Whats with Triumph and swag?

I went to the unveiling of the 675 last weekend. It was cool and all, but the unveiling event itself was pretty uneventful. Way back in the day when Ducati unveiled the 916, there were door prizes for everyone that showed up. There was a great party. Merriment was had. Triumph (or at least this dealer) really dropped the ball on fanfare IMHO.

Then, there was recently a call to RAT members in my area to assist when the Triumph truck makes its round to our area this summer. Our duties would be to lead demo rides around the area. I asked if we got swag for this and got a flat out NO as an answer.

***? Is this my dealer just being cheap, or is the Triumph RAT-wide?

[whoa]

Be interesting to see if Triumph is alone in spending less on these promos.

It does sound like the dealer/Triumph missed. I'd at least get somebody out with racing or design/tech experience to talk about the 675. That'd be pretty good, and shouldn't cost too much to pull off.

As to the demo rides, you'd be leading rides on some very cool bikes, what more do you want? :-D Put me on an S3 or Rocket and I'd lead a few groups.

[roy005]

The swag comes out of the dealer's pocket. Unfortunately many do not have alot of marketing savvy and suffer from deep pockets and short arms. Giving out some t shirts, patches, etc... and having some door prizes always goes a long way in bringing in some potential customers. The last time my dealer had the demo truck visit the dealer gave each of us who helped "work" the day a $50 gift certificate. That was much appreciated but many potential new customers didn't get any swag.

[JohnRimmer]

Surely we don't need freebies to be tempted to go along to our dealer,especially when a new model is launched.A friendly an knowlegeable dealer is more important than free gifts.There seems to be plenty of interest in the new D675 and already there is a waiting list.Let's not forget that Triumph is a tiny company compared to the 'big 4' and has already come a long way and is now able to design and manufacture class-leading new bikes.That's good enough for me.

[DavePreston]

I must say I am stunned that anyone feels they need to be rewarded with "swag" for taking part in a day of leading groups around on all of the new Triumphs, enjoying the camaraderie, and eating the free food and so forth. Back before I worked for a dealership, I would have been honored to be asked! I already have several people who feel the same way, and who will be happy to take part in the event, and who are happy to be associated with our dealership.
I understand that is not going to be true for all customers.
In addition, the promo for the unveiling of the 675 featured dry ice, pretty girls, and the bike itself - and most of the people there seemed to have a wonderful time. The area sales rep was on hand for as long as anyone had questions, and we wheeled the bike outside (twice) to start it up and have people sit on it, etc. It was a fine event according to many who were there, and we were not able to put together a bigger event due to a lack of assurance that both the bike and the area rep would in fact be on the premises, due to shipping vagaries, etc. It was desgined to be a "small" event, and was.
I made the decision to not make it a "bigger" event because of these factors, and because I did not think it was needed. I have not changed my mind.
The internet is full of people who are all-wise in the ways of marketing and how dealerships should be run - and usually that breaks down as "give the customer a prize every time they come in the store." All of those promotional dollars come from somewhere, and it is either profits or price, or both.
Nothing wrong with that, but that is not the road we choose to take. With three dealerships and 12 brands, we have a "special" event going on almost every weekend - and with that said, almost all of them are designed for customers to ride and to spend time together - not as a way to shower gifts on people who have to be rewarded to come in to the store.
As an example, the weekend of March 11th and 12th we designate the "R-Ides of March" to start off the riding season here in the Northwest. There will be a poker run and fund raiser for breast cancer research on Saturday, based at the Harley dealer, with the entrants visiting all of our dealerships - concluding with prizes and awards at a party at the local Hooters. At the same time, the other two stores will both be featuring Daytona 200 parties, with bg screen TVs showing the race, food etc. On Sunday a second charity ride to raise money for Riders for Health will be held, while the Harley dealership holds a bikini contest. So, there are a total of 5 events in two days - and my point is that customers will not be given "swag" for any of them, and in most cases will pay to take part. In the past, many have paid twice the entry fee to show their support. We have Harley riders who go on our "metric" and sport bike rides, and vice versa.
Again, I have nothing against "swag" and we do offer stuff like that from time to time, but most of the time our events are focused toward "small" events that are fun and are designed for friendship and riding with the customers who are in the store on a regular basis.
Works for us, but I would not presume to tell others how to run their business. In fact, I hope most of the other dealers continue with "swag only" events, as I think customers soon see through the flaws in that approach.

Dave Preston
Head Cheese
Cycle Barn RAT
Lynnwood, WA

[garry]

I helped lead demo rides for the Triumph truck for two very hot days last summer. I got no swag nor any free food. There was a cooler full of bottled water and Gatorade that was most welcome. And I wasn't expecting anything either. It was huge fun to introduce people to Triumphs and to get my pick of what model I wanted to ride any given demo run (of the ones not reserved). Since it was a cruiser rally, the only competition for the Speed Triple, Daytona 955 and Daytona 650 was the other rider on the demo run :-) Good time had by all and looking forward to doing it again this June.

The most fun was getting to lead a group of mfgr reps from other brands that wanted to demo the Rocket and being told to make sure they had a good time. Of course no laws were broken on that loop but we somehow managed to come back 10 minutes early. Must have hit all the lights green or something :-) :-)

[ This message was edited by: garry on 2006-03-03 15:15 ]

[RiderRocketman]

TFMK, you're kidding right? No?... maybe you're just an old HD convert. :razz: :-D

Seems to me that Triumph is taking the marketing route of individualism and exclusivity by not doing the big poomba advertising that most other manufacturers are doing. Not everyone agrees to their tactics, including me, but they're targeting more to the real gut and core of motorcycling - the enthusiasts, and those are the people that will come for the bike, the ride, and the people, nothing more.

My dealer's 675 unveiling was also a small, low key affair. I wasn't expecting anything more than to see, feel and hear the bike. That's what I got and I was satisfied.

I'd be darn grateful to be invited to lead demo rides. Only a handful of dealerships get that opportunity so take the keys and run with the pack. :wink:

[cafetbird]

Well, IMHO Triumph used to offer more SWAG than they do these days... or maybe it was the same amount of stuff with fewer riders??? I am with the rest of the crew, in this day and age, having the opportunity to demo a few bikes is reward enough....

[DrTriumph]

I don't ever expect Swat. On the other hand, one triumph T-shirt written off as advertising is not a huge expense. You do a draw though the day and people are ecstatic. This is a small price in bringing people in. I have a business not related to bikes but a small token of appreciation once in a while goes a very very long way. The dealerships would bring in more people that "may" buy stuff at the dealership just from being there. I think you have to look at the pro's and con's of swag. I have been to many demo rides and never a Triumph ride, not many come buy our area up here in Canada. The ones that had more people in general not just riders were the ones with a small door prize of a T-shirt or a small item like that. It is not an expected thing but boy little things like that go a long way. People remember and later when they need something, the little things bring them back.

I have to put it out there again as it is nice not a need for swag.

Just my opinion.

Dr. Triumph

[TripleThreat]

I would jump at the chance to help out our dealership with a demo ride or whatever other special event they would like assistance with as long as I didn't have other conflicts that prevented my attendance. Our dealership has been great and has been supportive of our RAT Pack. Our relationship is mutually beneficial.

I love Triumph and if I could earn as good a living working for them as I do now, I would jump at the chance. Being able to volunteer at something like that would be one way to live a little of the dream. All the people on Demo rides are surely jealous of those leading the rides and their connection with the brand...

TripleThreat