I'm getting ready to order my first rig and am wondering what the advantages/disadvantages are to buying from a smaller dealer vs. going factory direct prices being equal. Aside from that, hats off to this community of sidecarist I have learned that you don't call anyone concerning a sidecar without at least 20 minutes free. I hope the ride will be as much fun as the search.
My first rig I bought from a grey importer and those people didn't know anything about rigs at all.
Introduction = null / Service = null / Support = null / Spares = the absolute minimum / alignment = Arnold biceps needed / Bikes life = very poor
This rig I got from the local Jawa representative and the result is digitally the opposite for not that much money more,
although he imported only 6 sidecars in 6 years.
Except that a 350 Jawa is not the ride to go in high mountain range.
No new comer will be able to identify and eliminate the flaws out of a poorly set up rig.
What mainly matters is, if the seller identifies himself with his product and service...
So first a few visits and small talks with other costumers is the first thing to do.
I even would prefer to drive a couple of hundred miles for to receive an excellent service then be attended by a bummy/dummy, granty bartender. (did so in the past and will do so again)
In this field as in everything else is valid the following:
"Attitude (and knowledge) makes the difference!"
Best regards
Sven
I got my rig from a dealer because I though I would have someone that would get it setup right. I could have bough from the importer and a short drive picked up the sidecar. I have since found a shop that has been able to do any mods I have ask for and there is a list of them.
As a sidecar dealer I can say that the main difference can be the independent dealer also does installations and servicing of the product after the sale. Not all sidecar dealers have the ability or desire to offer after sales support. The same applies to some manufecturers. Especially importers.
Our longevity in the trade depends on referrals from satisfied customers and return clients since we don't have multimedia exposure to a large customer base.
We also offer (free) technical support to folks who have purchased their units factory direct and have gotten some ill advised "support" from their vendor, or none at all.
As certain models of sidecars become obsolete many of the factory technical advisors are new enough to the industry that they haven't a clue as to what can be done to overcome a technical problem.
Others are riveted to a certain brand of parts and supplies for their product and cannot offer any alternative solutions which may be easily available to the lowly independent who works with all Marques.
Just my opinion,
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
