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[kraut]

@Rogzy:

Engy Ghattas is famous all over Europe but probably not the easiest gal to get along with

Over here in Germany most of the dealers do a fairly good job. But until some 20 years back there were very few of them and none sold big numbers. Small shops, no real money in the business. Then Harleys got fashionable over here and the dealers network expanded since the early 1990s. But as Harleys policy still was to only licence one-brand and single-shop dealers only few of them really earned significant money and even fewer invested into their business. When the economy stumbled around 2005, many shops went down. And the old wrenches didn't get on terms with the new EFI bikes. So since about then the MoCo is struggling to install a new, professional type of dealers. Multi-brand and multi-shop dealers are now acceptable (with some reluctance still) and very carefully picked as not to collapse on the first financial blow. At the same time Harley intensified their technical education program.

So today in Germany you find both the new type of dealerships, most of them in or near the big cities with good financial background, modern, less than 10 year old well equipped shops with highly trained professional personnel and the old hands, solid craftsmen most of them but some really bad apples still among them too. I can't complain Harley Germany and Austria would not care about dealership quality, they are doing a good job compared to the rest of the vehicle sales branch.

I got four dealers in the vicinity, Dresden, Leipzig, Halle and Potsdam. Dresden, Leipzig and Halle I personally rate A+, Potsdam just A (because the owner can have his bad days with people he doesn't know). On the other hand 1 big dealership (20 years old) just last month went down under fraudulent circumstances and I know of an other one  (15 years old, a big one too) who lost his entire technical staff this year - supposed to go down next. The MoCo under German law can't do much about it until the very last minute ...

[Yoda]

Ozark H-D, Lebanon, MO gets a A+ from me.  Great people, understand customer service I am friends with just about every employee.
I've never had a service issue that wasn't promptly dealt with.  When H-D would not warranty an item Ozark H-D did.
I've bought 4 bikes there in the last 7 years.
Straight MSRP dealer.
The hours are not great for me, but that is because I live 30 miles away, so I can't get there on a lunch break.
I have personally seen them take care of travelers even when the store is closed.
Motorclothes ladies are attractive and attentive.
Nice, clean store.
Owner's rides and rides often, especially with the HOG chapter.  They support the HOG Chapt.

[Rogzy]

@Rogzy:

Engy Ghattas is famous all over Europe but probably not the easiest gal to get along with

Over here in Germany most of the dealers do a fairly good job. But until some 20 years back there were very few of them and none sold big numbers. Small shops, no real money in the business. Then Harleys got fashionable over here and the dealers network expanded since the early 1990s. But as Harleys policy still was to only licence one-brand and single-shop dealers only few of them really earned significant money and even fewer invested into their business. When the economy stumbled around 2005, many shops went down. And the old wrenches didn't get on terms with the new EFI bikes. So since about then the MoCo is struggling to install a new, professional type of dealers. Multi-brand and multi-shop dealers are now acceptable (with some reluctance still) and very carefully picked as not to collapse on the first financial blow. At the same time Harley intensified their technical education program.

So today in Germany you find both the new type of dealerships, most of them in or near the big cities with good financial background, modern, less than 10 year old well equipped shops with highly trained professional personnel and the old hands, solid craftsmen most of them but some really bad apples still among them too. I can't complain Harley Germany and Austria would not care about dealership quality, they are doing a good job compared to the rest of the vehicle sales branch.

I got four dealers in the vicinity, Dresden, Leipzig, Halle and Potsdam. Dresden, Leipzig and Halle I personally rate A+, Potsdam just A (because the owner can have his bad days with people he doesn't know). On the other hand 1 big dealership (20 years old) just last month went down under fraudulent circumstances and I know of an other one  (15 years old, a big one too) who lost his entire technical staff this year - supposed to go down next. The MoCo under German law can't do much about it until the very last minute ...

Kraut,
Didn't know we had a famous dealer!
Hopefully she is positively famous...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gecko]

Well, the dealer I bought my SERK from, Walker's in Pacific Junction, IA, took over a month to do the gasket recall, then lied to me about what they did on my bike, had no interest in correcting problems, and put a canned SERT program on when I specifically told them I wanted to spend the money to have it dialed in.  I've also heard from somebody that they wanted to sell them a hex key set when their shifter lever came loose on a trip and they stopped to tighten it.  I'd rate them a solid NEVER AGAIN WILL I SET FOOT IN THEIR DEALERSHIP. 

[Rogzy]

Some dealers do suck


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[2k]

I live in a small NC town, but have 3 Stealers within 20 miles. 2 of the rate a A++(Tilleys-Statesville & Blue Ridge-Hickory) and 1 receives a F-(Crossroads-Wilksboro). I wouldnt spend a dime at xroads after getting the worst service and the most lies in the same trip. They had a free dogs & beer Sat, w/30% off and I rode right by on my way to the BRP. 

[JCZ]

I started this thread back in 2005........  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=1583.0


After doing business with Harley Davidson of Sacramento for approx. 25 years, I'm sorry to say they've fallen off the list for me.  Just got to the point where I kept having to take my bike back to them to get it done right, even for the most basic tasks.

Surprisngly, Folsom Harley Davidson service has stepped up their A game and have been providing excellent service the past nine months or so on both mine and Terrie's warranty issues.  Jim (hd-dude on this forum) still gets our routine service work at his independant shop, Metal Dragon.

[FLSTFI Dave]

I would rate my dealer, Smoky Mountain Harley First rate, number 1.

Staff is always friendly and helpful.
Store is nice, lots of bike, lots of motor clothes and lots a parts.
Motorcycle sales has been good time me, never more than MSRP, some times less.
Service has always been good.
Most everyone working there knows me by name.
Owner does nice stuff for the customers.

[shortdog]

Depends what day of the week! Sometimes best of the best, sometimes bottom of the barrel.

[tompen]

"Ithaca (NY) Harley Davidson" is a top notch dealer. I have bought 6 new bikes from them since 2003. Two were CVOs. They are 30 miles from me and much of this was done over the phone so I didn't have to run out there several times. Two were delivered by them. Good Folks.

[semperfi81]

Tucson Harley Davidson has treated me very well and getting better everyday with Customer Service!! Sierra Vista Harley is also a top notch Harley dealer!!

They sell over MSRP on all bikes but love those CVO's. They are a rip off in mine eyes "sorry"

[muddypaws]

St Croix Harley of Richmond WI is the best. Bought 5 bikes off them and loved it every time. So sad that i now live in VA and purchased my last bike form the HD store of Baltimore. They suck....... Hampton Roads Harley in VA does a good job but wants too much for their bikes and will give almost nothing on a trade.

[NVTHIS]

Harley-Davidson Louisville is the BEST of the BEST, period. I think the management style is what makes them so good. Each manager has full power to solve any problem that come up, so there's no passing the buck. All bikes are sold at MSRP and the HOG Chapter is treated with respect. My favorite department by far is Service, top notch personal and very knowledgeable. No. 1 in my book.

[mavricktoo]

Although I won my bike in a raffle with the Blue Knights and never had to do the dance, I did all the paperwork with Tramontin in Hope, NJ.  I have since then my FXSTSSE2 in for one service and a a few warranty issues.  I was always impressed with the service and quality of the work done.

[Sklywag]

Two things we need in the Phoenix Area.

1. Jim & Metal Dragon
2. Brad & Yuill Bros
If we had them here we would be in good shape.

I have had work done at Chandler HD, they are up & down.  The work is done ok but they leave the bike a mess.  They just replaced front wheel bearings on our 09 Ultra.  Greasy hand prints on the rotors, wheels and chrome forks. 

They did a trans repair on my 03 sportster, work seems fine and again oily hand prints every where.