Just got a cold call from a Harley dealer..

[atadaskew]

Times must be tough.  First time ever that I've reveived an unsolicited call from a motorcycle dealer trying to sell me a ride.  And it was the local Harley shop.
Man I remember just a couple o years back when they had huge mark ups on everything..
While I'm glad the days of the mark ups are gone, I hate so see businesses having a tough time in the current economic slump.  The local Japanese dealers are also having probs moving stock, judging by the same bikes being on the show room floors week after week.

[keystonejenks]

Have you purchased products from this dealer in the past?

[chornbe]

Just having a talk with a co-worker this morning about Harleys and pricing across the other brands. Once upon a time, Harley was at a premium price point and the "big four" Japanese were considerably less. Nowadays, with Honda's VTX 1800 and Star's bikes and Kawasaki's big Vulcans getting way up there in prices - some times rivaling Harley's prices, making some of Harley's models look like a bargain - I wonder if that's going to bite the big four on the collective ass. I really wonder how many new-bike buyers are going to price shop, then realize "hey, since I always wanted a Harley but only bought Japanese bikes because of the price difference, i might as well treat myself to that Road King now!"

Interesting times ahead.

My buddy's got a $15k Star (Yamaha) Stratoliner. Very nice machine. Fast, smooth, nice fit-n-finish. I'd say it competes with the Heritage soft tail in style & fit. It's definitely a "tourable cruiser", not a sit-upright touring bike. It's still got legs out, long-arm-reach seating that promote slumped seating. But the Harley still has the edge on ergonomics, storage (the strat's bags are far more show than go) and DECADES of post-sale and after market support. All the while the price gap is diminishing - rapidly - between Harley and the would-be competitors. I just can't see these escalated prices translating well to long-term viability of such a small market segment; Japanese Cruisers.

I wish them luck, but... I just don't know.

[atadaskew]

Have you purchased products from this dealer in the past?

Nope

[bizarro]

That's a little weird.

[atadaskew]

By Jove I think I've got it!  I've rented Harleys before, maybe now Harley is 'acquiring' that information and hitting those peeps up.
Still, don't really appreciate that.

[Geoff]

Things are pretty slow at HD dealers. Some smart sales rep bought a mailing list of licensed bike owners from his state's drivers license facility, looked up phones numbers and started making calls. Creative marketing, if you ask me.  

[atadaskew]

Things are pretty slow at HD dealers. Some smart sales rep bought a mailing list of licensed bike owners from his state's drivers license facility, looked up phones numbers and started making calls. Creative marketing, if you ask me.  

So it's cool to get unwanted/undesired calls from HD salespeople, but uncool from other telemarketers?

[71Fish]

So it's cool to get unwanted/undesired calls from HD salespeople, but uncool from other telemarketers?

I would say "yes" if it's something you're interested in, ie, motorcycles.  At the moment I wouldn't take a call about aluminum siding.  

[jschmidt]

Harley sales were off about 10% last year. With the exception of Ducati, everyone else's sales were off more than double that.

That's why everyone will be quoting only their international sales numbers this year, not their US sales. Watch for it...

[chornbe]

Harley Davidson is like the Howard Stern of motorcycles. Everyone wants their numbers without playing their game. Their formula(s) works.

[atadaskew]

I would say "yes" if it's something you're interested in, ie, motorcycles.

I disagree.  I love motorcycles, cars and trucks.  Still don't want anyone calling me unsolicited trying to sell me one.

[st ryder]

I disagree.  I love motorcycles, cars and trucks.  Still don't want anyone calling me unsolicited trying to sell me one.

Sales make the economy go 'round. Prospecting is the heart of sales. Cold calling is the trenches of prospecting. For every 100 nos, there could be one yes. From that one yes, jobs are created and saved. I try to be nice to telemarketers, but sometimes enough is enough. If I got a call from a HD salesperson, and I had NEVER owned a HD, I'd be surprised. If I got a sales/marketing call from a HD rep, having been a HD owner, I'd *continue* to think that HD has the best customer service in the industry.  Of the 3 new bikes I've purchased in the last 6 years, HD was the *only* one to send a follow-up marketing survey. As impressed as I was with Ducati's parts and accessories catalogs sent shortly after purchase with their congratulatory letter, plus their 2 year road side assistance plan, and their 2 year warranty, they still never *asked me* what *I* though about the bike, or the dealership. HD did. And not once either.

[atadaskew]

I got a follow up survey from Yamaha for the TTR125 that I had just bought a few weeks back.  They actually followed up with me twice.
Never got one from anyone else.

[1000lbs]

The call is more than likely from your rental info... I recieved a similar call after renting one last summer...

I got a follow up survey from Yamaha for the TTR125 that I had just bought a few weeks back.  They actually followed up with me twice.
Never got one from anyone else.

Triumph sent me two surverys after buying my Speed Triple, one about the dealer and one about the bike...  The one for the bike came after a few months and seemed centered about why I purchased that bike and what I thought about my experience with the bike...

[st ryder]

I got a follow up survey from Yamaha for the TTR125 that I had just bought a few weeks back.  They actually followed up with me twice.
Never got one from anyone else.

I bought a new FJR in 2002. When I picked up the bike, the dealer more or less made sure I signed the papers, that the manual was with the bike, handed me the keys and stated "We expect you know how to handle a bike." That was it.  

[keystonejenks]

By Jove I think I've got it!  I've rented Harleys before, maybe now Harley is 'acquiring' that information and hitting those peeps up.
Still, don't really appreciate that.

See, I knew you'd work it out.   I got a cold call from Honda East in Ohio because I purchased a bike from them several years back. Never did return the salesman's call. Maybe I'll have to do so. I mean, see what he can do for me.

[Cricket1]

See, I knew you'd work it out.   I got a cold call from Honda East in Ohio because I purchased a bike from them several years back. Never did return the salesman's call. Maybe I'll have to do so. I mean, see what he can do for me.

Jenks;

I live about 4 miles from Honda East, so if there is something you want a "dis interested" third party to look at there, let me know.

No, I don't work for them, or ever bought a bike there, only parts and supplies.

[chornbe]

I bought my first CBR from them; absolutely flawless transaction and $1100 below MSRP.  

[atadaskew]

I bought a new FJR in 2002. When I picked up the bike, the dealer more or less made sure I signed the papers, that the manual was with the bike, handed me the keys and stated "We expect you know how to handle a bike." That was it.  

My TTR experience was the same.  The surveys came from the mfg not the dealer.  Dealer was only good at supplying the bike.  Did not go over anything with me.  I replied as much in the survey.

[Thundergod]

Ive received some blanket mailers from local HD dealers....But a phone call would just yank my chain.

"most" men...if not all men...will do extensive research into their purchasing decisions...they will narrow it down to two options...maybe three. Then the test drives begin. If I walk into a dealership, I have already made up my mind on what I want, where it is located, what options I want..etc. Ive made my mind up, give me the paperwork and let me go. In and out in 30min.

Hunting is a skill. Cold calling for a 18K-30K Motorcycle is just a bad idea, I don't think the response rate would be an effective use of time. Their best bet would be focus on people coming in the door....they are there for a reason.....TO BUY...>SOMETHING AT LEAST!

[keystonejenks]

Jenks;

I live about 4 miles from Honda East, so if there is something you want a "dis interested" third party to look at there, let me know.

No, I don't work for them, or ever bought a bike there, only parts and supplies.

Thanks, I'll keep you posted.  

[st ryder]

..."most" men...if not all men...will do extensive research into their purchasing decisions...they will narrow it down to two options...maybe three. Then the test drives begin. If I walk into a dealership, I have already made up my mind on what I want, where it is located, what options I want..etc. Ive made my mind up, give me the paperwork and let me go. In and out in 30min...

I spent 7 years in automotive sales, and that's a very good observation. The trouble was, with the "wonks" who would read every magazine article on the new, hot car and come in and want to test my knowledge in case by some small chance they knew some small fact I didn't, and then they'd be able to say "that salesman didn't know shit." Petty seekers of petty victories. I was on top of all the models I sold, as well as the competitions, and could box bull with the best, or actually, the worst of them: time wasters. If I was patient, I'd eventually get a "buyer", who walks in, knowing what he wants, not giving two shits what I know, and ready to deal: beautiful. A real pleasure to do business that way, with folks who want to be treated fairly, but understand the dealer has to keep the doors open for service.  I have never taken any bike I've purchased for a ride. When I'm ready, it's a done deal, if the dealer's ready to deal. Some don't know a buyer when he's looking at them in the face. They end up making the famous, "you did?!" call after the prospect purchased elsewhere. I appreciate at least 1 follow-up call if I went "shopping" or can even tolerate a cold call, as the dealer then shows the customer they WANT his business. That's important. Worse is to be ignored. No sales that way.  

[Geoff]

So it's cool to get unwanted/undesired calls from HD salespeople, but uncool from other telemarketers?

Don't know about you but I'd much rather talk bikes than time shares in Florida.

[jschmidt]

Don't know about you but I'd much rather talk bikes than time shares in Florida.

Or the automated one I got last night from Dominos telling me I hadn't ordered in a long time.