[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img] YOUR DEALER WORKS HARD FOR HIS MONEY TO SO THE NEXT TIME YOU HAVE A PROBLEM AND YOUR MACHINE IS AT YOUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR 3 MONTHS GETTING A TUNE UP AND YOUR BUDDY WHO BOUGHT HIS AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP GETS THE NEXT DAY TUNE UP .JUST RELAX AT HOME ON ALL THE PRETTY DAYS ON THE SOFA THINKING ABOUT ALL THE MONEY YOU SAVED

 

Ouch, sounds like you are a dealer who isn't happy about this setup.

First off, where I live the closest Cat dealer is 350 miles away, and there are not any roads to get there. Second, I wouldn't want to go to a dealer who does good work for people who bought his machine, and shotty work for people who bought it elsewhere. If I were to ever get on his bad side he might sabatosh (sp) my machine too.

 

The small guy makes the stepping-stones of our adventure a little closer and easier to traverse.


Point is, I am a small businessman, I personally had to make adjustments in my business due to the PepBoys, and Jiffy lubes in my area.
I bought my Cat from a dealer, the local one.. I did call around to see what prices I could get, but still worked the deal with my local dealer.

Example of dealer working for you; My Cat had a low oil light come on in 2hrs of run time on engine. I contacted my local dealer, dropped off bike, every one contacted every one, and shazam. I would say with in a couple of weeks, I am riding my bike with a fresh engine.
Now tell me that would happen if I got a Wally World bike. (NOT) Oh, it would be fixed, that I am sure of. Just not as fast.

I also understand wanting to save money, but how much money stays in your neighbor hood when you buy from an outlet chain. I know they pay the people wages, and that stays local. I am sure there was a small business already doing all this before? I bet some of the sales money stayed local too as well though. Where is it going when you give it to the big guys? Does he live in your town?

Any way, every one is going to do what they want, I just felt like tossing my two cents around.

Have fun...

 

Bass Pro in Oklhoma City just got the Cats last week but no one there knew much about them. This is only about 3 blocks from where I work Mon. --Fri. , but I will continue to travel 120 mi. round trip to my dealer MPC, in Ada Okla. They are super guys, and I recommend them to any one.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Buy from the small guy. The small guy will meet or beat the superstore's price. The superstores price is not always that good. The small guy wants your repeat business and your friends business and the superstore does not care about that on an Arctic Cat. The superstore also wont fix your machine as well. If the superstore has a great price let the small guy know that and let him know you work hard for your money so you dont want to spend more than you have to. The small guy will always want to earn your business. If price is all that matters he will earn it that way too.

 

I bought from a small dealer about 60 miles from the house, ( closest one was about 45 miles ) and he gave me a good price. The great thing is I have taken it back twice on a saturday morning and they had me in and out, riding before lunch.

 

I have a question for you guys, how many of you who buy from "the small guy" get your tires for you car from Sam's Club????

Please don't take this the wrong way, if my dealer can match the price of Gander Mountain I would do that, but I can not afford to pay more for any item just because I like the guy who sells it. (with the exception of that crappy popcorn I have to buy from my nephew...)

 

If there were a small guy left, I would buy tires from him. I used to order straight from the guy next door to my shop. To many BIG Guys buy deeper, sell lower, killing the little guy. But honestly, we are not talking about tires. We are talking about a product that will require warranty work (services), and has a much higher price than a tire. Heck, most people do not even rotate there rubber.....

I do what I can do for local business, like most of us try. We are all being forced every day to follow the path of least resistance. Like I said, I do what I can.

P.S. this coming from a guy who still uses Cash... You know, that green stuff used to barter with...

 

Points all well taken. I've visited 9 dealers so far. 6 were motorcyle dealers, 2 had AC's but they mainly sold tractors, and the last sold AC's from a gargage and trailer. The first thing I looked at was the condition of the showroom and how the demo bikes look. Some of demo's I saw were new but all beat up. I also took a look at the service area to see how it was ran. A couple of these places had dirt driveways and the shop had dust everywhere. If it came down to it I would spend the extra $$$ if thought I could get better service. I've narrowed my choices down to 2 dealers. One is within 10 miles of me the other about 40. Mr 40 has already given me the lowest price I could find so far. If Mr 10 wants my business he better get with the program[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

FrozenFeline Makes an excellent point here.
If a dealer cannot provide you quality service after the sale, they have no busness selling you any product that would require that type of service.