Motorcycle dealers

Motorcycle dealers are authorized to sell a particular brand of motorcycle on behalf of the manufacturer.  This profession requires a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication, and discipline.

Motorcycle dealers offer a comprehensive range of new and used motorcycles.  In addition, they often carry a wide array of clothing, accessories, and spare parts.  Many of these companies also specialize in a variety of related services, from painting and detailing to restoring and repairing engines.  For these reasons, finding a quality dealer can make all the difference in the world when a consumer is in the market for a motorcycle.

Requirements of dealers

The first step toward working as a professional dealer is to raise the amount of capital necessary for investing in the company.  These initial funds will go towards obtaining commercial space, hiring experienced employees, and purchasing inventory.

Of course, large dealers have an advantage over smaller dealers because their larger inventories give them more power to negotiate with manufacturers. Small dealers, however, can still compete effectively by providing superior customer service and by offering unique services like bike customization.

Customers and their expectations

1. Quality customer service is the single most important expectation placed on a dealer; every customer expects to be treated in a courteous manner.
2. Customers expect stores to be licensed and authorized by the manufacturers of the bikes they sell.
3. Dealers should provide instructions on how to operate and maintain the unit safely.
4. Motorcycle dealers should establish a good track record so that customers are more likely to repeat business and recommend the dealer to other potential clients.

Duties and responsibilities of dealers

Some motorcycle dealers help their customers buy motorcycles on loans or on an installment basis.

Installment payment: when a motorcycle is bought on an installment basis, it is the duty of the dealer to see to it that the customer enters an arrangement that will fit his or her budget. The monthly installment should not be a burden to the customer. In most cases, the overall amount of money spent on an installment basis will be slightly higher than if the customer were to pay for the bike outright.

Motorcycle loans: loan programs can seem useful to customers but are not always ideal. Motorcycle dealers sometimes negotiate partnerships with banks so that they can offer their customers an immediate option for financing a new motorcycle; however, the lending bank will usually tack on an added amount to the interest charges of the loan so that they can give the dealers a small commission.  It is the dealer’s responsibility to make the customer aware of any additional charges that will result from a loan they are facilitating.

Warranties: extended warranties beyond the basic manufacturer’s warranty will usually involve extra cash. The cost of an extended warranty will depend on its duration and coverage. The motorcycle dealer should help its customers select warranties that are tailored to their needs and budgets.

Freight, shipping, and handling charges: most dealers recoup these expenses by adding them to the retail cost of the vehicle. This prevents customers from having to pay for shipping-related charges in advance.

Retail motorcycle dealers are divided into two categories: those who primarily sell new vehicles and those who primarily sell used vehicles. Vendors of new motorcycles often own franchises that sell the products of a specific manufacture’s brands. Dealers who do not operate as new vehicle franchises sell used motorcycles, as well as vehicle parts, accessories, and clothing, and they are not always limited to dealing in one particular brand.