Topic: Local Honda Dealership Closes

[bwaller]

It was some time ago, but I worked in shops for a while, parts mainly. The Parts and Service Depts were losers in every case. They only exist to support selling bikes. They just can't have the depth needed to work on older bikes or the capital to stock parts. Any dollar spent on old bikes, parts or service (training, tools, etc) is a dollar taken from parts and service for new bikes. No dealer has an incentive to work on old bikes, 10 years being about the limit.

Usually they didn't own their inventory. It was "floorplanned" along with the bike financing. So upon closing they had nothing to sell, it went back to Honda or whoever.

I try occasionally to patronize local shops (Dreyers in Indy is the nations oldest Honda shop) but I keep getting bad advice. I'd pay more for the convenience and the human touch. But if I have to take the part back that shoots any benefit there.

A call to Big Jay or Ken or Hondaman is far quicker, cheaper, and likely more accurate than anything local. So they get the sale.

Online is the only way to go and the dealers that adopt it may live. But selling bikes is the bread and butter.

My 2¢

It's true Ron, my experience in the big dealerships was similar. The shop was never expected to make money, I was told we worked for the Sales AND the Parts department where the money was made. Remember this was the mid 70's. It was a tough pill to swallow. In those days though they sold bikes like mad, so it is understandable.

I'll admit there are shops I've been to that might as well close. There are those however who still put the customer first and deserve patronage.

[puppytrax]

Talking to some local motorcycle mechanics  yesterday and heard that Bob Weaver may have bought out Western New York Cycle.

I might take a ride out there and see what he wants for chain [DID Std 530 106/108 links). I can get one online for ~$36...

Never been to that shop (or even heard of Bob Weaver). The only Yamaha dealer I remember was up on Bailey, South of Sheridan. Near the Buffalo Athletic Club. Crazy bunch owned/worked there; I raced short-track against some of them back in the '70's...   

[ekpent]

Waaaaay back before the internet there were 1-800 type adds in the back pages etc of motorcycle magazines that offered discount factory and or better dealer prices. I would call those places and get a quote than go down to my local dealer armed with that quote and where from and they would always match that price.Little home work went a long way. Would not be surprised if some good dealers out there would still dicker on their prices if you went in with a friendly offer with a lower quote with proof somewhere else on a specific item you wanted. Don't be afraid to at least ask for better deals.They do want that money if they can get it 

[donny]

  I have been traveling for work in several states and I like to stop in various dealerships to browse. 
  It appears they all are all hurting.
 A couple told me the cheap Chinese stuff is what is keeping them afloat.
They all hate the worthless foookers who buy tires online and bring them in to mount.
They do it with a smile, but say all kinds of #$%*te about the guy later.
 And those who try on helmets and jackets and then buy online.  They can smell the type.
Oh well...that's the way it goes.

[Dreamcycles]

I bought out a lot of Imperial Cycle inventory that was Honda and Suzuki. Also Freewheeling the complete parts Dept. Several others as they close in WNY as well as Canada. The overhead is to high for them to survive.Internet is taking over as far as the parts go.

[BomberMann650]

This thread reminded me of something.

A couple years ago my parents had the bright idea that maybe launching a bicycle service store would be a good investment.
So I did some digging into the biz.
Discovered the tech department, even with bicycle tech rates closing in on bonafide "mechanic" prices.  The tech service department makes up a measly 11% of an average store revenue.  A number closely matched by its own labor expense.

The words "disposable society" come to mind here.

[rocket johnny]

   im so lucky to have all sports honda here in grand jct.  nice people , parts guys and mechanics are great . i brought them a case of beer last week for christmas

[RAFster122s]

I frequented Musselman Honda in Tucson AZ which has been in business since 1948 and a Honda dealer since 1959.  I would order from them whe
n I lived in Tucson and after moving 90 minutes away in Sierra Vista.  They were great and friendly.  They are having a sale on all their old inventory... if the count is right they have over 500 non-current year inventory.

[City Boy]

Hi.Back in the 70's there were at least a half dozen Honda dealers in the city of Toronto,all making money.
 When I worked for the Canadian Honda distributor that same decade we preached to the dealers that parts and service should cover the operating costs and sales would supply the profits.
 Today,that same city of now close to 3 million souls has not one dealer within the city limits. Sad but true !

[J-Rod10]

My local Honda shop has it figured out. Largest mover of Goldwings in the US. Sells them barely over their costs, people from all over the US buy them, deck them out with Kuryakyn parts. Also one of the biggest ATV dealerships in the US. Their service sucks. But, that doesn't matter when 90% of the people buying are from out of state and they're not doing the service for them. They mainly sell on eBay.

[Johnie]

Two dealers in WI closed in 2016. One only 10 miles from me. I asked about the NOS or take offs and was told a fee bayer near the shop bought it all.

[ekpent]

 If you have ever heard of the online seller Cyclepartsnation it is owned by our local mega all brands dealer Zeigler Motorsports which recently purchased it from the longtime family owners when it was called M&M Cycle here in Kalamazoo. They are scooping up all the brands from the other independents. Was told that the Cyclepartsnation presence on the web was making a lot of the money for the dealership. They are building a new facility which is going to be huge with an outdoor dirt track and trails and other frills.Hope they allow test drives !
  As a side note when I was younger our 'big' Honda dealer here is Kazoo was actually a Schwinn Bicycle store and Yamaha was sold around the corner in a chainsaw shop. Ahhh the old simple days.