What do you like, and not like about your dealer? Give specific details. You can give the name of the dealer you like or don't if you want, but it doesn't matter. The point is that maybe some dealers are reading this and could improve their service to you if you tell them what you want.

Talk about sales, parts, service, help, support etc.

I like the guys who are riders them selves and know the product they are selling well, and not just memorized the spec sheets.

I like when dealers are willing to work with you on price, even if they "don't have to discount because someone else will pay higher."

I hate when dealers give you a price, then at the last minute throw in extra hidden cost like shipping, setup, etc. Why not incorperate it into the origonal price? Adding tax is understandable, obviously.

I like mechanics and shops who will explain what they did to your quad when you bring it in, so you know you didn't just pay a bunch of money for a surprise. (I do my own work though...)

Anything else?

 

Morons behind the parts counter. Inexperienced people, or some "old codger" that "knows" everything(but doesn't know anything).

Case in point. Circlips for pistons. Almost all 250 2 strokes use the same circlip. I asked "Bob, The Old Codger" that I needed circlips for my 250R, we don't have them. OK, how about for a CR250, "OH, those are different motors..." Yeah, that's nice but it's still a part number CW18...got any...."Well, I don't think it's a good idea to mix and match engine parts like that..." OK, that's nice, I didn't come here for your opinion, I came here to get circlips...got any..."I don't know if I should sell them to you, we could be liable for any damage..." HA!!! Since when...Moron.

Another thing that drives me nuts is morons on the "our" side of the counter. People. Know what you're working on. The exact model(it matters), the exact year(it matters), and exactly what you're working on, if you have to bring the part in for an example, do it...

Case in point.
"Hey Dude, I've like got this bike and I need a bearing for it"

OK. What make is your bike. "Well, Dude, it's got like red fenders on it, it's actually one of them four wheelers."

OK. Sounds like a Honda maybe. "Well, Dude, my buddy says that it might be a Suzuki."

After about 20 minutes of this moron going thru this, imagine now as we start to get more technical and in depth into the motor.

The bearing wasn't in stock and was 17 something dollars. "Whoah, Dude, like 17 dollars for that little bearing, man, I don't know about that, later, Dude."

Some people are alive simply because it's against the law to kill them. It never fails, when I'm trying to get a part real quick to either meet the commitment of a customer, or am trying to hit the road to go riding for the weekend..."I like get stuck behind some Dude."

 

I don't like dealers who don't keep their promises. I believe my words are something I'm
judged on, if I don't keep my word people won't
think very much of me.

Why don't dealers value their reputation? Do
dealers HAVE to give up their morales to become
a dealer? Or is it a symptom of trying to screw
everyone out of their hard earned money?

Don't they care what people might think, or worse,
tell their friends about them. We suckers must be like streetcars to them, "If I don't get this one the next one will be along any second".

Don't they ever have to buy anything from a dealer? Or do they have a secret code that gets them A1 treatment and the best prices from each other.

Oh there are some good dealers out there, I'm not down on all of them. Only the ones I've bought from lately!

 

Greetings,

I love going to my dealer -- its a really nice place with a good ATV inventory and lots of cool stuff including Harleys (which are neat to look at even if you're not getting one). Specific things I like:

a. They readily offered discounts off list. More on the 450ES than the Recon, but that's related to the available margin. (I have seen other dealers go straight list and then add a set-up fee in the hundreds -- no thanks).

b. They threw in a helmet for free with both quads.

c. The saleman delivered my first ATV since I had no truck or trailer at the time -- he drove an hour and a half and liked it.

d. They remember me when I stop in so I don't have to explain everything from scratch when I need a part or something fixed.

e. They are willing to support a claim against the manufacturer (the whole battery drain thing).

f. If they don't have it, they get it -- including quads. When I thought I wanted an orange Rancher ES 4X2, he said come back in two hours and I'll have one. When I went in to actually buy the Recon, the only ones on the floor were green or tan. My daughter said she wanted red so the guy went through the crates in the back to pull out a red one. He could have tried to move us over to the others but went out of his way to help.

g. Plenty of parking. This may seem petty, but half the people pulling in there have trucks or trailers and it helps to have plenty of room. I can cite several dealers in Maryland where you can hardly park a car let alone work a trailer.

h. Open late -- especially on Friday. I usually stop in on my way to the farm so its good they are there in the evening. (I wouldn't mind more hours on the weekend -- you'd think that's when most people shop for motorcycles and such).

i. All the help are nice guys who know their product. I can't stand going into a place and having the saleman tell me that he can get me a blue Recon 4X4 or something like that.

Only thing negative has been one small incident with the service department. They weren't really done when they thought they were done which added some delay to my travels -- small thing really but annoying.

Oh yeah, the name of the place is M&S Cycle in Chambersburg, PA.

 

I have a handful of dealers around CT, but lately I have been going to only one, which is located in MA.

CT Dealers:
LIBBY’S (New Haven) – I brought both my Yamaha quads there, and had one serviced. The store is owned by two brothers and they are really nice. Out of all the main dealers around CT, they seemed to be the best. They usually have aftermarket parts in stock and offered a 10% discount for racers. Example of why I like them. When I was buying my Banshee, I was looking for a 98 to match the Blaster. Well, the guy said he could find me one, but then said that the 99’s are coming out in another month or so. He showed me the pictures and when I saw the Yamaha Blue, I was hooked. I put down a deposit and waited. The quad came in earlier than he thought and he gave me a great deal. I forgot the exact price, but with tax (waived the set up) it was less than the MSRP. Months later he still remember what I had and asked how everything was. Reasons for not going: Kind of a pain in the butt to get down there. Takes about the same time as my new dealer but on Thursday’s and Saturday’s the place is packed, so it takes a while there.

NEW ENGLAND CYCLE in Hartford: I have heard some bad things about them with service. Whenever I have gone in there, they seem to treat me like crap and never have anything I need. Now I just drive by and smile.

WILLOWS in Cheshire: Closest major dealer to me, tend to get oil and stuff like that there at the last minute. They seem ok so far, but I prefer the one in MA.

K&K ATV in Granby MA: This is my favorite dealer. The guy (Shawn) only deals with quads and really knows his stuff. He supports the local racing scene, big time. Last year he was one of the main sponsors of the local racing series and was at almost every race. While the drive is about an hour, I don’t mind. He is a nice guy, treats me very well and usually has what I need or can get it fast. I am rebuilding my 250r and every part is coming through him. Being able to buy used parts, as well as new is another plus. I needed a kick-starter, since my 250r did not have one. He had billet for $80 or something, but he did not push it, instead, he sold me a used one for like $10 or something. I feel like I can trust him. When I ask which brand of part to get, he speaks from actual experience. Only bad thing with him is availability. He sponsors a few riders on the GNC circuit so every other week he is gone for several days. But I think this is also a plus. I would rather spend my money on a dealer that truly loves quads and racing. It is also nice to be able to talk to him about the last pro race, and see the quads that were raced. As a matter of fact, I am going up there tonight to spend a TON of money on TCS shocks and a bunch of other parts.

Overall, how I get treated makes all the difference in the world. Usually I know what part and what brand I want before I even go into a store. But for right now, the biggest difference is how the dealer feels about the sport. K&K fully supports quad racing, has parts and treats me well. So they will get all my money.

 

I also have to agree with Lasher....... I have delt with a fair share of dealers in the past.... Enfield Motor Sports(ct): everything is over priced, or they dont have it and it takes over a week to get it. Their story is that they only get 1 shipment per week(BS)
New England Cycle Center(ct) : They give you the impression that your lucky to be able to walk into there store and purchase from them!
K&K Atv(Ma): Hands down they are the best I have delt with. Shawn and his wife Christy both ride (when they have time) They specialize in sport quads only and they know what they are talking about! If he doesnt have what you are looking for he will try and send you to someone that does. Or if he knows of another company selling it much cheaper he will send you to them. They are trying to support the sport by vending at all of the nationals and sponcering a few racers. If you see them at the races its worth the time to stop in and see what they have to offer or even just say HI!
There are a few more small bike shops but nothing worth mentioning

walter
88 Banshee 370
95 Dodge Ram 4x4
99 Quadbuddy

 

I refuse to go to my local dealer anymore. If I want something I have to drive. First of all they never have any models in stock. Then the salesman know nothing about them. The parts dept is absolutely horrrible. They have a bunch of bleached blonde motocross dudes working it and if you wants parts for something other than a cr or yz you'll prolly end up leaving frustrated. There are a loy of people I have talked to who agree with me.