WHAT is WRONG with these Harley Davidson Dealerships!?
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2022
- WHAT is WRONG with these Harley Davidson Dealerships!? Have you ever had a good or bad experience at a Harley Davidson dealership?? I will run through a couple quick strange experiences I have had recently while looking for a new bike.
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HD dealerships have a specific attitude: You need us - We don't need you. This is why their sales are suffering. They count on the harley community believing harleys are as American as apple pie. But they won't tell them that 95% of the parts on the bike are made overseas. Reality hurts.
Case in point; a HD sales pimp recently emailed me giving me a time that he was able to meet with me!
They want people who will get overpriced oil changes there and only wear HD gear and buy all the chrome skull bolt-ons.
I can completely say I’ve had an experience with Harley dealership before and take in count I am 20 and didn’t at the time know much about Harley or bikes in general. This year in March I was interested in a 1200 iron as a beginner bike and they had one it was beautiful everything I wanted, I told him that I wasn’t going to jump but I wanted to test the bike and see some numbers. He said that would be great. We get to talk and I’m liking it what he has to say I told him that I wanted to see on it for maybe 3-4 days tops. He said we can hold it, you just have to sign one paper to get it held. So I’m like okay I read the paper and sign it, nothing sketchy so far. Three days go by and something big came up my wife lost her job so I thought I’d be best not to get a bike for right now. I call them up just to let them know that I wouldn’t be purchasing the bike he tells me that I signed a bill of sale and that I would have to come up there with a down payment and pick up the bike or would be a repo on my credit. Completely ridiculous is what’s going through my head but now it’s been months passed and nothing has came up or messed with my credit but he was trying to scare my into coming up and buying a bike I couldn’t afford at the time, shame on that Harley dealership.
That's terrible
Holy WOW! That's underhanded.
You CAN call Harley Davidson corporate and let them know how you were treated. I've worked for Harley Davidson for 19 years .
Don't take that shit!
You need to put them on blast and let us know who to stay away from. Riverside Harley in California is known to be dirty like that as well. I drive 45min away to go to Laidlaw
That's crazy man, definitely out them in public (Facebook, business website, BBB)
I had a car dealership try to pull that stunt 30 years ago, but I have had great luck w the harley davidson dealerships in Michigan!
i worked at harely for a week as a salesman. worst experience of my life. those guys who didnt want your info probably gave up and were waiting til the end of the week to never come back again. its a horrible job. they dont pay anything. the bikes are overpriced junk and you have to prey on good people to make pittance on your commission. 24k a year salary or 12 an hour (less because you put an extra our in a day) 50 bucks for one bike 100 for 2 200 for 3 and every bike after. 3 dollars for getting a customers information. i was losing money by working
I did it for 6 months. It was the sleaziest job I ever had. The sales tactics are predatory and the financing is nuts. I would see people get approved for 3% interest from Harley financial, but the sales team where forced to upscale the interest by 3-5%. People with good credit but didn't make a lot per year, would be force to by a $50,000 bike at 6% interest at 86 months. They would laugh because that bike will be repossessed with in a year or two and they would resale it and make more money. Nasty ass California Harley dealership
TL;DR I walked into a Harley dealership and was told I couldn't test ride any bikes. I told them I wouldn't buy one without riding it. When they asked what else I was looking at, they said in a really condescending way "If you're thinking about a Harley or an Indian go get the Indian because people who want a Harley know they do." I went to an Indian dealership and got a new Scout Rogue after negotiating a really great price. They missed out on a sale over ego and being condescending, and ultimately I'm way happier with my Scout Rogue than the Harley I was looking at.
Anytime you buy at a dealership expect to pay anywhere from 10-15% of actual price in fee's alone. They don't call them stealerships for nothing.
Truth
Sadly I had the same experience and I went to several dealerships with same results they don’t care about the buyers just what they can sell you. When it comes to financing it was even worse we know they get kick backs by financing companies and they try and get you with higher interest when I went to another dealership I got a way better interest I mean a huge difference but that dealership wanted to get me in a motorcycle that I couldn’t afford and was happy when I didn’t want it. So when I was walking out I heard the salesman say cheap bastard when I confronted him he said I didn’t say anything and the manager didn’t do anything considering he was next to him. I will never buy a Harley Davidson again
I won’t ever buy from a dealership again but I’ll buy from the guy who did lol
Tried to sell me a 8k bike for 13k lol. Asked for flexibility on the price (since I took their rider's course and it was around the same time as a veterans holiday so maybe a discount?) and they told me they'd have to run my credit and write it up to see if there was something they could do. They then walked me all around the dealership and gave me a free shirt, tried to sell me a helmet, and everyone was congratulating me on the new bike (haven't even said yes to it). walked me into the finance office and was basically interrogated as to why I wasn't on board to sign on the spot after just getting a 500 dollar discount. this is for a 2005 electra glide standard with 65k miles and aftermarket radio/speakers that sounded like trash. kbb shows the bike currently about 8k and they were pressuring me to buy it for 12,500. battery was dead too and they were basically about to crush the knob on the radio trying to close the little rainproof cover for it. I'll stick to facebook marketplace instead
Yeah that sound about right lol
X??
I have heard more than one person say, the best place to buy a used Harley is at a Honda dealer.
They will give you a better price and no "up-sale" BS because they just want to get it off the floor.
I like to go to a dealership and look at inventory without being approached by a salesman, especially true at a car dealer, if I'm interested, I'll go get someone.
You should always be approached by a sales person. That’s their job.
When I was a salesman I worked on my approaches everyday. I would never come up and ask you about anything to do with the product.
I would start with something totally unrelated to break the ice and be friendly. Then ask you lots of questions about likes/dislikes and point out things that fit your specific needs.
I was good at it. And had lots of return customers.
@@TeensierPythonnothing like Tom O’Connor Sales Training
Personally ive never had a bad experience at a Harley dealership; however, i have at an Indian dealership
in 2021 i was tossed between the 2021 Street Glide and the 2021 Chieftain, i went to the Indian dealership and found a nice Chieftain and asked to take it for a ride, the sales guy says "You going to buy it?" i responded with i dont know, i am tossed between the Chieftain and the Street Glide and id like to take this for a ride to see how it feels.
He said did you try the Harley yet and then went on to bash Harley, i told him in not interested in his opinion of the Harley, but i am interested in taking this for a ride.
He said go try the Harley 1st and then come back, you wont even need to take this for a ride, i was like WTF.
I went to talk out and he said what time will you be back, i said i didnt know.
Went to Harley and they were awesome, from the moment i walked in i was welcomed to the dealership, went and looked at the bikes and found one i like, made eye contact with a lady and she came right over, she told me about the bike and i asked the big question which was can i take it for a ride, she responded absolutely and within 15 minutes they had it out of the showroom and sent me on my way.
I got back about 40 minutes later and she was like how was it and i was like lets write it up, she said will be ready in a couple days.
On the way home i stopped by Indian and went in, the salesman was suck a dick, he was like i knew you would be back and i said well im ready to take this for a ride, and again he didnt want to and said well lets write it up.
At that point i had enough and told him that i have no interest in the Indian and i ender dup buy the Harley and that i refuse to buy when i cant even ride it, i told him if its this much hassle now, i cant imagine what it would be like when i need service.
He said you bought the Street Glide, i said yes, he responded with get the fuck out then. Such a classy dealership, i will never be back
I’ve heard of bad experiences but this sounds like complete bullshit. A salesman telling someone to “get the fuck out”. Yea, I’m not buying that at all.
I have rarely seen a company alienate their core customers like Harley has over the last two years. While they are reaping huge profits. Now that the interest rates are up and supply is fine it is now coming back to bite them. Just look at their quarterly results. They will give many bs reasons why yet it’s obvious young riders in general do not want a Harley, cannot afford a Harley , and in 10 years their customers will be dead and all of the younger aka 20 - 40 year olds will be pissed at how they were treated and not buy a Harley
I put in a request for a Sport glide, they called the next day asking what I ride, kind of riding etc. then went on to give all details about the bike. Super normal conversation no upselling or any garbage talk very down to earth guys there. Went on to talk numbers, got what I paid for on my trade in, super chill negotiations. Long story short the bike has a sold tag with my name
Today, I walked into a Harley dealership and was immediately asked, 'How much money do you have to spend?' and 'What's your credit score?' I replied, 'Good.' The salesperson then asked, 'If you don't mind me asking, what is it?' He also inquired about how much I could afford for monthly payments. There was no 'Hi, how are you doing?' or 'Are you a first-time motorcycle buyer?' or 'What do you think about this one?' Has anyone else had this experience, or is this not the norm?
This was told to me by a person who works at one of the dealerships near me. That they get paid for everything that they do... So I went into fishing mode for info. He then said if we say hi, shake your hand, call you on the phone, or answer a call be your best friend so to speak. So for all that been said I had my eye on a 2017 Sportster 1200 C and had a hell of a time getting it because one of the employees was wanting it. my bank stood behind me 100% and the Harley shop kept trying to go through their bank Eagle something, and they said no because I got a Ultra back in Sept. of 22 so they came out and said cant do the deal said no.
So I told them again that my bank said that they would do the deal just give them a call. So they drug their feet until about 30 min. before closing time, and then wanted me wait over the weekend and to come back Tue. because they are close Sunday and Monday. I should have cut bait and went some place else but I did not I told them that my bank is less then 10 min. away follow me their go in get the check and it is a done deal. So they once again drug their feet so at this point I was getting tired of their shenanigans I walked up to the head dude and said are you going to make the deal today or am I going to have to go so place else.? let me drive the bike over and have someone follow me over and pick up the check. He then said we are going to be closed in 15 min. I then said so your going to let 15 min. make a difference between making a sale today because Im not going to come back.
He then looked at the employee who was wanting the bike and whispered something I could not make it out. they ended up sending another employee with me to get the check and while I was doing everything you know signing my name here and their got to the point of giving the check to the employee he took off like a bat out of hell and by the time I had finished up my side of the paper work and went back to thew Harley shop they had closed and went home. I did not get a T-shirt battery tender nothing like I did with the first one I got. That whole sale left a bad taste in my mouth for this particular dealership
Twice I've gone to a Harley dealership to buy a bike but I wanted to buy the "wrong" Harley. I've been a sport bike rider and wanted, fist a Buell, second a XR 1200. They ran my credit and discovered I could buy anything they wanted to sell me. I set up to ride the XR 1200 but when I was called in for the test ride, it was a stupid bagger. They told me I needed to get a "Real Harley." They wanted to sell me an expensive bike I wasn't interested in, just because I could afford it.
Thats terrible
@@TheMotoJawn They totally alienated a rider that actually buys new motorcycles. I won't buy a Harley.
Get these complaints in front of the general manager and you'll very quickly find out if you should avoid the entire dealership, or if you just got paired up with some really bad sales people.
Interesting idea
A lot of these salesmen couldn't sell pussy on a troop train . The salesman asked me point blank , while slouched over with his hands in his pockets , "gonna buy a bike today ?" My response to him was , "you gonna sell me one ?" Left the dealership .
So true. Customer Service comes from the top down. If management doesn't care, why would the employees/sales people?
Agreed, once I realized the general manager was the one calling the shots I knew I wasn't getting any help from treasure coast harley.
I've had nothing but bad experiences with Harley Davidson and will be trading in my Sportster once it's paid off for an Indian Springfield. The one time they asked for feedback...I gave them my honest opinion and they completely checked out of the conversation like they didn't want to hear what I had to say. Not to mention the dealership fees are ridiculous...even on Certified Pre-Owned bikes.
I hear that. I think Indian tacks on fee too
@@TheMotoJawn I'll let you know when we go to buy one at the local dealership. So far, it's been the small privately owned local dealerships that have impressed me.
@@TheMotoJawn I bought a 2022 Indian Scout Rogue ABS, ordered March 29 2022 with $100 deposit and picked it up July 22 2022. Special order from factory reserved for me. Normal fee like doc fee/set up, they have a logistics fee that was extra from truck driver shortage but that was up front and on Indian and dealer website. Sold at MSRP for special order. I love this bike, and salesman knows my name every time I got back. It feels nothing like the cold shoulder of a Harley dealership. I had outside financing from my credit union and they didn’t care, they don’t force their own financing like Harley.
Standard additional overcharge is gravy for them.
Bought a Yamaha bolt off a Harley Davidson dealership. First bike I bought. Deal was easy talked about first bike they knocked 1500 bucks off as being my first bike. Went to the bank got a bank draft and all was good. They lost the bank draft 2 days later and long story short someone went dumpster diving to find it. I would go back when the time comes to get a Harley.
Sounds easy enough
I'm currently looking at either a chieftain or a street glide. There is a harley dealer close by and every time I've been there, they are very friendly. What turned me off immediately was when we sat down to talk numbers, I was hit with $7000 over msrp on a new bike and a used 2021 for $2000 over msrp for a new bike. And, no we didn't even pull a credit report yet. They were showing me "low interest rates" starting around 8%. I can see how people have been referring to some of these places as steelership. I gave them my info and now I get three calls a day from harley with similar cookie cutter messages. This interaction is making me lean that much further to buying an Indian.
They’re running a financing scam and are in cahoots with their own banks. Report the dealership to the BBB.
I hate that they don't want to tell the price, sizing you up.
For sure
My local HD dealer, for whatever reason, decided to fully embrace MC atmosphere. I feel like I am about to get beat up if say something they don't like. Every single bike in there is overprised and not by a little to. If you show them adds from other places with lower price, they just shrug. Tech department is OK'ish. But sales, I don't know. They want to sell *glides pretty much.
Yeah sounds familiar a lot
My dealership right down the road from me completely lost my sale. I went in there and wanted to buy and was ready to buy a Iron. This is a big dealership with literally a couple hundred bikes and they refused to let me look at a iron. Kept wanting to upscale me to a 25 thousand dollar bike. I ended uo going to a Honda dealership and bought a iron with less then a thousand miles that is practically brand new. Harley totally lost my sale
At least you found it somewhere 👍
I had a similar experience twice. I was looking for my wife's first street bike, a used Sportster. On two different occasions, same dealership, two different salespimps tried to interest me in touring bikes.
To have a salesperson these days use a traditional greeting, bridge and qualification technique prior to recommending an item at the retail level is like finding a needle in a haystack. Commissions are so low these days the good sales people with skills are working in the B to B markets.
Great point
" greeting, brudge and qualification technique..." ? can you explain this ? I'm not young but, I'm not old either. I've spent some time in sales in my life. I've not heard of this terminology. if I have, I've forgotten, like most things. I understand it may be difficult to explain without writing a book but, if you can que me in, I'd appreciate it.
thanks a millions
@@whatyoumakeofit6635 sure I’ll take a stab at it. Greeting is as it implies a friendly hello, welcome and introduction by the salesperson to the prospect. The Bridge is the chit -chat that bridges the salesman to the prospect’s personality and demeanor in order to create comfort between both parties. The qualification stage is the most important process of helping the prospect find what they need, the salesman asks the prospect questions revolving around their past experience, expectations and conditions of use for the product. Then once the questions are answered the salesman has enough to make a product recommendation then attempt a trial close to see if the recommendation was excepted. If it was sale is done. If not, you enter the objection handling phase with trial closes along the way. Basic steps of selling my friend.
I can't say I had that type of experience with a dealer but have seen bikes listed that they didn't gave. However I recently purchased a 2022 street bob in vivid black and orange. And the bike is absolutely awesome. Well worth it and have no regrets. In two weeks I put 1300 miles. Absolutely love it.
Ah man that's awesome. Enjoy it
I had a similar thing happen when my grandad was buying an S Class. The sales man didn't have a used one within his price range, insisted that their one was "the cheapest in the country", and would only take my grandad's info after I showed him the approved mercedes website and found a dozen within his budget.
Some sales staff are afraid of running off a customer, so they'll wait for a customer to approach them. Or Harley's aren't in their comfort zone, such as " I sure can't afford $40K for a motorcycle, so I sure can't see anyone buying one from me". Ride safy my friend.
I could see that. Interesting
Dealership I worked at was very lax on engaging with customers. The new owners took care of it. It's a great place now. Very casual, low pressure, but very helpful.
If you don't enjoy your job, go sell shoes...
Wait until you own a bike for a while. The new corporate speak advertising they are plastering dealerships with now is the slogan “We are ditching the past to make history.” What this means, especially for pre owned buyers is that some HD dealerships are now no longer working on bikes older than ten years of age. Corporate has also executed on this slogan by obsoleting parts for older bikes. So now you are forced to find one of the few smaller family owned dealers or repair shops but now your bike needs to sit weeks in a shop because Harley has forced any shop still working on older Harleys to go scrounge and hunt for parts so now its simply going to take potentially ages to find all the parts need to work on an older Harley even just to get it to the point where it can be further diagnosed to fix all final issues. Harley corporate today only want to see if you of your always bringing barrels of money to buy and stay in recent age Harleys. Makes someone start to think, about metric bikes or other bikes that still get supported for the life of the bike.
Damn that sucks
yup- I can relate. A number of years back, I was DEFINITELY in the market for a VRod- I was going to keep my current Harleys but buy a VRod for a different riding experience when the mood hit me. I told my son's they could use the bike when I'm not on it- which would be most of the time. Long story short- I walked in the dealership- had to 'search' for a salesman who I found in his little office playing Solitaire on his computer as I could see the screen from my vantage point. He didn't even move from his seat as I started talking to him about taking a possible test ride. He told me, "not today but if I come back on Saturday- that's when we allow test rides--- you'll have to be prequalified first. I told him to "enjoy his Solitaire game, have a nice day". All he had to do was get off his ass and at least 'try' to treat me like a potential customer. I might even have taken the trip back 'on Saturday' and get a feel for the VRod.
Had a bad experience with one. Just their overall attitude and everything. So I just went to another (non Harley) dealership that was so amazing. They were so chill and welcoming. They even gave me a free t-shirt before I told them I was buying a bike.
Had a similar experience, but only that the sales guy wasn’t knowledgeable at all. I, being all excited and researching bikes, knew more than he did. Then i got the generic voicemails and stuff.
Yeah definitely had that before
Also, you rode past one of the best dealerships in the area, Quaker City in yunk. They recently bought Cosmos Indian and are super friendly
I stop in there often
It’s like these dealerships have gone woke. Don’t waste your time talking to them if they don’t hear what you are saying. I’ve looked at some of the dealerships recently and about all the have on the floor I’d roadglides and streetglides. Or a bunch of sportsters that are not being made anymore and they are trying to clear them out of inventory. A motorcycle is a luxury item that you can live without. There are plenty of people that have bought new and added the upgrades exhaust ext, and after a couple of years want to sell them. You can buy used way cheaper and basically get the upgrades almost free. When these bikes are traded in the upgrades have next to no value. Once you buy new, unless you’ve put a lot of money down, you are trapped in that bike and only get in deeper when you trade. I’ve made that mistake and will never buy a new Harley again.
You wanna talk about crappy sales tactics what about going to a dealer website that doesn't indicate prices on any of the inventory. Close to a year ago I had an experience over the phone on several occasions with the dealer skipping me between 4 different sales people, one of them being the sales manager because I was adamant that I wasn't going to continue further without getting a simple f#-%ing price! I was from Virginia and they were located in Maryland. Enough was said. I was D-U-N done after a week and a half of jerkin' around. Ride safe out there.
Yeah I see many that won't give prices
Let me guess, this store you were put off by is one of the big, corporate muli store dealerships. Find yourself a small mom and pops dealership, one that has several employees with over 10 years experience and you will be much happier.
I went to stars and stripes
hd in Langhorne pa for a street bob bro I asked give me my price out the door. This was Dec 21st last month, and I know msrp is 15499, so they tell me 23,500 not kidding. No thanks I said, then they changed their tune as I decided to leave. The bike magically drops down to 16,500 out the door 7,000 just vanished how? If they would have been a little fair at the beginning I would of bought it but I was so turned off I went and bought an Indian scout and love it.
Dang that's crazy I believe it though
I have a 2022 Indian Scout Rogue - love it
I stopped by the shop today, looked at a Pan American, MSRP $20,000, price on the bike, $26,000+TTL, handling, destination, dealer services, and a list of other charges, I also looked at the local Suzuki Shop at the Vstrom , $13K msrp, less than $1000 in dealer add ons. For twice what the Vstrom costs, I can buy a H-D that doesn't perform as well. But hey, it's a Harley, you get what you pay for. The Sportster is Harley's starter bike, $15,000. Harley isn't selling motorcycles, they are selling 1960s culture and overpriced apparel as Americana. Shirts from all over the world, $80 to $120 a piece, but the same shirts without a H-D logo, got for $15 at Wally World. I looked at a jacket, denim jacket, the manufacturer's tag was folded over and stapled, made in Mexico. Boxes for products made in China with China scribbled over with a marker. I have owned a HD since 1999, I have never been happy with the dealerships, I always feel like they are full of used car salesmen. I buy aftermarket parts and do my own work.
Yeah it's crazy man
What I can't understand is why 99% of sales staff knows very little about the product they are trying to sell. I can't tell you how many times I've talked to car/motorcycle salesmen who can't tell you much of anything about the car/motorcycle. If I were selling cars or motorcycles FOR A LIVING, I would know everything about each model we're selling. Instead of sitting around smoking cigarettes and gossipping, why don't you read and study the sales brochures that are readily accessible? Be friendly. Be honest. Listen to what the customer wants. Don't be pushy. It doesn't sound too hard to me. Of course, my morals wouldn't let me work for a lot of dealerships. I could never sell something to a person I know can't really afford it.
I agree I've had some talking to me a bout a bike not even calling it the right model lol
Had been looking for a certain Harley found one at a dealership four hours away was willing to make the drive. But when we went to do some of the finance over the phone to get an idea. They wanted 410$ a month for 84 months with 6k down on. 20k bike. If do the math it was basically two bikes I could have owned in the end. I said no.
That's crazy
I did the math, you're right, that would have been 40.000 dollars. what a trip..
I have not had this experience with Harley. I went to a motor sports shop and bought a Harley. Then went to the dealer. The dealer i went to was super friendly. Immediately asked what i wanted. If i owned anything before trying to buy one. Mind you, I had ACL surgery and was approved to ride. Just needed to have a brace The salesman was very consideredate and noticed i had shorts on and said, "I can't let you ride in shorts, man." You can hop on it check it out. He explained everything about the bike and said if i come back with the right gear, I could take it out anytime. Made sure i looked at all the bikes and after a hour I signed for a 2020 CVO limited and they gave me a ton of free stuff and treated me like family. Made sure my wife and kids had snacks and drinks. Best experience ever.
I know this video is pretty old, but I just watched it and wanted to say: I was actually on the hunt for a 2021 street Bob as well. When I found a dealership that had one in the color I wanted, I went there and the sales manager came out with a price 5k over the listed MSRP. I told him there’s no way I’m paying that and he said verbatim “ I don’t care if you don’t get it because someone will, if you leave here today without it, it will be off of my showroom floor within two days”. It’s getting pretty disgusting at some of these Harley Dealerships.
Australia experience: I visited 2 Harley dealers looking for a Sport Glide - My first ever Harley in 45 years of riding.
Indifferent service in both of them resulted in me buying a 2023 model with only 1400 kms privately at quite a discount!
My next anxiety is servicing! Other than that, I absolutely love the bike.
I have the opposite problem lol... At my local dealer, sometimes it feels like I'm a steak walking into a hyena pen 😂
Lol I could see that too
I just saw this in May of 2024 and had to respond. I have had a lot of new and used bikes through the years and have ONLY had problems with they Harleys. I currently own a 2019 Fat Boy 114 and 2018 VMax. I went to Woodstock Harley in Illinois and needed a winbreaker type jacket for summer riding. I found a jacket that I thought would be suitable, I looked for the tag for the price and my jaw dropped when I saw it was $275! I started talking to a lady that worked there and I mentioned I literally just bought a medium type jacket with body armor for $100 on Amazon! She said, "Oh! You can add body armor to this jacket and its ONLY about $30!" I told her that the medium jacket I just bought was ONLY $100 and included the body armor! The point of the story is that this is the mentality of Harley in general. The lady was nice, but they clearly have the mindset that everything is expensive but its Harley, so simply pay it.
At the same dealership, when I was looking for Fat Boys, I saw 3 of my bike (identical in year) and they wouldnt negotiate AT ALL! I was like, "cool! Im going to keep shopping!" So, I left serched the internet and found a MUCH better deal in Wisconsin on my bike, which was used with 240 miles. The previous owner put on about $5k worth of goodies and the bike looked new. I bought it as soon as I saw it.
Harley is dying and these reasons are exactly why. This will be my last Harley for sure.
Yea I’ve had similar experiences in the area. Went in to buy and ended up going somewhere else. I had to find a salesperson who point me to someone else.
That's crazy man you would think they want to make it easy to buy something from them!
Harley lost their way when they got loans from the government. They have suffered from bad management since the late sixties. The US auto industry suffered from the same near sighted greed until Japan made cars that were cheaper, got better mileage & used quality construction. Honda alone put the American riders on their cycles. Then H-D grounded one of the best bikes they had ever made= the FXR. Then they quit making products for guys with grease under their nails & busted knuckles. In 2000 i went to local dealer to look at a Buell adventure bike. I was told by the dealer they did not carry parts for it & would not service it. I didn't go back until 2014 to look at a used v-rod on the floor. I was ignored by the staff. Maybe that's because i rode up on V-max. I have not gone back, nor will I.
Things will change with availability and the economy. When I first started buying HDs, in the late 80s, the sales department managed lists. You actually had to be put on a buying list for a model you wanted. And when they got a Model you wanted they would call you. And a lot of time the color was not even close. I have noticed that now the popular models are going back to that. At my dealership in Washington State they normally have something in each model line. The hard bike to find right now is a Roadking Special. Strange times we are in. And you are correct, the fees are out of control, spot on. But go to a car dealer and try to find a popular model. Same thing, mark ups, some on cars and trucks, 10 to 30k in my area. An example, a Toyota TRD Pro 4runner 20k over MSRP. F 350 Diesel truck Tremor 9k mark up, almost 100k. As the economy changes, so will availability and price. Just a perspective. MSRP has become a starting point...
I heard that the factory raised their prices so that if a dealer doesn't at least charge MSRP they are still not making what they used to. The factory charges the dealer up front so if they raise all the prices the dealer is stuck with a bunch of bikes they have too charge above MSRP too make what they used to. I heard a lot of mom and pop shops are selling out because they're is not much money in it unless they piss off all their customers, another example of corporate greed .
That’s Harley… not the nicest people!
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
So funny, I was about to tell you to check out Brandywine Valley HD and you mentioned it as I was typing lol. Such a great spot.
Yeah good spot
I’ll strive to be brief. I’ve been in the field doing pharmaceutical sales since 1992. Also been riding since 1983. Presently on a Street Glide S. It has been my experience that HD sales people are not seriously trained. They are not educated by the MOCO on serious sales psychology and the sales process. They are also completely illiterate on the competition. Ask a HD sales rep why you should buy a HD over a BMW K1600B and listen to their response. They are generally hired because they are friends of the dealership and have the desired look. Finally, in Canada their remuneration is not great (~45K/yr). So they cannot attract university educated people who will work 2-3yr in sales with the goal to move up the corporate ladder. I readily admit this is a gross generalization and there are exceptions. It has nevertheless been my overwhelming experience through 40yrs. Ride safe.
That seems to be about right
Agree 100%. That is the vibe I get. Bring up any other brand and they give you this blank stare. Even though I am a retired 66 yr old who could afford one I get this weird vibe that they have already sized me up as a non buyer. Might be right!
Bro, you need to raise awareness so managers can know what’s going on in their nonchalant business ways. When I get bad service, I go to the reviews and managers to try and fix it. Does it always work? No, but at least others will think twice. I’m definitely not a damn Karen, but like you said, you’re trying to give these people your hard earned money. Don’t take it lightly. Ride safe and cheers from Fort Carson, CO! 🍻
I'm the opposite. I don't want to be jumped on right off the bat when I step into ANY kind of dealership.
I dont exactly want to be either I'm just curious how they sell stuff of they never talk to you at all
My best experience buying a bike was at Hannum's in Media Pennsylvania in 2006. My worst experience buying a bike was at Maverick Harley-Davidson near Dallas Texas in 2018.
Hannums is a good spot
The sales call you kept getting is forced to be made by the dealership sales team. The dealership won't ever allow your information to be taken off that list. It is scripted, we had to to fake phone call practices weekly on that sales crap. I've never in my wildest dreams thought a Harley dealership was that scummy
Stars & Stripes Harley got me so bad on my first buying experience that I'll likely never buy from another HD dealer...
Dang man really? What'd they do?
@@TheMotoJawn long story short, they took advantage of me being a first time buyer. Had their initial sales guy tell me “upper teens” on price, which set the hook, then the “closer” sales guy took my down payment and had me signing papers before I was ever given the actual price, which turned out to be about $24k, well over the $17k other dealers were selling the same bike for when I started calling around a week later. Should’ve done my homework, for sure, but this kind of shady crap from dealerships really should be illegal
@@cjhmdm dang man that sucks. I always say all I care about is out the door total price. I'm not even dealing with anyone until they can tell me that
@@TheMotoJawn yeah, lesson learned. They won’t get my business again either way.
I detest Stars & Stripes HD.
I had a HORRIBLE experience at my local HD dealership. And they are the reason I’ll never own a Harley. Acted like I couldn’t afford their bikes, yelled at me for sitting on different bikes saying they just don’t let people do that around here🙄🙄 didn’t really want anything to do with me until I pulled out 15k cash then I couldn’t get them off of me. I decided that day I’ll never be apart of the HD family. Went straight to the closest Indian dealer was treated with respect and save a butt load of money. That was 5 years ago, and was my first bike an Indian scout just recently went back and bought a Springfield and I’ll continue to buy from the Indian brand. They won me over with respect and actually treating me like a decent human!
The best HD dealer I've experienced in PA is Schaeffers in Orwigsburg. They have ALWYAS been great to me and went the extra mile when I needed them to. That's why most of my HD's were bought from them! Its a good two hours away from you though.
I'll have to check them out sometime
Schaeffer's HD is the best I've dealt with, with Freedom Valley in Sellersville being a 2nd.
I’m a floor manager for a dealer. Myself and any of my sales guys would be fired immediately if they acted like this.
Truth is LAZINESS & SAW that mostly likely you're a window shopper so therefore don't bother. I think it's has lots to do with sales persons (turn) . If one is off, whole orders is wack. Bottomline LAZINESS & not giving a F!
That could be it
@@TheMotoJawn agree!!! H-D dealerships are wack... Some!.. maybe off day but still. Course not to be pushy but ask or nice greeting would be good. So many times I got put off from buy my first bike cause of the poor attention in the dealership. It's like a bad vibes. Looking to get 2020 1200c!. Thanks for your work. Good stuff!
last year i went to a harley dealer told them what i wanted was looking at street bob or a softtail slim told them i was only in to those models and after they had nothing in stock for a week i started getting almost spam calls from like 3 sales people from the dealer trying to get me into big bagger models at almost 2 times the price range i told them one of them said we could slash the msrp if you get it on payments i asked what the msrp was he told me 41grand i told him im looking more like 25grand if you can do it for 25 we got a deal after that no more calls lol . I have a fiend who was in sales and told me some models they get in bulk and the dealer makes extra if they move them every quarter so im not shocked there just pushing models harley as a company has lost there way hope they find it befor its too late
Sounds the same as they did to me too lol
My local here in SoCal is hungry. Great talks. He calls me personally when he gets a bike. Unfortunately I’m on the road working outta state but even when I say sorry man I won’t be back for 3 weeks. He says no worries I’ll lyk about the next one
That's good 👍
The HD dealers that are left, know their days are numbered.
The sales guys know this and are not motivated in any way, knowing the new sales model that does not include many sales guys.
There are other places you can get your bike other than a dealer.
Yep. Harley dealers think that YOU NEED THEM and it is fine for them to waste your time completely, and treat you like YOU are stupid for coming far to visit them. I quit going to Harley dealers and instead watched local dealers of Japanese bike websites for a Harley Sportster 883-Low taken in on trade. BINGO, two of them at different brand dealers.
So I went in to one dealer to look at it and see how it fit me, offering to pay cash for a better price. But they would not even TALK deals until they got my credit details and bank information FOR A CASH SALE. I hesitated, but it might be worth the risk, so I gave basic details minus the account numbers. So, they would not reduce the price for a cash sale! Basically, they PREFER to make profit from financing a loan and extended payments, hoping for a default. Then they mentioned that the bike came from an auction! Wonderful. No wonder there were low miles: this bike had been locked up in the courts for a decade! I finally remembered to ask to see the owner's manual and service records. Uh, none, on a ten year old bike, which for me is a NO-GO. Wow, I should have asked for those FIRST. Anyone that would lose their manual and records probably did not even GET any services!
It was the same deal at the other shop for a five-year-old bike, half the age of the first one but four times the mileage for only another thousand dollars. Again, no manual and no service records. They claimed that they took this bike in on trade and not from an auction, but again, losing the manual and records in only five years implies a very poor attitude for maintenance. I gave up............................elsullo
I dealt with three Harley Davidson dealerships in total. One of them didn't care about me, most probably because I'm in late 20's so the sales guy most probably judged my financial capabilities. In the second one I got a test ride and the sales guy was late and I had a feeling he somewhat disregarded me suggesting that I should compare a Harley to a Porsche or anything premium, I was like ok if I ever experienced driving a premium car then maybe I would know what you are taking about. In a third one I couldn't get a quote for a Pan America or a Softail... I don't know what kind of customers they are looking for, but if they want to keep the average age of a rider to what it currently is, keep ignoring people like me and keep the price as high as it is. Even their used and certified motorcycles are extremely expensive which is quite discouraging. Websites are not updated, test ride requests are not dealt with, emails are not answered and the sales people are ignorant toward customers who they think cannot afford what they are selling.
Yes, strange weird experience. Many times. Plus if you ask to clarify they get annoyed and treat you bad. Two cases in two different dealers.
Just went into a dealership yesterday. They are vultures
When they found out I didnt need a bike they wanted nothing to do with me. I just bought a 2007 Ultra Classic with 1,500 miles on the odometer. He said, " dont you want the biggest and baddest?," I said I got nothing to prove. My bike is like brand new. My wife and I are going to travel the country on this new adventure. Harley needs to change how their stealerships are run. They had a CVO with a $10,000 mark up. I paid $10,000 for my bike. Im not paying $55,000 for a bike
Remember all those HD callbacks were from folks that graduated from the "Sell a solar panel" school.... Sad MOST dealers are like this.
...the few dealers that remain...
The lone dealership in Allegheny County is advertising themselves as a "megastore", whatever that is. When I tried to get my bike inspected I gave them my email address so they can send me updates and promotions. To their credit, they do, but they're not pushy like the car dealers. I constantly get feelers from both Jeep dealers telling me what the current trade-in value is of my two Patriots and inviting me to trade up. They used to buttonhole me when I went for service, the salesmen offering to send me home in a new car. That was annoying. Since they don't have anything to sell they don't do that.
But Hot Metal's folks knew that I liked my Roadster, and when they got a 2008 in they'd call me. They were never pushy. They never tried to get me onto a bigger bike.
That's true too
@peter Yep, it's so nice living in the Allegheny County Wildlife Preserve. We already have coyotes, and I can't wait for the mountain lions to follow the deer back in.
There is this new-fangled machine out there that only retains data for 10 years and it can only be found at your local HARLEY DAVIDSON STORE! This company's new buzzword is obsolete like they dumped all data on earlier models! HEY, Harley Davidson, I think I will make all my thoughts of continuing any business contacts with you OBSOLETE!!
I was looking at three 2021 Fat Bobs and one of them had a small dent on the tank. When I asked about lowering the price bc of the dent, the salesman went on a whole a rant about how the dent would be annoying to look at and I probably want one of the bikes that don’t have a dent. They also were pushing extremely hard to finance when I already told them that Financing is not an option bc I’m paying cash.
Some HD dealers are good, some not so much. I will say I have bought two bikes from Adamec in Jacksonville Florida and been nothing but satisfied. There is another dealer closer to me that I would shave my head with a cheese grater before I would walk in the place. It's just like car dealers, there are old school, max out every transaction even if that means you lose lower profit sales. Hide information and play games etc. Then there are others that realize times are changed and people can run numbers through the internet, and will be honest with you.
So true all depends
We have a chain of dealers in the south of England, I won’t name them but I had a similar experience to you when I was showing a lot of interest in a Sport Glide and…nothing. I voted with my feet and left. I want to another one the week later, they had a sporty , a year older than mine with 2,500 more miles, with less “bits” on it and it was listed for £10,500k. I was interested in a Lowrider and they offered £7,500k for mine. Hard nope from me.
Yeah true
I got my motorcycle license in 2018. I've been to multiple dealers in different states. I've yet to have a good experience from any Harley Davidson store.
I gave up and decided that if i could buy a new Cadillac for less than a Harley Davidson motorcycle, which i did, i would.
Sweet ride brother😎
I have been dealing with Brandon Harley in Brandon Florida for years. I've bought 4 bikes there. On A scale of 1-10 they are A 20. I always finance with the credit union I belong to and they have no problem with that. They also treat you like family
I have a couple of issues that somewhat bit me in the butt. Not willing to discuss publicly. But I learned to be a better mechanic due to it.
Call Harley. That’ll get their attention. That’s what I did. Harley customer care took down my details and I got a call from the closest dealership just the next day.
I’ve figured Harley dealers, especially smaller ones, are just not interested in making a sale, particularly if they don’t have that motorcycle in stock.
By any chance do you have a link to the front fairing that you have??
I dont have a link but it memphis shades Cafe fairing
Hopefully you’re looking to buy this bike out of state I find the best deals are when you’re willing to travel.
Thats corporate trying to make Harley a "luxury" brand. Unless you have the cash to waste or need financing. Find a private seller.
I ended up going private on my SB
I know when I went to Harley-Davidson Opelika Alabama to buy a Road King I literally sat there for 45 minutes the entire staff there would just in a circle in a corner Caulking and acting like I didn't even exist so I just walked out not one person come to stop me so I went to Newnan Georgia Harley-Davidson and I was treated like royalty and left there brand-new shiny Road King
I was interested in a Harley, not sure exactly which one yet when I walked into the dealership. Was dealing with a certain salesman for a little bit and we were getting along well enough. Until I singled out one particular bike to run numbers on and then all of the sudden one of the managers comes over and my sales guy just completely stops talking and lets this idiot start trying to pressure me instantly into buying. And starts questioning me and why I wouldn't wanna buy at multiple thousands of dollars down on a used bike. He shows me some initial numbers that basically told me he thought I was a moron and didn't understand negotiation. He came at me with $3k down on an $8k bike at mid 300's a month for 72 months. I laughed and said yea......no. I knew it was shady when I counter offered with 0 down and payment below 200. He immediately said "yea sure we can work with that" instantly dropped the numbers. Even had other dudes come over and congratulate me on my new bike I hadn't bought yet. That made me mad and feel awkward. I had to tell the manager that I wasn't buying at the end of riding season because I wasn't going to pay for a motorcycle that was gonna sit for 6 months in a garage immediately after purchase. He says "well we're gonna have winter every year, what's the problem?" Long story short but I left and bought a different bike across town.
Where did you end up going?
Not my experience at my local Harley dealer at all. They did try to show me bikes I didn’t want and couldn’t afford, but that’s just part of it.
Private sellers is the best choice u are smart...
I feel like there’s plenty of well cared for used bikes with low miles…. Save thousands of dollars. That’s the route I went and I’m pretty happy with what I got. If I were to get another bike I would probably do it again too.
My dealership is awesome they talk to you but also leave you alone if you give them the hint you don't wanna be bothered but where I got my bike I'll never go back they screwed me on a lot of stuff and every time I went back for parts the salesmen would try to aggressively sale me another bike I'm talk a week after buying mine trying to push another one 6 months later I stop going and started using my local one instead.
My experience:
the regular dealership near my hometown is amazing. Treat Mr like family. Help me find the right bike. Get me a deal. Say hello whenever I come in. Offer me water/coffee. Ask me how my family is etc.
I moved to the west coast and expected the same thing. Boy was I wrong. Stupidly I bought a bike from them and instantly regretted it.
I wish I would have taken some vacation time and gone “home” and bought a bike.
So much more crap I would say about them. But I’m trying to let it go.
The best Harley dealership I’ve been to is the one in Sellersville. New to riding so I’ve decided to hit all the dealerships in the Philly area and they’re customer service was amazing!
I'll have to check it out
@@TheMotoJawn you most definitely should. I was watching your service video and I was hype cause I was over at Hannums dealership the other day. Lol
My experience at the BMW dealership was no walk in the park either even though I bought a bike...
I’ve always felt like that when I walk into a Harley dealership they make me 🤔feel as if their doing me a favor
Salesman was like...yea this guy isn't interested in the more expensive bike so he's not worth my time....is basically what happened
Seems to be the norm at Hd dealers sadly. I went private sale because Harley dealerships were less than helpful and increased prep travel and docking fees…
100% They want to get you in the dealership so they can sell you what they have in stock. I was looking for a specific Evo used bike but they just kept asking what my budget was and wouldn't tell me if they had the bike in the used stock.
Its not the brand its the dealership. I wanted to buy an Indian Chief so bad but the 3x i was at an Indian dealership no one approached me and i was there looking at their bikes for awhile. Someone finally answered after i had to ask the attention of the apparel department lol. While when i was at Red Rock Harley Davidson or Las Vegas Harley Davidson i get approached by their sales within the first minute and gets to interest you in what you want first before they ask loan prequalifying questions.
Question? Are those stock pipes on the bike in this video? And, street bob is nice, but get a fat bob and change out the handle bars to your liking. I had a 2021 street bob, but didn’t care for how the front narrow tire tracks. Check them both out before you buy.
They are vance and hines slip on pipes
@@TheMotoJawn By the way I'm new to your site, so my street bob comment was rather late since I now know you have the street bob LOL!
@@dondonovan9886 haha sure did get it
Harley Dealerships suck. I buy from private sellers.
That's what I might do
My experience from Harley Davidson it’s been great they will help you out anyway to get a bike in 1 ahour
I went to Teddy in Daytona. The salesmen would not even talk to me. Went upstairs I wanted to buy a used bike they had.
Generally speaking some people are rude and obnoxious. It's managements fault that they employ such people.
So you go in looking for a Street Bob and they show you a RGS? Huge red flag and time to walk away.
Yeah for sure