SDG wrote:
Being a dealer is not easy however it is rewarding to own a family business dealing with a product we love.
Some of the general blanket stereotypes used in this thread against basically all retailers is disheartening.
Some people visit the showroom to even be in this conversation once every 10 years, Dealers and staff have been showing up and grinding to pay for the lights for 6 days a week for 10-20 years to serve and have a partnership with you, the consumer.
The comment about paying a 16 year old $9.00 an hour to uncrate and set up a new bike? That crosses a line for me, an absolute insult to most in the industry and I resent it.
Yes, people buy new GTS for $8-9K everyday in this country. Nobody is under any obligation to do so however it is what they cost so respectfully don't shame your fellow rider that did. Maybe thank him/her for helping keep your local Vespa sales and service department open, you might need a valve stem someday.
SDG
How about less than $9 hourly, like for free? The last Tech school I worked in our diesel mechanics program assembled new Kubota tractors and a few other pieces of equipment for the local dealer who also was a cooperating skilled work place for our students to do higher level skilled work and potentially even be hired. It was not a major use or abuse of their time and demanded attention to details while learning basic tool skills. In all the tech schools I worked in that was the only dealer vehicle type of assembly but it served it's purpose.
As for 16 year old's making $9, I see your in CA where wages and COL are much higher than my area. To be truthful local wages are embarrassing to those of us who know the world of work well, especially so when you have worked in skilled work preparation schools as did I. Skilled workers in my area are paid not much more than your $9 e.g. to start. New car dealers are among the worst cases of low skilled wages in my area. Factories a bit more, not much. Like many places these days factories use temp houses to try people out and sort through those who pass the drug test then resort back to their old life once some monies coming in for you know what.
Even the Toyota main factory here uses temps for the 1st go around and then you can be hired as regular for a living wage. Close to me ~ $10.50 to $13.50 for factories, dealers are lower.
I pay $8-9 for farm help IF! I can find someone.
threads here in a while.
