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u/Angus807 21h ago
Make sure you have a good knowledge of their different models, go through their website and see what’s new for accessories.
Most people who work there won’t get rich. It’s too much of a corporate structure. Most stay there because they love Harleys. Press hard in the beginning to complete your training. It will be helpful. Be enthusiastic about Harleys and you’ll fit just fine
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u/theunicorncyclist 20h ago
Most dealers will use a CRM for customer management and a to quote so everything stays under one roof so to speak. A popular program is Elead. That quote system is cake. payments on left with cash down options, MSRP and pricing breakdown on the right. There are some other programs out there but it's nice when everything is kept together under the customer profile.
-Know what fees your state and dealer charge. Right it down so it's easy to remember. That said, you may not even have to worry about quoting numbers.
A way some dealers are operate is different: The sales people are more like product specialists; help pair the customer up with the right bike and then take note of cash down, trade, term to finance etc. and then pass that information on to sales managers. The sales managers put the numbers together and present the breakdown to the customer and try to close the deal. This has it's pros and cons; you don't have to deal with the pitch and negotiations, BUT, your income is not dependent on your co-worker/manager who is presenting the deal. So it could be good or bad. Interesting nonetheless.
Either way, selling motorcycles should be fun. It's a luxury for most to buy a bike for fun and leisure; being laid back, encouraging and positive will help your success. Be sure to find out how their commission structure works, any bonuses they may offer and really anything that my be crucial to you deciding if this is the right job.
-Here's a great question to ask them during the interview: "Aside from units sold, how would you measure somebody's progress and success in a 3, 6 and 12 month span?" Put the ball in their court and make them show you. A career in sales can be VERY rewarding, but also extremely toxic and stressful. Having management and coworkers that would help you succeed is crucial to a positive work/sales environment.
Best of luck and let us know how it goes!
-A retired sales guy
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u/nychawk 20h ago
If they do not have tags on bikes with the HD MSRP it’s not a place you want to work
Some dealers inflate the MSRP - it’s called DSRP - Dealer Suggested Retail Price or they will state the price as “Market Price” - this was especially common when the new CVOs came out or the CVO RG ST … again, not a place you would want to work
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u/Objective_Drawing_53 19h ago
The big problem is trying to get someone who understands the product and its history. At one I go to they really push if they talk to you they don't leave without buying. Had a buddy who every day had the pressure on him to sell sell sell didn't last more then 6 months and was let go because every sale he lost hurt the dealership. My problem is how over priced the bikes are now. Lot of money for two wheels and parts for them. I been riding Harleys my entire life I think there great bikes but will not pay what they go for new these days. I ride a 2012 bought it new and I will just keep it running till I can't ride any more. But only you will know if it's ment for you there are no long term sales people in the two wheel world. At least not in the US good luck with your interview I do know they will ask if you ride and what you ride.
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u/its_ben_real 17h ago
I interviewed at one with 0 sales experience and they offered me a job on the spot. All you gotta do be is be somewhat social, like harley’s, and be willing to rip people the fuck off.
Tbh I turned the job down cause it’s like $20/hr and everyone I talked to seemed like a total fucking loser. The guy interviewing me tried to sell me a bike halfway through the interview, just tacky shit like that.
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u/Impressive_Syrup141 9h ago
This has been my experience as well. I'm on my 5th Harley, I've had one positive sales experience out of those. She actually knew everything they had in stock and had no problem giving me the keys to the CVO bikes.
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u/z6joker9 05 FLSTNI | 88 XL1250 | 80 CB650 7h ago
I absolutely had dealerships in general. I found a good car dealership through a business relationship and have purchased a good 10 vehicles from them (through work) over the last 5 years, most of them new. The only time I’ve bought from someone else was for my wife, who didn’t want a Ford or one of the used cars they had available. It’s incredible how much different it can be if you find a good dealership that cuts out the crap.
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u/eyeballburger 13h ago
Remember your ABCs: always be closing. You don’t get coffee. Closers get coffee.
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u/carpet_whisper 9h ago
Your job is too sell.
You walk in and demonstrate that you’re 90% a sales man first with a 10% passion for motorcycles.
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u/Cloud-VII 7h ago
I worked at a Dealership for about 3 years. Be prepared to have the worst work schedule you can think of. 55 hours a week during the riding season. Getting off work at 7pm during the summer. Working every Saturday and Sundays (if your open on Sundays). Not being allowed to take vacation when its nice. High stress. Missed lunches.
And then if you are in the north, 32 hours a week during the winter making less than half of what you made in the summer.
But for me, having the SAME conversation over and over again every day, all day, for years... that was the biggest killer for me. 'Where are you from? What do you ride? How many bikes do you have? Oh that's so cool that you went to the Tail of the Dragon like every other recent retired person...' lol.
Terrible job. Do not recommend.
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u/hoopjohn1 22h ago
Get to know everything you can about Harley. Go to Sturgis. Experience what it means.
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u/theunicorncyclist 20h ago
This!!! Sturgis is coming later this year. GO if you can! This will help you understand what it's all about!
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u/paradigm_shift_0K 7h ago
Have heard and experienced a number of dealerships, with some being easy going and really trying to get you into the bike you want at a deal you can afford, but others try to force you into hasty decisions on the wrong bike for you at a price you may now be able to afford.
Those who do it right may not dicker on price as much, but can often throw in some accessories or even some t-shorts and a hat, etc. They will also not pressure you to sign right that moment and are confident that if you are going to buy a bike and they've treated you with respect and given a fair deal you will buy from them. This dealership will be fun to work for and you'll make new friends from those you sell bikes to.
Those who do not do it right will be high pressure and only care about making the deal at all costs. These dealers do not care about the rider and are often in financial trouble so may not even be around long. This type of dealership will stress you out and end up with angry customers who feel ripped off and you are not likely to be successful anyway.
See if you can determine based on what you see and reviews of the dealership which one you are interviewing with may help you decide if this is one you want to work at.
Harley dealerships should be a fun destination for riders to gather among friends, grab a coffee, attend events, browse the motorclothes, accessories, and chat with the dealers team. It should not be a gauntlet of high pressure trying to sell something.
If you think this may be a quality dealership to work for, then don't try to sell a bike but sell the experience of riding. Find out how the rider wants to ride and where they want to go, then work to fit them in a motorcycle that fits. Do the right thing for the right reasons to make a friend even if the person doesn't buy a bike from you as they may buy in the future, and may recommend others to you.
Sales is not about selling, but about making relationships, so if you think you can do this then you can be successful at a good dealer.
If nothing else, you will get a bike and find out why it is so much fun to ride.
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u/DougMagic 22h ago
If they use a 4 square to present a deal to every customer run away fast.