They wonder why they can't sell bikes

[black hills]

Decided on a new KTM 990 Adventure R so the only thing left was find where I could get a good price and get it ordered.  No sales input needed, just get me the price, I give you the $$ and you give me the bike. Not musch simpler than that, but :

- dealer #1 (local)
  walk in and tell the guy I need pricing and delivery on a 990, hands me a brochure that doesn't even have the 990's in it and tells me maybe I should look on their website?  I check the website and send the request for a quote. never heard back from them?

-dealer #2 (150mi)
  requested a quote on their website. Heard nothing so called the next week. They said they would get back to me with pricing and delivery, never heard from them again?

-dealer#3 (300mi)
  starting to catch on so skipped the website and just called. They said they would "get right back to you", never heard from them again?

C'mon people! I looking for someone to take my $$ how hard can this be??

-dealer #4 (325mi.)
  Called and talked to a nice lady who said "we can take care of it no problem, let me transfer you"  the guy I talked to gavce me the "I'll get right back to you" line....... But, ten minutes later he called with a price I asked him to fax the total to me which he did in a matter of minutes. I wired the $$ to him the next day and am now waiting for the call to go pick it up...

A side note: dealer #4 was the only KTM only dealer, the rest have multiple lines, do they not want to sell KTM's???

[Blunder]

You should let dealers #1, 2 and 3 know of your new purchase so they can share your joy.

[buls4evr]

 I would pass on a KTM then.... You had your warning about what your local dealers are like already. Learn your lesson. 325 miles to a reliable dealer who cares? Ridiculous.

[Rincewind]

You know that KTM greatly restricted their dealers recently, right?  All dual-sport and road bikes will only be sold in major metro area dealers, IIRC.  Other KTM dealers may only sell non-legal bikes.

[Geoff]

 I would pass on a KTM then....

I agree. KTM needs to hear customer feedback like this.

[scottzilla]

Shame, I am friends with my local KTM dealer.  He's a really good guy, i'm sure you could do business with him.

[Justin]

Like any other business, there are some good, and some bad. Obviously if you let a big sale like that walk away, you are not doing it right.

Around here we have some good dealers, and some bad. One of them opens up at 9 AM - I've gone in a few times when they opened, and the parts guys are still dragging there ass in at 9:15 - 9:20, and the person I asked if anyone could help me said I'd have to wait till they got in. So I went and got my parts at the good dealer that is a bit farther away.

[Thunderbox]

There is only one person you should be talking to about these problems.  The owner of the business.  Telling anyone else is a waste of time.  The person who needs to know, wants to know and should know is the owner or in some cases the general manager.

[bomber]

Lots of dealerships are still in the "Open The Door in the Morning and Accept Money" mode of sales --

I agree that the only thing you can do to effect a change is to let the competition know . . . .

[atadaskew]

Reminds me of when I tried to buy a Griso last year.

Out of 3 dealers, 2 did not respond, the 3rd wanted $4K OVER STICKER!!!  That bike is still collecting dust on their showroom floor.

People wonder about shops going out of business, but from my experience many deserve to...

p.s. congrats on the new bike!

[DNA]

Sounds like you should have started here and worked out the shipping:

http://www.cycletrader.com/Ktm-Adventure+990-Motorcycles/search-results?type=Motorcycle|356953&make=KTM|2319322&model=Adventure+990|764858345&zip=20105&radius=any&sort=year:desc

[Justin]

There is only one person you should be talking to about these problems.  The owner of the business.  Telling anyone else is a waste of time.  The person who needs to know, wants to know and should know is the owner or in some cases the general manager.

Well, it sounds to me as if the managers of the businesses already aren't driving high standards

[Orson]

Reminds me of when I tried to buy a Griso last year.

Out of 3 dealers, 2 did not respond, the 3rd wanted $4K OVER STICKER!!!  

They can't be selling Guzzis to any Billy Bob who wanders in off the street  

were you wearing a John Deere cap?

[black hills]

Sounds like you should have started here and worked out the shipping:

http://www.cycletrader.com/Ktm-Adventure+990-Motorcycles/search-results?type=Motorcycle|356953&make=KTM|2319322&model=Adventure+990|764858345&zip=20105&radius=any&sort=year:desc

did a little better than that, and less shipping so it's all OK

I coulc give  a shit if an of the others know of my experience, been down that road before, tha appologize, ask for another chance, then pull the same shit. I know the mechanic at the local dealer so I will take it to them for service if it needs something more than I can handle. If they ask where I got it I will tell them.

Noyt sure about KTM sales restrictions? they all claimed they could get me one? just never followed up? the dealer I went with has sold a couple this month and I don't think Mandan, ND is a "metro area"?  but I will ask when I pick it up?

[Rincewind]

Noyt sure about KTM sales restrictions? they all claimed they could get me one? just never followed up? the dealer I went with has sold a couple this month and I don't think Mandan, ND is a "metro area"?  but I will ask when I pick it up?

This is what I heard from local KTM riders about the local KTM dealer.  From STN discussion, it's not "metro areas" per se, it is that dealers must sell/stock a minimum large amount of the road-legal bikes in order to sell them at all.  This has forced the hand of many dealers, because they can't afford to stock all that inventory.

[black hills]

This is what I heard from local KTM riders about the local KTM dealer.  From STN discussion, it's not "metro areas" per se, it is that dealers must sell/stock a minimum large amount of the road-legal bikes in order to sell them at all.  This has forced the hand of many dealers, because they can't afford to stock all that inventory.

my local dealer usually only had one or two street legal models on the floor at any given time so this may be what happened to them? I should request a quote for a honda( honda dealer as well) and see if they reply?

[Flyer]

I don't understand a manufacturer that doesn't support ALL their dealerships.
You should be able to order your bike online, and pick it up at any KTM dealer. Or cut out the dealer altogether and sell 'em at the Piggly Wiggly.
Why do they make it so difficult...it should be SIMPLE!  

[atadaskew]

They can't be selling Guzzis to any Billy Bob who wanders in off the street  

were you wearing a John Deere cap?

No, butt maybe it was the man purse?

[Blunder]

No, butt maybe it was the man purse?

Them sharp-eyed Guzzi dealers can spot a Ducati or scooter rider a mile away. They saw you comin'.

[ANZAC]

Just ask Charlie and Ewan about KTM  

If you don't know what I am talking about - watch Long Way Round to see which bike they picked for their trip