[jsy224]

I'm a charter member of a chapter, road captain, and worked for my chapter since its inception. I have been screwed by the sponsoring dealership more than once over the past year I've decided never to purchase another item, or use their service dept. ever again! The same holds true for other long term menbers who have worked diligently for the chapter and dealer sponsored events. I have yet to rejoin the chapter for 06 because I'll feel it its a conflict of interest, because I refuse to deal with or give my time for dealership activities. Some of my fellow members say I can still be a member
and not be obligated to the dealership. Need some impartial imput.
Thanks and ride safely,
Jeff

 

[bountyhunter]

Why would you want to be a member of a group sponsored by a dealership you feel no obligation towards? That sure seems like a confllict. Maybe you could talk to the dealer and tell him how you feel and try to resolve the conflict.

 

[LittleBear]

They appartently do not give a Rat's A$$ about you, why should you about them. If it the people in the chapter you will miss, I am sure you can still ride with them, just have your own get togethers, who needs the dealer.:huh:

 

[DR_DEUCE]

I wouldn't pay hard earned money to feel that way! Keep your money, or send it to me..

 

[jsy224]

Question of obligation to dealership? Bountyhunter

I wrote a letter to the dealership cc to the owner and manager. Still nothing was done to my satisfaction. The problem stems from promises made by the service manage and never fulfilled. My bike was in for an accident I had. I had to bring it backover a course of 4 months for things they forgot to fix or replace. They were paid by my insurance company in full. I found 2 small dents and was promised that they would take care of them by the service manager. It's been 5 months and he has yet to contact me.
Jeff

 

[rup]

You and the others that are dissatisfied sound like your a group , so just ride together and forget about the dealer and HOG you can still attend thier functions just as an independants.

 

[hardwork2]

I agree with everyone else. I too have had it with the local dealer they are the only dealer with in 75 miles and know if most people need something they will buy from them or drive 150 miles. As far as your friends they won't care if you are a member or not friendship comes from the heart and not from some patch from a key club. just my 2 cents.

 

[DynaCruizer]

I wrote a letter to the dealership cc to the owner and manager. Still nothing was done to my satisfaction. The problem stems from promises made by the service manage and never fulfilled. My bike was in for an accident I had. I had to bring it backover a course of 4 months for things they forgot to fix or replace. They were paid by my insurance company in full. I found 2 small dents and was promised that they would take care of them by the service manager. It's been 5 months and he has yet to contact me.
Jeff

Damn, that's a tough one. Always sux when you don't receive what was promised. Sounds like you might want to contact your insurance company for some legal assistance. This is just me, but I would never have let it go a month, let alone five. I would have been calling him every other day. If he couldn't satisfy my request, then I'd have gone over his head. We would have had some resolution by now. Nobody can walk all over you unless you let them. Don't let them.

As for remaining a member of the local chapter, that's something you have to decide for yourself. Did you enjoy membership previously? If so, you'd probably enjoy it again. You have to decide whether participating in those events with your friends is worth any ill-feelings you might have for the dealership. Its your call.

Cruizer

 

[Salty]

HOG vs Dealer Loyalty

I was the Director of a HOG Chapter and took my Ultra in for collision repair to another dealership because the one sponsoring my Chapter 1) had a 2 1/2 month wait before they would even looked at my bike and 2) I don't trust the quality of their work... its that simple. I buy parts from them because parts are parts, they are close and I get 10% discount. I stay active in the Chapter (I am now Activities Officer) because I like the people, I like the programs, I like the community service. Can I get it else where? You bet. I ride LD, I rally, I do TS and AMA Grand Tours - all without a group ride, in fact all without any other Chapter members. Ask yourself not only why should I leave HOG, ask yourself why should I stay?

 

[Navy-PT]

HOG vs Dealer Loyalty

This particular issue is not unique to you and your dealership. I am a primary officer in my local chapter and I have always had my bike serviced by a private mechanic who I trust completely. The same is true for many of the members of my chapter. The HOG chapter is a seperate entity and should not be confused with the dealership who is a sponsoring activity. Don't get me wrong a relationship does exist to some degree. Remember the sponsor is helping to pay for some of the expenses incurred by the chapter. In return the sponsor usually expects volunteered manpower during dealership events. Easy enough without having to swear allegiance to the dealer. We usually use these same events to drum up membership while not extolling the virtues of the dealership by letting visitors know that we are not connected to the business activity in any other way except as a sponsor for our organization. The issue of poor customer service will take care of itself whether you are a HOG member or not. Once you get this issue resolved vote with your feet and get your ride taken care of elsewhere from someone you trust. Believe me there are many well qualified Harley certified mechanics around who would only be too happy to gain your business.

 

[whitecloud]

A slightly different approach

It sounds like the biggest problem may be the service manager. If you've been active in the chapter and have bought bikes from this dealer before, he obviously knows who you are. Personally, I would go in to the owners office, close the door, and make sure he knows where you're coming from. Just keep the conversation very low key and that you're looking out for "his business". See what happens?!

If the Service Mgr is a PITA to you, I'd be willing to bet you're not the only one. Does the owner know this is what's been happening?

With the connections you have in your area, and in that chapter, and a good possibility for future business or referrals, he may find it's time for a new manager.... If he doesn't give a rats A$$, it's time for you to go for a ride to another shop:boxin: .
Tim

 

[AK_Hog_Herder]

I never considered my local chapter membership to be an endorsement of the sponsoring dealer or their service department.

Foolish me, I just thought it was a way for me to meet fellow Harley riders and go riding.

If you feel your continued membership and participation in that chapter constitutes a personal endorsement of the dealer and shop and you do not want to support the dealer in that form, by all means you should leave the chapter.

 

[jsy224]

Question of obligation to dealership? Thanks for relpys

I have decided not to rejoin my HOG chapter. As an a charter member and assistant head road captian I had an obligation to work at dealership functions and chapter functions which promote the dealership as well as fill their cash registers. All functions are at the dealership and even if they are charitable end at the dealer. I will not take part in filling his pockets. I will continue to ride with my HOG friends that I met over the years.
Sincerely,
Jeff

 

[Woody72]

Where in NJ are you?

 

[jsy224]

Where in NJ

Woody,
I live in Ocean County, a place called Lanoka Harbor.
Jeff

 

[Bald Eagle]

The HOG chapter is a seperate entity and should not be confused with the dealership who is a sponsoring activity.

Good point. Could you not consider 'standing down' as an officer and becoming a regular chapter member? You'd get the full benefit of social activities without this heartache.

I never considered my local chapter membership to be an endorsement of the sponsoring dealer

More wise words. No reason to lose easy access to your buddies due to this.

This is a classic case of principles - do you feel strongly enough to act on a point of principle? Well do ya, punk?

 

[KBFXDLI]

I would talk to the dealer and see if you can resolve your issue with him. If you can't you shouldn't feel bad about quietly moving on to another group where you can really enjoy yourself without feeling bad about it. Life is way too short to have ill feelings about your hobbies in life.

 

[gmtech]

This particular issue is not unique to you and your dealership. I am a primary officer in my local chapter and I have always had my bike serviced by a private mechanic who I trust completely. The same is true for many of the members of my chapter. The HOG chapter is a seperate entity and should not be confused with the dealership who is a sponsoring activity. Don't get me wrong a relationship does exist to some degree. Remember the sponsor is helping to pay for some of the expenses incurred by the chapter. In return the sponsor usually expects volunteered manpower during dealership events. Easy enough without having to swear allegiance to the dealer. We usually use these same events to drum up membership while not extolling the virtues of the dealership by letting visitors know that we are not connected to the business activity in any other way except as a sponsor for our organization. The issue of poor customer service will take care of itself whether you are a HOG member or not. Once you get this issue resolved vote with your feet and get your ride taken care of elsewhere from someone you trust. Believe me there are many well qualified Harley certified mechanics around who would only be too happy to gain your business.

i'm one of those members who WILL NOT take my bike to the local dealer. it's mostly due to the lack of respect i feel when walking into the service department. i've worked on cadillacs for the past 8 years....i'm not stupid when it comes to servicing my bike. but, i will not let that stop me from enjoying the fellowship and the activities of a great chapter.

paul

 

[harleyriders]

i'm one of those members who WILL NOT take my bike to the local dealer. it's mostly due to the lack of respect i feel when walking into the service department. i've worked on cadillacs for the past 8 years....i'm not stupid when it comes to servicing my bike. but, i will not let that stop me from enjoying the fellowship and the activities of a great chapter.

paul

I agree with paul,if we had another dealership closer to us we would switch to them,but we are stuck with the only dealer in the area.Most of us are unhappy with the dealership,but ,we are growing stronger as a group and are trying to make changes,some are starting to take effect,some are not.Making your complaints known as as group might make a difference.Bring it up to the dealer at the next hog meeting and confront him or her in public so the whole chapter can put in their 0.02,might make a difference,it has so far for our chapter.you get back what you put in:hmmm:

 

[jsy224]

Question of obligation to dealership? Reply

Thank for you opinions, but I've made my decision and that is not to support the dealership in any way or form. I have left my HOG group and let my thoughts be known to the Owner, Sales Manager, and Service Manager.
The group I was involved with had poker rides for charity and we always began the ride from the dealership and ended there. I will not be a part of
promoting him in anyway. Anytime some one had a gripe at a membership meeting they were told that this is not the forum to express their opinion, leave or shutup. The sales manager came to our road captain meetings and told us what we could do and couldn't as far as rides. We were not allowed to meet were we could gas up. It had to be at the dealership. I rode with alot of good people who put up with plenty of crap and we'll still ride together. I've all ready removed the road captain, chapter, and charter member rocker from my vest.
Jeff
INDEPENDENT HOG MEMBER