Bow Cycle North

[takethebounce]

They are changing their name next week to rid themselves of all the negative history.

 

[Summit X]

Bow Cycle has treated me great over the years. Have bought a sled, lots of parts, soft goods and multiple motorbikes. Sales was always helpful and service always took care of me.

But now they've lost Ducati.... and so Edmonton is my closest dealership for authorized Ducati work, this sucks.

 

[takethebounce]

Bow Cycle has treated me great over the years. Have bought a sled, lots of parts, soft goods and multiple motorbikes. Sales was always helpful and service always took care of me.

But now they've lost Ducati.... and so Edmonton is my closest dealership for authorized Ducati work, this sucks.

Sport Cycle is in Calgary. Are they not authorized? My buddy uses them exclusively for his Ducati

 

[C of Red]

Bow Cycle has treated me great over the years. Have bought a sled, lots of parts, soft goods and multiple motorbikes. Sales was always helpful and service always took care of me.

But now they've lost Ducati.... and so Edmonton is my closest dealership for authorized Ducati work, this sucks.

I’m with you, they have treated extremely well over the years. Even the previous owner. Sure wish they would have been able to keep Ducati. A guy can never have to many bikes and sleds and it was nice to one stop shop. I’m sure a new local dealer will be announced in CGY, hopefully before the motorbike show. But I hope it’s not Blackfoot, nothing against them I just don’t like going to a “Costco” type place for my toys. Bow Cycle was doing great things with their ride crew Saturday’s and track days in BC.

 

[Summit X]

Sport Cycle is in Calgary. Are they not authorized? My buddy uses them exclusively for his Ducati

Yes they are in Calgary, but no they are not authorized.

 

[ducati]

Yes they are in Calgary, but no they are not authorized.

And they don’t do great work in my opinion. If I was sending someone for Ducati work I would say Motorrad would be my choice, not a dealer but they know what they are doing.

I was a Bow Cycle customer as well as I had friends that worked there, which I think was the only reason I got good service. Took my Commander in for a pre paid service and was having trouble with the key, figured they could take a quick look. The unit was off warranty on years but very light on hours and KM’s, figured maybe they would just have a peek. They said the key needed reprogramming which cost an extra $150......to let a computer do 5 minutes of work, can’t say I was impressed but I guess it was off warranty so I just paid the bill without saying anything.

The south store has never been good from my experience, the north store was the only one I would deal with.

 

[Modman]

There is also big overhead to keep a fancy shop open, sales commission.
Big $ business coming in and going out..

I just can’t feel sorry for these places one bit. The overhead is ridiculous. Multi-million dollar buildings, sleds tacked to the walls, layers of unnecessary staff, etc then guys wonder why a new sled costs a premium. I’m a big fan of supporting local whatever you’re buying, but it’s really hard to do when you look at the overhead costs you are paying for.

Why can’t they just have a reasonable building, instead of 60 ft tall glass walls and curved staircases? (My opinion is the same for car dealerships as well). If grocery stores were the same, a gallon of milk would cost $27. Whether the manufacturers mandate this “fancy requirement” to the dealers I’m not sure, someone more in industry might be able to comment. But I know that it’s all included in the price, because spark plugs aren’t $14 everywhere else that I buy them.

 

[snopro]

I just can’t feel sorry for these places one bit. The overhead is ridiculous. Multi-million dollar buildings, sleds tacked to the walls, layers of unnecessary staff, etc then guys wonder why a new sled costs a premium. I’m a big fan of supporting local whatever you’re buying, but it’s really hard to do when you look at the overhead costs you are paying for.

Why can’t they just have a reasonable building, instead of 60 ft tall glass walls and curved staircases? (My opinion is the same for car dealerships as well). If grocery stores were the same, a gallon of milk would cost $27. Whether the manufacturers mandate this “fancy requirement” to the dealers I’m not sure, someone more in industry might be able to comment. But I know that it’s all included in the price, because spark plugs aren’t $14 everywhere else that I buy them.

Great point Modman. BRP is no different than Ford, GM, Dodge or Harley Davidson to name a few. They are on this big kick to have all their dealerships looking the same. For example our store has to spend $50,000 on a mandated showroom look that they want. Everything blacked out with special lighting and displays. That's a big hit for displaying product in my opinion. If you don't follow their program you lose certification points which may give you different dating on product, no free freight on parts and a lower warranty rate to name a few. Its as close to communism as it gets in my opinion. Gone are the days of good service and selling lots of product. Its all about your building now.

 

[Steve D]

Great point Modman. BRP is no different than Ford, GM, Dodge or Harley Davidson to name a few. They are on this big kick to have all their dealerships looking the same. For example our store has to spend $50,000 on a mandated showroom look that they want. Everything blacked out with special lighting and displays. That's a big hit for displaying product in my opinion. If you don't follow their program you lose certification points which may give you different dating on product, no free freight on parts and a lower warranty rate to name a few. Its as close to communism as it gets in my opinion. Gone are the days of good service and selling lots of product. Its all about your building now.

/facepalm

I don't think you know what communism is...

Unless you meant Consumerism maybe?

Communism would have you selling a shoddy knock-off of a yamaha bravo with one ski in a brick building where the mechanic was also both the general manager or the salesman depending on the day of the week. Comrade, what YOU described is good old fashioned Trump Hotel style wag-your-marketing-weiner-in-the-consumers-face capitalism, where the product doesn't matter as much as the brand!

Either way, I can agree that it's pretty fawked up.

 

[snopro]

/facepalm

I don't think you know what communism is...

Unless you meant Consumerism maybe?

Communism would have you selling a shoddy knock-off of a yamaha bravo with one ski in a brick building where the mechanic was also both the general manager or the salesman depending on the day of the week. Comrade, what YOU described is good old fashioned Trump Hotel style wag-your-marketing-weiner-in-the-consumers-face capitalism, where the product doesn't matter as much as the brand!

Either way, I can agree that it's pretty fawked up.

Thanks Tips!

 

[takethebounce]

/facepalm

I don't think you know what communism is...

Unless you meant Consumerism maybe?

Communism would have you selling a shoddy knock-off of a yamaha bravo with one ski in a brick building where the mechanic was also both the general manager or the salesman depending on the day of the week. Comrade, what YOU described is good old fashioned Trump Hotel style wag-your-marketing-weiner-in-the-consumers-face capitalism, where the product doesn't matter as much as the brand!

Either way, I can agree that it's pretty fawked up.

Didn’t you know he sells shoddy Doo’s ???

 

[albertaguy]

x2, a lot of people think just cause you sold them $15k worth of stuff you put 15k in your pocket when in reality after cost depending on scenario you put anywhere from $500-2000.

Most units that are sold at MSRP INCLUDING PDI and Freight only bring in on average a 6% Gross profit..... Theirs no money in the Sled and Atvs.... The marine dealers are the ones making the higher profit margins but times are not great in their worlds either with most economy situations. Do the math.......sell 150 sleds if your lucky and theirs nothing left after expenses and wages are thrown into the mix. The parts and accessories average a 32-37% profit margin but the reality is the break even point on most parts and accessories is 24% for a dealer by the time it hits the store and goes through a the paper and handling to hit the shelf...... A 10% discount on the parts and theirs no money made! Just being straight up here guys and Gals.....this is just the small picture..... A dealer better have great service to survive......all sales and no service will sink you. Anyone saying the dealers are making a killing has obviously never owned a dealership or survived on commissions sales at a Powersports dealership.....Trust me you would be singing a different tune!

 

[takethebounce]

Most units that are sold at MSRP INCLUDING PDI and Freight only bring in on average a 6% Gross profit..... Theirs no money in the Sled and Atvs.... The marine dealers are the ones making the higher profit margins but times are not great in their worlds either with most economy situations. Do the math.......sell 150 sleds if your lucky and theirs nothing left after expenses and wages are thrown into the mix. The parts and accessories average a 32-37% profit margin but the reality is the break even point on most parts and accessories is 24% for a dealer by the time it hits the store and goes through a the paper and handling to hit the shelf...... A 10% discount on the parts and theirs no money made! Just being straight up here guys and Gals.....this is just the small picture..... A dealer better have great service to survive......all sales and no service will sink you. Anyone saying the dealers are making a killing has obviously never owned a dealership or survived on commissions sales at a Powersports dealership.....Trust me you would be singing a different tune!

I agree, especially when you factor in the flooded market of holdover sleds every year. With newer models being almost equally as good as new release and people not always needed the newest and greatest why snowcheck/spring check?

There are still band new 2016 sleds at dealers, and 2017 sleds priced the same as 2018 holdovers. How do dealers move that inventory?

 

[ttpowersports]

I agree, especially when you factor in the flooded market of holdover sleds every year. With newer models being almost equally as good as new release and people not always needed the newest and greatest why snowcheck/spring check?

There are still band new 2016 sleds at dealers, and 2017 sleds priced the same as 2018 holdovers. How do dealers move that inventory?

-well .... we try to move non currents by takin advantage of big rebates and programming and high lighting benefits/cost savings, ultimately its buyers choice price verses changes/ upgrades,. the non currents still come with full warranty, as well there are great deals on demo's also full warranty and qualify for programs that can be capitalized on . contrary to popular belief dealers are not privy to program changes or upcoming rebates, that may get better or worse.....we don t know ahead of time.

 

[kanedog]

/facepalm

I don't think you know what communism is...

Unless you meant Consumerism maybe?

Communism would have you selling a shoddy knock-off of a yamaha bravo with one ski in a brick building where the mechanic was also both the general manager or the salesman depending on the day of the week. Comrade, what YOU described is good old fashioned Trump Hotel style wag-your-marketing-weiner-in-the-consumers-face capitalism, where the product doesn't matter as much as the brand!

Either way, I can agree that it's pretty fawked up.

I wanna do an elevator on a shoddy knock off Yamaha Bravo!

 

[catrutt]

Those rebates make my used sled worthless.

-well .... we try to move non currents by takin advantage of big rebates and programming and high lighting benefits/cost savings, ultimately its buyers choice price verses changes/ upgrades,. the non currents still come with full warranty, as well there are great deals on demo's also full warranty and qualify for programs that can be capitalized on . contrary to popular belief dealers are not privy to program changes or upcoming rebates, that may get better or worse.....we don t know ahead of time.

 

[ttpowersports]

Those rebates make my used sled worthless.

as mentioned we don't know when or how much rebates.. are changing to - typically it affects the price for about two seasons. then prices are more inline, it also depends on how any sleds are for sale at the dealer level as well as being sold privately , if 60-70 riders of proclimbs want to upgrade to Alpha's the price of used wlll be less until the over stock of used ones are sold. Similar to new inventories. i would say not worthless I think you mean worth less...

 

[SHREK1]

Most units that are sold at MSRP INCLUDING PDI and Freight only bring in on average a 6% Gross profit..... Theirs no money in the Sled and Atvs.... The marine dealers are the ones making the higher profit margins but times are not great in their worlds either with most economy situations. Do the math.......sell 150 sleds if your lucky and theirs nothing left after expenses and wages are thrown into the mix. The parts and accessories average a 32-37% profit margin but the reality is the break even point on most parts and accessories is 24% for a dealer by the time it hits the store and goes through a the paper and handling to hit the shelf...... A 10% discount on the parts and theirs no money made! Just being straight up here guys and Gals.....this is just the small picture..... A dealer better have great service to survive......all sales and no service will sink you. Anyone saying the dealers are making a killing has obviously never owned a dealership or survived on commissions sales at a Powersports dealership.....Trust me you would be singing a different tune!

so then explain to me why I get a price on a 2018 850 xmr for 14,900 and buy it for 12,900,, that’s a big 6%

 

[snopro]

so then explain to me why I get a price on a 2018 850 xmr for 14,900 and buy it for 12,900,, that’s a big 6%

Factory rebates

 

[skegpro]

so then explain to me why I get a price on a 2018 850 xmr for 14,900 and buy it for 12,900,, that’s a big 6%

Haha, my truck sales guy tried telling me this once.

Question is then how do you pay your staff, maintain the multi million dollar facility on a $500 per truck profit........

Or is there really much more meat in it and this is just a nice story they tell the public.