Any Brands You “Hate” because of a bad dealer experience many years ago?

I didn’t buy any Kawasaki motorcycles for almost 30 years because I had a bad experience with my Mach III. Finally I thought to myself, that was long enough and now I’ve owned about 9 of them. Whoever designed my Mach III was long gone by 2001 so holding a grudge didn’t make any sense.

Dealers mean nothing in my choice of equipment.

Like a 2 cycle Mark III a 3 cylinder, that kind of Kawasaki russ69? Death trap! True rice rockets of the time.

Pass Labs. Even though they make great sounding equipment, I have bought Pass equipment used only.

As a person who earned a living based upon a 100% commissioned sales job for over 50 years, you learn that one of the very basics is to NEVER put down what a prospect currently owns, or a competitor’s product if he/she has been considering that.

Instead, you compliment them on their current or prospective choices by saying ... "I understand why you would want to go that way, ABC makes a fine product. However, our XYZ offers as much if not more. Let me explain ... " Then you proceed to point out the features and benefits of your product, and then try to close the sale.

If you insult the existing product or the prospective product, you are insulting the intelligence of the prospect. After all, it is HIS/HER choice, right? This is called "sales 101."

We’ve all suffered putdowns by condescending salespeople. Based on my experience, I am always critiquing salespeople and judging their skills. Back in the early 80s, I was driving one of those big Oldsmobile Broughams. It was fully loaded and in excellent condition as it was used to transport clients.

I walked into a Volvo dealership one day considering trading in the Olds for something smaller. The salesman asked me what I was presently driving. I pointed out the window at the Olds. He condescendingly said ... "Oh, you’re driving one of those dinosaurs!" My response was ... "Yes sir, and you can be assured that I will not be driving a Volvo."

Frank

Kaw MkIII will always hold memory of guy in high school parking lot doing wheelie, lost control crashed into car. Those bikes had far more engine than chassis could handle.

As far as bad dealer experience, I've had those  but never associated any particular brand to it. I was verbally accosted by asst manager of an audio dealer many years ago for having the gall to try to negotiate price on Rega P3 tt. Right in front of other customers, I smiled as I left the story, totally unhinged. Didn't hold grudge against Rega, did against the store. Too bad for them, had previously made purchases, would have been more in future.

@russ69 the MkIII was some scary stuff, bad brakes and suspension aside from a weak fuel delivery. Flat side carbs as I recall. 
 

I had a Yamaha RD350 that scared me to death. 

Dealers have never put me off on a brand. Now manufactures have with their poor after sales service and psychotic text messages after I called them out on it have had it happen twice with 2 different manufacturers both west of the Mississippi.
 

The Z-1 was a much better bike.

I'll see your Z1 & raise you a Yammy XS11 Special.

Luxman is the brand that I see and just pass by hurriedly. Dealer had nothing to do with it. I bought it (R115 receiver) to replace a Harmon Kardon 730. I HATED it. No bass line but a thump. Thin sounding compared to 730. But I have found that to be the norm for a lot after hearing the 730. But anyway, that was many yrs ago.

@russ69 the MkIII was some scary stuff, bad brakes and suspension aside from a weak fuel delivery. Flat side carbs as I recall.

It's a Mach III 500 H1. Mine had a good front disc brake. Regular round slide Mikuni carbs. I got into a tank slapper at 100 mph, sold the bike a week later.

@artemus_5 XS11 was a pig. Could kill them with a VFR400.

@russ69 like I said weak suspension, with a tube steel frame. 2 strokes require special skills. 

I did have a dealer in Australia screw me around from Perth. Until he dies I won't go to that country. Does that count? :-) The guy was a total fudge bucket.

@oldhvymec to funny.

Please, no more motorcycle comments. Keep it to audio. Thanks.

What if that brand happened to carry a product that had 'the' exact sound you've been looking for, but you'll never know because someone who has nothing to do with manufacturing the product was a jerk to you?

 isn’t this as valid a reason as any? Certainly as valid as aesthetics.

No, not really.

All it is, is a valid reason to not do business with that specific dealer.

OK:

DeKay