HarleyTechTalk

Now would not be a good time to look for a sales job at a motorcycle dealer, even a Harley dealer. Three Harley shops in my general area have closed in the past two years: Auburn, Placerville and Elk Grove, CA.

I used to go to all of those shops and others when business was good. They would have new faces nearly every time I went in. Apparently there is a lot of turnover in selling bikes. I know that's the case in the automobile sales business. It's here today and gone tomorrow. Don't let that stop you from trying, though.

Also, from what I understand, selling Harleys is pretty much a six-day a week position. Most of the dealers are closed on Monday in California. That's a holdover from the old days when the dealers were also weekend racers at the local flat and TT tracks. Most of the dealers stay open on Sunday now so they have another reason to close on Monday.

As far as salaries and work rules, as mentioned above and from talking to the salespeople with whom I've dealt in the past, it's different at each shop. The bottom line is selling bikes. If you sell bikes, you can make money and you will stay around. If not, then you will soon be just a memory.

Evil,  Adventure H/D is the best dealer i've seen in 15 years.   

It's not only bike sales, but motorclothes are just as bad. My dealer has new faces almost every month. It's a rare dealer that has the same employees at the end of the year that he had at the beginning of the year. And that was at the best of times. Now it seems like weekly turnaround.

P-man, Remember this, selling bikes at a dealer is so getting to be like buying a used car from some schyster on the street corner. No offense to anyone who has been or is a ligitimate car or bike dealer. I know this is not true at all dealers and some are so much better than others too so it's kind of a catch 22.
Just remember that when you are setting in the sellers seat you are The Bad Guy for a number of reasons. One, you are the man who also has to look at not only the buyer but the buyers wife and kids and then it all hits you. I am trying to sell this kid a bike and here's his family he needs to feed so you ask yourself, Self, do I need to eat? Yes. Self, can I live with myself today and everyday if I lock this kid into a huge payment that he may or may not be able to afford and did I take food off his families table for the next 5 or 6 years while he goes out and plays or gets killed in a bike wreck due to no experience and now his family has to grow up with no dad/husband. I say these things as I've seen it happen.
The next thing is you are the bad guy because the tire kickers will come in and then tell you that they can get the same bike down the road for X amount less. So now what to do. Then you have the sales manager to deal with and of course he is working for the owner who isn't there to go home broke from giving deals. So just think carefully about what you want and or need. Good luck and if you do get in the door I recommend that you do all you can to learn everything you can not only about the sales department but every dept. in the whole store and keep your eyes on the prize of one day being a manager or something like that. Don't be afraid to volunteer for training even if it means traveling. A good delaer will pay for your training, usually with some stipulations that you stay with them for X period of time after the training or repay a percentage of the cost of the course and or your travel expenses that the dealer paid for. I wish you the very best, Spidey.

I certainly appreciate all the opinions and comments........I will think long and hard about the decision and will get all the details I can........again, thanks for all of your time!

Talked to a salesman yesterday at a kaw, ktm and bmw dealership.  he said last year they sold ~40 Klr's by this time and he said this year ~10.  He said that they only ordered 3 KTM in for 2010 because low sales.  he said BMW sales were slow but service dept was doing good.  It sounds like lots of people are hanging on to thier old bikes and just getting them serviced.

I think looking like you do in your pic they will feel they have no choice. Your closing rate compared to ups should be right at 100% 

Quote from: Ohio Phil on August 25, 2009, 03:16:58 AM
Evil,  Adventure H/D is the best dealer i've seen in 15 years.   

I agree ...good people! My buddy, the "chrome consultant", his name is Chuck ...big tall bald headed guy. One of the best guy's you'll ever deal with!

Well, that's actually Goldberg............I'm not that good looking

having to pick the right dealership is just as important. what is said on the street can make or break a dealer so check the reputation very carefully.

I've sold cars, managed service and parts departments, ran a 60 person real estate office and reputation is everything.

thought about selling bikes, but after careful consideration I'de rather ride than work 7 days of week. So I semi retired and ride a lot now.

P-man, you didn't mention if you had previous front line sales experience, especially with high-end discretionary products and services.

..season is slowly coming to an end..still 3 months to go here..maybe..anyway I would work partime..pick 2 days and let them pick one..the day they pick may be the day the " experienced staff"..takes a day off...that might be a good day for you..negotiate a full commission with a draw against an hourly wage..that way you get a paycheque ...it's hard to stay motivated when there is no groceries at the end of the week..at least if you don't make a whole lot of money you get to eat

We retired guys should get into sales and sell bikes without regard to pay or commission, the dealer sells lots of bikes, the buyer gets a good price, we have something to do a few days a week.......it's a win,win kinda thing.

i tried a part time salesman here,, it wqas a dismal failure, he would write up the deal, but when i came time for the customer to take delivery he wasn't here for it. what sales,, especially HD sales, boils down to is relationships, and that can't be cultivated 2 or 3 days a week. we do not work 6 days a week, (closed sundays) but we do require sales people to work on saturdays. i believe the working 6-7 days a week is a fast path to burn out,, and burnt out sales people are not good relationship builders. so they take a weekday off.

t-c