Dealer Perspective

LITTLE NECK, NY – Most folks would agree that buying a new vehicle is just not a very pleasurable experience.  We all have stories about our trials and tribulations when attempting to buy a new car or light truck. Mostly, we use them for transportation or work. So, visiting the …

“Dealer Perspective” by Bob Rosen LITTLE NECK, NY – Up until this point, the arrest, trial, conviction and, as of earlier this week, sentencing to 10 years in prison of Bruce J. Bemer on multiple felonies for patronization and trafficking young boys for sex has played out as a titillating …

LITTLE NECK, NY – It’s a local story that hasn’t received national attention, but it’s worth noting and commenting on. The owner of two Harley-Davidson dealerships in Wisconsin is being sued by Harley-Davidson for $6.3 million.  What happened was – possibly because they were caught in a cash crunch – the …

LITTLE NECK, NY – We’ve read nearly endless articles and commentaries on the decline of Harley-Davidson motorcycle unit sales. They’re not the only company experiencing sales stress in North America, only the most visible. BMW just announced another growth year for worldwide motorcycle sales with 165,566 units sold in 2018. Indeed, …

LITTLE NECK, NY – Quite a few comments attributed to Harley-Davidson dealers have accompanied the recent introduction of the LiveWire electric bike. Among other things, they have lamented the costs they will have to absorb just to bring this model on board; things like a dedicated charging station, special tools, electronic …

NEW YORK – A lovely fall day, a tidy collection of Norton Commandos and some scrumptious traditional English eats – all deep in the heart of Brooklyn. That makes for an all together delightful experience, which I had at Union Garage on Saturday as the shop hosted a Norton Commando Bike Show …

LITTLE NECK, NY – Dealers and manufacturers have always had an “interesting” relationship. They very much need each other but are occasionally at odds when it comes to certain details of that relationship.  In general, manufacturers (OEM) hold the larger share of power when it comes to product, pricing, and …

LITTLE NECK, NY – So a rider friend and I decide to stop in to the local Harley-Davidson dealership for a look at the latest models. It was around 11:00 o’clock on a mid-week morning. As you might expect, there were no customers in the showroom at that hour; just three …

Despite some sales setbacks of late, Harley-Davidson knows how to “move the metal.” The company has more than 600 dealerships in the U.S. and those stores will soon be used to sell a line of electric models. There should be no doubt that Harley-Davidson will surmount the technical challenges and …

LITLE NECK, NY – With new bike sales declining, more dealers are now paying greater attention to pre-owned bikes and are offering customers more choices. What nudged me into writing about this subject was a post this week on the website’s Facebook page showing two nearly identical Triumph Rocket 3 Roadster …

LITTLE NECK, NY – How well a sales person handles a showroom visitor can make all the difference between an excited new bike owner and a disgruntled shopper leaving a dealership in a huff. A well-trained, skillful sales person understands how important it is to follow an organized sales process that …

LITTLE NECK, NY – Call it “showroom etiquette.” Simply stated, showroom etiquette is the way customers and potential customers – otherwise known as “prospects” – are treated when they come through the front door. I’ve never met a motorcyclist who didn’t have a few showroom stories to share. While I have …

LITTLE NECK, NY – In my multiple roles as general manager, sales manager, consultant and even customer, I’ve experienced motorcycle dealerships from many different points of view. More than once, I’ve been asked,  “What does it take to be a successful dealership?” and I’ve long believed that small things matter. …

BROOKLYN – When Peter Boggia first starting earning his living wrenching on motorcycles nearly 20 years ago, he found a line of work that resonated with him like nothing else. He ultimately established Moto Borgotaro at 97 Union St. in Brooklyn in 2008 and became the go-to guy for repairs …

Manufacturers hate to terminate dealerships. It’s a real hassle for all parties concerned and it raises questions about the brands involved. Prior to terminating an authorized dealer, a manufacturer will almost always try to help the dealer resolve its problems so they can remain a dealer for the brand. In …