For those of you that have purchased Cannondales or had contact with their dealers, have you found a lack of knowledge about the products and company? I'm currently shopping for a Speed and I really can't seem to find a dealer in my area that wants to sell me one. I am fortunate in that there are about 5-6 dealers in my area but some of them seem clueless. One doesn't know if they're going to stay a Cannondale dealer, one doesn't have any 2002 models ordered, and just about all of them are completely confused on the prices. Some think that they can deal lower than MSRP and some don't. Most don't know when the Speed will be delivered. None of the dealers that I've talked to want to take orders or deposits - they want me to keep calling back to check if the Speed is in stock. I want to deal now, and have an order placed to make sure that I get one soon, and not 6 months from now.

Is this a communication problem between Cannondale and their dealers? This makes me somewhat uneasy about buying from a dealer that doesn't seem to have interest or knowledge in what he is selling. I've gotten better information myself from calling Cannondale directly. Maybe they would entertain the idea of selling direct to consumers. It would lower the prices and make them more affordable.

 

I cant say anything about any dealers but two. Both are in my area. Bootheel Buggies is where I bought my C-Dale from. From what I gather they have great cummunication with Cannondale. They also seem very knowledgable about Cannondale and whats going on. The mechanic owns a FX400 and races it,so this has been a big plus for me. If I have any questions I can just call and talk to him. The other dealer seemed like they knew nothing when I talked to them. I called them first because I thought that they may be closer to me. When I called and asked if they had any C-Dales in stock they told me no and that they dont expect Cannondale to have them available for like a few more months. I had already read on Cannondales web site that they had started shipping them out. I called another dealer (Bootheel Buggies) and they said that they had two in stock. I think selling direct could have its advantages,but also its disadvantages. There is nothing more pleasing to the eye than walking into a dealership and seeing a brand new,clean Cannondale. Seeing a riding buddies, although pleasing just wouldnt be the same.

 

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