Southampton H-D gone into administration
- Thread starter Big Si
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What!!! You mean SoA wasn’t a documentary??? Bike clubs aren’t like that??? I’m devastated..
I feel that it’s the smaller family run business that are more likely to thrive. The bigger multi franchise dealers with many locations will be slow to change leading to bankruptcy.
Oh, and apparently Yamaha in Exeter has now gone.
Oh, and apparently Yamaha in Exeter has now gone.
The trouble is the manufacturers, specifically HD in this case, promote the glitzy dealerships based on their US model. However, I don’t think it translates as well this side of the Atlantic. Will they support a different model?
Would make sense here. Fewer smaller dealers, with local knowledge and product passion would need to be supported with a central uk facility holding stock.
it's not working in the US either. Bike sales are sluggish there as well with HD dealers closing I believe. Apparently, BMW USA has not published sales figures for a few years. From comments in another place, the US market does not seem to be adapting like Europe & Asia to the demand for lighter, cheaper, mid range bikes e.g. that new Honda 350 is not going to the USA, yet a chap who works at a US riding school thinks it might do well to attract new entrants to motorcycling if they could get hold of some.
You’re probably right. I make a habit of visiting Harley dealers when I’m over there. I always end up chatting. It also appears that Harley (marketing/management) seem to have seriously taken an eye off their core market. There definitely seemed to be an air of disapproval. Combine all this with legislation that hits brands like Harley pretty hard and there’s definitely difficult times ahead.
To me looking at it as an outsider, the whole Harley "rebel without a clue" bad boy thing seems a bit like "Wild Hogs", full of lawyers and dentists spending their annual bonuses in Warrs on the full chrome and leather tassles package.
No different from fat blokes in twat suits trying to look like gnarly adventurers outside starbucks (or more locally, Loomies) really.
No different from fat blokes in twat suits trying to look like gnarly adventurers outside starbucks (or more locally, Loomies) really.
Well, exactly….. it’s about “selling the dream”… when your dentist/accountant gets to play at being a “biker”. Kind of why HOG exists.
Ta
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It is much the same for car/truck dealerships. All the manufacturers want the U.S. corporate style outlet.
In my experience in the ag industry, the same model is trying to be followed. The likes of John Deere, Case/New Holland, AGCO. (Massey Ferguson/Fendt/Valtra) etc. insist on the glass palaces. Trouble is they don’t realise that the customers realise that this is fed on their purchases and they are starting to feel a lot of kick back as a result. Most of their customers just want x, y and z, and don’t give a shit if there is a “free” cup of coffee involved while they are waiting.
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I think this is a big problem. I went to a local BMW car dealership for some parts for my older BMW car and there was a guy there just to open the door for customers. If I had enough money to buy a new BMW car, I would be thinking how much of the price of my car is paying for the door opening guy and the fancy coffee machines and even running a huge glass warehouse which must cost a fortune to heat or cool.
The price of the car is surley un affected? The showroom is dealer funded so it's the labour rate that will bear that burden? I'm pretty sure land-rover guildford are £225 /hour
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Yes, you are probably right, but they are probably being forced down that road by the manufacturers in order to retain the brand. There is always competition between brands, generally amongst the best brands , the cheapest wins. Something has to give and it is usually the dealers margin. The cleverest dealers spend the least on fixtures and fittings whilst retaining the brand cache……but it’s not easy when the manufacturers are pushing them to spend big on the showrooms.
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The car or bike should sell itself no need for the extra crap. And it is probably right that a good percentage of your service charge is funding the showroom. That's an expensive sit in a sofa drinking coffee!!!!
You are correct. Personally, I have no need or desire to venture into a theatrically lit glasshouse in order to a) wait until someone can be bothered to try and sell me a bike/car/tractor, b) book a service, or c) buy some parts. I would much prefer to speak to a couple of folks in overalls over a grubby counter who know what they are talking about. All the rest is pure B/S but we have come to be conditioned to it but object when we have to pay for it.
Four candles or handles for forks.
You’ve got an excellent bike shop near you then… Streffords in Worcester…..actual, old fashioned, mechanics…
Used them a few times now on recommendation from Chris (Sgt. Bilco)
Nathan Strefford is a good bloke, it's a little chaotic there but they get the job done and don't force you to re mortgage!
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