FWB Honda Yamaha Version 2.0

[ROKJOK]

Attention New Owners -

I'm posting this here, because I know you read this, and maybe this will get someones attention.

Do you see this? http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=177350

THIS is me, going against my friends and riding brothers and sisters in defense of your move to blow labor rates through the ceiling. After a long chat with your tenured sales person, I thought "Well, let's just give them a chance and see", KNOWING I was going to draw the wrath of the guys that I see every weekend AND risk being thought of as a "SELLOUT", because it's no secret that I need you on the air at K-Rock.

I'm repaid today for my loyalty to a bunch of guys I don't even KNOW, by Leo, Chia...Neo...what the hell ever his name is, in his MOST COWARDICE fashion, hiding around the corner and sending a 2 day employee to tell me that, regardless of what I was told when I BOUGHT there, if I wanted the discount I was promised that I would have to buy some card...apply for some card....

WHAT THE HELL?

I go up against my friends to defend you, and this little man won't even make EYE CONTACT with me as I'm leaving?

When you buy a business my friends, you buy the good AND the bad. You buy the profits AND the losses. I was SOLD a 15% discount when I increased the stock in that place by MAKING my purchase there so I don't NEED to buy a card, or apply for the Honda-Yamaha FWB accessory discount card, or whatever that deal was.

I EARNED my discount by blabbering for 2 weeks about the awesomeness of the dealership to anyone who would listen, and I DON'T just mean on the air. Better yet, I was PROMISED it regardless...before ANY word of mouth began.

Part of the decision to BUY there was the money I would save down the road in accessories and such, and you don't intend to honor that?

What happens at my 4000 mile service, when I walk in there with the coupon I was sent in the mail that says I just pay for materials?

Do you not intend to honor that either?

And what's WORSE, the man I assume is supposed to be your Parts Manager, has a customer standing there that HE KNOWS is about to get blown outta the water, so he sends this girl (albeit a very CUTE girl) that's worked there 2 DAYS to tell me? What in HELL Manager school did you get this guy from? Is that your tactic? If they're cute I won't mind getting my head kicked in?

Man, I'm 41 years old, and well past (no offense ladies, you're beautiful and have great personalities..you'll go very far in whatever you choose to do, I promise. :) ) getting all goo-goo over some cute blonde, or tall brunette and trying to show her how much money I can spend. I'm WELL PAST that stage in life, and if I want to re-live it, there's always Sammy's or Arety's -

I'm going to be very honest sirs.

NOW I'm offended, and that's never a good thing. I do NOT expect preferential treatment as a radio guy in this town, but I DO expect..no, DEMAND that I be talked to with respect, and that if you tell me it's going to rain in the morning, I BETTER see water!

The same applies to my peers. They've been in this town a long time, selling your product FOR YOU with the pride they have in their machines, and the honor with which they ride and I will see to it PERSONALLY that they're ALSO treated with respect sir, on that you may count fully.

Had Cleo not run to some big dude for protection before I left, it was my full intent to discuss this latest slap in the face with him. But no, in what's becoming a very common move, he simply turned his back to me, and watched a guy that came in today to drop 2 Large in your store walk out the door because he's a coward.

Ask him if he remembers the quote he did for me about pipes/hypercharger/PC....I got my bonus check yesterday and was there to order from him after talking to my salesman and deciding to try it again.......

Let me guess...he was capable of doing the Filet-O-Fish AND The Apple Pie at the same time, so someone thought that level of multi-tasking would make him a manager?

Can you imagine me selling you 2000.00 a month worth of advertising, only to come tell you next month it was now 2500.00 because the new owner want's to more closely match the corporate stations.

YOU WOULD THROW ME OUT OF YOUR STORE!!

Fortunately, that will never happen. EVEN with a top rated PM Drive show, our rates remain the LOWEST in the market, and will STAY that way, because I NEED my customers...every SWINGING one of them...ESPECIALLY the ones I've earned already.

Anyway, I'm getting off topic. Fellas, I want your business, and I want to shop locally. In my humble yet OUTSPOKEN opinion, you're getting off to the wrong start my friends.

A very wrong start. I'm one of the most obnoxious men I know, and if I'm offended, that's bad. Really REALLY bad.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I sincerely hope that you think long and hard about what's about to happen to your core customer base. I grew up in a motorcycle dealership..I'm not some random loudmouth so you know. I DO have a reasonable idea about customer service as applied to the Powersports Industry, and this just isn't right gents.

Regards, and With All Due Respect -

Ted J. Edwards Jr.

[Show03VTX]

......wow.......

Nicely put

[ROMAD]

+1

Cudos to you brotha TJ.

[wypfoad]

Well Said, and I believe we all echo

[ROKJOK]

:bump:

[FLLEO]

good letter I agree and the only advertising I will do for them now is negative. It has been said that if you make 1 person happy they tell 2 people but piss one off and they tell 10. I have told anyone who will listen about this poor service. one of these people asked my opinion because he was looking online at Goldwings, I tried to talk him to an X but no luck, either way I made sure to let him know that Honda FWB was the worst place to shop for bikes. We then went on to southernpowersports website. I know will ensure that all the Blue Knights that work with me are aware of the new practices and that they share the word to anyone they can. Many of them ride Honda's of some type I will also try to contact someone from Sandollar and ask them to put this out if I am duplicating someone else please stop me from doing this. My father is a member of the Legion riders and the Patriot Guard Riders I will share this with him so he can pass this on to them. I think that if these contacts are made and if anyone else has different or similiar contacts we can crush Honda of FWB I do not know what TJ is planning but we need to do everything we can to run these guys out of business. or at least out of FWB.

Sorry for the half hijack of the thread but I am about tired of every thread about dealings with them getting worse and worse not on our part but on theirs.

[ROKJOK]

I got a message last night from a friend that's gone to work there that Don would like to talk to me. I assume that's the GM.

I see an interesting trend though. Why are the sales people calling their customers, and now my friend is calling me. Seems to ME that if had started a blazing inferno I would not be delegating the troops to call people, but rather picking up the phone myself.

I WILL return the call, but to my friend, since she's the one that called me. Should anyone ELSE in that dealership wish to speak with me, then my number is readily available from a number of sources in the building.

I'm concerned that in her voicemail she used the term "badmouthing". I find it a touch disconcerting that WE voicing OUR opinions is "badmouthing".

Yes, I'll agree I tend to get a bit sarcastic, and a touch animated, and I knew full WELL what the Parts Managers name is/was so I'll concede that my description of the story may have been a little more animated for comedic value, and for the benefit of the reader -

HOWEVER,

While I can ONLY speak for myself, I've not said ANYTHING that's untrue, slanderous, or that would be considered libel.

My 1st ammendment right not ONLY guarantees me freedom of speech, but also the right to do that where and how I wish. One should consider themselves lucky that my outbursts have been limited to this message board, and that I've not used the other mediums available to me.

For someone to come into this, change all the procedures that we've become accustomed to, and essentially say "Here it is, just deal with it", and expect us, the buying public to just accept it is ludicrous.

I also what to be very clear. My goal in this is NOT to run anyone out of business. I like that the dealer is close, and I want to continue to deal with the core group of people I've come to know, respect and trust.

I believe FULLY in the American Dream that hard work, and due diligence can produce anything for any man, and if someone wants to be in business, and be wildly successful, then I support that fully and whole-heartedly.

I do NOT believe however, in what's happening here. I'm sure that the new owner is probably a pretty nice guy. I've really only met one in this industry that wasn't, and that was another local dealer who married into an inherited dealership, truly had no concept of the Motorsports industry, and ran more business to Dothan and P'cola that one could imagine.

I do not want to see that happen here. If labor rates need to go up, so be it. Everyone on this board understands, and to some degree EXPECTS prices to go up occassionally. This is an expensive hobby, and we take that when we buy into it. But NEARLY DOUBLE? Please....

Also, everyone on this board could've purchased from our friend at the Harley dealer should we have wanted to. Speaking personally, it was the way I was treated THERE that shoved me into HonYamFWB, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Whoever is reading this, and passing it on to the dealership, should know this.

This IS NOT some vindictive personal attack on the dealer. I'm sure he's a helluva guy.

This IS the beginning of a public outcry that what you're doing is WRONG.

1. I'm not sure what business model you're following, but when someone is given a discount, you HONOR it. The End.

2. If you're A MANAGER, you don't HIDE behind your employees. If you're going to NOT honor something, MAN UP and handle it yourself. You don't put a new troop into that situation.

3. In this day of the internet, you WILL get shopped. Why would you tack $1000.00 on the front of a new units MSRP when you KNOW we're going to find out? Is that to take advantage of the schmo that just walks in?

4. Lose the scammy "service cards" or whatever that crap is. You're a motorcycle dealer, not the Home Shopping Network.

5. Last, I will not "APPLY" for a discount. Rest assured sirs, I don't NEED the discount. You've nothing in that building I can't write a check for. But as stated earlier, if you tell it's going to rain tomorrow, I better see water.

My application was "APPROVED" the day I made my purchase, and as part of the closing I was given that privilege. This was part of the DEAL. Not some buddy thing because I've shared some beers w/ Hamp, but written ON THE BUYERS ORDER.

You would expect the same from me as a friend, a customer, a neighbor, a business associate...whatever.

If the GM of the dealership wants to meet with me, I'm all for it. While it's always a pleasure to hear from my friend who's just come to work for you (Incidentally, you made a great hire. She used to work for me as well, and I wish I had 40 more JUST like her.) if someone wants to speak with me, please do me the courtesy of calling yourself.

With all due respect to my friend, would you like me to have my secretary return the call? Of course not. I don't get "summoned, beckoned, paged" or whatver you may call it. You sir, if you will pick up the phone and call me, I'll gladly meet with you.

To close, again let me re-state. There is only one way to get anything done, and it's to keep a clear head, and to keep the mud slinging out of it. I'm sure he's a helluva guy, and we would probably all like the guy. I'm not trying to, nor is anyone else I'm sure, trying to get anyone shut down, but when I'm treated less than honorably, then I reserve the right to respond in kind.

Ride safe,

TJ

[ROMAD]

One should consider themselves lucky that my outbursts have been limited to this message board, and that I've not used the other mediums available to me.

Other mediums being expelling noxious gas through ulterior orifices.

[ROKJOK]

:bump:

[ROKJOK]

:bump:

[ROKJOK]

:pepper1: :bump: :pepper1:

[FLLEO]

I know we have all thought it but I got it on pretty good authority last night that the reason for the price hike is that the new owners want to get out of the service business and strictly focus on sales. So they appreciate us not coming to them for service. We must not use them for sales either if it can be helped go elsewhere we can not let them win this.

[!redbird!]

They won't see a penny of mine.

[ROKJOK]

I'm bumping this because I want to.... lol

:bump:

[ROKJOK]

I got a message last night from a friend that's gone to work there that Don would like to talk to me. I assume that's the GM.

I see an interesting trend though. Why are the sales people calling their customers, and now my friend is calling me. Seems to ME that if had started a blazing inferno I would not be delegating the troops to call people, but rather picking up the phone myself.

I WILL return the call, but to my friend, since she's the one that called me. Should anyone ELSE in that dealership wish to speak with me, then my number is readily available from a number of sources in the building.

I'm concerned that in her voicemail she used the term "badmouthing". I find it a touch disconcerting that WE voicing OUR opinions is "badmouthing".

Yes, I'll agree I tend to get a bit sarcastic, and a touch animated, and I knew full WELL what the Parts Managers name is/was so I'll concede that my description of the story may have been a little more animated for comedic value, and for the benefit of the reader -

HOWEVER,

While I can ONLY speak for myself, I've not said ANYTHING that's untrue, slanderous, or that would be considered libel.

My 1st ammendment right not ONLY guarantees me freedom of speech, but also the right to do that where and how I wish. One should consider themselves lucky that my outbursts have been limited to this message board, and that I've not used the other mediums available to me.

For someone to come into this, change all the procedures that we've become accustomed to, and essentially say "Here it is, just deal with it", and expect us, the buying public to just accept it is ludicrous.

I also what to be very clear. My goal in this is NOT to run anyone out of business. I like that the dealer is close, and I want to continue to deal with the core group of people I've come to know, respect and trust.

I believe FULLY in the American Dream that hard work, and due diligence can produce anything for any man, and if someone wants to be in business, and be wildly successful, then I support that fully and whole-heartedly.

I do NOT believe however, in what's happening here. I'm sure that the new owner is probably a pretty nice guy. I've really only met one in this industry that wasn't, and that was another local dealer who married into an inherited dealership, truly had no concept of the Motorsports industry, and ran more business to Dothan and P'cola that one could imagine.

I do not want to see that happen here. If labor rates need to go up, so be it. Everyone on this board understands, and to some degree EXPECTS prices to go up occassionally. This is an expensive hobby, and we take that when we buy into it. But NEARLY DOUBLE? Please....

Also, everyone on this board could've purchased from our friend at the Harley dealer should we have wanted to. Speaking personally, it was the way I was treated THERE that shoved me into HonYamFWB, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Whoever is reading this, and passing it on to the dealership, should know this.

This IS NOT some vindictive personal attack on the dealer. I'm sure he's a helluva guy.

This IS the beginning of a public outcry that what you're doing is WRONG.

1. I'm not sure what business model you're following, but when someone is given a discount, you HONOR it. The End.

2. If you're A MANAGER, you don't HIDE behind your employees. If you're going to NOT honor something, MAN UP and handle it yourself. You don't put a new troop into that situation.

3. In this day of the internet, you WILL get shopped. Why would you tack $1000.00 on the front of a new units MSRP when you KNOW we're going to find out? Is that to take advantage of the schmo that just walks in?

4. Lose the scammy "service cards" or whatever that crap is. You're a motorcycle dealer, not the Home Shopping Network.

5. Last, I will not "APPLY" for a discount. Rest assured sirs, I don't NEED the discount. You've nothing in that building I can't write a check for. But as stated earlier, if you tell it's going to rain tomorrow, I better see water.

My application was "APPROVED" the day I made my purchase, and as part of the closing I was given that privilege. This was part of the DEAL. Not some buddy thing because I've shared some beers w/ Hamp, but written ON THE BUYERS ORDER.

You would expect the same from me as a friend, a customer, a neighbor, a business associate...whatever.

If the GM of the dealership wants to meet with me, I'm all for it. While it's always a pleasure to hear from my friend who's just come to work for you (Incidentally, you made a great hire. She used to work for me as well, and I wish I had 40 more JUST like her.) if someone wants to speak with me, please do me the courtesy of calling yourself.

With all due respect to my friend, would you like me to have my secretary return the call? Of course not. I don't get "summoned, beckoned, paged" or whatver you may call it. You sir, if you will pick up the phone and call me, I'll gladly meet with you.

To close, again let me re-state. There is only one way to get anything done, and it's to keep a clear head, and to keep the mud slinging out of it. I'm sure he's a helluva guy, and we would probably all like the guy. I'm not trying to, nor is anyone else I'm sure, trying to get anyone shut down, but when I'm treated less than honorably, then I reserve the right to respond in kind.

Ride safe,

TJ

I just wanted to let everyone know that while I DID get that initial call from my former employee that now works at HonYam, I've STILL not received a call from Mr. Big requesting to speak to me.

SO,

He either doesn't care, or has some level of self worth that's far beyond what we've imagined to this point. Apparently his having my friend call me didn't get ME to call HIM to speak didn't work, and he's used to beckoning people and snapping fingers and people jumping.

Incidentally, I'm sure that they're trained service technicians TRULY appreciate the time invested in their personal growth and training only to be told that the new owner doesn't want to be in the service business.

THAT'S awesome.

TJK

[retrovmann]

I have read TJ column and can understand his feeling towards them. But on a more positive note, I am getting new dunlop ww front and back from them with new tubes and installed out the door for $276.00. I cant find a better deal anywhere. They havent come in yet so I will let u all know if they honor that deal. I was talking to John at the time and the new guy in the back was making the deal.

They are also haveing a blowout sale the first week of march.

[ROKJOK]

OH....

Did I mention that the parts manager rides a 1300 X?

It'll just be a matter of time I'm sure before he shows up here -

**just suddenly felt compelled to say that....not really sure WHY**

:wink: :wink: :wink: