Looking for a job. Have any of you worked at a Harley dealership?

[lingo]

So long story short, I am going to need a new job soon. The Harley dealer down the street from me is hiring a parts counter person. I have been in the auto parts biz for 12 years and want some thing different. I may not have a job in a few weeks and really need to find something. Have any of you worked for a Harley dealer? I have worked at an auto dealer and can't imagine it is any worse. I just need a steady paycheck. I am a salesman, so selling my soul for the paycheck is not a problem.

 

[Scruffy]

You have to seriously upsell the inflated priced chrome crap to keep your job. Everything has to be official motor company accessories, to the point of hiding the aftermarket catalogs that 40% of the inventory comes from before it gets repackaged in "official" cardboard. Everything is marked up a minimum of 200%...

No matter how crappy the parts in question will look together, complimenting the "customizing" customer is mandatory. Educating them about their bike and what really works on said bike is a quick trip to the unemployment line. Arguing with the service writer will get you fired, you are supposed to correct their errors and make sure the right parts get ordered, even they want to order an XL seat for a Geezer Glide (have seen that stupid of a mistake more than once). If you put the incorrect order through, as per the service dept, the fuck up is on you. You are supposed to know the interchange as well as you know the divots in your old lady's ass.

Been in and out of the biz for a couple decades. You'll learn to HATE motorcycles working at an authorized shop, brand does not matter.

That said, I've got a few active shop applications out locally. My gig went away last week, the wife's ended today.

 

[lingo]

I hate to hear that you are going through the same shit. My boss has been out for 5 weeks. He has a drug resistant strain of pneumonia. The store wasn't doing well already. I talked to him about it today. I don't think he will ever be able to dome back to work. He basically told me I need to find another job. I worked at a Ford dealer for a few years and know that the dealership jobs suck. I just need to know where my paycheck is going to come from next week. I am going to apply. Does this mean that I going to have to quit calling Harley riders "fags"? (southpark reference)

 

[DSHEP]

Sounds like Scruffy had a bad experience....They are all owned independently so there is no way to tell if they are a reputable operation without doing some research locally.

For what it's worth they all have 'motorclothes' girls.

 

[Scruffy]

12 of my 25+ years in the saddle have been on HDs. Have worked for HD, Honda, Yamaha and a couple independent shops, plus my own a couple times.

Have worked shops/dealers in LA, MS, TN, WA, ID. There are some good ones, but the vast majority, regardless of the brand carried, have been horror shows. If the owner doesn't ride, and you do... and god forbid you ride a vintage machine, the customers spend more time gawking at it or trying to sit on it than they do looking at the brand new shiny stuff on the floor or displays.

There tends to be a high turn over rate in parts and service. Try and work your way up to service writer, best pay in the building excluding the GM and owner. If you are good at it (high profit margins and lots of repeat business) you have a job for as long as you want it.

Motor clothes girls? Don't even go there... as far as they are concerned you're a gay Catholic priest with a pocket money job on the side.

Bad experience? Nope, like I said, I have bike shop apps out right now. I miss laughing at the rubes with more money than brains coming in buying their "100% American made (not since the 50s)" bikes, gear and accessories.

 

[lingo]

Bad experience? Nope, like I said, I have bike shop apps out right now. I miss laughing at the rubes with more money than brains coming in buying their "100% American made (not since the 50s)" bikes, gear and accessories.

So, you have met my dad?

 

[bradj]

.

 

[lingo]

Fucker, you posted that is the other thread. I want original material.

 

[bradj]

My little girl is only 6 but ill put her back to work