The key to cheap dealership service is.......

[dave_xb12r]

Make friends with the service guys!! Especially the guy that answers the phone in the service department. Chances are, he's the one that will run your card after everything is said and done. I'm not saying that you should act like you're their friend for discounts cuz that's just wrong. All I'm saying is since I have become friends with them, things have gotten cheaper for me. I go in and chat with them every time I'm there. You probably have more in common with them than you think. They're bike guys too, and half of techs ride sport bikes.

The key is to become a "Good Customer"

* Go in just to say whats up

* If you're hanging out, buy them lunch or at least a soda!!

* Casually let them know you're on a budget

* If they give you a price on a part, ask "is there any way I can get that cheaper?" That way you're not directly asking for discount. But don't expect a discount the first time.

I've had them offered 25% off of the cost of the part when I'm just getting a part and installing it myself. I've also had them offer no service fees! That's generally 50% off of the total!

My dealership, Monterey County HD and Buell has always went out of their way for me. They've picked up my bike (and me)for free, delivered plugs when I couldn't ride, and they feed me every saturday [up]. I enjoy going in and shooting the breeze with all of them, and I really appreciate all they have done for me.

To sum this up, the dealership is your friend. They can help you out a lot if you're a good customer

 

[Midnight82]

Brown noser.

Nothing wrong with getting a hook up. I've been a loyal customer to my local HD shop, and it's just been recently that they've been throwin me a bone.

But I went the other direction. I FREAKED out on the general manager a few visits ago for not having my bike done by the promised time. I did the whole "with the way the economy is these days you should be offering to buff my shoes when I'm in here, but instead you fail to meet your expectations and you're over charging me on top of it all".

Ever since then I walk in there and I'm treated like I'm sort of volitile nuculear weapon. But I've been getting good discounts on parts and service.

I love being a rage-aholic.

 

[kajer]

lol @ Midnight82

I think it's a catch 22. My bike runs pretty well, I have not had a reason to goto a dealership besides the normal services. I do have a warranty repair tomorrow, but otherwise, I don't deal with the dealership enough to know anyone...

On the counter, I don't want a bike that causes me to be at the dealer all the time either.

[confused]

 

[GatorBuell]

A few of the guys at my shop drive lifted Jeeps, the sales manager and on of the Tec guys. We always end up talking about jeeps all day.

 

[only1reds]

Never been to my local HD dealership, and there's 2 that are near me. I do all my mods myself as well as my services.

I suppose someday I'll walk in there, til then, guess I won't feel the "good customer" experience and treatment.

 

[kajer]

It's amazing how bad salesmen can ruin your impression of the overall dealer. Service included.

 

[xtremelow]

Wish I had a buell dealer close enough to even try and brown nose fir some deals.

So far my best has been with ASB and getting free shipping 3 times due to my orders being so big and once they forgot a simple stand pin so they shipped my next order for free.

 

[Midnight82]

Oh sorry. I'm a little bitter these days.

(hangs head in shame)

 

[skellybuell]

Your father having a bike shop helps too, i get 10-15 percent of purchases, it might not be much but it adds up.

 

[racepro716]

When I got my first racing sponsorship from a dealer I had about 10 friends and family call the dealer and tell him they seen my bike at the track on the weekend. Total ******** and I'll admit it was kinda ****** but it worked!!! Wondering if I could talk a dealer into "sponsoring" my streetbike....I get tons of people asking about it...Oh ya!! this where I got it, they're great, bla bla bla...Hmmmmmm Wayne

 

[dave_xb12r]

wow I'm going to ask them to sponsor me too!