Author Topic: Local Honda Dealership Closes  (Read 6233 times)

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Offline puppytrax

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Local Honda Dealership Closes
« on: October 07, 2013, 07:41:10 PM »
Western New York Cycle in Lockport, NY has closed its doors.   :(

No explanation was given, but the last three times I was in there, I was the only customer.  :(

Nearest Honda dealerships now are in Buffalo (an hours drive for me) and Spencerport (hour and a half).

Rather odd, I thought, as Honda is the biggest name in Japanese motorcycles, and this store was located fairly evenly between Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, and Lockport.

I hope this isn't a trend...    :-\
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline jtb

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2013, 07:51:33 PM »
Mine closed in 2009.  There are two about 30 miles away each.   I just order from Service Honda.
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Offline bikerbart

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2013, 09:29:20 PM »
Yeah, ours closed  about a year ago. they sucked balls anyway, worst honda dealer I ever been to. Bellingham , Wa.
its better to regret something you have done,than something you havent.Except playing with explosives.

Offline Lost and Confused

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2013, 06:59:35 AM »
I,used Western New York Cycle a few times. The last was to true my rims on my 74 Cb750. They sucked, after two tries ,they still couldn't get it right. The mechanic told me the tires were junk. They were brand new K70's, from Dunlop. Never had faith in their work, always seem like they  were confused.


Bob

Offline puppytrax

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2013, 07:42:04 AM »
I,used Western New York Cycle a few times...They sucked...

Bob, I visited the Spencerport dealer last year. I wanted to buy an unsold model year CBR600RR, and the new model year cycles were coming in. It's a small building and the cycles were packed in like sardines; you couldn't even squeeze between them. The one I wanted had 10 other cycles packed in front of and around it; the dealer said he'd have to move those 10 outdoors just to get to that one, and he didn't want to move them...He said he even had one like I wanted still in a crate (points at a pallet rack), a crate that would have fit nicely in my Xterra, and when I offered to buy that one, he refused. Older guy, only one around (evidently the owner), kept answering phone calls, leaving me. I had $$$ and was willing to put several hundred down and finance the rest (through my FCU), but he lost interest...I finally left...

That one might not be in business now either...

I've never been to the dealer in Hamburg...I guess I'll stick to the Internet for my needs...(Just placed an order for a headlight; my low beam was gone)...
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline dhall57

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2013, 07:43:36 AM »
Several dealers in my area have shut down in the last 5 or 6 years. The two dealers I bought my 5 Honda's from in the 70's have been closed down for years and years now. When I got back into the Honda's in 2009 and got my 750K6 I went to Strout Honda in Greensboro NC to get some plugs. They had been in business since 1984 I think. I got the plugs and the parts guy said you sure you don't need anything else because next Saturday were are closing the doors. If you continue to lose money you have no other choice he said.
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Offline 754

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2013, 08:06:11 AM »
So did you ask him to go on the computer , and see what inventory he had of -300- parts?
 Of course you did..right ?
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Offline puppytrax

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2013, 08:20:03 AM »
So did you ask him to go on the computer , and see what inventory he had of -300- parts?
 Of course you did..right ?

Heh...Offer to buy his inventory?   :D

Interesting idea...But the doors are closed & locked; the web site has been taken down; and the phone has a 'closed' msg...

The rolling stock is still on the floor (I was in there two weeks ago, it was business as usual), but yesterday nobody was around...
« Last Edit: October 08, 2013, 08:22:46 AM by puppytrax »
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline ekpent

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2013, 08:22:16 AM »
Recently a guy I know was going to an old dealership that had closed to look at a bunch of take offs and other things the owner had. I asked him if there was going to be much in the way of any possible vintage NOS stuff. Supposedly the owner told him that Honda had offered to buy it all back and that the reasoning was that Honda wanted to keep it off E-bay and out of the hands of other re-sellers. Places like Western Hills and David Silver etc get that stuff from someplace, other dealer buyouts etc, but wonder if Honda may pass some also to a  few select dealers when they get it back ??
  Vic World went a buying crusade across the USA back in the day and wiped out a lot of old shops early inventory.   http://www.motoretroillustrated.com/archive_honda_cb_750.htm
« Last Edit: October 08, 2013, 08:32:46 AM by ekpent »

Offline DanJ

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #9 on: October 08, 2013, 08:50:23 AM »
I worked at Kawasaki shop for a good friend of mine for 10 years, it closed this year after a 40+ year run.  Internet sales along with the economy  are killing small dealerships

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #10 on: October 08, 2013, 02:13:53 PM »
A long time (like 30 years+) dealer on Chicago's north side, Champion Cycle, seems to have dropped Honda. They are still open, but Honda is no longer on their website or sign.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

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Offline Bailgang

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2013, 05:02:03 PM »
I worked at Kawasaki shop for a good friend of mine for 10 years, it closed this year after a 40+ year run.  Internet sales along with the economy  are killing small dealerships

A nephew of mine is the shop manager for one of the oldest Honda dealerships in the US. With all their years in business they have all kinds of NOS and not just Honda. While internet sales may be hurting other dealers his shop on the other hand has embraced it and have their own internet sales primarily on ebay.
Scott


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Offline bwaller

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2013, 07:18:15 PM »
Up this way Honda was trying to organise super dealers. Everything from cars to to the smallest power equipment. I'm not sure how that is working out for them but the small Honda  motorcycle dealerships left are few & far between, and not a great idea to service the population.

If you have a good local dealer, support them.

Offline rb550four

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2013, 07:26:54 AM »
It isn't just Honda Shops, the net has been killing small business for years, someday , there will be no brick and mortar stores, can't compete, their overhead won't allow the discount that can be available on a low overhead online store, You may never know a full service store again but ,hey ,you got the part cheap.

  I don't mean to sound snotty, just as a matter of factly. We own 2 businesses, one's a store ,and between the net and Walmart type stores that sell Chinese made crap that people have accepted and made a new lower standard in the goods markets, it's really hurt the brick and mortar/Mom and Pop stores that hunt for a higher standard of product,offer services, and fair prices for the convenience of having what you need in stock ,in your area, even products that you didn't know you wanted until you could touch it, smell it, inspect the quality, buy it and bring it home with you. Doesn't matter what product you may be thinking about , it all works the same.
   I have been interested by things on line, for this reason I don't have credit cards or a PayPal account, I try to get it locally, from a real store with real people trying to make an honest living, that offer  products, ideas  and service. If I can't get it locally ,I drive to where I can, and pay cash. When the stores are gone.... remember....you can't miss them if you didn't use them.
« Last Edit: October 12, 2013, 07:47:14 AM by rb550four »
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Offline dave500

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2013, 11:54:52 PM »
a lot of shops/dealers had a monopoly for years,now they dont,get with the times and set up an efficient online store,or miss out and fade away.

Offline puppytrax

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #15 on: October 13, 2013, 06:04:05 AM »
I went by this dealership on Wednesday...The store was *bare*...All the rolling stock that I'd seen through the window the week before was gone...All the shelves were empty...   :o

That was an awfully short time to place all that inventory...   >:(

It had to be planned & set up weeks (maybe months) in advance...

I have to wonder about the people who bought new machines (cycles & ATVs) this last year...What happens to their warranty work?   :-[

I've been thinking that it was the owner who threw in the towel...But after reading some of the replies here (and at HondaTwins forum) maybe it was American Honda who pulled the plug...   :-\
« Last Edit: October 13, 2013, 06:06:17 AM by puppytrax »
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline Lost and Confused

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #16 on: October 17, 2013, 06:11:15 AM »
Hi guys, I have heard that Bob Weaver might be getting a Honda dealership. He is building something right know. Unfortunately, his dealership does not have a good rep for service.


Bob

Offline puppytrax

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #17 on: October 17, 2013, 08:10:54 AM »
Hi guys, I have heard that Bob Weaver might be getting a Honda dealership. He is building something right know. Unfortunately, his dealership does not have a good rep for service.


Bob

Bob -

What dealership does he have now? I need a new chain, was going to order online, but if he's near, I'll pay him a visit.  :)
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline Lost and Confused

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #18 on: October 17, 2013, 03:11:05 PM »
Pup, at this time he has Yamaha (Star) motorcycles, and Victory. He has Polaris atv's and Yamaha wave runners. The info I got came from talking to Bob himself. I'm thinking because Western New York cycle went out, he would be the logical choice. He did have a Honda dealership a few years ago.


Bob
« Last Edit: October 18, 2013, 06:27:02 AM by fatslob »

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #19 on: October 18, 2013, 10:12:14 AM »
I don't think that the local dealer actually wants my business. For the most part they won't work on a bike as old as mine except maybe to change the oil, they don't carry many parts (which I can't blame them for, demand isn't exactly high for GL1000 parts), and if I am willing to wait a week to get a part they want to charge me the full retail markup.

I like supporting local businesses, but why should I pay 30% more for my parts to do so?
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

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Offline Lost and Confused

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #20 on: October 18, 2013, 11:40:57 AM »
Ditto that!!!!



Bob

Offline MCRider

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #21 on: October 18, 2013, 12:03:47 PM »
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 2ยข
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Offline mrbreeze

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #22 on: October 18, 2013, 06:13:33 PM »
Yeah, ours closed  about a year ago. they sucked balls anyway, worst honda dealer I ever been to. Bellingham , Wa.
If you're gonna hop into people's posts and tell them what not to say then I will too. DON'T say "sucked balls". I know it's a generational thing but............. ;D
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Offline dave500

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #23 on: October 18, 2013, 06:41:16 PM »
licking them gently is more acceptable?

Offline Lost and Confused

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Re: Local Honda Dealership Closes
« Reply #24 on: October 19, 2013, 07:05:20 AM »
Talking to some local motorcycle mechanics  yesterday and heard that Bob Weaver may have bought out Western New York Cycle. Sounds logical, since Honda requires only one dealer in so many miles. Also heard that he want's to open a museum with his collection of antique snow mobiles and bikes. When you got more money than you know what to do with . ( insert envy)




Bob