Triumphrat

Isa · 09-11-2006

I've started wondering what it takes to become a Triumph Dealer, and start up your own shop?

I've been hoping for a dealership to open up in Lincoln, NE, long enough; that I thought it worth the effort to look into just what it would take to open one up on my own.

Does anyone know how to go about this? Or were is the best place to start to look for information? Also, how much does Triumph actually help their dealers to get up and running?

Shawn · 09-11-2006

Contacting Triumph North America is a start, but I've always said that it is best to invest your time talking with the area rep for Triumph first.

Many folks get hung up talking to the TMA directly; which isn't bad but works only if you have the money, location, employees, and business plan ready to go.

hill8586 · 09-29-2006

Isa ,,,tried real hard ,,,had the business plan, money, net worth, etc......even talked with the two dealer development guys and their final descission was based on population count.....but they loved the business plan.... good luck and sic'em..........................................

Isa · 09-30-2006

hill8586

What are they looking for as far as population count?

Quote:

On 2006-09-29 15:11, hill8586 wrote:
Isa ,,,tried real hard ,,,had the business plan, money, net worth, etc......even talked with the two dealer development guys and their final descission was based on population count.....but they loved the business plan.... good luck and sic'em..........................................

hill8586 · 10-23-2006

Our total metro count is well over 500K but is broken up over several cities in close proximity....they told me flat out after time etc investment working up business plans including marketing etc, that they were looking for an existing dealer.
Not a stand alone or new/start-up shop....I think Omaha being a "big" name city might stand a better chance for you than little old Fort Smith or Fayettiville AR. A big plus I was told was the fact we had demonstrated we could actually run a business of some size and knew what a marketing plan was...we did our home work but I think they have had to many "start-ups" that have gone under and might be fealing a little burned. Good luck, I plan on trying again a little later.

Diego · 10-23-2006

> I plan on trying again a little later.

Good luck to you on that, hill8586, and you too Isa when you're ready to try.

It's a peculiar contradiction. On the one hand, Triumph would prefer to have more single-brand agencies, but on the other, they're so much more comfortable talking with established shops. Almost by definition, you're not going to convince many multi-brand shops to suddenly emphasize sales and service on a niche marque like Triumph.

Not currently having a well established shop, your next best bet would be a track record with the old Triumph...but there's not too many people still in business from those days, and/or who are willing to get back in the game.

Interestingly, I know exceptions to both of those principles--a shop that was a dealer for several other smaller brands, who were willing to reposition themselves as principally a Triumph dealership; and a dealer who is now out in the middle of nowhere, who was with Triumph in the old days and was young enough then to still be around for today's Triumphs.

The latter shop is in the least promising-looking market in the middle of the country, and would never get a franchise were it not for the owner's track record of enthusiastic promotion of the brand. He does well, even where he is.

Would that Triumph could develop a technqiue for recognizing that kind of spirit in the newcomers who would like to give it a go and are otherwise well qualified, too.

Isa · 10-24-2006

Quote:

On 2006-10-23 19:36, Diego wrote:
> I plan on trying again a little later.

Good luck to you on that, hill8586, and you too Isa when you're ready to try.

It's a peculiar contradiction. On the one hand, Triumph would prefer to have more single-brand agencies, but on the other, they're so much more comfortable talking with established shops. Almost by definition, you're not going to convince many multi-brand shops to suddenly emphasize sales and service on a niche marque like Triumph.

Not currently having a well established shop, your next best bet would be a track record with the old Triumph...but there's not too many people still in business from those days, and/or who are willing to get back in the game.

Interestingly, I know exceptions to both of those principles--a shop that was a dealer for several other smaller brands, who were willing to reposition themselves as principally a Triumph dealership; and a dealer who is now out in the middle of nowhere, who was with Triumph in the old days and was young enough then to still be around for today's Triumphs.

The latter shop is in the least promising-looking market in the middle of the country, and would never get a franchise were it not for the owner's track record of enthusiastic promotion of the brand. He does well, even where he is.

Would that Triumph could develop a technqiue for recognizing that kind of spirit in the newcomers who would like to give it a go and are otherwise well qualified, too.

I know, this sounds just like the shop I purchased my Sprint RS from -- Baxter Cycle. In the Marne, IA. Great shop in the middle of nowhere.

I was more hoping that Triumph would be interested, and willing to support a small start up mom and pop shop; to help spread availability of Triumph service and sales. It is still better than say Aprilia, but not by much.

I believe that the Sprint is the best bang for the buck, by far, of the touring bikes out there. But the lack of readily available dealers for service while one is touring, weighs heavily in ones decision to purchase a Sprint.

I know the lack of Aprilia dealers was a huge factor in my decision not to purchase a new Futura.

It seems to me, that it would be better to have higher density smaller shops, rather than isolated mega shops only in the largest of cities. I mean, the shops would grow, as Triumph grew here in the States: one would help the other. Anyhow, it seemed to work for Honda when they started here in the States.

Dragonsan · 03-20-2008

Isa if your still around let me know...contact me skoshidragon@hotmail.com

Trophy4 · 03-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isa

I've started wondering what it takes to become a Triumph Dealer, and start up your own shop?

I've been hoping for a dealership to open up in Lincoln, NE, long enough; that I thought it worth the effort to look into just what it would take to open one up on my own.

Does anyone know how to go about this? Or were is the best place to start to look for information? Also, how much does Triumph actually help their dealers to get up and running?

I know this thread is a couple of years old now, but on Triumph's official website is a menu pick for "Become a Dealer". Go to http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/ and click the link on the left side, near the bottom.

Good luck!

Dragonsan · 03-24-2008

so i wonder if he ever found out anything.. i live in omaha and there isn't a dealership in Lincoln..there is one here but not there...and I would be willing to help with it....hhhmmm..come on isa come back one day...