LOOKING FOR YOUR FEEDBACK

[VTXBOSS]

AFTER 31 YEARS IN THE MOTORCYCLE BUSINESS WE ARE FINLEY MOVING AND DOUBLING IN SIZE. WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND WORK ON ALL BRANDS. I OWN A VTX THAT IS WHY YOU SEE ME HERE FORM TIME TO TIME POSTING ON THE TECH SITE.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE YOUR FEEDBACK ON, IS WHEN YOU GO TO A MOTORCYCLE SHOP, TO BROWSE AROUND OR FOR SERVICE. WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE MOST, PARTS, ACCESSORIES, PIPES, AIR CLEANERS, SEATS? WHAT I AM LOOKING TO DO IS CREATE A SHOP AND SHOWROOM THAT IS STOCKING AND INSTALLING WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR. IF YOU HAVE ANY FEEDBACK PLEASE POST. THANKS, VTXBOSS

[Dick]

I would think if you want to cater to the VTX crowd, or any other make for that matter, you might want to stock the HOT items that are impulse type items. For instance, for the VTX, maybe stock one set of Vance & Hines Big Shots or other popular make, a PCIII or FI2000, a Pro Hypercharger or Baron's big air kit, maybe a Mustang 3 piece seat, or an Ultimate seat, A back rest, highway pegs, engine bar, maybe risers, a couple of different windshields, chrome radiator cover, bike cover. These seem to be some of the most popular parts talked about on the net and I for one do tend to buy on the spur of the moment. Alot of riders don't do their own install, but want the stuff NOW. If someone goes to your shop for an oil change, or a set of tires, while they are waiting and looking around, they may just decide that they really needed that extra goodie so why not iether take it with them or have you install it while they are there.
Hopefully this will help.
Dick

[HairOnFire]

I think if you ask Hal or anyone else who sells aftermarket parts and accessories you will find you are in a tough business. As you know, we are a PICKY bunch. And we will bitch and scream at the top of our lungs if you don't have what we want when we want it at a price that breaks you. In short: we want it ALL and we want it YESTERDAY and we want it CHEAP.

Seriously, it has to be very difficult to compete with on-line retailers of motorcycle stuff. They don't have your overhead. Considering the different models and widely divergent tastes and preferences among VTX owners I would think you would have to maintain a very large inventory and HDL can attest to the fact that the hot sellers are often backordered from the manufacturers.

My guess is, from all the bitching I hear about Honda dealer service, that you should market yourself as a knowledgeable wrench who can properly install all the crap we like to torture ourselves with. Tell your customers to buy the parts from HDL and you will instlall them? JMHO

[BigBoy]

What he said 8)

[Creaddy]

I kind of agree with the above posts. You also must have cool stuff that is hard to find. Like Aeromach parts.(just and example not a plug)
The problem is that with the Internet, it's very easy to find new and cool stuff to buy, and you don't eaven have to leave the comforts of your home. That's why you got to complement the parts with the atmosphere/service...The store I go to (which will remain un-named) is good with parts and service. However, if your going to wait for them to fix or install something that takes only an hour or so, it's a pain in the can, because they have no seating area. You actually have to sit on one of the salesman's desk while he's out, or on a bike in the show room :?
Maybe you could incorporate a lounge area were you can brouse through catalouges and view videos that you offer for sale. Heck, you could eaven go as far as setting up a small "bar" (cokes, chips etc)
Just my opinion...maybe the bar thing is too much...
:twisted:

[LadyVTX]

Good to see ya here Brian... You know that we all come up there for many of reasons.

#1 - You are an honest guy and treat us all better than you probably should.

#2 - You are the only one who carries the new stuff for our cycles.

#3 - You will stop what you are doing to help, invent and add the accessories to our cycles before we even leave.

The accessories are a very important part, but the service you give is worth the hour ride to see ya.... New stuff, cool stuff and shiney stuff is all you need....

Mendee

[VTXBOSS]

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR REPLYS. I HAD A THOUGHT OVER THE WEEKEND, TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK. WHAT IF YOU HAD A SHOP THAT DOES NO BELEIVE IN OPENING ON SUNDAYS, BUT WOULD CONCIDER 1 SUNDAY A MONTH A GROUP OR CLUB RIDE DAY. THAT WOULD OPEN THE SHOP FOR PLANNED RIDES TO END UP AT FROM ALL OVER THE STATE. NOT TO MENTION A PLACE THAT CATERS TO ALL BRANDS OF BIKES AND THERE RIDERS. THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT I AM TAKING NOTES. :wink:
VTXBOSS

[Creaddy]

That would be a great idea. Not only do you get to know your customers and their needs. But also they get a chance to look around the shop in a different setting. Maybe you could eaven have raffles and activities.
I'm sorry VTXBOSS, but where are you located? :oops: I read the board every now and then, and sometimes, if scheduling permits I go on rides...Not too often though... :evil:I don't know many VTX'ers...
I get most of my stuff trough the web...But I'll check your shop out.

[VTXBOSS]

THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR FEEDBACK. WE WILL BE MOVING THIS WEEK AND THE NEW ADDRESS OF THE SHOP WILL BE, 807 E. VINE ST. KISSIMMEE, FL. 34744. THAT IS ALSO KNOW AS HWY. 192. THAT IS BETWEEN MAIN ST.(ORANGE BLOSSEM TRAIL) AND MICHIGAN AVE. GOING EAST ON VINE ST. WE WILL BE OPEN LATER THIS WEEK BUT THE SHOWROOM WILL NOT BE DONE FOR ANOTHER WEEK OR SO. BUT THEN WE WILL HAVE A LOT MORE OF WHAT EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FOR IN STOCK AND ON DISPLAY. THANKS TO ALL, FOR YOUR SUPPORT, BECAUSE WITHOUT YOU THERE WOULD BE NO US. :wink: