Surrey Harley-Davidson

[BrunoKatz WW1FighterPilot]

Surrey H D is closing down on June 30th. Seems the staff may have problems with getting new jobs too. Apparently, H D are looking at two new applications for dealerships in the Surrey area but this is unlikely to happen for a few months yet.

Talk about a shock, rode over there today to find they are closing down at the end of June.

Hardly any bikes in the but they are selling off the clothes and a bunch of parts that they had out before, gonna leave a hole in the area

[SJC69]

The ruthless side of large corporate ownership seen yet again....

Don't perform and your gone.....

http://www.surreyhog.info/notices.html

Surrey HOG has officially learned that Pendragon and Harley-Davidson UK have mutually agreed that Surrey Harley-Davidson will close on 30 June. In an email to us, Peter Hadden, Harley franchise director for Pendragon, expressed regret that Pendragon had been unable to secure the jobs of SH-D staff, but we understand that Pendragon is working with them to help them find alternative employment. Peter made it clear that the company now intends to focus its effort on its other three franchises and offered the Chapter Pendragon's continued support during the coming weeks. Meanwhile, we have been called by Paul Stroud (MD of Harley-Davidson UK) to reassure the Chapter of his full support on behalf of both H-D and HOG UK. Paul also informed us that separate proposals for a new Surrey dealership are currently being considered by H-D Dealer Operations, and that we should have a new dealership in Surrey within 3 months. We will post more news about these important developments as soon as it becomes official.

[PhillSpace]

Not too much of a shock Bruno, been on the downhill slope for quite awhile i recon. Many here will know the hassels with their HOG group there. I called into the shop on the way up to lawnmower marks party, went to the parts counter only to be told they didn't have any parts staff in the place looked to be running down, very little stock and a bunch of disinterested bodies sitting about and talking ... turns out they were the staff. There can be no doubt that when Shaw H-D opened down here it took lots of business from Surrey. It will be interesting to see who is up for takeing over in the area. i think i'd be pretty cautious about it. not the easy money it was. mind you if it turns out to be a good setup how will that effect the business of the other neighbouring dealerships ... perhaps they'll all up their game ...... flying pig time

Phil....

[kiwidave]

wow, the M-D of the manufacturer rings to offer his full support to a club of motorcycle riders that apparently may not be able to breathe unless it has a shop to give it focus.

Bloody glad I am not in a club that needs that kind of wet-nursing.

Condolences to those losing their jobs, though.

[SJC69]

Let’s not forget it was Surrey H-D that kicked Warrs arse into the 20th Century after they open up!

God forbid Warrs then actually had to open on Saturdays and not shut for an hour’s lunch during the week!

How times change, the big corporate boys are not interested in anything other than the bottom line, when the H-D market drops they will be out as quick as you like, rest assured of that.

[Folkie]

I can't say I'm surprised, and I'm not sorry either. They seemed OK when I bought the bike there (they would, wouldn't they?), and although I heard lots of bad things about them, I thought I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. They seemed OK at first, but that didn't last.

I decided some time ago that they weren't getting any more of my money. I've got fed up with waiting months for stuff to be ordered in, and warranty issues to be sorted out. And one guy in particular on the parts desk was pretty unhelpful and had a rather snide and superior attitude.

Their service charges were ridiculous, something like 60% higher than Shaw. That can't have helped their business.

I'm planning to fit chrome primary and cam covers, possibly rocker covers too, and was originally going to get them to do it. We're talking a fair amount of money here, and I was willing to spend it at Surrey, and pay them to fit the stuff, but their poor level of customer service put me off. I decided I'd do it myself, and take it to Quick Rick's for the stuff I can't do (cam gear bushings, dowelling the pinion bushing).

"Don't perform and your gone"? Well, if you perform very badly you deserve to be gone. I'm sorry that people are losing their jobs, and there were some nice people there, but overall they didn't deliver.

Are Dockgate 20 any good? I might go there in future when I absolutely have to go to a dealer.

[panster]

Originally Posted by SJC69

Let’s not forget it was Surrey H-D that kicked Warrs arse into the 20th Century after they open up!

God forbid Warrs then actually had to open on Saturdays and not shut for an hour’s lunch during the week!

How times change, the big corporate boys are not interested in anything other than the bottom line, when the H-D market drops they will be out as quick as you like, rest assured of that.

At risk of turning into an old codger, I remember when you could dump a 4 speed gearbox on the counter at Warrs, and Dave or Fred would cast an eye over it and not freak out at the oil puddle forming underneath.
If Surrey are to be blamed for Warrs, (old shop), turning into a cross between a pub, a pie'n'mash shop, and a brothel, then I say good riddance.
Sure, Fred knew how to charge, but they had the parts and the knowledge and, dare I say, loved the bikes, (not the factory), like the customers did, ......unless you had a chop of course
There was talk of an aggressive takeover of H-D, ( in MCN)!!
Money, ha !
Where's the love, man?...............

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by panster

At risk of turning into an old codger

Turning into?!

Many people still slate Warrs, but they remain a family run business in amongst the corporates running the other dealers and, I would say, they still love the bikes!

[Stuarty]

Originally Posted by Folkie

.....I decided some time ago that they weren't getting any more of my money. I've got fed up with waiting months for stuff to be ordered in..........

My experience with West Coast Harley in Glasgow is exactly the same. Was looking for a speedo adaptor and they said they would call when it came in. After a 6 week wait and no call I phoned to see what was what. Part still wasnt in. I ordered from the states myself and it arrived in 3 days!! Says it all really

I recall ordering other things and again not getting word they were in. After weeks going by I went in to the shop to ask for the bits at the counter and was told they only had 1 in stock and they were on order for someone. Guess who????

Mind ya, if you want a jacket, boots, helmet that is emblazoned with "Harley Davidson" then walk this way, its on the rail!!

Seems like the dealerships are all in a bit of a mess.

[kendo]

Originally Posted by Stuarty

Mind ya, if you want a jacket, boots, helmet that is emblazoned with "Harley Davidson" then walk this way, its on the rail!!

Or a hat for your pet dog Do they actually ever sell any of those things