OT:North Jersey likely to lose a dealer

Flatbutt1 · 08-22-2005, 09:54 AM

Bad news for N Jersey pilots. Its looking like Garden State BMW will be closing its doors . Damn shame too, they are a good bunch of guys

1967 R50/2 · 08-22-2005, 10:39 AM

They just had some huge competition from Jack Trebour open up right next door. Can't say I am that suprised.

Besides the land that the dealership sits on is probably worth 10 times as much as the franchise. Selling off the land would probably be a much more profitable business than selling a bunch of bikes. Notoriously hard to make money on bikes.

Do you know where John Stevens (Head Tech) is going? He use to have his own Brit Bike shop up near Hamburg.

Anyway, I wish Bill and his crew the best of luck in wherever they land.

Flatbutt1 · 08-22-2005, 10:42 AM

I'll be talking to John tomorrow. Wherever he goes, I go. I followed him from his private shop to GSBMW. Maybe he'll re-open his own again. The guy is a great tech.

be_are_why · 08-22-2005, 11:25 AM

damn That stinks.

just got the detailed rambling email about the closing. I have only been in the area a short while, What would be the next nearest dealer? {Phillipsburg} BTW I'm in Blairstwon NJ. maybe Trebour will start selling BMWs, he's got every make under the sun. I hope not.

Flatbutt1 · 08-22-2005, 11:38 AM

Well Cross Country is in Metuchen but I know nothing of their tech staff. Touch of Class in P'burg has issues in terms of keeping their BMW license because of lowsales. That might change now and their tech staff is fairly new so I've heard. Wherever John Stephens goes, I go. He's a top tech.

1967 R50/2 · 08-22-2005, 11:58 AM

Keep us posted about John Stevens.

Of course, there is AMOL. I think they were outfitted to service oilheads up to R1100S when they lost the franchise. I've taken the /2 there from time to time.

Flatbutt1 · 08-22-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1967 R50/2
Keep us posted about John Stevens.

Of course, there is AMOL. I think they were outfitted to service oilheads up to R1100S when they lost the franchise. I've taken the /2 there from time to time.

whats the word on their quality?

1967 R50/2 · 08-22-2005, 01:01 PM

As far as my /2 was concerned...they were good. As far as oilheads, I have no idea. I haven't ever taken the S there.

SCOTTinNJ · 08-22-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flatbutt
I'll be talking to John tomorrow. Wherever he goes, I go. I followed him from his private shop to GSBMW. Maybe he'll re-open his own again. The guy is a great tech.

That's funny. Over on the BMW Sport Touring board there's a less than glowing comment.

blusxv · 08-22-2005, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1967 R50/2
Keep us posted about John Stevens.

Of course, there is AMOL. I think they were outfitted to service oilheads up to R1100S when they lost the franchise. I've taken the /2 there from time to time.

Amol is going under also, at the moment they are just a Honda dealer. If they are around come Fall I'd be shocked... To bad cause they are less then 1 mile from my house.

Mike

1967 R50/2 · 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blusxv
Amol is going under also, at the moment they are just a Honda dealer. If they are around come Fall I'd be shocked...

What? They lost Ducati too? Last time I was there they had Monsters all over the place.

blusxv · 08-22-2005, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1967 R50/2
What? They lost Ducati too? Last time I was there they had Monsters all over the place.

Yep, it figures... I live within 5 miles of them my whole life and when I bought my Beemer I find that they don't sell Beemers any more now I bought a Ducati and find that they lost Ducati too.
I think they lost Ducati last winter.

Mike

Kurt E. · 08-22-2005, 04:20 PM

Ah crap - I just bought a K1200RS from them in April. I bought my old S from Cross Country, and won't consider going back there. It's a pain to get to, and buying my S was a less than satisfactory experience.

How soon are they closing? I guess I need to get my spare key back - pronto.

Flatbutt1 · 08-23-2005, 06:56 AM

How hard is it to get another dealer to do warranty work on a bike purchased elsewhere? Any experiences to share?

roger albert · 08-23-2005, 10:26 AM

Unless you used up a ton of the new dealers time back when you bought your bike, and then bought it elsewhere, you should have no problem. Most will be glad to get an influx of new customers, assuming the loading isn't too bad and sudden.

SCOTTinNJ · 08-23-2005, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by flatbutt
How hard is it to get another dealer to do warranty work on a bike purchased elsewhere? Any experiences to share?

I bought a bike at one dealer in anticipation of a big trip. The weekend I got the bike, I took it for 1000 miles. I noticed that the final drive was leaking, so I called the dealer where I got the bike to see if I could get it repaired. I needed it done quickly, as my trip was shortly thereafter. They said they had no openings. I called another dealer and explained the situation. They took me the next day . . .

Flatbutt1 · 08-23-2005, 12:40 PM

Wrote to AMOL to see if they are servicing oilheads and this was their response:

"we too are closing shop. you can thank every person you know who bought helmets and motorcycle parts on the internet to save $2.07.
sorry we cannot help anymore"

damn shame for all involved. more so for those who have lost their livelihood

1967 R50/2 · 08-23-2005, 01:50 PM

I better stop by AMOL. They've got a TON of vintage stuff in the attic. Went up there once. It was like walking into Santa's Workshop.

dsl · 08-23-2005, 02:12 PM

Suckola

Major consolidation in the tri-state area

On this side of the Hudson: Westchester BMW closed, Beemer Cycles (independent) closed, and services appts are out 5+ weeks at Manhattan, Cliffs (Danbury) and Max's (Albany).... not to mention the lower quality work as they "rack 'em and pack 'em"

Time to switch brands??

1967 R50/2 · 08-23-2005, 02:44 PM

I think I am going to Manhattan.