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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | I'd like to start a new poll of dealership experiences for you guys to comment on. There are a few categories to choose from:
Good- Open for Business
Bad- Open for Business
Good- Business Closed
Bad- Business Closed
As you can see, the dealer doesn't have to be open anymore, as my favorite dealer is no longer open and they were one of the highest volume dealerships in the country I have been told.
I'm not trying to start anything, just wondering how others feel about the dealership experience overall, especially since Victory had the highest customer satisfaction rating according to a J.D. Powers poll in the recent past. Also, you may vote in more than one category if you have had differing levels of service at different places.
Edited by baadawg 2013-04-13 4:47 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | The dealer I bought my 08 from in 07 is still open and is AWESOME! They have moved a couple of times in the area and changed names twice, but still the same great service and knowledge. It's Max Motorsports in Pelham, AL. Good folks! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Edmonton Alberta, Canada | I own a Victory Motorcycle. I do not know how they have kept their doors open since before June '08!!!!
Test drove the Vision on a Saturday!
Went home to think on it over the weekend. ( At least I thought about, and the better half let me think I thought on it! She made up her mind before we left the parking lot!!)
Monday went and signed the papers.
Thursday ( same week) took in for 800 km oil change.
Friday packed bike and did a 2500 km long weekend trip!
Sept had it in for a issue of the cubes not controlling the radio/ipod, they did a reflash.
April 09 tire replacement
'10 twice.....once to say hi to the salesman, and in Nov for a meet and greet with the Ness gentleman.
'11 to say hi to the salesman ( OK once a year thing I do) and purchase replacement mesh pockets for the saddlebags.
'12 to say hi to the salesman.
I had however phoned and ordered oil change kits, to have them drop it at their sister store near my work! Saved me 2 hour round trip!
Long story short, they must make enough of the sale, as I do all my own maintenance, and as far as mechanically.......no issues other than tires wearing too fast, gas stops used to draw much attention. I find no real reason to stop by as I am not into the whole "Pins, Patches, and Panty" thing .
They are a top notch dealer ship, service was great, twice that I took it into them. Hi on parts, and tire prices. Just not finding any real reason to in other than a quick hello.
Just sayin!!!
Edited by norcan 2013-04-13 8:59 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | Happy to hear good stories! I realize nobody is perfect and don't want to denigrate poor service departments/dealerships, so putting a name with the good ones would be helpful to many. Anybody know how the dealer in Kennesaw, GA is? I also hear great things about the Polaris dealer in Jasper, TN but they don't carry Victory, only ATVs. They told me they have applied to carry m/c but it keeps getting rejected by Polaris. |
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Tourer
Posts: 394
Tucson, AZ | My dealer is Cochise Motor Sports in Sierra Vista. These are great guys to work with. I have sent new customers to them and all have bought a bike or a 4x4. Always having free promos for their customers. Saturday they sponsored a free barbque lunch with all the fixin's. in two weeks they will host their 43rd anniversary in business with another free lunch and give aways. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Lindale, TX | Broadway Powersports Tyler Texas
In four years had two services: replaced headlight bulb and installed a new set of tires (14k)
Been by frequently to visit. Again, Victory mechanics must hate these bikes.
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Cruiser
Posts: 193
Buford, GA United States | Freedom Powersports operates the Kennesaw and Cumming Ga dealerships. They bought out my dealer in Cumming after I had purchased "Miss Vicky". The main maintenance man is Cole Penland and he is a really good mechanic who I really trust. Miss Vicky is going to have an operation on Thursday to replace the clutch after 62,000 miles with original. When I buy my next one it will be from them. |
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New user
Posts: 2
Lindale, TX | Easttexasrider - 2013-04-14 6:09 PM
Broadway Powersports Tyler Texas
I am a fan of Broadway Powersports, too...although they haven't worked on my personal bike yet. They do a good job and are always busy...albeit not on Vics (they sell ATVs, metrics, etc.).
Ya know, I hadn't seen your forum name when I picked mine, so the copy-cat of it was unintended. That being said, what are the odds that I'd pick a similar name and we'd both live in the same small town? Great minds think alike! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 209
| my dealer is Cherokee Trikes in Greer sc. I ws looking for pre-owned, with only about 8k to spend. when I seen all they had on the floor was out of my price range' they took me in the back of shop and showed me a 04 kingpin, with 5k mi.[this was in 09] I fell in love, and bought it next day. I didn't realize until much later it was the dealers personel bike' and had lots of accs. anyway, after many happy miles it got totaled.[obtw' since i wear a helmet' only a couple bad bruises] insurance paid off good. After that I knew I wanted a vision and went shopping and bought one off ebay. the dealer still gives me 10% off all purchases, treats me like a good friend, and will order from many aftermkt dealers too, and I don't pay shipping! If I need service they are good about keeping appts., and also they will sell and trade 'take off' pieces also. Great bunch of guys at Cherokee Trikes and more! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | FRS Powersports, Memphis. Brantley - Owner, Travis - Sales, Denny - Lead Mechanic. Best bunch ever. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | Lone Ranger - 2013-04-13 7:08 PM
The dealer I bought my 08 from in 07 is still open and is AWESOME! They have moved a couple of times in the area and changed names twice, but still the same great service and knowledge. It's Max Motorsports in Pelham, AL. Good folks!
That's my dealer! agree, they are great! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | I'm starting to "test drive" the "local" dealers so I can be prepared next time I need service, parts or a new bike. I went to Turn 1 in Plymouth, IN a couple weeks ago. They have a great selection of bikes, both new and used. First, I walked back to the parts department as I'm in the market for a Bronze Mist close out panel (trunk delete). MSRP is $165 but that seems to be a starting point for every dealership/shop I've talked to so far. Once I got someone to assist me (it took 10 minutes before someone showed up at the counter), they said their best price was......$165. I told them that I could get anywhere from $10 to $30 off at other dealers and would they be willing to price match? They said, "You bought a $20k bike, you can afford to pay retail.". Strike one.
Next, I visited their service department. I'm considering having a dealership redo part of the 500 mile service as I don't trust the original dealer. Turn 1 had all their windows to the shop taped up. Makes me think they're trying to hide something. I asked if a tech would go over the checklist with me after they did an initial service. They said their techs were "too busy to do something like that". I asked if they would mount a car tire on my bike. They said that was illegal. I told them there was nothing illegal about it. The guy at the counter got his supervisor who said they would mount it. I asked the price. (Should have been under $50 to compete with the rest of the world.) Their price? $100. Strike two.
Finally, I walked around their showroom for a while. I'm not in the market for a new bike as I just bought mine but they didn't know that. I walked around for 15 minutes and observed one of their sales staff in his office chatting on a phone, laughing. The other sales staff was chatting up a vendor. I understand they have to talk to the vendors but there's no reason they can't take a second to step out of their office and tell me that someone would be with me in a minute. Strike three.
When I got home, I called and spoke with some sort of manager and explained all of this to him. His answer to the parts/service departments was that he didn't feel the need to get involved with them. OK. I can understand that. I asked if he had any explanations for the sales staff. He said, "They were busy. Couldn't you see that?". I said they had no idea if I was in the market for a $25k motorcycle and if I had been, they would have lost a sale. He said I should come back in and try again. Probably not gonna happen any time soon. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | baadawg - 2013-04-14 10:23 AM
Happy to hear good stories! I realize nobody is perfect and don't want to denigrate poor service departments/dealerships, so putting a name with the good ones would be helpful to many. Anybody know how the dealer in Kennesaw, GA is? I also hear great things about the Polaris dealer in Jasper, TN but they don't carry Victory, only ATVs. They told me they have applied to carry m/c but it keeps getting rejected by Polaris.
I have been in teh Kennesaw dealership. They treated my like royalty, impressive facility and inventory too. I can't speak on the service as I was just kicking tires. If I didn't have a good dealer, I would give them a chance. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | jimtom - 2013-04-15 7:42 AM Lone Ranger - 2013-04-13 7:08 PM The dealer I bought my 08 from in 07 is still open and is AWESOME! They have moved a couple of times in the area and changed names twice, but still the same great service and knowledge. It's Max Motorsports in Pelham, AL. Good folks! That's my dealer! agree, they are great! One of the things that makes them so great is that they RIDE. A lot. Last year Tommy Barton took one of the Visions on a little trip from Alabama to a Vic dealer convention in California. Pushed it hard and even went through some snow in the mountains. They know their products. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | That is cool! I deal mostly with Chris and Robbie. They have been good to me. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Lindale, TX | ETrider Wow. Two members from Lindale. I have been riding a black 2008 Vision since I bought it new in April 2009. What do you ride? I thought I still had the only Vision in town. |
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New user
Posts: 2
Lindale, TX | Easttexasrider,
I sent you a PM. Didn't want to hijack this thread any more than I already have...lol. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Newnan Ga | Joker - 2013-04-14 10:14 PM
Freedom Powersports operates the Kennesaw and Cumming Ga dealerships. They bought out my dealer in Cumming after I had purchased "Miss Vicky". The main maintenance man is Cole Penland and he is a really good mechanic who I really trust. Miss Vicky is going to have an operation on Thursday to replace the clutch after 62,000 miles with original. When I buy my next one it will be from them.
Bought mine in Kennesaw. And while I can't say they are good or bad, I haven't heard a word from them since I rode off on the XC I bought from them? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 13
| Living on Vancouver Island and owning 2 Victory Motorcycles has been a challenge, my 2011 bike with warranty I had to take to Sea to Sky Motorsports on the mainland, 2 hour ferry ride then a 2 hour ride. I must love my bike, the guys there have been great. The new dealer here on the Island is 40 minutes away and the last service they did I was very happy. Ahh but the parts dept, I thought I would give them my business and order some goodies for my bike, went there talked to fellow at the counter went through my list, then he looked at my like I was speaking martian, so asked for the parts book and helped with the process, I asked to order the parts but when he told me I had to pay shipping to get the parts from Victory to his dealership, my reply to that was just put in the next order of parts not a big rush and he still wanted me to pay. Didn't purchase the parts ! |
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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | I see complaints about a lack of salesman attention when wandering around the showroom. What I don't understand is why anyone would complain about that. If I walk into a showroom and someone greets me, the first thing I want to do is tell them to go away. I actually want to walk around and get a feel for what they have and how much they think they can charge me. After that, if I start looking around for a salesman, an alert salesman will just show up to help me out. At least that is how I see things. I had exactly that experience in my nearby multiple brand dealer who carries Victories. I walked around looking at what they had for well over 30 minutes but when I was ready to take a real interest in the Vision model, the business owner showed up to greet me and ask if I had any questions. That is the dealer where I reached an agreement just this past Monday. I have a deal all worked out as soon as he can get me a Vision in basic black, or whatever it is they call that color. This is the same place that offered to prep a brand new bike to make it ready to ride with oil, fuel, etc. and handed me the keys to a previously unridden bike to try it out a few weeks ago when I got that first test ride. I had arrived driving my own high dollar bike but these guys didn't even ask to see my driver's license.
Edited by Oldman47 2013-04-24 1:21 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | Most people including me don't want to be left alone in a dealership. We want to be asked when we walk in the door if we can be helped and then we can convey that we need attention or we need some time alone to look. I deem it disrespectful when I'm completely ignored in a dealership unless sales reps are busy with other customers who arrived before me. I want to know you acknowledge me and are willing to extend a welcome gesture to me when I walk in and that you would appreciate my business. That is where I will spend my money  My dealer knows my name and greets me when I walk in, as it should be. I walked in another dealer in Athens , Al and was instantly impressed when the owner met me at the door with and extended hand and offered his name and asked mine, and looked me in the eye. That's how you do it!
Edited by jimtom 2013-04-24 1:32 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 13
Angelica, NY | Bought my 2012 Pearl White XCT from Maddies Motorsports in Dansville, NY can't say enough good things about them they have been great to me.
Edited by michrick 2013-04-24 3:12 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | jimtom - 2013-04-24 2:29 PM
Most people including me don't want to be left alone in a dealership. We want to be asked when we walk in the door if we can be helped and then we can convey that we need attention or we need some time alone to look. I deem it disrespectful when I'm completely ignored in a dealership unless sales reps are busy with other customers who arrived before me. I want to know you acknowledge me and are willing to extend a welcome gesture to me when I walk in and that you would appreciate my business. That is where I will spend my money My dealer knows my name and greets me when I walk in, as it should be. I walked in another dealer in Athens , Al and was instantly impressed when the owner met me at the door with and extended hand and offered his name and asked mine, and looked me in the eye. That's how you do it!
+1 |
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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | I certainly can understand your perspective jimtom and MaddMAx2u. Lots of folks feel the way that you do, I just do not share your perspective. To me, a salesman over my shoulder prevents me from properly evaluating what is available because every time I see something that I want to investigate, that bas****d wants to tell me something that he/she finds important for closing a sale. It may or may not have any bearing at all on my choice but it is what he/she feels compelled to tell me. Maybe I am just too independent but I could care less what the salesman finds important. I want to evaluate a bike based on my own priorities. Heck I am looking at a Victory which only an independent person would ever consider. If I wanted to run with the heard, I would buy my third HD, not any model of Victory at all.
Edited by Oldman47 2013-04-24 7:11 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | Oldman --- I don't think anyone is suggesting a guided tour by a salesman (sorry...sales PERSON). Some of us just want to be acknowleged when we walk in the door. The potential customer (whether he's there to buy a spark plug or a brand new $25k bike) should be the most important person in the store...period. Not the employees, not the vendors, not the mechanics. I want to feel that the dealership as a whole would move Heaven and earth to help me answer a question, fix my bike or sell me another. If you don't want the help, politely tell them that you'd rather look around and if you have any questions, you'll be sure to find them. They've made you feel welcome and now you can look around at your convenience. Twenty minutes later (when you're still looking around) would be a good time for the sales rep (or his boss) to find you again and ask if there's anything they can help you with. Maybe that would be a good time to ask if you'd like a cold bottle of water or a cup of fresh coffee.
When I was searching for my current ride, I stopped in a big Harley dealership. They were grilling hot dog outside and as I walked up (after just getting off my metric cruiser), they asked if I wanted something to eat. I declined and walked in the shop. I was greeted at the door by a sales rep who simply asked me how he could direct me. I said I was interested in buying a bike but wasn't sure what I wanted. He pointed me towards 4 or 5 different models and once I told him which caught my eye, he told me a few things about it. "This model has ABS and security standard." "Here. Try it out." "This is a bold color. Are you looking for something bold or something a bit more neutral?" "Ok. Let's try this bike over here." The number of different bikes was a little disconcerting and after a while, I asked the sales rep if I could just walking around on my own. He gave me his card and asked that I seek him out if I had any other questions. Never once did he say "This bike's for you" or "You should buy this". Even when I told him I had decided to NOT buy the RGU, he was curtious (never know when I'll change my mind...can't see it but any good sales staff knows it can happen) and gave me some dates when there would be some big rides so I could look at (and hear) the bikes I turned down. I walked out without buying a thing, got a dog and some chips then went on my way. I could only wish that my local Victory dealer (where I bought my Vision) could have been 1/2 as good. (They weren't.) |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Monkeyman - 2013-04-24 8:32 PM Oldman --- I don't think anyone is suggesting a guided tour by a salesman (sorry...sales PERSON). Some of us just want to be acknowleged when we walk in the door. The potential customer (whether he's there to buy a spark plug or a brand new $25k bike) should be the most important person in the store...period. Not the employees, not the vendors, not the mechanics. I want to feel that the dealership as a whole would move Heaven and earth to help me answer a question, fix my bike or sell me another. If you don't want the help, politely tell them that you'd rather look around and if you have any questions, you'll be sure to find them. They've made you feel welcome and now you can look around at your convenience. Twenty minutes later (when you're still looking around) would be a good time for the sales rep (or his boss) to find you again and ask if there's anything they can help you with. Maybe that would be a good time to ask if you'd like a cold bottle of water or a cup of fresh coffee. When I was searching for my current ride, I stopped in a big Harley dealership. They were grilling hot dog outside and as I walked up (after just getting off my metric cruiser), they asked if I wanted something to eat. I declined and walked in the shop. I was greeted at the door by a sales rep who simply asked me how he could direct me. I said I was interested in buying a bike but wasn't sure what I wanted. He pointed me towards 4 or 5 different models and once I told him which caught my eye, he told me a few things about it. "This model has ABS and security standard." "Here. Try it out." "This is a bold color. Are you looking for something bold or something a bit more neutral?" "Ok. Let's try this bike over here." The number of different bikes was a little disconcerting and after a while, I asked the sales rep if I could just walking around on my own. He gave me his card and asked that I seek him out if I had any other questions. Never once did he say "This bike's for you" or "You should buy this". Even when I told him I had decided to NOT buy the RGU, he was curtious (never know when I'll change my mind...can't see it but any good sales staff knows it can happen) and gave me some dates when there would be some big rides so I could look at (and hear) the bikes I turned down. I walked out without buying a thing, got a dog and some chips then went on my way. I could only wish that my local Victory dealer (where I bought my Vision) could have been 1/2 as good. (They weren't.) What you described is the bare basics of any sales operation. I have walked in and walked out of dealerships and was never acknowledged, therefore, I did not buy a thing. I went to another dealership who greeted me and I bought from them. |
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Dealerships, Good vs. Bad, Open vs. Closed