Hello CAT DEALERS

[MattM]

So whats the deal? I walked into our local Cat dealer in Red Deer looking for some more info on the pro climb. Im a cat guy and I am currently parting our my modded M7 and looking for next season. I wanted some info on the sleds pros cons what these guys felt about them and some of the issues they were having. The goober of a sales guy didnt know crap about the sleds straight up lied about things and acted like I was bothering him with my questions. I wanted to know if a guy could ride one especially the 1100t. Becasue I wanted to know how my 180lb frame would handle the weight. He out right told me they dont let guys test ride and if i wanted to "try one out" that I should go rent one for the day. I was a little torqued to say the least. So I said do you at leat have a catalog and a spec sheet I can take home? all he did was briefly dig across the counter top look at me and say I guess not! So what the hell. Do guys acctually want to sell sleds or what? Do any dealers in Alberta let guys demo one or at least ride it out around the shop? Hell I would even hit up BC if they are gonna treat a guy right. My cousin bought an RMK for his wife they let him demo for a day before he bought same with my bro and his Doo from stogens!

Maybe I have high expectations. Help anyone?

Matt

 

[etecheaven]

just a shitty dealer. Probably miserable that the only difference between them and Yamaha is colors now. Go demo a XM.

 

[Old-Soul]

Was that Red Deer Powersports?

Granted I've never talked to their sales team, just their parts/service counter people and have always had good service. Sounds like you got the jackass of the bunch!

 

[Wilk INStheWEST]

Sounds like the experience I had at Bowcycle when I was looking at sleds. Make the drive down to Ralph's in Calgary, they are a great dealer. I don't ride a Cat, but I go there for a lot of my gear and heard great things about them from other guys as well.

 

[DaveB]

RD Powersports is the WORST. I've attempted to spend money in there several times and have since given up. (bet the guy you talked to was a little weasle with a big handlebar 'stache...he's one of the owners)

Myself and buddies have gone to Ralphs and to Checkered Flag in Hanna...good service there.

 

[MattM]

yeah it was RD power I have spent lots of money at the parts counter and eveything seemed fine that girl was good at her job. Hell if the guy new his stuff and was motivated he probably coulda moved a sled that day if he wanted to let me ride one.

 

[bdietz]

go talk to Tim at Camrose

 

[Lowlife82]

talk to phil here in sundre at mountains edge. great guy and will work with ya. not to far from eckville area either.

 

[OOC ZigZag]

So whats the deal? I walked into our local Cat dealer in Red Deer looking for some more info on the pro climb. Im a cat guy and I am currently parting our my modded M7 and looking for next season. I wanted some info on the sleds pros cons what these guys felt about them and some of the issues they were having. The goober of a sales guy didnt know crap about the sleds straight up lied about things and acted like I was bothering him with my questions. I wanted to know if a guy could ride one especially the 1100t. Becasue I wanted to know how my 180lb frame would handle the weight. He out right told me they dont let guys test ride and if i wanted to "try one out" that I should go rent one for the day. I was a little torqued to say the least. So I said do you at leat have a catalog and a spec sheet I can take home? all he did was briefly dig across the counter top look at me and say I guess not! So what the hell. Do guys acctually want to sell sleds or what? Do any dealers in Alberta let guys demo one or at least ride it out around the shop? Hell I would even hit up BC if they are gonna treat a guy right. My cousin bought an RMK for his wife they let him demo for a day before he bought same with my bro and his Doo from stogens!

Maybe I have high expectations. Help anyone?

Matt

Go see the guys at Civic in Westlock or Courtney motor sports on the island or Bow south or north. Problem isnt the dealership its the chit their dealing.

 

[Wilk INStheWEST]

Go see the guys at Civic in Westlock or Courtney motor sports on the island or Bow south or north. Problem isnt the dealership its the chit their dealing.

Bow South or North? I hope you don't mean Bowcycle...

 

[MattM]

So is demo ing a sled out of the norm? Do cat dealers do this anymore? If not why do other POO and DOO dealers demo and not cat?

 

[lilduke]

Yeah good luck with Red Deer Power Scam....lol

 

[medler]

yeah it was RD power I have spent lots of money at the parts counter and eveything seemed fine that girl was good at her job. Hell if the guy new his stuff and was motivated he probably coulda moved a sled that day if he wanted to let me ride one.

I am no salesman but what do you think that your going to get outa riding a sled around for 5 minutes
You won't get a feel for it anyway
So renting one and riding it in the mountains is a great idea I think
Can't sell sleds as brand new if people have been riding them around. JMO

GSR in golden rents new m sleds ..that's what I would do


Sent from my phone

 

[Wilk INStheWEST]

I am no salesman but what do you think that your going to get outa riding a sled around for 5 minutes
You won't get a feel for it anyway
So renting one and riding it in the mountains is a great idea I think
Can't sell sleds as brand new if people have been riding them around. JMO

GSR in golden rents new m sleds ..that's what I would do


Sent from my phone

Dealers will have a demo sled or 2. Just like car dealerships have demo cars for their sales people to drive. These sleds are likely what the owner will ride for the season. Some dealers will give these out to prospective buyers for the day, so they can get an idea of how the sled rides. They will obviously take a deposit.

 

[MattM]

Ideally sure your right demoing one for the day would be a premium I get that. But that attitude kind of sucks when your a dealer pushing these sleds. You wouldnt go out and buy a $15000 car if you never test drove it and to hell with renting a car just to get the feel for it. you would walk out of there and go find someone who is willing to work with a consumer and make it right. You should have a couple demos kicking around or a least some kind of options especially when you are pushing a new platform and engines. Even if a guy could take a M800 and a 1100T for a few 10 min rips you would figure out pretty quick what you liked and why.

 

[spitfire340]

If a dealer is not willing to let you demo a sled for a day or 2 during the week, (a lot of times the demos will be in the mountains on weekends either on demo rides or salesman riding them), then dont bother spending you money there. I see you are from eckville head down to rainy creek powersports, tell them your story and I will guarantee they will give you a demo sled to take to the mountains for a day or 2.
Nice ram
I assume you are Rich Melons son?
I think i recognize the pic.

 

[Quicksand]

I bought my pro from rainy creek. they will definatly work with you, always been decent to me anyway, heard other things from other people. Obviously not a cat dealer though.

A buddy of mine has always dealt with Don's speed parts in Wainwright. They will let you demo for sure. He says they're the best he's ever dealt with

 

[Nitrobkr]

I am not a cat guy but I have some buddies who deal with Ralphs in Calgary and get great service. I deal with them for gear and they are more than fair to me as well even tho I haven't bought a sled from them.

 

[Cat_Girl]

Matt,

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with anything Arctic Cat.
Please give us a call here at Ralph's Motorsports in Calgary. We can't let you demo the sled, but if you give us a call we can explain what our reasoning is behind it.
We are definately pushing our Arctic Cat representatives to do demo days like they do in the states. Sure would help things if they did them!
We've been selling Arctic Cat for over 42 years, and our staff is packed with people who know their stuff. I'm still fairly newish to industry, but if I can't answer your questions, I've got a great team right beside me who can.

Thanks for the props everyone who suggested us!

 

[snopro]

Part of the incredible success of the XM this year was last season's demo tours across Alberta and BC. They were very well received by the peeps who rode them. Any dealer of any manufacturer should participate in something like this whether at the local level or regional level. Its a great way to expose prospective buyers to your product IMO.