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[Stormer]

My local Indy shop owner came to my establishment yesterday for lunch. He was noticeably upset as he told me the story of how Wed morning he went to the local HD dealer for his regular parts pickup. The counter person told him he could get the parts he ordered that day for his shop, but that would be it, he needed to see management before he left. He proceeded to management and was told HD's new parts policy, "no more parts for independent shop owners, any more orders would be at retail price with no quantity orders. Supposedly came down from the motor company to all dealers? Whats up with this???

[Lever]

something just doesnt sound right with this ...

[grc]

Restraint of trade? 

Haven't seen anything, not that I'm necessarily in a position to do so anyway, but considering all the other stupid crap coming out of Milwaukee these days it wouldn't surprise me if H-D decided to eliminate dealer wholesale incentives and programs.  Short sighted is still short sighted, and if nothing else H-D has proven to be very short sighted.  Of course, I think I'd rather see this in writing and actually from H-D, and not just take the word of one dealer and one indy.  For all we know this particular dealer is just a crook trying to hold up a local independent.


Jerry

[Keats]

My local Indy shop owner came to my establishment yesterday for lunch. He was noticeably upset as he told me the story of how Wed morning he went to the local HD dealer for his regular parts pickup. The counter person told him he could get the parts he ordered that day for his shop, but that would be it, he needed to see management before he left. He proceeded to management and was told HD's new parts policy, "no more parts for independent shop owners, any more orders would be at retail price with no quantity orders. Supposedly came down from the motor company to all dealers? Whats up with this???

This certainly doesn't smell right.   I cannot see MOCO being able to restrict who you can sell parts.

If a "wholesale" program existed, I never heard of it before.

Sounds like an issue with that independent and the Dealership.

Dealership can sell parts to who they want and for whatever price they want.


Restricting dealers who they can sell to would be a "fair" trade infringement.

Dealer agreements signed, spell out what can and cannot be done.


 

[cvobiker]

This certainly doesn't smell right.   I cannot see MOCO being able to restrict who you can sell parts.

 

Something isn't right with this. I just got off the phone with Clinton's, an independendent shop owner here and he said its a BS story.. business as usual.   

[JCZ]

Sounds like the dealership is no longer offering the indpendant the discount that he had been previously.  This happens from time to time.

The indy just needs to shop around other dealerships willing to work with him.

[grc]

I have no idea if Harley has or had a real wholesale parts program similar to the auto companies, but if they do I could possibly see them adding restrictions just like they recently did on third party internet sales and other similar stuff.  I'm sure you all remember all the posts about how they were trying to eliminate all the ebay stores and advertised discount prices on part and accessories.  This could just be this particular dealer's reaction to some of that.  Or it could also be as noted earlier, just this dealer reneging on a previous business agreement with this indy and laying it off on Harley as an excuse.

BTW, certain dealerships seem to be pushing the 20% discount business even harder after all the talk about Harley supposedly putting a stop to it.  American's, even franchisee's, don't take well to being told they can't do something that they've always done in the past.  I don't think I'd let this report keep me awake at night.


Jerry

[GregKhougaz]

Is it possible that the local dealer is squeezing the Indy?  HD, while short sighted does not need the bad press....   And it would be a very good restraint of trade law suit.          

[Twolanerider]

Is it possible that the local dealer is squeezing the Indy? 

Or that the independent shop is creating an excuse to charge a bit more?

[HUBBARD]

I'd venture to say the Parts. Mgr. has had his a$$ reamed over low margins, because he may be giving discounts to his buddies.  To save face, he's blaming it on HD.  HD don't care what the stealer sells it for.  All they want is their invoices paid.  There endeth the lesson.    Later--HUBBARD        

[WestCoastRuss]

Was in a Nevada dealer a week or so ago and an accessory with a msrp price of $299.95 was priced at $324.95.  So they can price how they want to.  Asked for a discount........didn't work.  Ordered it from one of our great 20% dealers we all know and love.......

[cvobiker]

Something isn't right with this. I just got off the phone with Clinton's, an independendent shop owner here and he said its a BS story.. business as usual.   

After all, it is true... Clinton followed up latter in the day saying indeed he got the letter saying no more discounts etc....   

[FLSTFI Dave]

I know on of my local independent shops get all his parts from the local dealer at a good discount.  To the best of my knowledge he still gets that discount.

[spydglide]

After all, it is true... Clinton followed up latter in the day saying indeed he got the letter saying no more discounts etc....   

Still prolly from that particular dealer & not a MOCO policy. That's been going on in certain situations for years....local dealers trying to punish the local competition who then have to get parts from a out of town dealer.  Inconvient to get a discount, but that's it.   spyder

[MIKEYTEE]

You know, if the dealers weren't charging outrageous prices for service that for some is poor at best, the indy shops wouldn't be in such demand. They just don't get it. Hey dealers, do it right at a fair price, and you won't have to worry about the indy shops taking you business.
Mike