Do not buy from SouthernHonda in Chattanooga

[Dinkie Diesel]

I have been shopping for a 4 wheeler for my son. I decided on a Honda TRX90. I found a dealer called SouthernHonda in Chattanooga, TN that had 2007's left over. I called and reserved one at the end of June. I explained that I wanted it but would not be down to pick it up immediately. I offered to send a check to hold it until I could make the trip. The salesman (Bill) said that wouldn't be necessary. Their website says on the home page call and reserve yours today. I called today to say I would be coming down on Wednesday to pick it up. I confirmed the price. He said they had gone up but would honor that price because I reserved it when the price was lower. A short while later Bill calls me and says he talked to his general manager and he could not honor that price. I told him that his website says to call and reserve which is what I did. He said he knows and thinks it stinks but it is out if his hands. I declined to purchase at the higher price. These kind of mickey mouse games make me so mad. I wish there was something I could do to really hurt their business.

Consider yourself warned that SouthernHonda of Chattanooga is a poorly run dealer.

Redemption:) I made another call and got the deal that was advertised. I picked it up today! Please disregard this negative post.

[SoloTotoCoyote]

Try contacting Honda direct...........just to give them an FYI. It may or may not do anything but worth the effort..............

[ChipSTer]

I hate to say it... really... but it seems like this is getting to be 'normal' behavior... :mad:
:cool:

[Dinkie Diesel]

Try contacting Honda direct...........just to give them an FYI. It may or may not do anything but worth the effort..............

That's a great idea! You wouldn't happen to know a good link or contact address that will actually reach someone, do you?

[SoloTotoCoyote]

I hate to say it... really... but it seems like this is getting to be 'normal' behavior... :mad:
:cool:


I work at a motorcycle dealership.............and I hear the stories from many a customer. Unfortunately, yes....this does appear to becoming "business as usual" for many dealerships. I think many of them are just too dang big and have lost the ma & pop feel and treatment. Customers are no longer customers but numbers and credit scores.

[SoloTotoCoyote]

That's a great idea! You wouldn't happen to know a good link or contact address that will actually reach someone, do you?

I believe this is the number.............

(866) 784-1870

[ChipSTer]

Well if BIG is the problem, then Southern Honda has that in spades... That's got to be the BIGGEST Honda dealer I've ever seen... On the plus side, though... There is a guy there (in the service department) named Randy (and he rides an ST1300 [but refuses to even look at ST-OWNERS.COM]) that actually sold me his own ST1300 tires (when I needed new tires while on a trip through the area last month) that he had ordered so that he was going to start HIS trip on new rubber in about 10 days (he was able to re-order a set of tires and get them in time for his trip)... I would have been dead-in-the-water if it wasn't for him... I even spoke to his boss about his service ethic... I'm glad he didn't act like that salesman... He really had me over a barrel and could have charged me as much for the tires as he wanted... but he gave me a 10% discount instead (maybe it was the fact that I was a fellow ST'er)... Anyway... just wanted to point out that they're not ALL bad... :D
:cool:

[Calgary57]

In Calgary ( Canada ) mother Honda has decide to sell all Honda products under one roof..Thus Mega STores,,Cars/trucks/ motorcycles/ boat motors/ lawn mowers/snow blowers/power generation/ etc :( :( :(
Can't wait until some young guy..jack of all..master of none tries to buff his way through selling me a 20k bike..:mad:
A dealership with fantastic service//family owned and run..was basically cutoff the supply of 08 bikes...GW Cycle has been my main supplier of bikes and all of my parts since 1984..Called Honda Canada and express my views..No call back on this issue..(called 4 times in two weeks) :mad:
....
at least in the States you can goto the next dealer and hope that he is a little hungrier than the last..
...
good service is not dead..good dealers still exist..we just have to look harder

Good luck on your search for that TRX.. your son will never know that you were screwed over..

His smiles will reward you.. :)


Rgds Todd

[Blue One]

In Calgary ( Canada ) mother Honda has decide to sell all Honda products under one roof..Thus Mega STores,,Cars/trucks/ motorcycles/ boat motors/ lawn mowers/snow blowers/power generation/ etc :( :( :(
Can't wait until some young guy..jack of all..master of none tries to buff his way through selling me a 20k bike..:mad:
A dealership with fantastic service//family owned and run..was basically cutoff the supply of 08 bikes...GW Cycle has been my main supplier of bikes and all of my parts since 1984..Called Honda Canada and express my views..No call back on this issue..(called 4 times in two weeks) :mad:
....
at least in the States you can goto the next dealer and hope that he is a little hungrier than the last..
...
good service is not dead..good dealers still exist..we just have to look harder

Good luck on your search for that TRX.. your son will never know that you were screwed over..

His smiles will reward you.. :)


Rgds Todd

Hey Todd, you just have to point the wheels north and head to Edmonton. We have 2 dealers who just sell Honda motorcycles. Scona cycle and Honda Extreme. Then you could head to St Albert and visit Riverside Honda.

On the way up you could stop in Red Deer and visit Turple Bros Honda.
Any of these dedicated long time MOTORCYCLE dealers will treat you right.

Vote with your checkbook and tell Honda where to stick their "big box" buy anything concept. I refuse to buy a motorcycle from someone who sells cars ,lawnmowers and rototillers,snowblowers etc. :04biker:

[TMUS2122]

That's where I got my 06 ST from. It was used with 4700 miles. Called them to see the price on a new 07, didn't have any. The sales manager told me he just took this 2006 ST1300a in on trade for a wing. Had more than $1500 in extras and ABS :), price was under the price of a new 07 non ABS. Made the deal thru emails, put deposit of $100 on CC, went down on a Monday to pick it up, nothing put good in the whole deal for me. :D
Salesman even sent on to me multivex mirrors that the last owner dropped off after he got them through the mail. All good here from them.

There is always two sides to all stories. :confused:

[dduelin]

I have bought parts mail order from Southern Honda for several years and have always had a good experience and their prices are competitive if not a little cheaper. Props to Tammy and the two Adams in parts.

[D'Artagnan]

A short while later Bill calls me and says he talked to his general manager and he could not honor that price. I told him that his website says to call and reserve which is what I did. He said he knows and thinks it stinks but it is out if his hands.

Translation: There is a guy here now with his checkbook who will pay us the higher price.

Sad when a getting a few more bucks becomes more important than honoring your word. Hopefully, this is just one bad apple in the barrel. Reading some of the other posts in this thread, it sounds like there are some good folks there as well.

[St. Arbucks]

There is a guy there (in the service department) named Randy (and he rides an ST1300 [but refuses to even look at ST-OWNERS.COM]) that actually sold me his own ST1300 tires :

+ 1 on Randy. I bought my bike there and was fairly treated. He helped me get started on my ST.

I did get roughed up by the finance department. When they find out you are paying cash, they ignore you because the don't get any "points" for writing up your paperwork. I actually had to wait because the girl who was going to write me up walked out and went to lunch when she realized I was not financing! But...minor irritations aside, I liked the place and would buy again.

[ST1300A]

Honda of Sumter (South carolina) shows the 2007 TRX90EX as MSRP $2,749.00, Our Price $2,399.00*

*We do not charge administration, set-up or freight fees. Final actual sales price will vary depending on color choice, options or accessories selected. For all accessories to be installed at time of purchase without any labor fees being charged, you must buy the accessories from Honda Of Sumter at retail price.
************************************
Bought my '07 St1300a from them, saved ~$2500 over local prices. You might try them... Linky (http://www.hondaofsumter.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=01027185X7K16K2008J7I03 I45JAMQ3473R0&veh=38103&CatDesc=ATVs&ModelYear=2007)

[skyboybry]

These guys are cool & a whole lot closer to you:

http://www.hondaofrussellville.com/

There's one on special for $1995.

sbB

[Bullmoose45]

Guys I must be missing something here; We are talking about a Motorcycle Dealer right?
I've never encountered one that does not treat the customers exactly like what they are. Toys Dealers! The salesmen are kids and the ownners and staff are mostly just plain rude *******s!
I will say the worst are Bmw dealers, or at least the ones I have had dealings with are.
I know how most of the Dealers treat the customers so it never bothers me. Hell it's a motorcycle and most of the time not your main means of transportation.

[Trekker]

Guys I must be missing something here; We are talking about a Motorcycle Dealer right?
I've never encountered one that does not treat the customers exactly like what they are. Toys Dealers! The salesmen are kids and the ownners and staff are mostly just plain rude *******s!
I will say the worst are Bmw dealers, or at least the ones I have had dealings with are.
I know how most of the Dealers treat the customers so it never bothers me. Hell it's a motorcycle and most of the time not your main means of transportation.

I respectfully disagree. Hollink Motorsports here near Rochester is a great dealer to work with. They are fair and honest as near as I can tell. Countryrode BMW is the local Beemer dealer, and the owner is a great guy. This is where I have my tires mounted and inspections performed. The shop guys are great and always treat me well. (one of our forum members works in the shop part time). We do have another multi-metric dealer in town, CycleStop, and my experience has not always been fun there. They are attached to a Harley/Buell dealership and the metric division seems like a rented mule to them. The metric parts guys are OK, but the sales team I don't care for.

[billxp]

Hell it's a motorcycle and most of the time not your main means of transportation. Well it is for me at least 8 months of the year. Rain or shine. :D

[Tor]

Honda of Sumter (South carolina) shows the 2007 TRX90EX as MSRP $2,749.00, Our Price $2,399.00*

*We do not charge administration, set-up or freight fees. Final actual sales price will vary depending on color choice, options or accessories selected. For all accessories to be installed at time of purchase without any labor fees being charged, you must buy the accessories from Honda Of Sumter at retail price.
************************************
Bought my '07 St1300a from them, saved ~$2500 over local prices. You might try them... Linky (http://www.hondaofsumter.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=01027185X7K16K2008J7I03 I45JAMQ3473R0&veh=38103&CatDesc=ATVs&ModelYear=2007)


Been in there a couple of times,,,,,,,don't like them.


Now Sportcycles in Rockingham, NC, thats a different story. Very nice people, very nice deals.

[killerST6]

I have never had any business with Southernhonda in Chattanooga, but when I had my Shadow the folks over on the Shadow Fourms LOVED the place, many good deals from what I read about.
As times get harder, bikes will be even more of an commodity and prices will charge weekly if not daily.

Truck and SUV prices are doing just that, changing daily, but going down not up. I have a few buds that deal in the auto business they say it is crazy what is happening to the value of SUV and trucks.

[Dinkie Diesel]

I believe this is the number.............

(866) 784-1870


Thank you very much, Adam

[Two Brothers]

Hey Dink try Lake Hill Motors down in MS they may have what you need.

http://www.lakehillmotors.com/

Have done business with them before and they were on the money.

[Dinkie Diesel]

Thanks to each and everyone of you for your replies. Hell, this is like therapy for me and I need that. I know it is not nice to get on here and flame a dealer but dag-nab-it, they made me mad! And for such a petty reason. I posted this same thread on another board and all I got was slammed for doing so. Goes to show the unique group of guys and gals that hang out here. All first class folks! Curteous, helpful, to the point and resolute.

I see a lot of positive posts here and I have to believe that dealer must make some people happy or they wouldn't be as big as they are. I logged on again and would you believe they have updated their prices and still show that ATV on sale. Maybe I should just get a different sales person on the phone?

Thanks again!

[rush2112]

That's what I was going to say. You are blaming the dealer for a comment the salesman made by mistake. HE wasn't in a position to tell you the price would be honored. I'm sure the Sales Manager had a good long talk with him and made him call you back with the bad news as punishment. I have had many friends, street and dirt, purchase bikes and 4 wheelers there and never has anyone complained about how they were treated. The only complaint is that if you hit them on a weekend it could take a while before you leave so pack a lunch and 6 pack. Try another salesman if the price is still the best you can find and don't mind driving there to pick up. This time insist on giving them a cc number as deposit so you know you are going to get that unit at that price. You may even want to talk to a Sales Manager(write his name down) just to make sure everything is ok. Good Luck.

[Dinkie Diesel]

I edited my original post so it would not be overlooked. I made another call to the dealership on Monday. I talked to the same Bill I had the first time. I explained that the price list was just updated and thought he should be able to get his GM to approve it now. He said he would call back and give me a final answer. I waited until Tuesday afternoon and no call. I called back and asked for the sales manager. He had a whole different take. He told me to come on down the price was good. I said I would be down Wednesday. I left at 4:00 this morning. At 7:40 I get a call from Bill. He wanted to know if I was still coming down. I said yes. Then he asked if I had called someone else. I told him I had and he finished by telling me to ask for him when I got there. All went smooth. Delivery took place in record time. They have redeemed themselves.

If you don't mind closeouts, they have some good prices. Closeouts don't matter to me since Ma Honda doesn't change anything for 19 years between model changes anyway:)

[RideTN]

does a guy named pug vickers work at that dealer?

[Dinkie Diesel]

does a guy named pug vickers work at that dealer?

There's supposedly 14 salesmen working at that dealer. They all have a desk spaced throughout the sales floor with their names on a sign hanging next to the desk. I don't remember seeing any sign with PUG on it.

[RideTN]

ernest "pug" vickers, jr. used to work at lake hill years ago and helped them get into the big discount marketing approach. i had heard he was at a dealer in chattanooga, don't know which one.

[sroddy7855]

I've bought 4 bikes from southernhonda with no problems. If my next bike is a honda that's where I'll go.

[motorcyclelarry]

That's a tough call,
Having owned my own business for 30 years I have had employees tell customers information that was not correct. I try and help the best we can but there are sometimes you can't. I do remember the employers golden rule though. When you hire someone you hire them to be able to make mistakes in your name.

What I ALWAYS do when I hear a deal from a salesman is try and verify it with upper management. TOO many sales people out there are way to eager to make a sale. And know when to back off, people make mistakes!

Larry