Hey Dealers: Buying in the next 48 hours, give me your quotes..

flarider wrote:

My final comment on this is this.... For those of you blowing off the local dealer, going 100% online, and basically see your local dealer as...

My final comment on this is this....

For those of you blowing off the local dealer, going 100% online, and basically see your local dealer as merely a nuisance, what are you going to do when something breaks on your bike that you can't fix? Who will you call? OEM's have a "case splitting hotline" that I am not aware of? If it needs a special tool to be done, where you going to go? When you discover the day before your ride, you have a flat, fried clutch, dead pads or broken cable, where you going to go?

When all the shops are gone, where will you go?

People bitch about the economy, but they refuse to spread the wealth and support their local place that employs local people, benefitting your local economy

But what do I know?

TailSoHard wrote:

Yes, and to expand on your point a little... You can't go online, buy something, and give BTO your business card for your architecture firm for...

Yes, and to expand on your point a little...

You can't go online, buy something, and give BTO your business card for your architecture firm for future reference. BTO doesn't give a shit about you. On the other hand, if you hand out a business card to someone you just bought something from, who do you think they're going to call when they need an architect?

Just this morning, I sold a used Honda 400 EX to a guy and his son and we found out he lives in the town my parents live in. He just opened a fireplace store in town, and guess what?! My parents are looking for a new woodstove! So, he gave me his business card, and said he wants to repay the favor and help them out since he had such a good experience here...

I don't think BTO will be sending customers your way after you go online to buy a helmet for $20 cheaper than the dealership would have sold it to you for... They don't give a fuck. They want your money, I want your business.

That is the advantage of buying locally. It's just a shame more people don't get it...

Roscoe33 wrote:

let me explain how a dealership works, bolt a part you pay a mechanic, take it off you pay a mechanic. A customer NEVER likes the...

let me explain how a dealership works, bolt a part you pay a mechanic, take it off you pay a mechanic.
A customer NEVER likes the parts you put on now you got scratched parts that need to be restocked.
you don't think anybody has ever tried this ?

Bolt race parts on a showroom bike and make money?

that's funny !

Titan1 wrote:

You aren't marketing those bike to hardcore racers that are brand loyal...you are marketing those bikes to dudes with the Monster Energy stickers all over their...

You aren't marketing those bike to hardcore racers that are brand loyal...you are marketing those bikes to dudes with the Monster Energy stickers all over their truck, that just like to ride for the image, and just want a bike that looks bad@ss to haul around in the back of their lifted Powerstroke. That is who you are marketing those bikes to. So not every bike on the floor, but some of the bikes on the floor

You are paying the mechanic anyway...

And a customer "NEVER" like the parts? Really? NEVER. Absolutely NEVER?

Maybe you don't do it on your new bikes...maybe do it for all the trades, used bikes, rather than hose them down and sell them as-is. I know dudes that pick up used bikes on Craigslist, bring them home, clean them up real good, put new plastics, graphics, a pipe, grips, tires, etc. etc.-whatever the bikes need-on them (paying Rocky Mountain Prices for the bolt ons-and if a dealership can't buy the parts from the manufacturer as cheap as they can buy them from Rocky Mountain then there is a huge problem, and they should just get a business account at Rocky Mountain and buy the parts from there), and put them back online and make way more than $60/bike, (Usually more like the $200-$500 range). If some Joe Blow off the street can do that, I fail to see why dealerships can't?

But whatever, dealers should just keep doing what they're doing and complain that they aren't making any money. That will fix it.

KTMShane699 wrote:

The customer you describe is the also the same customer that doesn't want to spend money. He's the customer looking for that bottom dollar price. Or...

The customer you describe is the also the same customer that doesn't want to spend money. He's the customer looking for that bottom dollar price. Or can't get financing (why people finance dirt bikes is a whole other subject in itself). The business model is broken, and to break the cycle starts with the manufacturers. It's not something that the dealer can take the sole blame for.

The used dirt bike segment can be difficult for dealerships too. A private sale doesn't have to stand behind the product the same way a dealer does to keep someone happy. That used bike that blows a motor? We fix it at no charge to the customer to keep them happy. There goes the profit dollars on the deal. After a private sale and the bike blew up? Too bad...buyer beware.

Shane

Roscoe33 wrote:

I don't think you grasp the concept of how a dealer works each time a bike is touched a work order is opened that adds cost...

I don't think you grasp the concept of how a dealer works each time a bike is touched a work order is opened that adds cost. race bike margins are way too skinny to be adding parts hoping they sell.

The only way I have ever seen race bikes do well used is when the bike had a 10 % racer discount from the MFG. and all the trick parts came free from sponsorship deals.

Titan1 wrote:

Okay, keep doing what you're doing then. Don't ever try and make anything else work. What your doing seems to be working out really well. (And...

Okay, keep doing what you're doing then. Don't ever try and make anything else work. What your doing seems to be working out really well.

(And if you bolt on parts, you are selling the bike for MSRP, PLUS, the cost of the parts.)

Anyway....

Crisp BRAAAP! wrote:

BTO helps finance the many hours of moto podcasts that I listen to every week thanks to Matthes. So I feel some loyalty there too. I...

BTO helps finance the many hours of moto podcasts that I listen to every week thanks to Matthes. So I feel some loyalty there too. I also love the Butler team and JT$. So there's that.

I have no way of getting referrals myself but I guess that could be motivating if you did.

flarider wrote:

My final comment on this is this.... For those of you blowing off the local dealer, going 100% online, and basically see your local dealer as...

My final comment on this is this....

For those of you blowing off the local dealer, going 100% online, and basically see your local dealer as merely a nuisance, what are you going to do when something breaks on your bike that you can't fix? Who will you call? OEM's have a "case splitting hotline" that I am not aware of? If it needs a special tool to be done, where you going to go? When you discover the day before your ride, you have a flat, fried clutch, dead pads or broken cable, where you going to go?

When all the shops are gone, where will you go?

People bitch about the economy, but they refuse to spread the wealth and support their local place that employs local people, benefitting your local economy

But what do I know?

three9zero wrote:

As a person who has worked in the industry at the dealer level for 15 years in a row now, I have seen the industry change...

As a person who has worked in the industry at the dealer level for 15 years in a row now, I have seen the industry change a great deal in the last few years because of "The internet".
I have worked for 1 VERY sucessfull dealer who is always changing with the times(proactive), focusing on "exclusive" brands that only sell on the dealer level, do not sell to online retailers and have a MAP policy and enforces it...... This dealer does not sell on volume or "best price", and is very sucsessful. They "troll the line" with the brands everybody else sells and focus on their exclusive product.
The sucessfull dealers moving foward will focus on what somebody can not buy online and have shipped to their house, units(bikes, quads,etc) and service.
If every dealer sells the same product, most customers will just buy on price, the customer who buys on price is usually your worst customer, will not be loyal, or patient, and will still expect the same service as they guy who is loyal and great to work with.

Also, a guy can make a living running a good dealership, but he's never going to be rich, they are dong it for the love of the hobby, and the fact that they are self employed and their own boss....
When I look at my margins I basically make 2x the profit selling an exclusive bands(BRP, Husqvarna for me). At full price(MSRP) without charging freight, set up, or doc fee I barley make $ 700 on a YZ 250 two stroke, where I can make $ 1400 on the Husky. The Japanese brands area basically going for volume, casuing the dealers to cannibalize each other just to get a sale( the brands are still making money but in reality foricng the dealers to take most of the financial risk and basically store their product for them, pretty much 'wholsaleing" their bikes.....The European brands do the oppisite, they leave good margin in their products, open far less dealers in most regions, and do not really warehouse bikes, what their dealers order at start of the season with the sales rep is all thats built, I ordered 35 Huskys and I'm getting 26.....When they sell out I can't get any more, all the dealers are in the same position and can retail their bikes and make enough money to put a bit of cheddar on their nachos.

As a former racer myself, I do not want to paint everybody with the same brush, but I can tell you that the local racer who thinks he's "King Shit of Turd Island" is usually your worst customer, he wants most stuff for cost "cause he races", and thinks that him running your shops sticker on his bike is going to be sending in people in droves to buy from your shop.
In reality the best customer is usually Bob Smith who ownes Smith electrical, he rides on Sundays with his family, they all have bikes, buy gear at your shop, and also have a quad, snomobile and get work done by your service department. Bob is a really nice guy, brings by coffee and donuts for you staff, gets treated really well becasuse he is great to deal with, does not expect special treatment, but he gets it casue Bob is great a great customer. He sends his co-workers in to the shop, and they are great to deal with cause, Bob referred them and told them how good he is treated. The shop even lends Bob their demo ATV if he needs it, and get to use the new model MX bike if the dealer has a demo. I LOVE dealing with Bob Smith ,he gets great deals and special treatment,. "King Shit of Turd Island", I've told to go shop somewhere else, he's an asshole, treats my staff like shit, I cant keep my door open selling anything too him.

Titan1 wrote:

Okay, keep doing what you're doing then. Don't ever try and make anything else work. What your doing seems to be working out really well. (And...

Okay, keep doing what you're doing then. Don't ever try and make anything else work. What your doing seems to be working out really well.

(And if you bolt on parts, you are selling the bike for MSRP, PLUS, the cost of the parts.)

Anyway....

TailSoHard wrote:

Dude, I have bikes on my floor literally right in front of my desk that are exactly the way you describe. I'm staring at one right...

Dude, I have bikes on my floor literally right in front of my desk that are exactly the way you describe. I'm staring at one right now... Brand-new bikes with added-on accessories that we think customers will buy anyway. We advertise the bikes at the same discounts that a brand-new stock bike would have, then add the price of the parts (which are priced at dealer cost + 10%). I don't even charge any labor (I installed them myself to save money...). But yet, here they sit. What else do you want me to do?

TailSoHard wrote:

Dude, I have bikes on my floor literally right in front of my desk that are exactly the way you describe. I'm staring at one right...

Dude, I have bikes on my floor literally right in front of my desk that are exactly the way you describe. I'm staring at one right now... Brand-new bikes with added-on accessories that we think customers will buy anyway. We advertise the bikes at the same discounts that a brand-new stock bike would have, then add the price of the parts (which are priced at dealer cost + 10%). I don't even charge any labor (I installed them myself to save money...). But yet, here they sit. What else do you want me to do?

kkawboy14 wrote:

Who here gets their stuff fixed at a franchise motorcycle dealership?

TailSoHard wrote:

Dude, I have bikes on my floor literally right in front of my desk that are exactly the way you describe. I'm staring at one right...

Dude, I have bikes on my floor literally right in front of my desk that are exactly the way you describe. I'm staring at one right now... Brand-new bikes with added-on accessories that we think customers will buy anyway. We advertise the bikes at the same discounts that a brand-new stock bike would have, then add the price of the parts (which are priced at dealer cost + 10%). I don't even charge any labor (I installed them myself to save money...). But yet, here they sit. What else do you want me to do?

Titan1 wrote:

Like I said, maybe it won't work. But the point isn't that that idea is going to be the savior of all dealerships...it was that dealerships...

Like I said, maybe it won't work. But the point isn't that that idea is going to be the savior of all dealerships...it was that dealerships need to think outside the box and figure out ways to create value, and separate themselves from their competition.

I'm not in the business, so I don't understand it enough to really figure anything out (my modified bike idea was because I'd totally buy one...and figured I'm not the only one, maybe I am, though?), I was just getting at the "think outside the box" thing, whatever that its.

Or, maybe the dealership model is doomed to fail completely and nothing that you do will change that (kind of like Blockbuster movie rental stores...nothing they could do would have saved them...netflix, and redbox just killed them).

TailSoHard wrote:

Dude, I have bikes on my floor literally right in front of my desk that are exactly the way you describe. I'm staring at one right...

Dude, I have bikes on my floor literally right in front of my desk that are exactly the way you describe. I'm staring at one right now... Brand-new bikes with added-on accessories that we think customers will buy anyway. We advertise the bikes at the same discounts that a brand-new stock bike would have, then add the price of the parts (which are priced at dealer cost + 10%). I don't even charge any labor (I installed them myself to save money...). But yet, here they sit. What else do you want me to do?

Titan1 wrote:

Like I said, maybe it won't work. But the point isn't that that idea is going to be the savior of all dealerships...it was that dealerships...

Like I said, maybe it won't work. But the point isn't that that idea is going to be the savior of all dealerships...it was that dealerships need to think outside the box and figure out ways to create value, and separate themselves from their competition.

I'm not in the business, so I don't understand it enough to really figure anything out (my modified bike idea was because I'd totally buy one...and figured I'm not the only one, maybe I am, though?), I was just getting at the "think outside the box" thing, whatever that its.

Or, maybe the dealership model is doomed to fail completely and nothing that you do will change that (kind of like Blockbuster movie rental stores...nothing they could do would have saved them...netflix, and redbox just killed them).

three9zero wrote:

Titan your idea is good and I do something similar. I take my demo(I'm the sales manager) and build it up with the accessories I like...

Titan your idea is good and I do something similar. I take my demo(I'm the sales manager) and build it up with the accessories I like and what the average guy will need to make his bike perform better and be more durable. I took my 2015 Husky FE 350 and installed a skid plate, rad braces, linkage skid plate, rear rotor guard, rear chain guard ext, front and rear lift straps, fork air bleeders, and nice graphics kit, hand guards and frame guards. I display the bike on the sales floor right beside the other bikes and the parts wall( the bike is cleaned and detailed after every ride so it looks new).This season I basically sold out of all my Husky hard parts and installed them on the bikes at the time of purchase. I thought outside the box and rather than just charge a pdi fee, I offered free parts install with a "pro pdi fee" which we basically installed all the parts, plus greased the linkage( I have to take it off anyway to install the linkage guard), swing arm, and stearing head bearings...I charged $ 500 for the service and it worked out pretty good, I was not 100% maximizing profit but I was selling $ 1000 worth of hard parts on each bike and bringing $ 500 into the service department....spreading $$ around the shop and keeping everybody busy and turning over parts.

Roscoe33 wrote:

I don't think you grasp the concept of how a dealer works each time a bike is touched a work order is opened that adds cost...

I don't think you grasp the concept of how a dealer works each time a bike is touched a work order is opened that adds cost. race bike margins are way too skinny to be adding parts hoping they sell.

The only way I have ever seen race bikes do well used is when the bike had a 10 % racer discount from the MFG. and all the trick parts came free from sponsorship deals.

Titan1 wrote:

Okay, keep doing what you're doing then. Don't ever try and make anything else work. What your doing seems to be working out really well. (And...

Okay, keep doing what you're doing then. Don't ever try and make anything else work. What your doing seems to be working out really well.

(And if you bolt on parts, you are selling the bike for MSRP, PLUS, the cost of the parts.)

Anyway....

flarider wrote:

My final comment on this is this.... For those of you blowing off the local dealer, going 100% online, and basically see your local dealer as...

My final comment on this is this....

For those of you blowing off the local dealer, going 100% online, and basically see your local dealer as merely a nuisance, what are you going to do when something breaks on your bike that you can't fix? Who will you call? OEM's have a "case splitting hotline" that I am not aware of? If it needs a special tool to be done, where you going to go? When you discover the day before your ride, you have a flat, fried clutch, dead pads or broken cable, where you going to go?

When all the shops are gone, where will you go?

People bitch about the economy, but they refuse to spread the wealth and support their local place that employs local people, benefitting your local economy

But what do I know?

TailSoHard wrote:

Yes, and to expand on your point a little... You can't go online, buy something, and give BTO your business card for your architecture firm for...

Yes, and to expand on your point a little...

You can't go online, buy something, and give BTO your business card for your architecture firm for future reference. BTO doesn't give a shit about you. On the other hand, if you hand out a business card to someone you just bought something from, who do you think they're going to call when they need an architect?

Just this morning, I sold a used Honda 400 EX to a guy and his son and we found out he lives in the town my parents live in. He just opened a fireplace store in town, and guess what?! My parents are looking for a new woodstove! So, he gave me his business card, and said he wants to repay the favor and help them out since he had such a good experience here...

I don't think BTO will be sending customers your way after you go online to buy a helmet for $20 cheaper than the dealership would have sold it to you for... They don't give a fuck. They want your money, I want your business.

That is the advantage of buying locally. It's just a shame more people don't get it...

coastlinecascott wrote:

Only local shop i support are the track shops like what milestone mx has currently. They always have stuff i need on hand, well priced and...

Only local shop i support are the track shops like what milestone mx has currently. They always have stuff i need on hand, well priced and are very nice to deal with. I have to order my gear online since no one carries my big guy size.

keith101 wrote:

You are kidding I hope. "Dealers don't make a ton of money"...right. Most dealers are crooks in disguise, so while many have tried the loyal route...

You are kidding I hope.

"Dealers don't make a ton of money"...right.

Most dealers are crooks in disguise, so while many have tried the loyal route, dealers are pretty much straight up slime in our book. BTW: Haggling with dealers will be a thing of the past in coming years...sames for Cars, brokers, etc. so get used to it.

coastlinecascott wrote:

Only local shop i support are the track shops like what milestone mx has currently. They always have stuff i need on hand, well priced and...

Only local shop i support are the track shops like what milestone mx has currently. They always have stuff i need on hand, well priced and are very nice to deal with. I have to order my gear online since no one carries my big guy size.

Steel wrote:

I agree 100% about the Milestone MX shop. I have bought a kids Fly helmet, goggles, throttle cable, gas hose, spark plugs and Maxima 2 stroke...

I agree 100% about the Milestone MX shop. I have bought a kids Fly helmet, goggles, throttle cable, gas hose, spark plugs and Maxima 2 stroke oil from them. Their prices are low compared to my local dealers. The throttle cable on my son's kx 85 was less than $20.00 there. I expected and would have paid $50.00 to get it, in order to fix his bike while at the track. Next time we need tires, I'm going to buy them there and have them installed. Great place and nice family.

If your a dealer on here, you need to stock more parts. I have had everything from an 85 bottom end to yz 125 front wheel bearings wear out and need to be replaced. Called all the local dealers within 20 miles. Not one had them in stock. Lost sales is the result.

Titan1 wrote:

If i could find a brand new YZ450 build up like that (decked out for off road), sitting in a dealership, it would be in my...

If i could find a brand new YZ450 build up like that (decked out for off road), sitting in a dealership, it would be in my garage tomorrow.

Maybe I'm unique, but if the dealership wasn't marking up the cost on all those parts at ridiculous levels, I'd be all about buying bikes like that.

When I look at the cost of a bike, I don't just look at the sticker price...I look at the sticker price PLUS all the other parts I've got to add to it (since I'm riding motocross bikes and converting them to off road bikes, its usually $2K-$3K extra-with suspension re valves included)...I'd be willing to pay a dealership to do all that for me, just for the convenience. (Even better if they'd put the brand names I prefer...but a different brand wouldn't be a deal breaker for me on any part).

(Oh, and that's a sweet ride!)

kkawboy14 wrote:

Whoever went to a restaurant and after ordering from the menu the waiter came back with the receipt with extras on it that said "$19.95 for...

Whoever went to a restaurant and after ordering from the menu the waiter came back with the receipt with extras on it that said "$19.95 for the meal and $7 for getting the food here and cooking it for you"?

Titan1 wrote:

If i could find a brand new YZ450 build up like that (decked out for off road), sitting in a dealership, it would be in my...

If i could find a brand new YZ450 build up like that (decked out for off road), sitting in a dealership, it would be in my garage tomorrow.

Maybe I'm unique, but if the dealership wasn't marking up the cost on all those parts at ridiculous levels, I'd be all about buying bikes like that.

When I look at the cost of a bike, I don't just look at the sticker price...I look at the sticker price PLUS all the other parts I've got to add to it (since I'm riding motocross bikes and converting them to off road bikes, its usually $2K-$3K extra-with suspension re valves included)...I'd be willing to pay a dealership to do all that for me, just for the convenience. (Even better if they'd put the brand names I prefer...but a different brand wouldn't be a deal breaker for me on any part).

(Oh, and that's a sweet ride!)

three9zero wrote:

Thanks man, it was a great bike, my staff rode it more than I did, which was a bummer...lol. I actually sub contract out suspension service...

Thanks man, it was a great bike, my staff rode it more than I did, which was a bummer...lol. I actually sub contract out suspension service to the local Pro Action guy, I drop off the shock & forks to him, and re-install them when they are done(usually a 1 day turn over). Our customers can just get it all done at one time and add it all to his/her bill, or financing.....I love building bikes for people, for off-road, its crucial. Especially here in the Rockies since the terrain is so nasty. I just sell off my demo, and make sure I have all the "trinkets" in stock. Its easy to do with Husky since they have great accessories(KTM) that cross over from bike to bike, skid plates are a bit of a pain but everything else basically fits 125-501....Their hard parts are really nice and high quality, so its easy for us as a dealer to offer and stock stuff.......