KymcoForum.com
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: CROSSBOLT on June 03, 2020, 02:46:12 PM
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Chandler Powersports is shafting a new purchaser of an X-town 300i. Check out Kymco Riders of America on facebook. The rider is Mike Getz.
Chandler, AZ
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Don't do facebook.
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Chandler Powersports is shafting a new purchaser of an X-town 300i. Check out Kymco Riders of America on facebook. The rider is Mike Getz.
Chandler, AZ
I don't do FB - what's his problem with the dealer.
Stig
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I read the F/B post earlier good advice to have him get the Kymco Rep. involved to rattle the dealer's cage.
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I don't do FB - what's his problem with the dealer.
Stig
OK, I get you guys not doing facebook! I understand. Kymco Riders of America is a page on fb and this Mike Getz buys this 2020 X-town 300i with a few blemishes and a loose mirror (like on the Downtown) and a signal light on that mirror that doesn't work. The dealer ogre under a bridge tells him rudely that Mike broke the mirror and he ain't gonna fix it!
The dealer ogre says that mirror not supposed to move. Well, I bet tech-type did not get the locknut tight and forgot to plug the light in. Anyway, typical dealer indifference.
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that sucks, cause all it takes is 1 bad customer interaction to negate a thousand good ones, if dealers are as stressed in AZ as they are here in northern new england, I understand how it is happening, my local dealer has just closed out last May, as his best month ever in sales, in 21 years in business, service department is actively seeking mechanics.
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that sucks, cause all it takes is 1 bad customer interaction to negate a thousand good ones, if dealers are as stressed in AZ as they are here in northern new england, I understand how it is happening, my local dealer has just closed out last May, as his best month ever in sales, in 21 years in business, service department is actively seeking mechanics.
I'm a little dense sometimes but your dealer did real well in May? Right?
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I'm a little dense sometimes but your dealer did real well in May? Right?
yes, best month since opening 21 years ago/ owner is also opening another new shop, I am working with him to get environmental permits to open for next season. Right now, he can't get enuf units, his stock is beginning to dwindle, warehouse empty, trade ins sold before they even clean em up.
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Are you referring to offroad vehicles, or scooters?
Stig
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I don't mean to sound cold but we are only hearing one side of the story. I know the dealer I use is very accommodating but if you look on reviews he has some negative ones as well. I don't know what transpired but I try to get both sides before passing judgement.
I looked up Chandler Powersports reviews and in 127 reviews they got 4.4 out of 5 stars. One guy gave a 1 star rating because he drove there and they were closed. Dealers response was they were closed because of Covid 19. You would think a logical person would have called first to make sure they were open in a pandemic.
To many people use social media to blast a business when they don't get their way.
Example: A campground I use that I know the owners got a poor review from a patron because it rained the whole weekend, campground does not control the weather. Again people should look at the forcast not blame the campground.
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I've left a couple complaints on Yelp for my coffee shop because someone took my favorite parking spot.....plus his restroom is festooned with photos of the Rat Pack. I don't know Sinatra well enough to do my business in there......
Stig
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I've left a couple complaints on Yelp for my coffee shop because someone took my favorite parking spot.....plus his restroom is festooned with photos of the Rat Pack. I don't know Sinatra well enough to do my business in there......
Stig
Stig
Typed in Bold "Irony" font?...
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Typed in Bold "Irony" font?...
My latest Yelp is a complaint that he's threatening to go topless, like the girls did at the Goat coffee shop.
He was seen fashioning a giant hair-net for his chest.....
The Goat makes only medium strenght coffee. Don't know what the attraction is.
Major Tom
and no, there won't be any photos. I fell and tore the crotch out of my jeans running to get over there .....
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Are you referring to offroad vehicles, or scooters?
Stig
all vehicles, scooters, bikes, atvs, sxs, watercraft, & slingshots, multi-brand dealer, selling more of everything, except maybe no sleds this month
and they are getting MSRP+
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Mike Getz has had excellent results by contacting Kymco USA! The new guy, VP Joe personally called the dealer and the problem will be solved! Looks like the new gang in SC is serious! Oh, happy day!
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Glad to hear he is getting the issue resolve. Now if the new people in South Carolina can get the parts distribution network in gear.
Would be nice as well if they would bring in the 550 scooter.
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They will probably move very slowly. Kymco USA did have some very good people but the bad ones probably ran 'em off...
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Glad to hear he is getting the issue resolve. Now if the new people in South Carolina can get the parts distribution network in gear.
Would be nice as well if they would bring in the 550 scooter.
I haven't had any issues getting parts for my UXV450i, so far, haven't needed any for my K-Pipe
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I haven't had any issues getting parts for my UXV450i, so far, haven't needed any for my K-Pipe
Somethings they are good about others take forever. Not mine but another Kymco scooter the dealer had to wait months to get in parts to repair a customers scooter. I have been waiting on a speedometer cable for 6 weeks to come in.
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Joe isn’t new, he’s been there for over 20 year going back to when they were an independent distributor for Kymco. Since the new CEO came on board, over 25 people have left KUS, good people, industry professionals. There are only 2 people left there from the group that was there about 2-1/2 years ago. Parts delivery is slower, their wholesale on new units is in the toilet, marketing, advertising, national and regional events are non existence. To say they are serious is laughable.
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I did not know that Joe is an original! So tell, Souzamoto, what is your assessment of KUS and its problems. Is it trouble at the top that drove off the crew? Or is it the crew got lazy or corrupted somehow?
When I applied for dealership several years ago, I was told KUS policy was one dealer per geographic area. There were two in Memphis at the time and I was 70miles southeast. I knew the one where I had purchased several bikes so visited the other. His operation was sell only. No parts, no service. That one could have been out of a trailer. KUS requires a 100000 DUS line of credit that seems to be for purchasing every machine to be sold. Have received several versions of how the system works, none make much sense except most dealers drop the line rather than be stuck with a bunch of units that did not sell in the first place.
So tell us, what is Kymco US problem?
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I don't think I'm going to comment anymore than I have already bout the status of Kymco USA. Anymore would be unprofessional.
What I will say is that the crew at KUS is all new. It's a steep learning curve. They are coming around but it's painful at times.
As far as obtaining a dealership for kymco (it's a dealer agreement, not a "franchise" as some would call it. There is a difference) The first thing a Dealer Development Department, or the DSM (District Sales Manager), does is determine the need in the area or an Open Point in a specific area. This is done by crunching numbers for a metro area to see if the point is viable. Kymco, or any other OEM, is not going to place a dealer in an area that has no potential. Also, they will consider adding dealers to an area where the current dealer is under performing, based on potential. There is also the New Motor Vehicle Board that regulates distance between dealers. In most states it's 10 miles. In a densely populated area such as Los Angeles it's been done less than 10. If an OEM decides to put in a dealer closer than the minimum, the current dealer must be notified and has the right to protest the placement of a new dealer. There are requirements by all OEM's to become a dealer and one is the establishment of a Commercial Credit Line from a participating bank. Every OEM has a required minimum. For example, Yamaha may be 750K to 1 Mil where as Kymco can be 75 to 100k. The Flooring Line is used by the dealer to purchase units for stock or for immediate sale. This allows the dealers to take advantage of offers such as Free Flooring where there are no interest charges for a specific amount of time. It also allows the dealer to stock heavier and take advantage of sales allocation programs where benefits are packed in based on the amount of units purchased. This allows the dealer to possibly sell (turn the inventory) the inventory without paying interest or paying upfront for the inventory. Because the dealers have, hypothetically, a 100K line, doesn't mean the must keep 100K worth of inventory at all times. The dealers will work with the DSM to keep the proper amount of inventory in stock at all times and also keeping a proper representation of the model line. For example, some areas inherently sell more 49cc scoots due to DMV licensing requirements or lack of. Florida comes to mind as they have the "Moped" rule, where as in California you need a M1 license to ride any size scooter no matter what the cc. 49cc sales in California are very slow due to the licensing requirements, dealers stock very few if any. Although, "cult" bikes like the Ruckus 50 are very popular. Go figure.
New dealers must have a proper building with Showroom, parts area and service area. Some dealers start off maintaining the requirements but then fade in some areas. The OEM will notify the dealer of the breach of the dealer agreement and the dealer will need to resolve in a certain time frame. Some OEM's are very soft with regard to this as it is VERY difficult and costly to cancel a dealer agreement. It's easy to put a dealer in but difficult to take one out.
There are a few other requirements by Kymco but its nothing compared to what Yam, Kaw, Suz, etc. require
I could talk about OEM/Dealer relations and best practices for hours but that's all I have right now
CJS
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Very informative, thanks for posting
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Who would want to be scooter dealer in this dead scooter market?
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That is a better, more believeable description I have heard from dealers, reps and KUS so far, Souzamoto!
To answer John's question, very few would be a scooter only dealer. Even near Boulder, CO with the Colorado University the cycle dealers were at least quite careful of inventory levels of 50 cc scoots, the most popular with students. A lot of china scoots there.
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Most people shop price not quality so I could see cheap Chinese scooters doing well, especially with cash limited students. I'm seeing a lot more scooters running around town, it might be since I own one I notice them more.
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I don't think I'm going to comment anymore than I have already bout the status of Kymco USA. Anymore would be unprofessional.
What I will say is that the crew at KUS is all new..........................................................[snip]
very informative post. One of my clients as a land use consultant is a dealer. as a multibrand dealer, he has to give em all their required floor space, and the building grows, this is where I come in, making everything fit within the local zoning. parking, and the biggie, stormwater treatment.
I'm currently working with him to open another location
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So far none of my 19 grandchildren are showing any interest in a scooter.....if it happens it will likely be 40>50 yrs from now. By then they'll be very different, or history altogether.
I'm enjoying the heck out of my Kymco, and have been so pleased with its reliability, knock on wood, for 8 summers.
I figure somebody will still be making one if ever I need a replacement for these two. If Kymco is still around and still providing parts - I'd be happy to give them my money....if not, I'll go see what Honda is doing.
Stig
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I don't mean to sound cold but we are only hearing one side of the story...
...too many people use social media to blast a business when they don't get their way.
Yes - this is very much the case. When I was working for a large UK bike importer, we were quite hard on people that went public on social media. I'm not saying this is/should be every importer's policy, but as soon as they went public we stopped helping them entirely - the reputational damage was already done. It wasn't a hard-and-fast rule but that was mostly how it worked.
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very informative post. One of my clients as a land use consultant is a dealer. as a multibrand dealer, he has to give em all their required floor space, and the building grows, this is where I come in, making everything fit within the local zoning. parking, and the biggie, stormwater treatment.
I'm currently working with him to open another location
Good show, Randyo!
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Who would want to be scooter dealer in this dead scooter market?
Fair question. Attitudes can change quickly though, look how fast they changed regarding smoking, gay marriage and marijuana. And now policing. Military spending, medicare for all and trickle down economics could be next.
Lot of reasons scooters might become popular and start replacing cars, many of those reasons due more and more to necessity rather than choice. In terms of "buying low" and getting ahead of the curve, this may be an opportune time to get into scooters--sit down, stand up, and other forms of 2-3 wheel transport, both motorized and manual (skateboards, etc). Younger generations sure look posed to go in that direction.
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Most people shop price not quality so I could see cheap Chinese scooters doing well, especially with cash limited students. I'm seeing a lot more scooters running around town, it might be since I own one I notice them more.
In our country there are many cheaper Chinese scooters on the market. Usually only cash limited and poor people buy these scooters and soon start trying to get rid of the scooters when it start giving problems. It is common knowledge that some components like bolts, etc simply come loose, and eventually the scooters just start falling apart.
I tend to disagree - unless China start supplying scooters of better quality, I think the type of Chinese scooters we get in South Africa could finally kill the scooter market in the US quite easily.
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In our country there are many cheaper Chinese scooters on the market. Usually only cash limited and poor people buy these scooters and soon start trying to get rid of the scooters when it start giving problems. It is common knowledge that some components like bolts, etc simply come loose, and eventually the scooters just start falling apart.
I tend to disagree - unless China start supplying scooters of better quality, I think the type of Chinese scooters we get in South Africa could finally kill the scooter market in the US quite easily.
Let me clarify a point, my last paragraph was about scooters in general not necessarily Chinese scooters. I do agree completely about Chinese scooters being garbage.
The general public does not know there is a difference between Chinese scooters and Taiwan scooters. This has helped me pick up some low mileage Kymco's at a very reasonable price.
I see adds all the time for not running/parts Chinese scooters for little or no money in Craigslist. They look like a Kymco style wise but a very poor copy quality wise.
Add to that little or no parts support and Chinese scooters are disposable items.
In fact I have been riding most of my life and avoided Kymco because I thought they were cheap Chinese junk. It wasn't until a dealer explained the difference and I did some research until I realized the difference.
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Let me clarify a point, my last paragraph was about scooters in general not necessarily Chinese scooters. I do agree completely about Chinese scooters being garbage.
The general public does not know there is a difference between Chinese scooters and Taiwan scooters. This has helped me pick up some low mileage Kymco's at a very reasonable price.
I see adds all the time for not running/parts Chinese scooters for little or no money in Craigslist. They look like a Kymco style wise but a very poor copy quality wise.
Add to that little or no parts support and Chinese scooters are disposable items.
In fact I have been riding most of my life and avoided Kymco because I thought they were cheap Chinese junk. It wasn't until a dealer explained the difference and I did some research until I realized the difference.
We'll remember that an unknown (to me) number of Kymco's are manufactured in China.
Think I'll post that question to the members.
Stig
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I'm not sure that the general public realises the quality breadth of what scooters get made in China - from the top end stuff coming out of Longjia, Jianshe, Wuyang through to the dross coming out from Fosti, Jiajue and some Lifan stuff for African/Asian market where euro type approval and whatever the USA uses isn't an issue.
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Fair question. Attitudes can change quickly though, look how fast they changed regarding smoking, gay marriage and marijuana. And now policing. Military spending, medicare for all and trickle down economics could be next.
Lot of reasons scooters might become popular and start replacing cars, many of those reasons due more and more to necessity rather than choice. In terms of "buying low" and getting ahead of the curve, this may be an opportune time to get into scooters--sit down, stand up, and other forms of 2-3 wheel transport, both motorized and manual (skateboards, etc). Younger generations sure look posed to go in that direction.
John poses a good question. I would like to think that people getting involved at the daler level are first in love with the sport and second to make money at it. It will be a poor adventure if riches were the main motivation. Not many are interested in, what I call "niche business." That is, a business that caters to ONE THING, or nearly so, that people will come from 100's of miles. One such an example is "Li'l Bikes Restoration" a small operation restoriing and selling a small Honda 50 cc pitbike way better than Honda-new! They are on facebook by the name and have time to answer questions, take beautiful pictures and restore bikes! They appear successful. They are an excellent example.
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Lot of reasons scooters might become popular and start replacing cars, many of those reasons due more and more to necessity rather than choice. In terms of "buying low" and getting ahead of the curve, this may be an opportune time to get into scooters--sit down, stand up, and other forms of 2-3 wheel transport, both motorized and manual (skateboards, etc). Younger generations sure look posed to go in that direction.
The main reason people ride scooters is that they can't afford cars. whether this is the initial price of a car, the cost of fuel, or the cost to park one in a major city. Until the US becomes a country where people can't afford cars, the scooter market is going to remain about where it is.
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Around town I see a lot of electric scooters taking the place of the 50's.
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The main reason people ride scooters is that they can't afford cars. whether this is the initial price of a car, the cost of fuel, or the cost to park one in a major city. Until the US becomes a country where people can't afford cars, the scooter market is going to remain about where it is.
We are headed in that direction, if we're not there already. Auto debt--not to mention all other types of debt--has gone way up the past few years. Many people already can't realistically afford their 4 wheel vehicles, they just haven't reached default stage yet. Repo men could be very busy soon.
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We are headed in that direction, if we're not there already. Auto debt--not to mention all other types of debt--has gone way up the past few years. Many people already can't realistically afford their 4 wheel vehicles, they just haven't reached default stage yet. Repo men could be very busy soon.
A lot of young people in major cities with good public transportation see a car as a hindrance . Initial cost, taxes, insurance, parking, vandalism, maintenance. Auto ownership among young people is actually decreasing in those areas for the first time.
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We'll remember that an unknown (to me) number of Kymco's are manufactured in China.
Think I'll post that question to the members.
Stig
Stig one major difference is parts availability, Kymco has a dealer network and even though bikes like the more affordable Agility line might be made in China they are made to Kymco specifications.