I do understand the need for a business to make a profit and that the buying community needs to support the dealer if they are to stay in business — especially now with the economy tightening up discretionary spending for things like motorcycles and scooters.

I do think that the hours that many businesses operate don’t seem very well thought out. Weekends and evenings seem a better bet for a dealership. And if the numbers don’t work for the extra hours then cut a couple weekdays.

Anyways, I am still dreaming and just writing my thoughts and observations. I make no warranty as to their usefulness or accuracy.

And still riding. Even though today the thermometer was in the teens. I stopped at the local dealer but alas they weren’t open yet. I wanted to steal some heat!

Thanks again for commenting Rapscallion. We need more level heads around here.

Awesome! Where do I sign up? With a business model like that, it’s amazing you don’t open your own shop. Ah, sadly- you’d be faced with business realities, which frankly require profit margins in order to accomplish what you seek.

The closest to that might be Harley-Davidson stores, many of which have a huge selection of parts and accessories, have longer hours, and offer creatures comforts- but hey- they can! They have been allowed by their public to make money. the same isn’t often said about Japanese brands, especially niche models.

All joking aside- I too would love to encounter the perfect dealership you describe- but I also know that be it motorcycles, sporting goods, a restaurant- it requires a partnership between a proprietor looking to do good business, and a customer base willing to part with their money in order to support such a business model.

How long did it take you to accomplish?

steve

know as therailnutter on modern vespa

I feel the same way about dealers

the reason i brought up my aggressive rollerblading was to tell a little story

We rollerbladers are a very very small community in contrast to the majority skateboarders

We had 1 shop in all of oregon called sk8house, compared to at least over a thousand skateboard shops

but sk8house (while it was still in buissness) was a place to relax rather than i place to spend money.

we knew the owners, and after a while they put in some tables and a big TV and couch to watch any skate video in their stock on, one time after a big skate me and my freinds went to sk8house to relax and i needed some new wheels for my skates. after putting my new wheels on all the sudden pizza arrived and the owner (Josh) said the pizza was for him but we could have some (or course he got it for us as there was 3 boxes of pizza he and the other 1 staff member couldnt eat it all )

that made my day , but it was terrible when it shut down last year.

whenever i go into vespa to stare at my future LX 150, i dont feel comfortable at all, i feel like the employees want me to buy somthing or get out,

not good at all

The parts and repair departments are the worse. Talk about uptight/unfriendly people. We have had cars fixed in the past and never came across these attitudes. Even the car dealerships we have been to are nicer. What’s with these attitudes?

My husband just recently had some repairs done to his bike, so that’s why that area is so fresh in my mind. It was a simple rear tire change. They found something broken to do with the chain and would have to order the part. Okay, go ahead. Two weeks later my husband calls only to find it’s back order and they have no idea how long it will take. Could they have called my husband weeks ago to let him know? The car repair shops do! So a guy calls and I answer. He says “It’s due in by Friday.” As I’m say thanks for the call, he hangs up. What’s with that? We have no plans to go back to that motorcycle shop again!!!

I hope all the dealerships in America read your blog.

So here goes with some specifics:

anonymous: Good luck with your Vespa-Ducati match. The longer I ride the Vespa the more I respect it’s ability on the road and more importantly it’s ability to satisfy me.

scooterguru: It’s too rural here to support a scooter only shop. It has crossed my mind as a potential business in retirement but….

gary: Why does capitalism always have to get in the way of the things I want? You’re right though, if there isn’t big profit there are not enough of those old school business owners around anymore who are in it for love.

doug k: If I won the big lottery I would definitely open that store. Hell, I would probably give bikes and scooters away to customers that I just knew should be on them.

davet: Money, lawyers and insurance. There just has to be away around that. Can’t we have our legislators establish liability free zones? Some sort of business incubator thing. If a lot of money is needed for startup…. on the outside chance that you are reading this Bill Gates, George Soros, or some other rich person, let me know if you would be interested in having me launch this enterprise for you. I promise with enough start up funds it would be a place like no other.

tinker: I laughed when I read your first comment—“What’s the least I can do…” I feel at times at some business establishments that they go even further and ask “What can we do to piss you off today?”. As I read all of this and think about it I am so grateful that KisselMotorsports is a good dealer. Not the perfect dealer I describe but they do treat me fair and are friendly, helpful, cheerful, brave, clean and reverant. *grin*

I’ll definitely let everyone know if I find the perfect dealership.

american scooterist blog: You may be right about groups and involvement as you describe but it did send shivers up my spine since as you note I tend to be a loner. I started to try and picture a place full of people like me all sitting around purposefully avoiding anyone. That sounds like a sort of sad place. Damn, my personality traits are always stepping in to muddy the waters….

irondad: The bike maniac’s dream sounds pretty cool and I especially like your idea where minimalism is the passion. But will they have all 30 different pairs of winter riding gloves I want to look at?

Tim: Your observation of the world and having your wife take a look at the sky and trees and light says volumes about being alive and walking (or riding) on the earth! Ride safely down there in Alabama.

I’m all tired now and have to ride to work. The thermometer says it has warmed up to 28 degrees. My feet are cold and I haven’t even left the house yet…

Here in Alabama we will have our first freezing temperatures of Autumn. I get off work at midnight. My wife asked if I’d be taking my Ford truck to work instead of the scooter. I bought a Honda Scooter this summer and have used it as my main transportation to work since then. I had her look around at the blue skies, colorful trees, and dappled sunlight and explained how I feel more a part of it when I am scootering or cycling. I don’t fear cold weather riding since I did a February snowmobile trip to Yellowstone. Someone told me that below 20 degrees cold was cold. He was mistaken! He should have been out there in that minus 30. I look forward to reading more installments in your blog.

This guy owns two buildings. One houses his flagship dealership. It’s a lot like what you describe without the “take any bike and ride it” thing. The other building is across the street and down about a quarter mile.

The second building is where I felt more at home. Bikes are crammed in everywhere. Jackets and gear are piled up all over the place. Floors are the old hardwood that nobody’s polished for a hundred years. Right in the front window is a big coffee pot. Serve yourself and no charge. I swear an old dog was sleeping in the corner.

The dealership is the business. The old building is “His” building where he can anything he absolutely damn pleases. It’s a bike maniac’s dream. There’s five gallon buckets you turn over and sit on. I like “minimalism” where the passion is the featured jewel, not the trappings.

The only time I went to Barnes and Noble is in Medford because there was a coffee shop there. We have a book store that looks like a dungeon. Come to think of it, maybe I’m in touch with my Prehistoric roots and like things that feel like caves!

Great post!

Dan