Powerhouse Predicament

[BillyBob]

I just read this article in the March issue and thought that I would offer my experience with the Powerhouse.

Following my retirement, I decided to get a new bike, something with more touring potential. I checked around for what was available in the Halifax area but wanted to look at the Honda Varadero and CBF1000 after reading the reviews in Cycle Canada. There are two Powerhouse dealers in Nova Scotia - one 160 kms north of here and the other 100 kms south.

Heading north, the salesperson at the Powerhouse dealer said that he had not even seen the Varadero and that there were no CBF1000's available. What was on the floor were bikes that I could get at the multiline dealer in Dartmouth. I was offered a test drive on any other model and was asked if I wanted an appraisal of my 2004 Shadow 1100. I declined since they didn’t have a bike that I was interested in.

Heading south, this dealer had both of these bikes on the floor. I quickly ruled out the Varadero as being too tall for me ( I am in-seam challenged). The CBF1000 was great and I was very interested. There were two available, both leftover models from the previous year - even better as I thought that I could save a few dollars. I asked for an appraisal of my bike but was told that I would have to make an appointment - would in two weeks time be suitable? Well not really - my home is 100 kms from the dealer and what if it is raining that day? Do I wait another two weeks? Summer could be over! I never was offered a test drive.

I was a motivated buyer with cash in my pocket. To say the least, the Powerhouse concept didn’t work for me. (I ended up buying a BMW.)

[zzrcanuck]

I was on my way to Cape Breton a couple years back and my rear tire wore out a lot quicker than I thought it would. I happened to notice it at a Tim Horten's in New Glasgow. Lucky for me there was a powerhouse dealer right across the street. I went over and asked if they had a tire and could they mount it. They didn't have one in my size so he got on the phone and found one at another dealer in town. He jumped in his truck and returned a short while later with the tire. They installed it right away,lubed the chain, charged a surprisingly modest amount for it all and I was on my way. My experience was a good one.

[TimP]

Being a Honda owner living in Toronto I was a bit miffed when first McBride's went bust and then Snow City Cycle lost their Honda franchise. I did find my way to the (actually closer) Parkway Powerhouse on one occasion, but that was when I was looking for a snowblower. Given that we're talking Hondas it's not too surprising that I had no other reason to visit the Powerhouse. After all, Hondas don't break (no bias, just my low-mileage reality).

What was weird, however, was the obvious disconnect when, on my snowblower hunt, I had to call Parkway Honda a few times on the phone. The people who answered (more than once) gave me the impression they didn't even know the non-car part of the business existed. I think they even told me to call another number. No synergy there.

I bought an Ariens from Lowes, as it turned out. I wasn't aware the Parkway Powerhouse had even closed. My Honda's still purring, mind you.

[yzf1000jon]

I think it should be a dealers choice, I'm not a fan of any manufacturer that jams a business model down it's retailers throat, auto or bike, I think it's the height of rude to do such a thing and makes for resentment on both sides of the counter. When a dealer is forced to sell things that it has little interest in or feels resentment that they are made to sell and service them, customer relations suffer. There was something to be said about the mom and pop business model, GM forgot that and now they have a pile of our money to prove it.

[Battleax]

Honda Powerhouse concept sucks shit. I went to two powerhouses last spring to spend 20k and it was a very unpleasant experience . I don't want to see lawnmowers in my motorcycle showroom, and I don't want my salesman in a uniform. They wouldn't budge on price.

Bought at a private dealer, and got a $2200 reduction in price.

[zzrcanuck]

It's more about the attitude of the dealership staff than the business model.
Some powerhouses will be good, some not. The same goes for all the other dealers. The local private honda dealer had lawnmowers,generators and all kinds of stuff in the showroom with the bikes.

[Malks]

the Powerhouse concept should work well, since the auto side of the same company has performed extremely well over the years. You would have thought that mother honda would run the motorcycle side of the business using the same model. I think they started with that idea, but it really seems to have gone off the rails somewhere along the way.

I visited the Powerhouse dealer in Brampton, but only check it out after the opening and buy some accessories. I have never bought a bike from a dealer and don't see that changing anytime soon.

Fortunately, at least for now, Honda still seems to be supporting the local multi-line shop up here so I should be able to continue to get parts without the need to run down to Brampton.

[Caper]

As with most things it comes down to the people who you deal with. The company I work for as an auto mechanic also has a motorcycle/atv dealership and I recently visited it to look at side by sides. I left without spending money because the salesmen didn't seem interested in taking my money. I purchased a 2011 Rhino from a local family owned dealership two days later and was treated very well. I usually, like in this case, spend my money locally but I thought that considering I worked for the same company I'd give them a chance but it just didn't work out.

[yzf1000jon]

I've met some mechanics that don't like the powerhouse setup, the automotive side is flat rate and the bike side is hourly, can make for some bitter jealousy both ways when times are slow and busy. Can't win for losing on that one.

[kml]

@ Caper;

I've got a pretty good idea from your other posts to put two and two together and know who you are speaking of. Their parts and service department is excellent. I find them to be better than the other multi line dealer in town, who is still pretty good.

cheers
ken

[twinsport]

from what Ive been told the powerhouse deal is over. The CEO of Honda Canada is on his way out as is the PowerHouse. Rumor has it the PowerHouse worked well in Germany under the CEOs tenure there but has failed miserable here. Other rumor is that 50% of Canadian Powerhouses will fail during this economic downturn, 30% of all Canadian powersport shops are said to not be able to weather this storm.