Hey guys, I know from reading a few threads a while back that some of you on here have started up ATV dealerships and/or ATV related businesses. I am considering this as well and was hoping to get any opinions and advise on what are some of the best ways to go about doing this as far as getting started is concerned and any information on franchising with any of the major manufactureres. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would suggest getting into the service/aftermarket end of the business as you will pay a hunk of change to buy an existing franchise; which still requires manufacturer approval (where you will definitely be under the microscope even more than the established dealers in that area.............translation: you'll be pressured to buy even more inventory to maintain that franchise than you might ever be able to sell).

If any of the big manufacturers are looking for anything but MEGA dealers to sell their product.......I am not aware of it; as manufacturers normally are looking to use as few dealers as possible to sell their product (otherwise "price scavenging" ensues which causes less money to be made by everybody).

Finding and KEEPING good help in your garage area will always be a challenge in any service business and is really what your more savvy customers will demand......."I want Larry to rebuild that engine and nobody else!".

Best of luck to you.

 

last year I sent out letters to the big five in regards to a dealership. The only one that even replied was Polaris. they requested a resume, which if I recall correctly needed to show some business experience. they also requested that you already have your business space in mind. in the end I just decided to keep my day job.

 

i'd like to see you do it, man. louisiana needs some more good dealers. im not impressed with ANY of the 'established dealers' so far... they're lazy @sses and they all suffer from inverse rectal cranuim syndrome (their head is up their @ss) and they all try to screw you over and refuse to help out after the sale.

if you offer better prices than all the 'established' dealers like that dealer in mississippi, you can have a larger inventory and be able to move it because people from all over will be coming to buy stuff from you.

good quads + good service + GOOD prices = sales, repeat customers, and a healthy business doing something you'll love!

 

Thanks for the thoughts guys. This all started when I saw that a local dealer was selling what he called an "ATV franchise". The dealer has been around a while but also sells boats and outboard motors, etc. He was a whart I consider average dealer - Like you said Twenty....they're all suffering from the screw the customer and don't know crap syndrome. I think I know what dealer you're talking about there in Mississippi, and he does sell because of reasonable prces and the guy has been involved with MX and ATV's a while, and he knows what people want. That's my goal also.
It's a scary thing to leave an established job and venture out into something new though, that I can attest to. I am considering just starting out small without a franchise and just selling custom aftermarket parts, and all the nic-nacs everyone from racers, 4X4's and utility quads need and want. I think that would be my best option as a start. Also considering trackside applications with parts and services being available at certain events with an enclosed trailer. I know from my experiance that many people need or want certain parts during race day/ riding events and wouldn't hesitate to buy on the spot when the need arises.
I know what it's like to go into a dealership and the salesman/owner knows less than what you do and just uses a sales pitch to sell.....that doesn't cut it with me! I also know that it would be great to be able to walk into someplace and get the parts you want and need and have someone who knows what they're talking about to help you out and get that stuff at a reasonable price!
I guess I'll keep putting the peices together and see where to go from here.

 

If I was going to start a ATV business I would start selling aftermarket parts as you said but also used quads and dirtbikes. You could start out with older ones and shift up to barely used newer models as business picks up and you start to make money. After you have been in business for 5-10 years, have a good reputation for service and are moving a good volume of parts and used quads it would probably be easy to get approved by manufacturers to sell new ones. It would also require far less $s upfront. The only thing stopping me is that it would be hard to get started while competing with big business (there are ATV dealers everywhere in central FL) and it would take ***** to walk away from a decent paying secure job with benefits.