My Local Dealer Experience

[Mr. White]

While in San Antonio on errands, I went home the long way and stopped at a newer, large dealer who sells several brands and Can-Am.

I pulled up in the parking lot next to a Spyder, there were several on display outside and inside. I looked at each of them, walked around each of them several times...stood a while....20 minutes later I left. No sales person came up to me. No one paid any attention to me, while two sales people were playing grab ass twenty feet from me.

This is a huge building, new and beautiful. Lots of showroom and parking....must have had 60-70 motorcycles and ATVs on display. I am just standing there.....I finally left...Oh, I did not buy my Spyder from them even though they are 20 miles closer to me than my Spyder dealer. I had a friend who had the same experience a couple of months ago. He has more money in his checking account than most folks make in a year. He, also after 15 minutes, walked out, went over to my dealer and bought a 2010 Burgman 650 scooter, wrote a check for over $7,000 and rode it home. That is why I bought from my present dealer...I went there and they treated me like I owned the place..."forced me to ride two RTs.. a SE5 and SM5 and me an offer I couldn't refuse....:2thumbs:

p.s. I will never go back to the other dealer!

 

[CyncySpyder]

Good to know, George, thanks

Thanks for the heads up George. We have our own lil community here & word of mouth, can make or break any dealer. It bodes us well to speak highly of the good ones, & let others know of our not-so-good experiences at the not-so-good ones. I had this conversation actually last night with the only other local Spyder Owner than I have run into. Thankfully, he's had a good experience at the good dealer. I unfortunately didn't know about this site when I went to purchase my Spyder, and I learned this lesson the hard way.

So, thank you George for sharing your experience :2thumbs:

 

[BikerDoc]

I agree

Thanks for the heads up George. We have our own lil community here & word of mouth, can make or break any dealer. It bodes us well to speak highly of the good ones, & let others know of our not-so-good experiences at the not-so-good ones. I had this conversation actually last night with the only other local Spyder Owner than I have run into. Thankfully, he's had a good experience at the good dealer. I unfortunately didn't know about this site when I went to purchase my Spyder, and I learned this lesson the hard way.

So, thank you George for sharing your experience :2thumbs:

I couldn't agree more.. A good dealer is worth many extra miles and a bad dealer can make your life miserable.. We can definitely minimize our pain by keeping each other posted of our experiences:thumbup:

 

[Big Arm]

I pulled up in the parking lot next to a Spyder, there were several on display outside and inside. I looked at each of them, walked around each of them several times...stood a while....20 minutes later I left. No sales person came up to me. No one paid any attention to me, while two sales people were playing grab ass twenty feet from me.

This is a huge building, new and beautiful. Lots of showroom and parking....must have had 60-70 motorcycles and ATVs on display. I am just standing there.....I finally left.
p.s. I will never go back to the other dealer!

Had the same experience a yr. ago in Rapid City, SD
I was outside looking at their spyders for 15 mins and went inside for approx 20 mins, and wasn't approched once......:dontknow:....then left....

 

[ARtraveler]

Thanks for posting your experience. This is how we learn where to go and where to avoid. So many dealers are not customer oriented these days. They will take your money if you force it upon them. They are usually not knowlegable about the product. Their service departments usually leave much to be desired. They could care less if you never bother them again.
When we find a good dealer we should support them fully. They are few and far between these days.
There are several dealers in my area (2 CanAm) and at least one of all the other brands--I have looked at other bikes and tried deals at some. After running into BS over price or hearing about poor service, I'm sticking with my dealer. Team CC, Wasilla and Eagle River (CanAm, Suziki, and Kawasaki). Have purchased 7 assorted bikes from them since 2001. 3 Spyders & 4 Kawasaki's. Never had a problem with product or service.

 

[memphisdan]

If you can't get any help when you try and purchase a bike can you imagine how bad the service would be! I feel lucky to have a good dealer makes owning the bike much more fun.

 

[Lamonster]

The same thing has happened to me more times than not George. It's amazing some of these places sell anything. By the way I'm not just talking Spyder dealers, it's all dealers. nojoke

 

[Barbary]

The same thing has happened to me more times than not George. It's amazing some of these places sell anything. By the way I'm not just talking Spyder dealers, it's all dealers. nojoke

:agree::gaah:

 

[Questions]

Some dealers are strange..
I have a problem with looking like 14 even though im 24 so no dealers talk to me

but at the same time im more of the "dont talk to me until i wanna" type of shopper.. but still as a seller i cant see why i wouldnt approch everybody who seems intressted.

 

[NancysToy]

When Nancy first saw an Internet article on the new Spyder GS, she immediately wanted to see one. We drove clear to Detroit to do so, that very day. First dealer had none to show, handed her a brochure, told us about their sister store, and walked away. At the big, new, large sister store we looked for twenty minutes, alone in the showroom, and were never approached. When we finally sought out the sales manager, he walked to the Spyder without a word, opened the trunk, took out the manual, and handed it to her. She was crushed, and wanted nothing more to do with the Spyder. BTW, in two years both stores were out of business.

On the way home, I talked her into stopping at yet another dealer. Their sales manager took lots of time, talked directly to her, and answered all our questions. Then we found a local dealer that had them. Even though we were there just to look, and measure, the receptionist noticed how serious we were, and called up a salesman. He talked to each of us for a while, answered questions, and even started up a Spyder to prove it had a clutch assist. He then offered a chance at a PE Spyder that Nancy couldn't refuse, and she wrote a deposit check on the spot. We've dealt with him ever since.

Like Lamont, I have had many sad experiences like our first exposure, with many brands. I don't know how those folks stay in business, but if you can avoid them, do. Somewhere there is a dealer with a good sales staff and good technicians, that can take good care of you. My hat is off to all the good ones out there!

 

[ThreeFeet]

I would have to sell my two :spyder2:s if the 2 BEST wrenchs in Mo were to leave Cowtown. I can't even imagine what it would be like if I hadn't gone to them to start. They were the only ones I had heard of that had the:spyder2:. I am EXTREMELY lucky to have them with in about 20 miles and if they were farther than that I'd still go to them for all my babies needs!!!

 

[boborgera]

Maybe it's just me but i usually know more about a vehicle I'm thinking of buying than most [all?] salesperson know about it. A lot of salespeople will be selling toasters one month and the next month shoes. So if i want to cut though the sales B/S I only call a salesperson over to get a starting price on a vehicle. When i want to look at Cars/Trucks, I'll go to look on Sundays because they have the vehicles out on the lot; And no salesperson to annoy me.

 

[MouthPiece]

I guess I'm different. When I go to a car lot or other motor vehicle place to look, I don't want a salesman "hawking me". I personally like to look around on my own, and when and if I want to buy, then I'll look for a sales person. Different strokes for different folks?

Chris PE# 0004

 

[MangoMike]

I'm with you Chris. I need time to walk around and look things over and prefer to approach a salesman when I'm ready.

Mike

 

[draboo]

I was working out of town and had lots of spare time, and walked into a Saturn dealer in southern MI. This is when Saturn's were only out for a year,maybe two. The place was packed with different models, one cut in half to show what it was made of, large displays of information. I was in there a half hour or more,looking in each model, sitting in them, etc. At any second, I was prepared for the salesman's onslaught, but none arrived. On the way out the door I stopped at the receptionists desk and asked her about not being approached. She said.."that's not the way we sell cars here. We wait for the costumer to make the first move. We do not want our prospective buyers to feel intimidated." :shocked: After I talked to her, I noticed a little sign stating basically what she just told me.

I thought..Not a bad approach! Although..notice where Saturn is these days!:yikes:

Anyway..I m with the go look on Sunday crowd.

 

[Mr. White]

Well, I am sure not alone. All I want is a sales person come over and ask if he can help. I generally know what I want and tell him I will get with you soon, I am just looking. He goes away and I find him when I need pricing, etc. But to stand around with no one even looking my way rubs me wrong.

Hey, I have NO problem naming a dealer(s). I was at Kent Motorsports of Selma, TX. Selma is a suburb of S.A. Kent is/was a pro baseball player at some point in his life. I had never heard of him, but he has bought five motorcycle dealerships... Honda, HD, Suzuki/Kawi/Can-Am here, Austin and Houston.

Ya want a Spyder (or Suzuki/Kawi), go to South Texas Suzuki in Lytle, TX. Owned and run daily by a man/wife team. Both VERY interested in YOU....spend any amount answering questions, offer demos, etc. They also discount a little on the MSRP and options. He sort runs parts and maintnence and she the sales and pricing.

She is my kind of gal. She said up front, George, we have to make a living, but I will give you a good price so you will tell you friends to trade with us. She did and said I will give you 18% off of a GPS and CB and install both for a total of $175 if we install them while uncrating the bike. After reading some posts here, that was a bargain for me. The last time I picked up a wrench and changed the oil in my Wing, I fllled it with Wild Turkey and drank the oil.....:gaah:

Since I ordered my Spyder, I have met two Spyder owners who bought from her. They bragged about the pricing and service. Neither had one complaint....which seldom happens to 65 year old motorcyclists. (youngsters) ha ha.

Anyway, I see I am not alone in being ignored or looked over at dealers....as posted earlier, that is why I went to STS to buy and ignored Kent Motorsports....

 

[farmerjim]

Me Three

:agree: I live in Southeast Missouri, but was in Paducah, Kentucky and stopped by the Can Am dealership there just for grins. First of all, there was not one Spyder on the lot or in the sales room. The gentleman said that they had a bunch coming and tried to hand me a brochure which I refused. We talked for just a little when I mentioned that my wife loved the fact that the RT had heated hand grips and seats. The Salesman said, "No, just the hand grips are heated." At the precise point, I was "DONE". My wife smiled at me cause she knew as well. Needless to say, we won't be back. I live probably 120 miles from Cowtown in Cuba, Missouri. When I do pull the trigger and purchase a Spyder, it will probably be at Cowtown or the dealership in Farmington, Mo. Does anyone have any experiences with the dealership in Farmington?? Well, I haven't said much in quite a while, watching how the 2011's will fare, but I thought I'd put my 2 cents worth in. opcorn:

 

[NancysToy]

:agree: I live in Southeast Missouri, but was in Paducah, Kentucky and stopped by the Can Am dealership there just for grins. First of all, there was not one Spyder on the lot or in the sales room. The gentleman said that they had a bunch coming and tried to hand me a brochure which I refused. We talked for just a little when I mentioned that my wife loved the fact that the RT had heated hand grips and seats. The Salesman said, "No, just the hand grips are heated." At the precise point, I was "DONE". My wife smiled at me cause she knew as well. Needless to say, we won't be back. I live probably 120 miles from Cowtown in Cuba, Missouri. When I do pull the trigger and purchase a Spyder, it will probably be at Cowtown or the dealership in Farmington, Mo. Does anyone have any experiences with the dealership in Farmington?? Well, I haven't said much in quite a while, watching how the 2011's will fare, but I thought I'd put my 2 cents worth in. opcorn:

Sorry to tell you this, but the Spyder RT hangrips only are heated, both rider and passenger. The seats are not heated.

 

[Oldmanzues]

My thought on salesman is when I go in, one says something like this. Welcome, my name is "Bill" if you have any questions, Please ask. Then they go away.
I had just been stationed at Lowry AFB. I went into a Honda Dealer in Denver, CO almost thirty years ago. The only guy infront was reading a paper. I asked the price of a CB 750. He mubled something and went back to the paper. I left. I I found a different Dealer. He asked what he could do and I told I wanted a CB 750. He asked two questions. 1. are you aware of the power of this bike / I said, yes. 2. Then he asked what questions I had. I told him and he offered a much better deal, a couple hundred off the list price. I think it was two thousand. I did ride back to the first dealer to show him what I bought. He was offened that I had not bought from him. Duh ?I paid cash for it.
OldManZues

 

[Bob Denman]

It's nice to be acknowledged while on the floor looking around... I bought from Rusty Palmer's in Honesdale, PA, and that seems to be how they handle it... A salesman will walk over, introduce themselves and ask if you have any questions. They'll fade back out of your way, but stay just close enough to be of assistance when you do need them. :2thumbs: