Saturday morning and 28 days away from picking up the new bike. My wife and I picked out a dealership that is an hour away in lieu of the local shop, purely on the feeling that the people give you when you go there. It's that feeling of genuine people that deal with handshake... and don't let you down.
The local shop is big and well established - but the people are cocky and stand-off'ish. The thought is "I'm better then you and you'll buy it no matter how much of an asshole I am". Doesn't matter if it's a t-shirt or a new bike. Same thing.
Next closest shop the people are a lot nicer but still not willing to make a good deal for both parties. You pay full retail or we don't care.
The
Harley shop we picked in Lakeland, FL is one of 2 gold shield dealers in the state and it feels like you're at a family reunion when you go there. My kind of place. When we we're searching for the right deal, the sales guy said "just give me the last shot". I responded with "why don't I give you the first shot and you make me a fair deal". 15 minutes later we were shaking hands American style.
Now it seems to me that my local dealer would have matched the deal, but you know there are a lot of people standing in line to take my money. Why not deal with the ones that are "nice". You want my money, be nice (and it doesn't hurt to make my wife happy too :)
Pray hard, play hard.
BH1
Saturday morning... woke up about 5am... restless. Wife says "go back to sleep"... can't. A couple of hours later we're in Cracker Barrel getting a great breakfast and still going a million miles an hour. 11 am finds us on time at Lakeland Harley Davidson for the delivery of the Bear.
