Great South H-D in Newnan, GA

BarAndShield · #1 08-04-2012, 09:51 AM

It's literally been years since I've darkened the doors of any H-D dealership, generally because everything inside seems to be plated in 24k gold and is prcied thusly, and because of the attitude I found at most dealerships. You know the one - "We are H-D, you need us, we don't need YOU".

Well, whilst questing for a new scoot, I go online and search some possibles near me. Google being my friend and all I found several. I looked at the pics online from individuals and then scoured the web sites of some dealers I'd known of from back in the day. A couple of the dealerships had some interesting bikes, but had the dreaded "Call For Price". Crap. Know what that means. Trolling for customer info and hard sale tactics. Ok, I'll bite. So I call a couple and endure the smarmy sales dudes and listen to why their bikes being priced so high is such a good deal for me. With my fears confirmed I nearly give up on buying used from a dealer.

Then, I widen my virtual fish net and cast a bit further out. I stumble upon a dealer in Newnan, GA called Great South H-D. I've never heard of these guys. I take a stroll around the site and see a pretty cherry 2008 Dyna Super Glide. In black. (Big Plus!). Price is listed (none of that Call for Price BS). So, intrigued I send an email to the "inquiry" address. I was answered promptly by Kelley Heath. No pressure, just seemed happy to answer my questions. We back and forthed a few more emails and I decided to call him the next week. I had some time available so I drove up to take a look and test ride the bike. Everything was agreeable, Kelley was the model of respect and worked very well with me to make the deal I was comfortable with. So I bought it! Put a downpayment and made arrangements for some forward controls and scheduled the pick up day to coincide with some other business I had to handle in Atlanta a few days later in the week.

Mrs. BarAndShield and myself drove up on the appointed day and were struck with a monsoon-like series of thunderstorms moving through the state. We had to pull off the road and seek shelter at one point for about an hour. We finally made it to Great South, and paid the balance. The bike looked great; forward controls really make it comfortable for me. Mrs. BarAndShield (and maybe me too a little bit

) was pretty concerned about me trying to ride all the way back home in the downpour with wind we'd just driven through so we told Kelley we may have to stay the night with nearby family and pick up the bike the next day. Kelley understands our concerns and excuses himself for a moment. When he comes back he tells us that Great South Will deliver the bike to me for FREE.

This is about a $150 freebie as I live well outside their normal delivery area. Bike arrived a few days later, on time and lookin' good.

Everyone I had contact with at Great South from the salesman Kelley Heath (can't give him enough props), to the guys in service to the nice lady who gave me a couple of T shirts to the sales manager treated me extremely well. They acted like I was actually important to them! Imagine that! A CUSTOMER being important at a H-D dealership!! I know, I thought it was a crazy H-D business model too.

Anyway, great experience. Has really made me rethink my knee-jerk disdain for H-D dealers. I'll be back I'm sure.

DK