Dealers - a rant.

[Gromit]

Been spending the last few days having a bimble around a few dealers in the E Mildands to check what's out there for my next bike. I don't have a vast budget (far from it) but nonetheless I've seen some decent stuff and some downright dogs.

Today though really took the biscuit - I'd seen a particular bike which looked very good, so I travelled (on the bike) 60 miles in pretty grotty weather to see it. Got to the dealer, he really wasn't interested in speaking to me. When I finally happened to mention would he be interested in my bike as a part-ex, if he'd come out and just said 'p*ss off' he would have been less rude. He suggested 'break it for parts as it's worth bugger all as a bike'.

Now, I know the Blackbird isn't worth a fortune (I've taken advice from the Blackbird Club regarding its value) but it's still a very solid bike and even ones with a fair few miles on them still fetch really good money as their mileage potential is huge. All he had to say was that no, he really wouldn't be interested in it, the bike I was thinking of buying from him would be no part-ex. Then there would be no hard feelings from me - he has to make a profit from something being bought in at the end of the day. It was a slight shot in the dark from me anyway, which I freely admitted to him.

I won't go into the further details of the conversation, but I was a potential customer who he's just lost through his stinking attitude. I've not been into a bike dealer with the intention of buying a bike for ages, are they all really that bad these days?

Rant over.

[slparry]

Sadly many are, a mate of mine, Paul .... who was at the recent Welsh weekend on his K1 ..... went to the North Wales Triumph dealers with his 20,000 mile Tiger and was very interested in an early flat four K1200GT they had for sale.

He spoke to the owner, who didn't even look at his Tiger and just seemed disinterested in a sale .... strange really strange attitude

[Gromit]

He spoke to the owner, who didn't even look at his Tiger and just seemed disinterested in a sale .... strange really strange attitude

Absolutely. This is what gets me Steve - after all, even if a dealer wasn't really interested, it's still worth 5 mins of his time to have a quick decko at someone's bike (your pal's Tiger in this case) as there's a potential sale. And if it's done in a friendly manner, Mr Punter is more likely to come back - and just as importantly tell his mates how good Mr Dealer is.

Bloke who I saw today didn't even show the slightest interest in mine - yes it has a few miles on it but I've done enough homework (learning from folk who know far more about Blackbirds than anyone) to price it realistically. Guy in the shop asked me how much I was selling it for - in a round about way he asked me what planet I was on! 'Just look on eBay at completed listings' I said to him. 'Oh you don't want to believe those prices' he replied. Wtf? Thought I.

[popsky]

I hate going to a dealer that I don't have a standing relationship with, in my experience most are patronising tossers, who treat you like some born again newbee, so I completely understand your feelings Richard.

Most of my motorcycling has been on Japanese bikes and high mileage bikes are a complete no no, jeeze if it had more than 6k on the clock I wasn't interested (more fool me!!!), but since owning the Beemer I really don't care about mileage, not that I do high miles per year as its now on 17k, feels good too.

A mate of mine who has had more bikes than hot dinners literally, deals with a Motorrad dealer in the South West, I've lost count of the bikes he's had off them and he does good mileage per year, in the region of 16k, and that's with 2/3 bikes in the garage, now I don't know if its because the salesmen has come from a mostly Jap bike background but he's a bit paranoid about mileage, Nig had a K1200gt with about 17k on it and wanted to px, the salesman wanted it in there and then so no more miles could be clocked, tells me all I need to know.

[Bikerhoss]

The seeming complete lack of interest in a sale bemuses me When I was looking for a Buell many years ago, I happened to be in Glasow and visited the HD dealer (West Coast something). I stood admiring an XB12, and even leafed through a sales brochure, Not one of the three sales staff took me on, and were happy to sup coffee with their feet up..... I walked out and bought privately.

My wife was also totally blanked by our local KTM dealer, They had a 600 Ninja in she really wanted, but she'd have got more response being invisible and knocking a display over! She voted with her feet too and bought elsewhere

Cultivating a relationship with a dealer is definitely the way to go, Thankfully I get on ok with the folk at Shirlaws, Aberdeen, but then again, I know others who hate the place

PS They valued my 11S, T plate, 42K at £1800 for a trade in, I didn't by eventually, but I know I'll go back when I do change

[Steve1200S]

There's a big dealership in Sheffield which is mostly ok, but some staff are your typical American style car salesmen. Hound you until you leave and don't go back.

Rainbow in Rotherham are particularly good on the sales front, all very friendly and willing to talk, but not pushy in any way.

Your BB is easily sellable in a dealership... If someone walks in looking for a cheap bike and was confronted with a 2k ish Blackbird in a show room full of 4k various 600s.... Hard to say no IMO.

[nab 301]

, are they all really that bad these days?

Rant over.

Sounds similar to here , maybe you're exporting you're worst salesmen .

[Gromit]

Good input fellas - seems this is a widespread phenomenom.

The only dealer I've been into who showed a genuine interest in the BB was Ian at Astle BMW in Grimsby. He popped out to have a quick decko at the bike and whilst admitting it did have a few miles on (vs other stuff that comes in) he did say it would be very sellable indeed as it was in such great condition. He asked if I wanted him to value it for me (he was happy to ring round rather than just look it up in the book) but told him as I'd got no intention of buying a bike off them at that point it wouldn't be fair on his time.

He still insisted I take the 12GS for a spin though.

[Vince]

I wonder if I should ask about a part ex with my 2007 RT12m she's on 80,000 miles now, not intending to swap her out this year so there'll be over 100k by this time next year.
I'll most likely keep her as my winter bike, nothing wrong with it really.
\v/

[Gromit]

Go for it Vince - got to be worth a try.

I'm almost tempted to keep my older Blackbird (that's if I buy this other one) for winter use - but I hardly use the thing in the summer as it is. Don't think Mrs Gromit would be too impressed anyway - just one large bike in the garage and there's only just room to squeeze past.

[slparry]

see back when I was involved in bike sales it was always courtesy to meet and greet customers with a "good morning Sir how may I help you", and if you got the I'm just looking at the moment response, the return was "Great, feel free but please let me know when I can help, would you like a valuation on your bike while you're looking?"

[boxerscott]

[quote="Steve1200S"]There's a big dealership in Sheffield which is mostly ok, but some staff are your typical American style car salesmen. Hound you until you leave and don't go back.

Rainbow in Rotherham are particularly good on the sales front, all very friendly and willing to talk, but not pushy in any way.

Your BB is easily sellable in a dealership... If someone walks in looking for a cheap bike and was confronted with a 2k ish Blackbird in a show room full of 4k various 600s.... Hard to say no IMO.

Kin ell mate give the dealers a break and take a reality check on wot you just said

[dave the german]

I must admit Ducati Glasgow were very good when me ex bought her monster and they were very friendly and helpful - even told me who to talk to at Motorrad Central at Bishopbriggs, who were really friendly and helpful too. The mechanic at J and L in Carlisle was brilliant - always noticed a difference after he had serviced my bikes. If I'm ever in a position to buy a new BMW, have to admit, I don't know where I would go

[tanneman]

Can't say that I had a bad experience with a dealership regarding selling and buying. Since I have bought the 11S and then the 12GSA at Wollaston BMW in Northamton they have looked after me. Other dealerships don't interest me as the friendliness falls a bit short from what I experience at my local but then again I know each of the sales and service guys on a first name basis. So that may be it, they don't know me and I don't know them.

[big rob]

Where we live we don't have that many dealers to 'choose' from so don't mind travelling anywhere in the UK to get the right deal.
I contacted a few Dealers (some via email) before buying my present bike, Colin Appleyard didn't even have the courtesy to reply when I enquired about a £12K Super Ten thingy another Dealer wasn't prepared to haggle at all when I enquired about p/x'ing my bike for a new Tiger Sport, 'this is the price, take it or leave it' seemed to be his attitude.
Rob.