Any knowlege about working for bay area HD dealers?

[Doc_V]

I've scoured the usual sites but came up empty handed, so I figured I'd ask the locals... Has anyone worked for, or known of anyone who has worked for a bay area HD dealer? Ideally I'd like to hear about Sales Associates or Parts rep, etc. and pay, but I'm also interested what's it like to work for them in general. They seem to have a pretty high turn over and was wondering why.

Thanks.

 

[Map8]

Thread moved to General which is for any and all motorcycle-related discussion.

 

[Tri750]

20+ years in dealerships, 15 in BMW, The rest in Japanese big 4 multi line brands.
Central Cali, not Bay Area.
All motorcycle shops tend to have high turnover . It's the nature of the business. It's seasonal, normally the employees are younger, so emotions make decisions rather than common sense, many are family owned so one has to deal with the family owned business crap, then younger employees get older and interests change, they mature and seek "real jobs".
I interviewed at one of the local HD dealerships here for a parts job and it was very different. They asked questions about how much I knew about the history of HD, the Parts Manager was 25 years younger than i was with many years less experience so I knew I was out of the running.
After we all relaxed, the owner of the dealership was asking me questions on how to improve profitability and was taking notes. It was pleasant and eye opening at the same time.
With the decline in HD market share, they are having to change their game quickly. They actually allow test rides now and the intro of the small bikes, the 500 and 750 are actually helping to do what was hoped. Getting younger people in the door. Oh, and the attitudes are better when the young people and solo women shoppers do come in. Much less sneerage.
One should learn about the HD story and about the motorcycle market in general.
Even if it's store policy, don't bash other brands.
If a sales scum, read every magazine you can to learn the competition and what new models your company has in the works as the mothership makes you the last to know.
If parts, beg your way, steal a ticket or lie to get to any of your competing supplier showcases, seminars, online training courses, etc. Yes, HD dealers are limited to what they can display in the shop, but NOT to what they can order if a customer comes in waving money.
Also, go to the IMS, bike meets ,rally's, swap meets, charity runs, club meetings, to get your face out there as "the guy from xyz motors" uh, the good guy from xyz motors. Not the guy who is always drunk or rides too fast.
If someone breaks down, or has a tip over, be the guy to stop and render aid.
It's a lot of work, but your commission check will be worth it and you will be remembered.

 

[ThumperX]

TRI750 :thumbup a lot of information in your post.

Was going to mention it varies dealership to dealership. Back when I was distributing Citybike all over the Bay Area I noticed attrition in some dealerships and consistency in others.

McGuire in Pacheco appears to be a solid dealership. Michael's in Santa Rosa the same.

 

[rsrider]

many are family owned so one has to deal with the family owned business crap

Where is that blog? That was good stuff back in the day.

 

[russ69]

...They seem to have a pretty high turn over and was wondering why...

Low pay and little chance of a significant promotion. If you are going to work in that type of industry, automobiles is the way to go. More opportunities and better pay.

 

[Entoptic]

Low pay and little chance of a significant promotion. If you are going to work in that type of industry, automobiles is the way to go. More opportunities and better pay.

+1 When I was 18 I was fortunate enough to work at Bob Lewis and pulled in 100k+ a year. It was savage but I was 18 and didn't care.

 

[MikeL]

+1 When I was 18 I was fortunate enough to work at Bob Lewis and pulled in 100k+ a year. It was savage but I was 18 and didn't care.

$100k at 18 must have been an interesting life haha. Car sales?

 

[Hoppalong]

If you are a younger person looking to get skills and training for the long haul, you should think about a job/profession that won't disapear in a few short years.

 

[bobl]

I worked at a dealership in the central valley for 7 full years, and 3 seasons while going to school.
My take: You go to work at a bike shop to feed your jones. You quit and move on to feed your family.

 

[firstbuell]

I worked at a dealership in the central valley for 7 full years, and 3 seasons while going to school.
My take: You go to work at a bike shop to feed your jones. You quit and move on to feed your family.

^^^^^this^^^^^

if that’s OK by you, then look at any dealership with a long history, or a newer one owned by someone with previous success owning another brand outlet

 

[Entoptic]

$100k at 18 must have been an interesting life haha. Car sales?

Yes car sales. Right as the new beetle was coming out. I had a wait list book that was a money churning machine. Honestly during the beetle hype I didn't really have to do anything at all. Was able to turn 2 - 3 a day during that time.

The money was insane but the financial skills weren't there. I ended up pissing most of it away on parties and feeding my friends. Fun times tho!