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  

[Thunderbox]

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

I would bet good money they are not aware of how you were treated.  If they knew things would change and it would either be the personel or the personels attitude.

[Hardware]

I went through the same thing trying to buy an ATV in December.  Polaris was NOT on my list, at all.

Went to the nearest Bombardier (Can Am)/Kawasaki ATV dealer.  Couldn't get anyone to talk to me.

I'm in my early 40s, dressed in clean clothes...pulled up in a fairly new 4x4 pick-up with a few visible accessories (should signal I spend money on recreational/offroad gear)

Walked out after 10-15 mins - in that time another customer actually came up to me and asked for help!  

Went a few blocks down the road to the Honda Power Centre.  Five or six guys in Honda shirts cloistered in a corner.  I walked in and looked over a couple of machines - looked over at them...waited...nothing.  They were too busy taking about a party that night.  I walked out.

Drove back past the first dealer and went to the Polaris dealer.  They actually talked to me, answered all my questions (without being hard-sell at all) and were quite content when I left to think about it.  

I later went back to the Can Am dealer with Mrs. Hardware.  She has a different shopping style and we pretty much forced a guy to speak to us.  He reluctantly discussed some prices - which were exorbitant and apparently non-negotiable.

We went back to the Polaris dealer where we were met with the same response as before - polite and helpful without being pushy.  I now have a Polaris ATV in my garage.

[black hills]

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  

The way I heard it, from the KTM side, was they were all set to provide the bikes until they found out it was some huge production with multiple chase vehicles, etc. and that is when they told them they would not provide the bikes for free.  Who knows? in retrospect a huge fuck up by KTM  

The dealer has never influenced my decsion on what to buy, that is decided before I step in the door

[Kraz]

The way I heard it, from the KTM side, was they were all set to provide the bikes until they found out it was some huge production with multiple chase vehicles, etc. and that is when they told them they would not provide the bikes for free.  Who knows? in retrospect a huge fuck up by KTM  

I'm sure the subject has been beaten to death elsewhere by now, but if it's a huge production, I'd think that'd be MORE of a reason to give away free bikes... you know, publicity and all.    Or maybe they're too cool for that.  Their loss.

Congrats on the new ride!!!  I really want one... perhaps someday...  I bought so much bike related stuff lately that it's time to buy the wife something now for a change.  

[black hills]

I'm sure the subject has been beaten to death elsewhere by now, but if it's a huge production, I'd think that'd be MORE of a reason to give away free bikes... you know, publicity and all.    Or maybe they're too cool for that.  Their loss.

Yea, who knows? or really cares?  yea, that is what I better do next too

[satxbonneville]

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

were you wearing a John Deere cap?

Is it Guzzi policy that any one person is only allowed to own one vehicle with a tractor engine?  

[Pitts2112]

The way to get the attention of the other dealers is to ride the brand new bike over to their place, ask to see the dealership owner, then take him out to the parking lot, show him your new machine, and tell him why he lost the sale.  That'll get his attention.  You can then ask him if he could recommend anyone reliable for ongoing service and support because, clearly, his place has demonstrated that they're not interested in the business.  Watch him try to answer THAT question!  

[Tpoppa]

That's as bad as the Buell dealer experience, yet I bought 3.

[doublen675]

It's a good thing they make an unbelievable product otherwise they'd be screwed!  

[R Doug]

That's an unfortunate buying experience.  But, congrats on the new bike. Keep us posted on your thoughts of it.

[karlfitt]

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

I agree with this.

My friend here at work just ordered a new Harley  

Had the same thing, local dealer here, well the got back to him on price but way high.
He is buying it 75 miles away because he got the deal he wanted.
So KTM is not the only dealer who doesn't want to sell a bike.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

The way to get the attention of the other dealers is to ride the brand new bike over to their place, ask to see the dealership owner, then take him out to the parking lot, show him your new machine, and tell him why he lost the sale.  That'll get his attention.  You can then ask him if he could recommend anyone reliable for ongoing service and support because, clearly, his place has demonstrated that they're not interested in the business.  Watch him try to answer THAT question!  

I like this train of thought...  

[Tpoppa]

I agree with this.

My friend here at work just ordered a new Harley  

Had the same thing, local dealer here, well the got back to him on price but way high.
He is buying it 75 miles away because he got the deal he wanted.
So KTM is not the only dealer who doesn't want to sell a bike.

To be fair, Harley dealers don't need to take the time to sell motorcycles.  It just interferes with T-Shirt sales

[cb919er]

sucks man... sorry about the crummy dealers,

I'll say this for whatever it's worth, As someone who has worked in a bike dealership, often people call in to get prices, and quotes, and 99 times out of 100, they never show. So, time and resources are wasted on a sale that will never happen, as far as why no response from the website, I can't answer for you. But, I'm glad you got it sorted out...

[Blunder]

sucks man... sorry about the crummy dealers,

I'll say this for whatever it's worth, As someone who has worked in a bike dealership, often people call in to get prices, and quotes, and 99 times out of 100, they never show. So, time and resources are wasted on a sale that will never happen...

For whatever it's worth? That's a lame excuse, especially in these times. If you're in the business of selling bikes then you make the effort to sell bikes. Even if the prospect never turns up or buys, at least he won't be going around telling others he got no response from a now shitty dealership.

Maybe the OP would have ended up making the same deal with the dealer over 300 miles away (that would have to have been a screamin' deal) but I doubt he'd be slagging the others as much as he's done here.

[JamesG]

The way to get the attention of the other dealers is to ride the brand new bike over to their place, ask to see the dealership owner, then take him out to the parking lot, show him your new machine, and tell him why he lost the sale.  That'll get his attention.  You can then ask him if he could recommend anyone reliable for ongoing service and support because, clearly, his place has demonstrated that they're not interested in the business.  Watch him try to answer THAT question!  

Most likely he'll just tell you and your new bike to f#ck off and go to the dealer you bought the bike from for service.

That's literally what the jackass MG dealer here in Columbus (who is not a Piaggio Group dealer anymore BTW)  did when my wife bought her Breva in Atlanta and we tried to buy the accessories and parts for it thru them. I wasn't even smug, I told them I wanted to throw some money their way, and I still got a shitty attitude.

[atadaskew]

sucks man... sorry about the crummy dealers,

I'll say this for whatever it's worth, As someone who has worked in a bike dealership, often people call in to get prices, and quotes, and 99 times out of 100, they never show. So, time and resources are wasted on a sale that will never happen, as far as why no response from the website, I can't answer for you. But, I'm glad you got it sorted out...

Ya mean, like any sales job?
How do you decide who is worthy in getting a price?
 

[black hills]

Maybe the OP would have ended up making the same deal with the dealer over 300 miles away (that would have to have been a screamin' deal) but I doubt he'd be slagging the others as much as he's done here.

Not as bad as it seams, I do all my own work on it so the service isn't an issue (other than warranty) and I have to travel to the 300mi away dealer for work anyway so it doesn't really cost me any time or gas money (company trucks are great ) .  all in all I think it worked out fine, just would have been nice not to have to wait to pick it up, I'm like a kid on christmas with new bikes

[BrookR1]

I like to leave feedback on sites like Yahoo! local (good and bad). Trouble is, most of the dealers have bad feedback. But you can generally tell when someone had a genuinely bad experience. If my feedback steered away just one potential customer, then it was worth it.

BTW...I was blown away by some of the smugness of a couple of local Ducati dealers. Dealers that are supposedly pretty successful. I've found two in the area that I like that I gladly spend my money at. If there weren't so many Duc dealers in my area, I would probably be riding a Japanese bike.  There's no way I'm paying $1400 over MSRP for a bike!

[swingset]

-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???

So what I'm reading here is you asked the dealer to set the terms of the sale and you just paid it without question?

Wow. Did you attempt to deal at all?

Anyway, I know this doesn't have anything to do with your story but I found it more fascinating than shitty dealers.

Carry on.

[black hills]

So what I'm reading here is you asked the dealer to set the terms of the sale and you just paid it without question?

Wow. Did you attempt to deal at all?

Anyway, I know this doesn't have anything to do with your story but I found it more fascinating than shitty dealers.

Carry on.

LOL.... no, not quite that easy, I did my research and found what they were going for elsewhere, added shippng and compared. I'm relaitvely sure the price paid was fair enough.  I could have saved $900 if I wanted to buy one in Texas? this just works out better for me

[Jet Jock]

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

Actually, you should contact the OWNERS or general managers of the first 3 dealers and tell them of your experience. They care.

[lharrell79]

Definitly email 1, 2, and 3, and let them know.  Let them know that you never heard back from them, but now there is no need, because you've already purchased.

Lucas

[falconati]

Congrats on your new bike - nice decision!  

It's really too bad about your dealer experience though - I agree with the others, a nicely worded email with dealer names might go a long way.  I'd really like to see KTM do well, but they won't unless they have a good dealership to back up their good name.  The easiest detail for a vehicle manufacturer to forget is the network that helps support and maintain their brand.

[kevin_stevens]

I would bet good money they are not aware of how you were treated.  If they knew things would change and it would either be the personel or the personels attitude.

If they were good managers they *would* know how their sales staff was behaving.

KeS

[Redbandit14]

I was in a local Ducati/triumph/KTM/Used  dealer yesterday picking up parts for the Bandit and said hello to the head sales guy like always . within 15 seconds he says if you want to ride anything call me and we'll set something up. He meant just about everything they sell.

That's how you Sell Bikes.

[JSharp]

Ya mean, like any sales job?
How do you decide who is worthy in getting a price?
 

As someone who sold motorcycles the answer of course is - you can't. So you have to treat everyone as if they were a serious buyer.

I worked with guys that claimed they could tell just by looking at someone, talking to them on the phone etc. if a person was serious.  But they often whined about no customers.  I never thought I was that perceptive. I worked less hours than them but typically sold as many or more units.

My boss used to say 'People come in here to buy motorcycles. Help them do that.' That means any contact you have with someone you get a name and phone number so you can get them in the shop. Then you keep calling them until they either buy or die.

[Poustman]

I'll say this for whatever it's worth, As someone who has worked in a bike dealership, often people call in to get prices, and quotes, and 99 times out of 100, they never show. So, time and resources are wasted on a sale that will never happen, as far as why no response from the website, I can't answer for you. But, I'm glad you got it sorted out...

Retail can be a brutal business.  For buyers and sellers both.  I've developed the philosophy that your first priority as a buyer should probably be to establish _where_ you want to buy, rather than _what_.  A good dealer that gives good service and who is clearly invested in making the process successful for them and you is, I suggest, valuable enough to justify the possible premium you'd pay rather than going through the hard-buy process (see http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,62560.0.html)  For what it is worth I've been impressed by a local dealer, where I get good attention, all the care I want, etc.  This is their website:  Link.  (Keeping it discrete, this isn't an ad!)

Thing is, for a seller to deal with false customers is part of the cost/risk of business.  For a customer to deal with 'false sellers'?!  

[scottzilla]

I went looking for KTMs today.  I didn't find any. The first dealer didn't have any bikes and did not know when they would be getting more.  The 2nd dealer told me the last super duke in the world is available for $12500 and if I wanted a 990smt they would charge me msrp and have to special order it. Sight unseen.
The 3rd dealer (I'm no longer in New York) was quite polite but sold his only two 990's and is pretty sure he won't be getting more.
So based on the info obtained from 2 lower NYS KTM dealers two 990smt's were made available to a buying public exceeding 5 million people.  

I'm going to dealers to spend money and they don't have any bikes to sell me.

[mugwump58]

There are some brand new '07's up in Fulton. I'm pretty sure they'll let you ride 'em.

[garry]

Scottzilla, my local KTM dealer (Bentley Motorcycles, Murrysville, PA) has two leftover 2008 Super Dukes on the floor. They just picked up the KTM street line last year and I think these leftovers came along for the ride. One is black/orange, the other is all black. I don't know what kind of deal they would offer, but they do have them available... There is a 990 SMR, four flavors of RC8/R, a couple 690 Dukes and an Adventure too. I know they had some SMTs last year, but I don't recall seeing them on the floor this afternoon.