|
Post by Carolina Fun Machines on Aug 30, 2012 7:33:39 GMT -5
It’s like getting married and trusting your partner to only find out later that they have been telling you things that are not true (leading you on) and telling you that things will get better over and over but they never do. How long does a person continue to have any respect for that partner when you realize they are stringing you along with nothing but empty promises?
A reputation is very hard to rebuild after you have destroyed it with everyone in your community. Time will only tell how this works out but I have to agree they their new management may have made some very bad assumptions.
|
|
|
Post by rapidjim on Aug 30, 2012 9:05:09 GMT -5
With only supplying one scooter model, it sounds to me like the MRP blog is right.
I will say at one time I did consider the CF Moto line, however, to me their requirements of selling X number of machines per year was not feasible. Add to that, they can't even support orders for the dealers they already have.
As Cookees said, turning your back on the folks that got you there is a really bad idea.
Jim
|
|
|
Post by kathineid on Aug 30, 2012 10:40:00 GMT -5
I'm in Wyandanch, Long Island.
I KNOW how frustrating it has been. But the truth is, I have had ALOT of consumers call me from all over and ask where to get their work done on the bikes. 50% of dealers only wanted to sell the bikes. They did NOT do warranty work or service on these bikes.
Unfortunately in the business world, some employees are not what you expected. You have to keep trying to find the right people to serve your business. It happens in every business. If it doesn't happen in yours, your very lucky. Once the hiring and firing cleared, they set the ground rules and are training the new employees. It's not to say that they won't be firing anyone again, but it seems that they have a great crew who are all in and compassionate about the company. We shall see whereas time will only tell.
I still see alot of change for the good in this company and consumers should know that the work being done and all the over time being paid for weekend catch ups, is to benefit the dealers and the consumers.
I personally send skematics and photos to all my consumers so they can see exactly what parts they need. I work with you at your convenience until the web site is 100% up to par. Anyone can call 1-888-823-6686 and ask where their closet dealer is. Roxanne is wonderful in helping you in any manor that she can. But remember, she is the head PR person. It doesn't mean she knows it all.
|
|
|
Post by kathineid on Aug 30, 2012 11:14:38 GMT -5
They are not discontinuing the manufacturering of the 150cc's, just not importing them to the US for this coming year. They have 4 models coming in. The Jetmax 250cc, cruz 250cc and the 2 650cc bikes. They are testing the market for the 650cc's. CF has been huge in the US with the ATV's and UTV's since the 1980's. They only started making the 2 wheelers in 2004. My point being, is that as along as the 4 wheelers continue to sell as they have been all along, then keeping the 2 wheelers coming or not, won't close the company. The company is extremely reputable in the 4 wheel community. We shall see ... as far as the 2 wheelers go.
|
|
|
Post by jdikov on Aug 30, 2012 16:48:23 GMT -5
I cannot even get parts from them anymore to help my customers out. Because we do not have a storefront they refuse to send us parts. Call me crazy but we import $100,000s worth of parts every year and keep a huge building stocked with them to supply our dealers and other scooter dealers who do not buy scooters from us as well. Their money is just as good. We don't tell them they can't get parts from usbecause they don't so this or that, they need to service their customers so we help them do that.
Now they claim they want to be out there with the big boys like Honda and Yamaha but how many of those dealers are really going to even consider them. I don't know. Just gets customers pissed off when they can't get parts they need.
|
|
|
Post by kathineid on Aug 30, 2012 18:06:32 GMT -5
Because you don't have a store front? Well you must have some way that people know your there. That seems unusual that they wouldn't sell you parts for the CF scoots. Were you selling or going to sell bikes too? If you were going to sell the bikes too, maybe your sales rep had the problem. It is up to the reps to pick and choose. All but one rep in the US are gone and have been replaced. When you have reps who do not check in on the dealers atleast once a month, then they don't belong in the job. Their job is to make sure everything is good with the dealers so they can get product sold. What a shame you went through that. He was a nice guy but all of them were. Just not working with the dealers the way that was needed.
|
|
|
Post by Cookees on Aug 30, 2012 19:42:46 GMT -5
My late CFMOTO rep was great. He went above and beyond numerous times. He interceded with management countless times to make sure the ultimate customer was supported.
Now I understand the concept of "the new broom sweeps clean". And that new management gets to put the people in place that they feel will do the job. I think it's odd however, that I have not heard one word from anyone at CFMOTO. A five minute phone call, or even an email would be nice.
In my past career, when I had to let any of my sales reps or brokers go I made sure I was in contact with each account we had within the first two days. To do otherwise is just insane.
|
|
|
Post by rapidjim on Aug 30, 2012 21:45:03 GMT -5
I cannot even get parts from them anymore to help my customers out. Because we do not have a storefront they refuse to send us parts. Call me crazy but we import $100,000s worth of parts every year and keep a huge building stocked with them to supply our dealers and other scooter dealers who do not buy scooters from us as well. Their money is just as good. We don't tell them they can't get parts from us because they don't so this or that, they need to service their customers so we help them do that. Now they claim they want to be out there with the big boys like Honda and Yamaha but how many of those dealers are really going to even consider them. I don't know. Just gets customers pissed off when they can't get parts they need. John, I know how you feel. I am in a small town (900) and over 70 miles to a major city. I have had inquires from potential customers wanting their CFMotos fixed/serviced, only to find out that CFMoto USA would not sell me parts because I wasn't one of their dealers and told me to send the customers to a CF Moto dealer, the closest dealer is 80 plus miles away. I tryed a couple dealers and got the same response. Hard to tell a customer that I can not fix their machine because the company that made it won't sell me parts. I guess my money or my experience wasn't good enough for them. Jim
|
|
|
Post by Carolina Fun Machines on Aug 31, 2012 7:22:42 GMT -5
Cookees,
In the 2 years that we were a dealer for them we sold 125 units. After Kevin left we never saw a sales rep. Even after they hired a new sales rep this year we didn't hear from them.
In 1973 I went to work for IBM as a sales rep and spent 36 years in the industry before retiring and starting Carolina Fun Machines. I must say that I have never seen a company operate like CFMOTO that long term was an ongoing concern. I wish them all the luck in the world but my bet is they have the wrong leadership to get it done.
|
|
|
Post by kathineid on Aug 31, 2012 11:56:16 GMT -5
My late CFMOTO rep was great. He went above and beyond numerous times. He interceded with management countless times to make sure the ultimate customer was supported. Now I understand the concept of "the new broom sweeps clean". And that new management gets to put the people in place that they feel will do the job. I think it's odd however, that I have not heard one word from anyone at CFMOTO. A five minute phone call, or even an email would be nice. In my past career, when I had to let any of my sales reps or brokers go I made sure I was in contact with each account we had within the first two days. To do otherwise is just insane. I know, Glenn was my rep also. He was awesome and ready to help anytime I needed it. They haven't replaced him as of yet.
|
|
|
Post by kathineid on Aug 31, 2012 12:00:52 GMT -5
I understand but why won't other dealers help you out in getting parts? I have 9 dealers that are not CF Moto dealers but I get them any parts they need at 10% above my price. I don't have a problem helping other dealers who want to help CF Moto customers. The customer is what counts in my book.
|
|
|
Post by cpete1 on Sept 14, 2012 18:54:40 GMT -5
Every once in a while I check into the CF-Moto USA website to see if anything has changed. As of tonight, still no better. The links don't work when looking for a dealer and half the dealers that were listed in the past are no longer on the map. If they are working so hard to fix the situation, I'm not seeing a bit of progress. Absolutely pathetic. Chris
|
|
|
Post by Cookees on Sept 14, 2012 20:51:29 GMT -5
It will be fixed ASAP......any day now....just around the corner...just wait for it.
|
|
|
Post by hardd1 on Sept 18, 2012 9:23:38 GMT -5
It will be fixed ASAP......any day now....just around the corner...just wait for it. are you still taking deposits for pre-orders?
|
|
|
Post by tortoise on Sept 18, 2012 12:59:14 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Carolina Fun Machines on Sept 18, 2012 16:54:19 GMT -5
CFMOTO hired some really smart people...
|
|
|
Post by Cookees on Sept 18, 2012 20:02:38 GMT -5
....but not to worry, according to their International president..."They're here to stay"
|
|