Williams Manchester

[ChrisB]

Well I finally gave in and a friend convinced me to visit Williams BMW Manchester to view their special offers and range of bikes. Free coffee and hot dogs was the final tempter I couldn't refuse. Having had a look round and a good laugh at the prices of extras etc I bought a pair of summer gloves on end of season offer, ta very much, £80 pair for £19.
Then I got chatting to a salesman and agreed to book a test ride on an R1200RS which I do secretly like, but don't tell anyone.
Being a volunteer for Blood Bikes Manchester and one never to miss am opportunity I asked the receptionist if it was possible for them to put up an A4 poster promoting our charity. She said she would ask the boss and went round the back, presumably to the boss. Well the response certainly was not what I expected from such a high end franchise. A flat and certain, definite no negotiation or explanation NO. It is no policy apparently to advertise anything other than BMW approved goods or merchandise within a BMW outlet. Given the chance I was going to suggest the poster be put up in the staff kitchen or locker room rather than the public showroom but they did not give me the time or chance to discuss any such suggestion.
Well if that's how BMW talk to potential customers and decent people they can shove their bikes up their arse along with their dealer standards, which may I say are not that good. I still await a response to a complaint email sent to them over a week ago.
On a positive note, I have been saved from buying or testing a BMW and will stick with my GTR for sure. Dark side indeed, they certainly were quick enough to be nice when a sale was in the air. Rant over, I will never set foot in BMW again.

[snowy]

 , but I actually feel sorry for the staff in the dealerships!
Motorrad Wolverhampton used to be Benhams. Went in there end of last year, and all non BMW kit at bargain prices (Dainese, TCX etc), got me some great  boots at a good price.
When asked why, they advised that they had been instructed not to sell ANY non BMW branded goods, so all held stock had to be cleared!
Now Rybrooks own the franchise, same staff, must admit the service I get on my F700GS from them is top class, and been offered really good PX prices on GS and GTR if I go for a new BMW from them, but their policies and refusing to display a charity Blood Bikes poster, bad attitude!
This manufacturer dictatorship on the dealerships is whats killed off so many "local" agents, and why we now see small dealerships pushing out the cheaper Aisian / Eastern manufactured stuff!
Just checked and even my local Honda dealership at Wolverhampton have lost their motorcycle department now!
Sad times!

[PRD]

That's BMW for you. I gave up riding them,years ago for very similar reasons.

[coman37]

Don't blame the staff or the dealership. There will be a BMW Franchise/Dealer Handbook somewhere that tells the Management and staff exactly how their branch should look from the paint codes to the color and intensity of the downlighters, if it doesn't exactly match the "Bible" the Franchise/Dealership will lose valuable discounts/preferential treatment.

There will be either an outside agency or internal mole who will mystery shop all these elements

But they could have been nicer about it and i also dont believe that they wont display in the staff area

Coman

[Lonewolf]

I had the same response from a Ducati dealership in Shipley when I wanted to put a poster up, point blank NO.

Honda dealership No problem.
Bradford Motorcycles No Problem
Motoguzzi No Problem.

[Icefever]

It's such a shame that a company like BMW have to work like this.....must admit I've never been that keen on the bikes.

Bring back the good old days when we were all "bikers". 

[O.C.]

Don't blame the staff or the dealership. There will be a BMW Franchise/Dealer Handbook somewhere that tells the Management and staff exactly how their branch should look from the paint codes to the color and intensity of the downlighters, if it doesn't exactly match the "Bible" the Franchise/Dealership will lose valuable discounts/preferential treatment.

There will be either an outside agency or internal mole who will mystery shop all these elements

But they could have been nicer about it and i also dont believe that they wont display in the staff area

Coman

True.

I spent 15 years as a manager for a large German car importer and franchise recognition/representation is that all dealers are the same, like KFC & MacDonalds etc., it balances the brand representation in the retail environment.

Some dealers choose to completely observe these requirements to the letter and others have a more relaxed attitude towards it, where blatant non conformity occurs then a manufacturer/importer may well implement costly measures against the 'offending' dealer, I know this to be a fact      

[doebag]

Just checked and even my local Honda dealership at Wolverhampton have lost their motorcycle department now!

I think that was nationwide. They went through the period of having car/bike dealerships combined, but realised most car owners/potential buyers are not interested in motorcycles.

Wheels of Peterborough picked up the local Honda dealership franchise, but Honda would not have their bikes in amongst the other makes, hence Honda sales/spares are in a different building on the same site. But they get serviced in the same workshop as the rest.

In respect of Comans reply, he is spot on.What used to be the solus dealer Kawasaki Peterborough was told by Kawasaki he would need to stock more bikes, re decorate his premises to the required colours etc. The owner Dave gave him a big FO pill and he closed down soon after.

[ChrisB]

Having worked at management level in the franchised motor industry for over 20 years I understand the corporate requirements and the financial penalties imposed by manufacturers for breach of dealer standards. However that does not excuse any member of staff for a poor attitude and the unwillingness of the management team to engage with a customer  or member of the public. Many years ago I used to deal with Benham BMW when it was an independently run BMW dealership with just the one showroom in Wilmslow. The owners built that business on word of mouth and good customer service and relations. It sometimes is not what is done, after all we all answer to someone, but haw it is done. BMWs as products are no better or worse than any other prestige manufacturer, but they do however have one of the best marketing departments in the world.

[O.C.]

Having worked at management level in the franchised motor industry for over 20 years I understand the corporate requirements and the financial penalties imposed by manufacturers for breach of dealer standards. However that does not excuse any member of staff for a poor attitude and the unwillingness of the management team to engage with a customer  or member of the public. Many years ago I used to deal with Benham BMW when it was an independently run BMW dealership with just the one showroom in Wilmslow. The owners built that business on word of mouth and good customer service and relations. It sometimes is not what is done, after all we all answer to someone, but haw it is done. BMWs as products are no better or worse than any other prestige manufacturer, but they do however have one of the best marketing departments in the world.

  The same used to be said of the Ford marketing philosophy

[PRD]

I think I will keep quiet in any discussion BMW!

[Lonewolf]

I think I will keep quiet in any discussion BMW!

That'll be a first! 

[shaggs147]

I think I will keep quiet in any discussion BMW!

Maybe we could sponsor you for charity  ;)

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[PRD]

Maybe we could sponsor you for charity  ;)
If owning a BMW any charity donations would be very helpful.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Rusty]

I know that is some months ago now but I,m pretty sure you didn't get a reply to your E mail .... am I am correct ?
BMW will always sell enough bikes whatever their attitude which is why they very rarely or don't have to give discounts etc ...