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[aero8]

Just annonced in the press/ 11.30 a.m/ BLICK (swiss newspaper)

The Swiss Governement starts a investigation against Harley Davidson Switzerland. The reason is that they tried to block parallel imports of bikes and parts.
Up to now HD SWISS refuses to talk or to communicate their point of view.

Customers went to the governement and informed them about this issue. WELL DONE MY FRIENDS!!!

Another reason are the prices here in Switzerland which are by far too high in relation to the exchange rate of the swiss franc to the US-dollar and obviously these profits went to HD SWISS.
I tried several times to discuss this issue with the dealer, but he always said that the pricing is done in the Eurpean HQ in England.

I really hope now that HD SWISS will get fined heavely and kicked in the ass by the goverment and HD USA stops this bullchit with the export ban to foreign customers.
Customers are not stupid cows, I decide on my own where I buy my parts!!

It is time for realistic prices in Europe and specially in Switzerland. I bought no parts since a long time  from a swiss dealer and I will never do it again, if they do not change their attitude and price structure.

Up to now it is very common that a customer in Switzerland pays 4 to 5 times the price of the price in the USA. This is an inacceptable act of theft.

Aero8/ Switzerland

[bisounours]

 

[BALIS]

Keep us informed for the future 

[MAT]

Government doing what it should be doing, keeping control of the greedy corporations!   

[grandpadoc]

It's funny though that when I was in Switzerland a few years ago I was told it was cheaper to buy a Swiss watch in the US than in a Swiss shop.  Doc

[Shovelhead]

Government doing what it should be doing, keeping control of the greedy corporations!   

Big greedy corporations couldn't get out of control without COMPLICIT BIG GREEDY GOVERNMENTS (I'm implying USSA government obviously, not Swiss government)

 

[ice6900]

I havent set foot in a Swiss Stealership in 18months, I agree they have had the last of my money unless the price structure becomes realistic!

[murphy]

Bet they just pull out!

[ice6900]

The Swiss Government is no less greedy than the US, Switzerland the land were everything is taxed. Even those with a religious persuasion pay tax directly from there income to the Catholic or Reform Church`s. The only rich people in Switzerland are the Polititions, the Government the Banks!

[kraut]

don't expect too much 

[Eqcons]

I havent set foot in a Swiss Stealership in 18months, I agree they have had the last of my money unless the price structure becomes realistic!

Couldn't agree more - I've done the same in the UK, and have said to the dealer I will never buy another bike. 

For our US cousins, an example of the prices they are trying to charge for parts here in the UK as opposed to the US:

58260-09 from Surdyke in the US = $589.60   In the UK = $1610.01
91951-07 from Surdyke in the US = $102.40   In the UK = $279.62

[Twolanerider]

Couldn't agree more - I've done the same in the UK, and have said to the dealer I will never buy another bike. 

For our US cousins, an example of the prices they are trying to charge for parts here in the UK as opposed to the US:

58260-09 from Surdyke in the US = $589.60   In the UK = $1610.01
91951-07 from Surdyke in the US = $102.40   In the UK = $279.62

That's nuts.  Is there some lesser but comparable disparity for BMW bikes or bike parts?  Or does Harley absolutely rape its customers compared to its competition?

[Eqcons]

That's nuts.  Is there some lesser but comparable disparity for BMW bikes or bike parts?  Or does Harley absolutely rape its customers compared to its competition?

As far as I'm aware it's only Harley.  And no other company that I'm aware of has even dreamt of banning their dealers in any country from selling to overseas customers, Don.  Harley dealers here in the UK are going bust because people will not pay these prices - for bikes, not just parts - and the idiots who run HDUK are clueless.  They won't listen to what the dealers are telling them.

Note that second part number I quote is one mirror for an FLHTCUSE2/3, nothing special, so here in the UK they want us to pay $560 for a pair of mirrors on which the chrome bubbles in short order.  Here, for LESS money than an FLHTCUSE, you can buy a pretty well loaded BMW 3-series car, and it doesn't come with paint flaws, the chrome doesn't peel in a few months, the engine is good for well into 6 figures of miles without a rebuild, a service might be 20,000 miles away, and it comes with a three year warranty.

[aclass]

The Swiss Government is no less greedy than the US, Switzerland the land were everything is taxed. Even those with a religious persuasion pay tax directly from there income to the Catholic or Reform Church`s. The only rich people in Switzerland are the Polititions, the Government the Banks!

I had to be in Switzerland for work last month, my first trip.  I was floored by the prices of everything!  A decent sit down meal with a salad and entree was consistently 60-70 U.S. dollars.

[Shovelhead]

The Swiss Government is no less greedy than the US, Switzerland the land were everything is taxed. Even those with a religious persuasion pay tax directly from there income to the Catholic or Reform Church`s. The only rich people in Switzerland are the Polititions, the Government the Banks!

.....sounds familiar

[JDOFLHRIDER]

I have a parts business in states harleys new ban has hit few of us in states and couple guys who shipped out of the states.If you guys need some parts drop me a line,maybee i can help.  jdo

[Eqcons]

I have a parts business in states harleys new ban has hit few of us in states and couple guys who shipped out of the states.If you guys need some parts drop me a line,maybee i can help.  jdo

That's a great offer, JDO, noted for future reference. 

The ban must have hit some dealers very very hard indeed - I wonder if it was the last straw that made Zanotti close.

Personally, I cannot see how the ban is legal, and I'm really surprised that some of the bigger dealers didn't stand up to HD on it.

Of course, if they made the prices the same here  as they are there - and there's no reason not to, there would be no problem, and their UK dealers wouldn't be having such a hard time. 

Jim

[Eqcons]

I see BMW have been fined by the Swiss for a similar practice:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18186978

Any news on their investigation of HD, I wonder?

Jim

[plasmadaddy]

Of course, if they made the prices the same here  as they are there - and there's no reason not to, there would be no problem, and their UK dealers wouldn't be having such a hard time. 

Jim

Nice thought but shipping and import taxes would most likely scupper it!!!!!

[Eqcons]

Nice thought but shipping and import taxes would most likely scupper it!!!!!

I don't think so.  The States is a big place, and shipping in the US costs just as much as shipping across the Atlantic.  The import duty is an allowable business expense for them, so is minimised.  Their profit margin is HUGE, so there's no reason that it couldn't happen.