San Francisco BMW doesn't want to sell a bike???

[mikee]

I walked in about an hour ago and asked for a demo on the K1200s. I'm totally serious about buying and the guys says "oh um well, we're kind of done for the day." It was 1:30 in the afternoon on a Saturday, what the fuck else are you going to do buddy until 4pm, which is when the website say demos are over with for the day? Then he says "by appointment only". I'm like, it'd be useful to put that on the website. The dude showed no interest in selling a $16000 bike.

Unfortunately for him, I'll be going to Santa Cruz BMW (Watsonville), everytime I've been there they were totally helpful and there are some good roads for demos.

Kind of weird that this is the first post I've put up in about 2 years but hey, maybe someone can tell me why the guy was so unfriendly and unhelpful. Bad day?

 

[Pretzl28]

Cal BMW in Mountain View always seemed nice when I was there, along with the folks at Marin BMW!!


Good LUCK!

 

[mikhail]

Cal BMW in Mountain View always seemed nice when I was there, along with the folks at Marin BMW!!


Good LUCK!

I second both of those! Arlie at Cal BMW will take care of you dude. I also have felt that SF BMW was a little hoity-toity in the past. There's a guy named John that works there that is pretty cool though, not sure who you dealt with.

 

[jt2]

Though not to the same degree, when I have been in BMW Walnut Creek, they seemed completely uninterested in selling a K1200s as well.

On several occasions while there getting parts or service for my bike, I've asked about demo rides - they always hemmed and hawed and one never materialized.

Too bad, too, since if that bike is anywhere near as good as the reviews say, I'd likely buy it on the spot after riding it.

I'm kind of funny that way - I'm disinclined to beg someone to take my money. I further have decided I'll never buy another bike without first riding one.

I know BMW has limited allocation on cars, perhaps the same is true with the K-bike.

 

[Mr. Horse]

Well, based on my experiences in a dealership that did do test rides, either:

A. They're idiots/unprofessional/stuck up,

B. Something about your demeanor said "not a serious buyer,"

C. Combination of A & B

Test rides involve liability, wear & tear, and often an escort from the dealership. For some reason, they didn't get over that barrier.

Less explicable was the time I visited a certain SF european dealership, saw a new model, and asked a passing salesman a specification question. Mind you, I had just come from the brokerage and was in suit and tie. I got a one-sentence answer from a certain well-known bald salesman, and then he kept walking to the back office and never returned.

Some places make you feel like you need an intro from somebody before you're "allowed" to shop there.

 

[rritterson]

I was treated like a douche by one when I went to SF BMW. Not worth your time or effort, in my opinion.

 

[Sane_Man]

Kind of weird that this is the first post I've put up in about 2 years but hey, maybe someone can tell me why the guy was so unfriendly and unhelpful. Bad day?

Because you were Black?

What were you wearing?

Did you have a bottle of Grey Poop-on, in your back pocket?

Are you Hawt?

 

[plumber]

Maybe they didn't have anybody to go with you on the test ride. Or maybe the salesman was just a dick. Buy the bike somewhere else or call back and schedule a test ride. I'm guessing the salesman didn't think you could afford the bike. They must get sick of giving free demo rides to any squid off the street. I'm not saying the OP looks like a squid. I'm saying that I'm sure the dealership has had their fair share.

 

[mnb]

My experience with BMW sales staff was only with CalBMW and 12 years ago, but it was fine. Their service dept, however, leaves a GREAT deal to be desired. They've screwed up the job the last two times I've gone there, breaking my gear indicator once and gouging the crap out of my tank just last week or so.

I'm not wildly fond of SJBMW, either. They are rather unorganized and do things like forgetting to order your tired or replace all the fairing fasteners.

I've heard good things about Santa Cruz BMW, but I can't speak from personal experience. I'll be trying them next time the K bike is up for service unless going to the Beemershop in Scotts Valley is convenient (unlikely - w/o loaners, going to him for while you wait work is really the only viable stuff. Sad cuz Ted rocks.)

 

[ntula]

i wanted to get the f800gs and was told i have to wait until september as it will be released in the US as an 09 model. well, i will be in germany in august, wonder if i can get on with that bmw vacation buy ship thing they have.

hmm may just have to get a temp klr to tide me over.

i walked into munroe to buy an S4RS when they first came out and they did not have them set up yet and then tried to sell me another one...i waited a couple of weeks, same story.... i went on a vacation instead.

bmw sales has always been nice to me, upfront and very professional.. omg.. and they gave me the best test ride.. just gave me the keys, signed the form, and told me to take it out for a good ride...it was a GS model.. the only good off road i could find in sf was the train tracks by 3rd.. so i drove it along the tracks.. returned it a little dusty... .. it is by appointment, i called in advance to reserve the ride.

 

[rsrider]

I don't get it...If I worked in an MC shop, selling bikes, and I had the opportunity to demo MC's whenever some Shmoe came in off the streets and wanted a test ride, I'd be gearing up and grabbing a bike. Why are you working there if you don't want to sell a bike? Sounds like it was his time of the month.
















































and stop fucking repping me.............I want my post counts back. I want my FUCKING POST COUNTS BACK!!! I love you Hollywood, Goodnight!!!

 

[jrace]

I don't get it...If I worked in an MC shop, selling bikes, and I had the opportunity to demo MC's whenever some Shmoe came in off the streets and wanted a test ride, I'd be gearing up and grabbing a bike.

Ever worked in a shop before? It's not as "glamorous" as you might think....

-jim

 

[Spiffy]

Watsonville is a great shop to buy from. I got my K1200r there. They took really good care of me. I thoroughly abused their demo program. I bet I road every model they had at least twice before I bought and they didn't even look sideways at me once. Afterwards when I brought it in for service they would offer demo rides as a way to kill time. As soon as I pay off the Tuono this summer, I am going back to get another K bike or the R1200s.

 

[mikhail]

i wanted to get the f800gs and was told i have to wait until september as it will be released in the US as an 09 model. well, i will be in germany in august, wonder if i can get on with that bmw vacation buy ship thing they have.

I was told by two different dealerships that they're coming in March and people have been putting down deposits on them since the end of last year...

 

[07chuck]

Maybe they didn't have anybody to go with you on the test ride. Or maybe the salesman was just a dick. Buy the bike somewhere else or call back and schedule a test ride. I'm guessing the salesman didn't think you could afford the bike. They must get sick of giving free demo rides to any squid off the street. I'm not saying the OP looks like a squid. I'm saying that I'm sure the dealership has had their fair share.

Hows about a little twist on Plumber's idea.

Step1. Find out name of said sales man.

Step2. Call and ask for him(tell whoever answers the phone how helpful and friendly he was) and schedual a test ride.

Step3. Show up on K1200s bought else where.

Step4. Humiliate him in front of his co-workers and boss.

Step5. Ride away laughing...

 

[bte320]

Hows about a little twist on Plumber's idea.

Step1. Find out name of said sales man.

Step2. Call and ask for him(tell whoever answers the phone how helpful and friendly he was) and schedual a test ride.

Step3. Show up on K1200s bought else where.

Step4. Humiliate him in front of his co-workers and boss.

Step5. Ride away laughing...

I did that when I bought my KLR. fuck you east bay motorsports

 

[Ogier le Danois]

I have done a few demos at SF BMW. I was always surprised when they did the demos with me. AS some of you may know, I tend to look ratty and homeless, and sometimes a bit greasy.

 

[mnb]

The f800gs release was recently pushed back to september. It WAS coming in March and people HAD put deposits down. Things changed, tho.

 

[rsrider]

Ever worked in a shop before? It's not as "glamorous" as you might think....

-jim

I didn't say anything about it being glamorous, but if you're there working, you should do your job no matter what you think of the shitbag customers that crawl through the front door. Being professional and courteous in any job that deals with the public is expected. That doesn't mean you should smile and take their shit if they get weird on you, but give them the benefit of the doubt and do your job as if they were going to make a purchase.

The wife and I were in the Apple store today looking at the iTouch and the kid that was helping us was very considerate and remained polite and professional even after we told him we wouldn't be buying because it didn't have the depth needed in the appointment book (it is a media devise after all, and not a Palm but we were hoping). He did his job and he did it right. That's all I want or need from a sales person.

 

[acapulcoGP]

I've had NOTHING but good experiences with SFBMW. They've offered me rides on several bikes. But they know me as a buyer, so that may make a difference. Also, the F800GS has been officially postponed till Sept. Check out www.f800riders.org