 Dealership rant
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Last Friday I have a day off the wifes at work my sons at school so I decide to visit the place I bought my Triumph, trust me here this place is not a Triumph dealer, just a place that sells them.I figure I might be able to see the new stuff maybe a Scrambler. What do they have? 6 bikes 2 are left over 05s. 10 shirts and a salesman who doesnt know what a scrambler is.A freaking shame, you know I read about in here how great dealerships around the country are. And how they have a passion for Triumph. This place is a freaking joke. The reason I asked about Triumph email I think they ought to know who is representing them.
Chris
Pain heals, Chicks dig scars, and Glory last forever.
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Re: Dealership rant
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IMHO
...the best dealerships of any product tend to be sole distributors, or at least limited distributors. When you are carrying multiple products, you can afford to let slide on one or two; when you're only pushing two or three, you push a little harder.
Unfortunately, apart from Harley - who are smart to have sole distributors - the majority of motorcycle dealers seem to have to sell and support multiple brands, which dilutes the passion. Although we may not be great Harley fans, they have a great marketing strategy.
Siggy
If life wasn't so pointless and absurd, I would take it more seriously.
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Re: Dealership rant
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Guys, I don't think that a Triumph Dealer can make it on it's own. Everyone I've seen has picked up at least one other line. Most times I go to visit one they are loaded with Suzuki's, Guzzi's, Ducati's, and no more than 4 or 5 Triumphs.
But let's be honest. Dealers have to make a living. Triumph isn't exactly rolling successes off the line every year. Most of their Daytona's have been a bust. This newest 650 has got good reviews so far. Our bikes, as much as we love them, haven't been tweaked in years.
Triumph really needs to refresh the line a bit if they're going to have a dealer be able to make it on it's own. Not one to defend the dealers for the most part.
There is a Victory dealer that just opened up down the street from me. HIGH dollar place as nice as any possible Harley dealer you've ever seen. They've been sucking wind since they opened. Drove by yesterday and saw a Huge Suzuki Banner hanging across the front of the place.
"I am what I am, and that's all that I am."
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Re: Dealership rant
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Well, not quite but close.
I know that Palm Beach Triumph is Triumph only and they are doing very nicely. Of course, excellent service and a great product definitely helps! 
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Dealership rant
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I have been led to beleive that Triumph have a bias towards solus(single marque) dealerships and give them better options/rates.
It is the same in UK you get a better experience at a solus dealer here as the multi make shops are not focussed, simply moving "units" any sale is a sale.
I think it will improve but Slowly at the moment as the old "recession" word is being uttered within the leisure sector, even some largeish retail companies are folding all around in the equestrian retail business (similar business profiles) directly effecting my wife's business.
So hang on in there and try to support the dealers to keep the product available.
Cheers, Mike
"four wheels move the body
-two wheels move to soul"
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Re: Dealership rant
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Loquacious
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I've noticed a change in Naults Windham, NH. For years the Triumph's were in the back corner. Now they're front and center. They're service is still questionable but the Sales guys are much better. They carry 4 brands, Honda, Kawasaki, Big Dog and Triumph. I think Honda is still they're top seller but I think the Triumph's are selling pretty well and they seem to be concentrating on them more and more.
Last edited by Fishercat; 03/27/2006 7:32 AM.
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Re: Dealership rant
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Loquacious
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While I really hate my local dealer...
They are the largest bike shop I've ever seen!!! They are the main dealers for Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Piaggio and Lambretta (you can laugh at the last two) as well as Triumph. And yet they have a Triumph specialist there most of the time. Ok he doesn't seem to be selling many Americas or SM's - most of the Triumphs around here have too much plastic... but at least they're being sold. They have the Triumph shop and sell most of the basic accessories from a stock on site. If not it will be in within 5 days.
However because of the problems I've had I won't be going there for the service. I get on well with the next nearest dealer too (that's where I go to RAT) so I'll do the 40 mile run for that...
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: Dealership rant
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Learned Hand
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Fishercat,
Naults is advertising triumphs on the radio nothing like waking up to "imagine riding your new triumph down a twisty road".. Ahh I went to naults when I was looking for my bike, but they didnt seem to knowledgable at all. I paid 200 more at greatbay were eveyone seemed on top of their game.
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Re: Dealership rant
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
Guys, I don't think that a Triumph Dealer can make it on it's own. Everyone I've seen has picked up at least one other line. Most times I go to visit one they are loaded with Suzuki's, Guzzi's, Ducati's, and no more than 4 or 5 Triumphs.
That may be true of most dealers, however there are some that are not that way at all. As previously mention Palm Beach Triuph is Triumph only. My daeler, Cascade Moto Classics, also sells Moto Guzzi. However, they have about 20 Triumphs on the floor and 2 Moto Guzzis. There primary focus is Triumph. So much so, that the dealer has almost become a gathering place for some of us. I manage to hang out over there almost every Saturday for an hour or two. While I am there there are others that have bought their bikes there that do the same. For Kelly and Janice (husband and wife that own the shop) it is about the passion they have for those bikes and the people that ride them.
Soren
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Re: Dealership rant
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Fishercat,
Naults is advertising triumphs on the radio nothing like waking up to "imagine riding your new triumph down a twisty road".. Ahh I went to naults when I was looking for my bike, but they didnt seem to knowledgable at all. I paid 200 more at greatbay were eveyone seemed on top of their game.
There is no question that Great Bay is a first rate dealership. I think Naults is getting better but I'm not sure I'd go there for service.
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Re: Dealership rant
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Indy Triumph does a pretty good Customer Service job. Can't say much for their Maint.dept. Thats another story. Indy has Triumphs, Victory, and Polaris. When you walk in the door Triumphs on the right, Victories on the left. The manager lets the Local Rat club know when someone has bought a Triumph and makes sure they get all the info about the local Rat pack. They usually give me 10% discount if you remind the parts guy to do it.
Where's my $6 million??
05 TR America;2010 T-Bird
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Re: Dealership rant
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Learned Hand
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Let's talk about Great Bay for a moment.
Now, I have been buying bike and service and parts from them since 2002. Those guys are first rate. But, I am starting to wonder about the new lines they are featuring.
Vespa Scooters, Hyosung Motorcycles, Schwinn Scooters...
They picked up Ducati a couple of years ago, and it has proved to be very advantageous for them...
I dunno what this direction will do for their image.
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Re: Dealership rant
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Like TBANGA said, dealers have to make money. If that means picking up other brands there should be nothing wrong with that. The problem lies when they start to not be dedicated and be knowledgeable about the bikes, their histories and service and start to become just a store to buy bikes. In other words a good dealer needs to be passionate about all the brands they carry in all three areas; sales, service and parts.
Soren
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Re: Dealership rant
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Old Hand
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The dealer in Brea has a really good setup. Their building is divided into 3 separate sections. Triumph in front, Ducks in the middle and some HD clone in back. Each section has its own showroom and shop so you don't have the problem of wrenches having to stop and reboot their brains when switching between brands.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Dealership rant
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Let's talk about Great Bay for a moment.
Now, I have been buying bike and service and parts from them since 2002. Those guys are first rate. But, I am starting to wonder about the new lines they are featuring.
Vespa Scooters, Hyosung Motorcycles, Schwinn Scooters...
They picked up Ducati a couple of years ago, and it has proved to be very advantageous for them...
I dunno what this direction will do for their image.
Mike,
That's a good point. It kinda goes along the diversity theory. I'm not sure where they're heading but it seems like they're spreading themselves thin.
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Re: Dealership rant
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i heard big dog is going to be pulling out of great bay
Frank
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Dealership rant
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(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Dealership rant
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Learned Hand
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Also ... this is going to sound like 'old man speak', but:
When I go there, it used to be this little corner of the world where I could be cloistered with all things EuroBikes.
The shop was a bustle with venerable sorts..with stories of the open road, of days gone by.
When I was in last summer ( like 6 times, gettin' stuff installed ), I was sharing my 'clubhouse' with these high school knuckle-heads, with $200 bucks in their pockets trying to buy a scooter.
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Re: Dealership rant
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Also ... this is going to sound like 'old man speak', but:
When I go there, it used to be this little corner of the world where I could be cloistered with all things EuroBikes.
The shop was a bustle with venerable sorts..with stories of the open road, of days gone by.
When I was in last summer ( like 6 times, gettin' stuff installed ), I was sharing my 'clubhouse' with these high school knuckle-heads, with $200 bucks in their pockets trying to buy a scooter.
Ouch, I feel your pain. It's all about the money.
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Phil,
Didn't they used to be a Duc dealer too?? When did that change...
Tom.
But, what do I know?
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Re: Dealership rant
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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No problem with my trump dealer in Wigan, infact the service is second to none. Very, very happy so far....  He also sells other makes, but his trumps are kept seperate and always has the latest models in stock for you to try.
Ray(UK)
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Re: Dealership rant
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Quote:
Phil, Didn't they used to be a Duc dealer too?? When did that change... Tom
Yes, they were until last year. Evidently, Ducati was really bad about sending warranty money, they were having lots of problems with the bikes, and they were not selling as well as Triumph. It wasn't worth the hassle...
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Dealership rant
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Unfortunately, apart from Harley - who are smart to have sole distributors - the majority of motorcycle dealers seem to have to sell and support multiple brands
There are delaerships out there that have Harleys and other brands, even Triumph thrown in with them. Lone Star H-D in Tyler, Texas also carries Triumph to name just one. It's not the norm though.
And I'm beginning to wonder about Palm Beach Triumph's excellent service. Ordered my igniter box from them back on March 17th, and called them a week later and they said they shipped it on Wednesday the 22nd. A week later I still I haven't received the part, but that $550 has already shown up on the credit card statement. If it's not here on Friday I'm calling them up, and this time I'll speak to the manager.
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Re: Dealership rant
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Oil Expert
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Triumph of Arkansas carries Triumph (Duh!) and Piaggio/Vespa. When the scooters are selling, the Triumphs aren't and vice versa. Although they are a smallish dealership, there is usually a full line of bikes on the floor and a nice selection of clothing in the boutique. I would rate the service as a B only because of space. They are planning a relocation from the very hard to get to place where they're presently located to one with better traffic for the market. The proprieters have free BBQ 's during spring and summer every Saturday afternoon. I usually try to attend for at leats a few minutes and bring a case or two of sodas.  Sorry to hear about your sorry dealer.
JB
"Long live the Duck Force!"
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Re: Dealership rant
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I would very much like to like my dealer. But it seems like every time I deal with them I'm disapointed. Rear brakes went out recently and I would think this should be a stock item since it is a wear item and used on numerous Triumph models including the Bonny, Speed Tripple, Daytona. As usual I get " Sorry don't have them, but I can order them for you" Effin Bull$hite. Or Am I being unreasonable?
"They don't call it a SPEEDMASTER for nothin"
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Re: Dealership rant
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Oil Expert
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If you haven't already replaced your pads, I would sugest you might consider ordering some sintered pads from Brent. Brake pad replacement is an easily done 15 minute job that you can do yourself, and the sintered pads last much longer than stock.
Yes, this would seem to be a stock item, but the dealer may have a very tight budget for spares to keep on hand. Especially if it's a smallish dealer. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just that it's a fact sometimes. Did you ask him why he doesn't stock them?
JB
"Long live the Duck Force!"
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Re: Dealership rant
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Loquacious
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That reminds me, I need to order some of those front brake pads from Brent. It's been 19,000 miles since the last time I bought them from him. Good pads, with a little better feel than the stock ones.
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Re: Dealership rant
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My local dealer (Millerbuilt Small Engines in Lynchburg, VA) is primarily a Toro lawnmower/Stihl chainsaw/weedeater company. However, the owner is a longtime Triumph rider and has a wealth of knowledge. He is also a heck of a nice guy that will work with you to make sure you're satisfied. Although I haven't and probably won't need to try their service dept., the parts dept. and advice are great. A dealer who is honest can't be beat. When I ordered a Roadster screen (against his advice- he said I would get a lot of buffeting) he told me that it wouldn't be there for 5 days. Exactly. Then, to go beyond the call of duty, after I found that he was right about the severe buffeting from the roadster screen, he offered to exchange it for a Summer screen. Yes, he will make a little money if he sells the roadster screen to someone else, but he didn't have to do anything. I would have bought the summer screen anyway. Millerbuilt gets an A+ from me.
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Re: Dealership rant
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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Quote:
Also ... this is going to sound like 'old man speak', but:
When I go there, it used to be this little corner of the world where I could be cloistered with all things EuroBikes.
The shop was a bustle with venerable sorts..with stories of the open road, of days gone by.
When I was in last summer ( like 6 times, gettin' stuff installed ), I was sharing my 'clubhouse' with these high school knuckle-heads, with $200 bucks in their pockets trying to buy a scooter.
Interestingly enough, I was hanging around Ed Kretz British and Indian motorcycles with about $200 in my pocket when I was 14. Ended up with a slightly used Vellocette that was too complicated for the owner to get started and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Dealership rant
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Loquacious
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I've always wanted a Velocette, Viper or a Venom. The names alone just poetically roll off the tongue. 
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I am lucky to have a Triumph only dealer in the Philadelphia area - Manayunk Triumph in the Manayunk section of the city. Incredible knowledge and service, it's always fun to stop by and hang out.
Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should just get used to that fact and relax
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JC, I have got front and rears on order from Brent. I didn't ask why and probably should have. I am just so used to them not having anything I tend to move on. Looks like we are destined to order parts for our bikes no matter what. Nature of the beast I guess, darn good thing that overall they are relaible beasts.
"They don't call it a SPEEDMASTER for nothin"
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I do think the quality of sales people makes a LOT of difference in selling certain product lines. For example, Harley's, people walk in the door knowing what they want, yet still they're sales people often do a great job with knowledge of the line etc (it helps nothing has really changed in 100 years :-) , Honda's, people come in and want the Spring event for $0 down and $99 per month, just pick which color. If you want a Triumph, Guzzi, and maybe a Ducati, I think you need a sales person who can explain and KNOWS the advantages of our bikes. For instance, I'd say that it's fair to say that Somone shopping for a Sportster would also be a good fit for a TBA. So could a sales person explain that our 800cc bike will have more torque and HP than the 883 Sportster? That the parallel twin runs smooth and you can see out of the RV Mirrors when your stopped at a light. That a TBA can fit an average sized man where one on an 883 looks like a circus act? Can that sales person explain that an Volusia 800 is heavier and is putting out around 40 something HP and will be dog slow?
Long story short, I go to dealers whenever I'm traveling. VERY seldom have I been impressed by a salesperson in any of them. To me the guys in the Honda, Suzuki, Yamaharley, and Kawasaki joints are sitting around waiting for some guy who can get a credit app approved and sell them the most expensive bike, with the biggest payout they have.
When you can walk into a Triumph Suzuki dealership and the salesman has a choice to pimp a $7500 TBA or a $12K Suzuki with dealer incentives allowing 0% financing etc, what do you think they're going to lean towards?
God, I'm just ranting about nothing now. There is a reason that car manufacturers launch new models, to keep interest up. The Rocket III is a cool bike, but there is a GLARING hole in the 1300cc area for Triumph. Their big launch this year has been the VERY unimpressive Scrambler and the very nice Daytona 650. Let's hope they start paying more attention to the cruiser line.
"I am what I am, and that's all that I am."
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