome but hey they can't refuse either really. BTW Buy the R1, it'll be worth more come sale time as the Blade SP is end of line stuff now
Same predicament for me too.The owner of the dealer I bought mine from is a really nice guy.Has time for you and gives a good deal on px as well as bike sales.I don't mind parting with my cash for him cos he is good to me.BUT the workshop quality of workmanship is shite.I would go back n buy a bike but thats it.He knows they let him down,changed a few faces but the core of problems are still there according to people I know who still go there. Arrogance and ignorance along with bad manners gets my goat up. Sometimes its so bad I actually ask them if they are the owner.If yes then I just walk, if no then they get it in the ear.Colwins round the corner had this attitude behind their service and parts dept.New owner came in and wiped the lot out.Much better there now.
Totally agree - but will always give the nice guy the opportunity to match the best deal I can get - they usually do . After that, ill go wherever I think will look after the bike best....
I think I may know the dealer, did we meet there for breaky a couple of years ago by any chance? Go with the best deal Matt, they are all as bad as each other tbh mate
In my experience once a dealer has your money they're not really interested in their after sales service. So for me now i would buy the bike from the dealer selling at the lowest price then just have it serviced at an independent that I can trust to look after it.
If you like the bike that much as a package and meets your criteria, then i would say buy it. If not there are plenty of dealers out there that would appreciate spending your money with them
Echoing what Blade048 says really. All dealers are only your friend as long as their profit margin remains intact. Some may do a better job of hiding this fact and some try to take a long term view with regards repeat business etc but don't fall into the trap of believing that give two hoots about you.
I have been to dealers that have decent staff, but the big man is normally a tw@t, i haven't been to every dealer though so you could be right
I do. Not bikes but I'm a salesman. I know how it feels. You're nice as ninepence and falling all over yourself to get orders. Once you've got the money you're less likely to be accomodating if it's going to end up chewing away your profit. Especially if you think that the customer's being unreasonable or has broken something themself and is trying to get you to fix it for nowt.
i went to the local dealers when the first r1 came out in 1999 and asked for a test ride , i was told they don't give test rides as they can sell them all day without tests. i left and went to next nearest dealer and bought one from them , just so i could go back to the original dealers on my new bike to show them the sale they missed out on.
