OPINION asked Not needed lol

[Rollin Thunder]

1st of all. I'm just asking your opinion. I bought my bike from a dealer on the other side of town. WHY ? Because he's was the only one that had the bike and the price. But here's my question. He's on the other side of town. There is a HD dealer with in 15 mins of me. Now I want to take it to the dealer I bought it from because! BUT then again this dealer is right down the street. As far as convenience I just might take it to him. ( HISTORY) I've owned 8 Brand new HD"s and always from the same dealer. So I always took them back to him. But times are different now. Its not a loyalty thing any more. Or a friendship thing. I have NO ties to either. JUST one is closer then the other. Plus I'll have to get a ride back and forth after I leave it there. ok GO what's your opinion ?

 

[2006gold]

I suspect motorcycle dealers are much like any other - not all are created equal. The question is 'where are you going to get the best service?'. Having been a dealer in outdoor power equipment I can tell you my loyal, repeat customers equipment ALWAYS received that extra care that they weren't charged for and usually didn't know about. Also, they would get the best deal on new equipment, parts, and extra's. Besides, you like to ride don't you?

 

[Gold Rush]

1st of all. I'm just asking your opinion. I bought my bike from a dealer on the other side of town. WHY ? Because he's was the only one that had the bike and the price. But here's my question. He's on the other side of town. There is a HD dealer with in 15 mins of me. Now I want to take it to the dealer I bought it from because! BUT then again this dealer is right down the street. As far as convenience I just might take it to him. ( HISTORY) I've owned 8 Brand new HD"s and always from the same dealer. So I always took them back to him. But times are different now. Its not a loyalty thing any more. Or a friendship thing. I have NO ties to either. JUST one is closer then the other. Plus I'll have to get a ride back and forth after I leave it there. ok GO what's your opinion ?

If the closer dealer is OK with it then by all means - do it...... Some dealerships would stop just short of refusing under this situation. Loyalty it a big deal in many circles so you have a choice to make for sure.. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[skuuter]

I suspect motorcycle dealers are much like any other - not all are created equal. The question is 'where are you going to get the best service?'. Having been a dealer in outdoor power equipment I can tell you my loyal, repeat customers equipment ALWAYS received that extra care that they weren't charged for and usually didn't know about. Also, they would get the best deal on new equipment, parts, and extra's. Besides, you like to ride don't you?

"EXACTLY".....Dealer/Shop/Business Loyalty always has "Perks" at Really Good Businesses.....ThumbUp

 

[Rollin Thunder]

I forgot to mention. other then buying this bike. I have had No relationships with either one.

 

[rhino 2]

What ever floats your boat,
I have two dealers, Both within 20 miles from me, But I buy and take all my bikes [when needed] To a dealer 80 miles one way from me.. Trust and conferenced in them is why I do that.. I might add that I'm retried so I have the time when not watching the Grandkid's 'to make an appointment and Waite.. A plus is that I enjoy the ride also... But if its a job I can't Waite for. I'll trailer it to them...

 

[msocko3]

It shouldn't be a problem, only issue you might have is the dealer who didn't get the sale could be pissy. I know a car dealer who got pissy with a co-workers dad because he didn't buy from them. He needed service and warranty work, they gave him an appointment in a month. When he ask if they had something sooner, he was told those where for their customers.

 

[Steve on 3]

It shouldn't be a problem, only issue you might have is the dealer who didn't get the sale could be pissy. I know a car dealer who got pissy with a co-workers dad because he didn't buy from them. He needed service and warranty work, they gave him an appointment in a month. When he ask if they had something sooner, he was told those where for their customers.

I would probably be just as big a dick as the dealer and take my business elsewhere if I was treated this way. Even though the MOCO prefers otherwise, we as consumers have the right to purchase wherever we want to , for any reason or none. And if we purchase somewhere, we have the right to have our bike service somewhere else. I am in this same situation. My closest dealer cannot match the deal of the dealer I buy from. But the dealer I buy from marks his routine services $50 higher for the 5k, 10k, 15k and so on. So in the end, it probably works out. Except in my case, I go buy at the cheaper dealer, 60 miles away and service at the cheaper service dealer 30 miles away. I discussed it with the servicing dealer and always give him the first opportunity to make a deal and show him the other guys deal to match it. He never can match it. I buy my parts and service from him, just not my bikes. After all it is my money and my choice.

Theoretically, what would they do if you just moved into the area and didn't buy the bike from either? How long would you have to wait for service then?

 

[slick rick]

IMO ,,,A lot of times the dealer you bought it from can get a little more done , example when my boat was still under warranty I took it to a dealer closer and couldn't seem to get the job done from Mercury and wanted me to pay :AGGHH:. I picked the boat up and made the 100 mile ride back to where I bought it, not only did they get it covered but took care of another issue .


Learned a little lesson and now if it needs something I travel the 100 miles ,,,you asked for it , there it is ,,,JMOThumbUp

 

[Rick Kay]

I've always gone to the same dealer, mostly because of the relationship that has been built over the years. He shoots straight with me, and has proven to me that it is worth my while to maintain that relationship...kind of like scratchin' each others' backs.

 

[RcSuD]

If I were in that situation I would take it to the dealer I bought it from. Give them first crack at it. If at some point you feel the service is not up to your standards, try the other one.

 

[msocko3]

I would probably be just as big a dick as the dealer and take my business elsewhere if I was treated this way. Even though the MOCO prefers otherwise, we as consumers have the right to purchase wherever we want to , for any reason or none. And if we purchase somewhere, we have the right to have our bike service somewhere else. I am in this same situation. My closest dealer cannot match the deal of the dealer I buy from. But the dealer I buy from marks his routine services $50 higher for the 5k, 10k, 15k and so on. So in the end, it probably works out. Except in my case, I go buy at the cheaper dealer, 60 miles away and service at the cheaper service dealer 30 miles away. I discussed it with the servicing dealer and always give him the first opportunity to make a deal and show him the other guys deal to match it. He never can match it. I buy my parts and service from him, just not my bikes. After all it is my money and my choice.

Theoretically, what would they do if you just moved into the area and didn't buy the bike from either? How long would you have to wait for service then?

I would think if you where a new face, they would treat you like a customer with hopes of earning your business. With the example I mentioned, the guys dad bough several cars from that dealer before he decided to buy from a different dealer cheaper. In the end the hassle with his old dealer wasn't worth the cheaper price he got from someone else. He purchased his next vehicle from his old dealer.

 

[Steve on 3]

It should not be like that though. The dealer should not assume that we owe him our business. He should earn it. The dealer who does my service, we got down to negotiating the price of a 14 limited. I had just had my 12 serviced about 100 miles before at his shop. We were getting down to numbers and I asked if he was going to do the 1000 mile service free on the new bike. He laughed and said no. I told him I thought he should as my trade was just serviced, he had all the service records since it was new and only had 100 miles on since servicing and would not need servicing before selling.

His statement...."Don't let $300 be the reason you don't buy this bike". (cost of the service) Having serviced my bike there and bought tires there and parts and clothes and boots and helmets for 20 years, I didn't think my request for a comp service was out of line. This was late November. I told him "Don't let $300 be the reason you don't sell this bike". I left the dealership, went to the other one and bought the bike for $1000 less than I was quoted at the servicing dealer. The servicing dealer called the next morning and said they would meet me half way. Told him thanks but no thanks I already had a new 14 in the garage.

SO I don't think I owe the dealer any loyalty. He is out to maximize his profit from me. I am going to try to keep as much of my $ in my pocket. When I traded the 14 limited for the 14 Triglide, I didn't even call him, just rode it up there and showed him that I had bought it.

 

[Shimpy]

My experience has been that the service dept. doesn't give a damn where you bought it. Sales are sales and service is a whole different ball game. Many times a dealer will give you a real steal deal on a bike hoping to make it up on service. Any other dealer should be glad to steal that service money from them.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

I only have one concern. The dealer I bought it from is about 45 miles away. The nearest is about 8 miles away. I go to both dealers a lot. They both have a lot of events going on down here. Its about convenience for me and that's it in a NUT shell. Nothing else matters at this point. I'll let you know who gets my business later this weekend ThumbUp

 

[BikerMama]

We have bought Harleys from 4 different dealers in 4 states. Bought the '05 in Iowa, didn't care for their service so used a different dealer after that. Bought the '07 in TN while on a trip with the '05 so of course we didn't use the TN dealer for service being we lived in IL. We used the same dealer as we used with the '05. While on the '07 in Charleston SC we were rear-ended at a stoplight by an SUV, hauled it back to IL to be fixed of course. Took it to our dealer there, saw the '11 Trike, got the estimate, and also a price to trade. Took the trike home! Used that same dealer for most service but had to use a dealer in TX part time as we were wintering there at this point. Absolutely loved the service we got there! We started wintering in AZ and used the dealer closest to us for service, no problems, bought the '14 from them, and still use them for service.

Long story! Bottom line...buy where you find what you are looking for and the price is right...get the service wherever you're happiest. Being we live in 2 states now, we use our dealers in Rock Falls IL and Peoria AZ!

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Well I've made up my mind. IT was a close decision but I thought I'd give the dealer that sold me the Bike a chance. WHY not ..it's a nice ride out there and back. Talked to a service rep at the dealer over the phone. Same guy that gave us the tour and explained everything to us. Had TON's of info for us and plenty of time to make sure I understood. My last NEW bike was an 98 Street Glide. So this 14 Trike is an all New animal to me. So I'm still learning more and more every day. Thanks everyone for your idea;s and comments. Your a great bunch to hang with on here ThumbUp

 

[Steve on 3]

As with most things....it's your trike and your money and we just enjoy spending it for you . Bottom line, find a service department and tech you can trust, cultivate a relationship. slip him a donut or something occasionally or some biscuits on Saturday morning. A good tech will take care of you if you take care of him. Dealerships not so much.

 

[tbear]

I want to give the "Private Mechanics" a chance. I take my bikes to a private bike shop. More personal service is given to the bike and me. plus ,alot faster return.
Dealerships where I come from are only for getting parts and going to in the winter months to look around at bikes and stuff when you are bored. to me, bike dealerships are too much like car dealerships.:Coffee:that's my 2 cents worth....

 

[dirtdobber]

I take mine to the same dealer I have always used whether I bought it from them or not. They have never ,said anything to me. They put my bike in their computer like I bought it there.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

UPDATE 1/29/15. So I took my bike back to the dealer I bought it from. Only a 23 mile ride to get to this dealer. Matt who took care of me was just fantastic to talk to as was Rich. Both had a lot of info on the 14's Tri Glides. I asked all the questions I had wrote down and then some. I asked about them making all 3 of my lights on with the bright light on and about the Radio updates. NO Problem we'll do that for you. So wife and I dropped off the Trike and took off to Fan Fest in Scottsdale . A lot of walking around the ESPN booths and other things going on. Spent about 3 hrs there. Then went back to the dealer to check on the bike. They needed 30 more mins to finish it up. So we waited and took her home after that. All in All. A nice experience before and after the service. Matt really made me feel comfortable taking my bike there. So it all worked out for the GOOD.........ThumbUp

 

[Steve on 3]

Glad everything worked out for you. Seems like you got some good peace of mind about the experience too. Now, just go ride and put some miles on that thing.

Steve

 

[Copasetic]

This thread brings up a question.

I assume at least some of this was warranty work. With some makes of cars (at least a few years ago) you had to take the car to the selling dealer if you were with a certain radius of that dealer (don't remember how many miles of that dealer). If you were not near that dealer you could take it to any dealer.

Is this different with the MOCO warranty?

 

[Tadgh45]

I bought my Ultra Limited 80 miles away from my house. The dealer only 8 miles away was $1800.00 higher and didn't want to budge. The dealer I bought it from even delivered it to my home and put it in my garage while I was at work! I did buy some add-ons from them and did my first service there. However it is a bit of a PITA to do this anytime but a weekend since my job is about 25 miles from there and getting a ride to work if I have to leave it is difficult. I started to use the dealer closer to my house for the next 2 services only because of convenience. I am now looking at the 2015 Tri Glide and my first call was to the dealer I purchased from in the past because they made the the extra effort for my business to begin with.
They've got a Black, a Black Magic & a Mysterious Red in stock and are willing to talk trade in for my 2012 Ultra or my 2011 Spyder. I'm planning on stopping in there this weekend on my way back from the big bike show in Timonium, MD.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

TIM: let us know what's going on with your trade in. Keep us posted on here on what your up too. ThumbUp

 

[sonny8l3]

If I bought multiple bikes from the same dealer and knew the Service Mgr. or Gen. Mgr. (and trusted them), I think I would just go to one of them and ask. Dealerships get paid for warrenty work, so it's not like your asking them for a favor. If I didn't have that kind of relationship with them, I'd flip a coin.
Thanks for your time.