With the emphasis on more, bigger, better, especially in terms of cash, how have your dealers fared? Rarely can you make a call and find a dealer with a lot of parts in stock, one that runs to the back to check torque specs for you and one that always participates in the Dealer shows in his area, especially for 30 years!
I picked up an '05 swing arm today (Boo Yamaha, Yeah Jerry) from Jerry's Yamaha in Lakeville MN. He had it ordered before I even ordered it. When I picked it up, he was a little ticked at Yamaha. Apparently , they agreed to let him sell bikes this year, but then allowed a larger dealer, that just moved into the area to have them, even though he has been a Yamaha dealer for 30 years. Granted, the other dealer has a bigger operation and a fancier showroom, but what impact can a small shop have on sales for a few bikes.
Well I will tell you, there is not another dealer where you deal with "the man" in Minnesota, and I bet anywhere else. He inventories an unbelieveable amount of parts, and has even taken parts off of his personal sled to make sure you have it for the weekend. I didn't even buy my sled from him, but he was the only dealer, including who I purchased the sled form, that made an effort to get me on the trails. I have dealt with almost every Yamaha dealer in Minneapolis and rarely does anyone have a simple part in stock, except Jerry's, like a reverse dog gear spring that dissappeared into the abyss on Thursday before a WI trip.
Everyone has dealer stories, and probably more poor ones then good, so I would like to ask for a little solidarity to keep those prized dealers working for us, and Yamaha, so we don't have to continue dealing with a market that has become less then personal, less then prompt and less than intelligent when it comes to Yamaha. Jerry bleeds blue like you and I and actually knows his product inside and out.
Share your bad stories, and your good ones so that Yamaha can see it is important to reward those that keep us on the trails. He truly is a model of the customer service that has been lost over the years.
Thanks
I picked up an '05 swing arm today (Boo Yamaha, Yeah Jerry) from Jerry's Yamaha in Lakeville MN. He had it ordered before I even ordered it. When I picked it up, he was a little ticked at Yamaha. Apparently , they agreed to let him sell bikes this year, but then allowed a larger dealer, that just moved into the area to have them, even though he has been a Yamaha dealer for 30 years. Granted, the other dealer has a bigger operation and a fancier showroom, but what impact can a small shop have on sales for a few bikes.
Well I will tell you, there is not another dealer where you deal with "the man" in Minnesota, and I bet anywhere else. He inventories an unbelieveable amount of parts, and has even taken parts off of his personal sled to make sure you have it for the weekend. I didn't even buy my sled from him, but he was the only dealer, including who I purchased the sled form, that made an effort to get me on the trails. I have dealt with almost every Yamaha dealer in Minneapolis and rarely does anyone have a simple part in stock, except Jerry's, like a reverse dog gear spring that dissappeared into the abyss on Thursday before a WI trip.
Everyone has dealer stories, and probably more poor ones then good, so I would like to ask for a little solidarity to keep those prized dealers working for us, and Yamaha, so we don't have to continue dealing with a market that has become less then personal, less then prompt and less than intelligent when it comes to Yamaha. Jerry bleeds blue like you and I and actually knows his product inside and out.
Share your bad stories, and your good ones so that Yamaha can see it is important to reward those that keep us on the trails. He truly is a model of the customer service that has been lost over the years.
Thanks
Bakemono
TY 4 Stroke Guru
A good dealer is very important. Back when I used to own a '90 Phazer II, I used to do business with Rock River Powersports in Jefferson, WI. They have always treated me like family and are just a great dealership to deal with.
I bought the Phazer from Heckel's Marine in Eagle River, WI. They have always treated me great too. You walk in the door and whoever is working the desk greets you with a smile and a "how can we help you today?"
Another good thing about Heckel's is that when you buy a sled, boat or ATV from them you get a discount card. That gives you a 10% discount off of all purchases for 1 year. Its not a major thing, but its thats nice of them to do and it shows that they appreciate your business.
Port Yamaha is also great. I once ordered a SnoForce faceshield from them and after 2 weeks I e-mailed them asking what the delay was. They called me that same night and explained the situation and said they hoped to ship the faceshield out the next day. They were true to their word and the shield arrived 2 days later.
I bought the Phazer from Heckel's Marine in Eagle River, WI. They have always treated me great too. You walk in the door and whoever is working the desk greets you with a smile and a "how can we help you today?"
Another good thing about Heckel's is that when you buy a sled, boat or ATV from them you get a discount card. That gives you a 10% discount off of all purchases for 1 year. Its not a major thing, but its thats nice of them to do and it shows that they appreciate your business.
Port Yamaha is also great. I once ordered a SnoForce faceshield from them and after 2 weeks I e-mailed them asking what the delay was. They called me that same night and explained the situation and said they hoped to ship the faceshield out the next day. They were true to their word and the shield arrived 2 days later.
YamiSmurf
Expert
Great dealers are extremely important especially the service department. Currently struggling to buy a new sled from our local dealer that provides oustanding service, because they want 1200 more than I can buy new elsewhere. I have no problem spending more at my local dealer, but not 1200 more.
YS
YS
RX-Eskimo
Pro
- Joined
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- Pond Inlet, Nunavut
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- RX-1 2003 Mountain
I do not even use our local dealer as they never order what I want. I use a dealer outside of Ottawa, ON. The dealer is Carleton Place Yamaha. They are good to me, so I buy my Yamahas from them...Will be sending a deposit for a Phazer soon, probably by the first week of April.
RX-E
RX-E
I am AMAZED at the general lack of support dealers receive, both from us as consumers and the factories. If I hear one more story about a guy who buys his sled from one dealer to save $200 and then takes it to his local dealer for service work expecting to be treated like the best customer around, I think I'll puke....in all fairness to YamiSmurf above, $1,200 seems a bit steep and would cause me to investigate.
I buy from my local dealer and have my sleds serviced there. Is he the cheapest guy around? Nope. Is he the absolute best service department? Maybe, maybe not. However, as Happ indicated, he's there when I NEED him! Willing to take apart inventory sleds to get me back on the trail. Working me into a busy schedule when I need it. In short, always doing his best to keep me happy....
The dealers need to be able to make a living. If they aren't able to make a profit, well, they won't be in business very long and that benefits nobody, except for the mega-dealer 30 miles away where you're nothing but a number....
Also, while Yamaha doesn’t "dump" or force product on their dealers, like some others we know of, they could do a MUCH better job of informing them of service issues DURING THE SEASON, instead of playing stupid. The handlebar warmers and chaincase dilemmas come to mind here...
Sorry for the rant, but to me, we're sunk without a good dealer and (within reason) we need to support them better!
I buy from my local dealer and have my sleds serviced there. Is he the cheapest guy around? Nope. Is he the absolute best service department? Maybe, maybe not. However, as Happ indicated, he's there when I NEED him! Willing to take apart inventory sleds to get me back on the trail. Working me into a busy schedule when I need it. In short, always doing his best to keep me happy....
The dealers need to be able to make a living. If they aren't able to make a profit, well, they won't be in business very long and that benefits nobody, except for the mega-dealer 30 miles away where you're nothing but a number....
Also, while Yamaha doesn’t "dump" or force product on their dealers, like some others we know of, they could do a MUCH better job of informing them of service issues DURING THE SEASON, instead of playing stupid. The handlebar warmers and chaincase dilemmas come to mind here...
Sorry for the rant, but to me, we're sunk without a good dealer and (within reason) we need to support them better!
YamiSmurf
Expert
Snomonut, I was quoted by a dealer 9133 OTD for a new 06 GT. My dealer wants 10,370 OTD. They said they may be able to knock off a couple of hundred, so at 10170, it's still 1037 dollar difference. Sorry but for that kind of cash, I have to look elsewhere.
YS
YS
YamiSmurf said:
YamiSmurf- I couldn't agree with you more.
That kind of a difference would cause me to have a VERY LONG talk with the dealer. However, I don't think that after buying the sled elsewhere that I could go into the more expensive dealer and expect to be at the front of his list for service....
I drive over 600 miles round trip to my dealer and pass many yamaha dealers on the way. Service means everything to me. They treat me great and I try to return the favor. This year I have sold 4 06's for them. ===SRXSRULE===
welterracer
TY 4 Stroke God
I could have gotton my sled a little cheaper else where.. but the customer service i get is unbeatable!
They even let me install my own warranty parts! and dont questions me at all when something fails or breaks
They even let me install my own warranty parts! and dont questions me at all when something fails or breaks
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