Viva la Buddy Revolucion!

iinigma7 · Post by **iinigma7** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:18 pm

I can't help but think that Buddy's are really going to become a big deal in the US over the next few years. People everywhere always talk to me about it. I've had nice conversations with people that would have just walked on by had I been driving my cage...what a great perk. People love these things, and I couldn't be happier to be driving one.

Since I got my Buddy last fall my friend has decided to get one, and a co-worker of mine is almost ready to commit. I've even sold some strangers on it. Today at the grocery store I walked up to my scoot to find two store employees oogling over it. I talked to them for about 5 mins. They were both just loving the Buddy and the last thing one guy said as I left was "One day you're going to see a line of these things parked in front of the store over there."

Do you get similar inquires with your scoot? Please share.

Peby01 · Post by **Peby01** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:39 pm

iinigma7 wrote:Do you get similar inquires with your scoot? Please share.

Just the other day, I took my beautiful Buddy to the grocery store. An older gentleman driving a HUGE SUV (Extended Suburban?) was looking at me intently. I asked him if everything was ok and he said his wife would get a kick out of my scooter. He then proceed to tell me how "stupid" he thinks scooters are and blah blah blah.

I then looked at his SUV and smiled. He asked why "I had that smirk on my face". I looked him straight in the eyes and told him I would love to visit the gas station with him and watch him fill up. He looked puzzled. I then asked him how many gallons his tank holds and what kind of mileage that thing gets. He mumbled something and I smiled more broadly.

Well this "stupid" scooter gets me over 85 miles per gallon! He quickly mumbled under his breath (AGAIN), got into "TANK" and drove away.

I went into the store as happy as can be and came out with 8 bags of groceries and fit it all on (in and around...LOL) my Buddy.

I guess everyone has dealt with idiots at one time or another - I think this guy was the grandpa of them all!!

iinigma7 · Post by **iinigma7** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:49 pm

Haha. Oh well, not everyone's a fan I suppose.

I can totally relate to the groceries. Matter of fact, as I was talking to the guys about my scoot at the store I had a seat full of bags and was holding a couple of frozen pizzas between my feet on the floorboard.

It's amazing how much you can carry on these things.

Orange Guy · Post by **Orange Guy** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:56 pm

I've had a few encounters with people asking questions and I preach on the virtues of the Genuine Buddy ... but I get the feeling they remember "scooter" and if they buy, they'll get the cheapest they can find, not the best.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:11 pm

Since I got my Blur I have had 3 people seriously considering a scooter, a wife's coleague asking for info for her husband and purchasing a scooter a month later and another wife's colegue also asking for info for her husband.

And that does not count the MPG, price, 65mph speach I give often when people sees me and start asking questions.

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:35 pm

Just the other day, I took my beautiful Buddy to the grocery store. An older gentleman driving a HUGE SUV (Extended Suburban?) was looking at me intently. I asked him if everything was ok and he said his wife would get a kick out of my scooter. He then proceed to tell me how "stupid" he thinks scooters are and blah blah blah.

It's remarkable, isn't it? He's alone in 2 1/2 tons of truck guzzling a gallon of $4.00 gas every 8 or 10 miles and he's brainless enough to think scooters are stupid? If his is the majority opinion I have little hope for the future.

I've had lots of people approach me about the Buddy, especially when I'm loading it up at a store or filling it with gas. Lately, that pace has slowed but it's obvious that scooters are hot right now. I rode past Sportique the other day and they had dozens of recently emptied crates by the side of the road. I'm also seeing lots of new riders which is cause for concern but I'll eventually start another thread on that topic.

gymnation · Post by **gymnation** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:42 pm

gt1000 wrote:
Just the other day, I took my beautiful Buddy to the grocery store. An older gentleman driving a HUGE SUV (Extended Suburban?) was looking at me intently. I asked him if everything was ok and he said his wife would get a kick out of my scooter. He then proceed to tell me how "stupid" he thinks scooters are and blah blah blah.
It's remarkable, isn't it? He's alone in 2 1/2 tons of truck guzzling a gallon of $4.00 gas every 8 or 10 miles and he's brainless enough to think scooters are stupid? If his is the majority opinion I have little hope for the future.

I've had lots of people approach me about the Buddy, especially when I'm loading it up at a store or filling it with gas. Lately, that pace has slowed but it's obvious that scooters are hot right now. I rode past Sportique the other day and they had dozens of recently emptied crates by the side of the road. I'm also seeing lots of new riders which is cause for concern but I'll eventually start another thread on that topic.

I saw the same pile of empty cartons at Sportique last weekend!
Unfortunately, that idiot is fairly typical. I don't think that most people will change their habits one bit in this country until gas is > $10/gallon and they're breathing ash... but I'm doing my best to make up for 'em, and having fun doing it!

Ken82 · Post by **Ken82** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:43 pm

i had 2 people today ask me about my buddy...the grocery store seems to be the hot spot for scoot talk....

as far as the haters...screw em... one really doesn't have to explain themselves to someone so ignorant...

the bottom line is..who cares what you want to drive on the road? bigger fish to fry my dudes!

even though 2 wheels will always rule over 4!!!! MUAHAHAHAAHAHAH

Post by **ericalm** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:59 pm

Buddydom is growing, and fast. I don't have official sales numbers, but I think they're getting much bigger every year. This year, especially, it feels like we're close to a tipping point for scooters.

Genuine is in a better position to take advantage of this than any other scooter company. And I'm pretty sure they know that.

Orange Guy wrote:I've had a few encounters with people asking questions and I preach on the virtues of the Genuine Buddy ... but I get the feeling they remember "scooter" and if they buy, they'll get the cheapest they can find, not the best.

Send them to your dealer! If your dealer has cards, toss some in your jacket or whatever.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue May 20, 2008 10:13 pm

Ditto to what everyone else is saying...

not to change the subject:

GYMNATION WINS THE AVATAR AWARD HANDS DOWN!!!

the dude abides...

Rhodyterri · Post by **Rhodyterri** » Tue May 20, 2008 10:15 pm

I have been amazed at the number of "older" women (like my mother's age, sorry Mom) who come up to me to tell me how fun it looks and then ask if it is. Men ask about the gas milage first, then how fast does it go. But women really seem to get it. It's fun and oh yeah, it saves gas.

The best experience was the other day at the market. I came out ans loaded my bags in the scooter and was sitting on the seat, putting my helmet over my head, when this young mom with two little kids is walking up to the door of the store. I saw the kids stopping to point and look excited, but couldn't hear them until I opened my visor. The mother was apologizing to me and explaining that anytime they see a motorcycle or scooter, they think that it is one of the Power Rangers! I chose to take it as a good thing. I rode home and told my partner to watch out, I'm a Power Ranger!

brimstone · Post by **brimstone** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:48 am

that's not fair, whippin' out the lebowski. cheater!!

Post by **ericalm** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:25 am

Rhodyterri wrote:I have been amazed at the number of "older" women (like my mother's age, sorry Mom) who come up to me to tell me how fun it looks and then ask if it is.

I had a sixtysomething woman come up to me tonight and tell me she had a Vespa in the '60s. She was pretty surprised when I told her my scoot was a Vespa. "They still make those?"

Another time, a senior woman told me a great story about being in italy in the ’60s and riding around the countryside on a boy's Vespa. I almost offered her a ride.

But my favorites are the guys who just give me the "I always wanted one of those, but..." looks. I used to be like them. I just went out and got one. What's stopping them?

louie · Post by **louie** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:02 pm

ericalm wrote:... If your dealer has cards, toss some in your jacket or whatever.

i did just that a couple of months ago. i've given around 10 away to those who ask about it.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed May 21, 2008 4:35 pm

louie wrote:
ericalm wrote:... If your dealer has cards, toss some in your jacket or whatever.
i did just that a couple of months ago. i've given around 10 away to those who ask about it.

You should put your name on the back of all of them. "Referred by louie" Just so your dealer knows!

Dealers should have points systems for referrals. Refer 10 people and get a 20% discount on gear. Something like that.

People owning and riding Buddys is the best marketing. It's what gets people who don't read Scoot! interested.

nissanman · Post by **nissanman** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:52 am

Scooter Centrale (aka Vespa of Hartford) has a refferal program. Put your name on the cards he gives you and if someone you send in buys, you get $50 store credit, the new buyer gets $100 off the scoot. Not too bad. Of course I'd do Doug and the crew up there the courtesy for free, but with the way I buy accessories I need all the help ($) I can get.

scoots4me · Post by **scoots4me** » Thu May 22, 2008 1:58 am

When I called my insurance agency to get my Buddy added on, the woman at the central call place got all excited and started telling me all about the scooter she had when she was a kid and how it was her only mode of transportation, etc. and so forth. She was so sweet and as she went on and on and on she got even more excited. She never even SAW my scoot and she was excited! Small buzz kill came when manager of local office called to confirm the plan and told me to be careful, called me sweetie (darn my 7 year old voice) and told me to be careful again since he just went to a funeral of one of his motorcycle riders. GEEZ. Anyway, I think it is hysterical that someone got excited without even seeing my Buddy. I can't wait until I make it out far enough to get real, live comments.

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Thu May 22, 2008 2:01 am

did someone mention grocery shopping?

i know the floor board appears full, but trust me, those bags are soft and squishy and there was plenty of room for my feet.

gymnation · Post by **gymnation** » Thu May 22, 2008 2:28 pm

KRUSTYburger wrote: not to change the subject:

GYMNATION WINS THE AVATAR AWARD HANDS DOWN!!!

the dude abides...

Thanks. Indeed, the Dude abides..."Shut up Donnie!"

SScooterG · Post by **SScooterG** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:26 am

Here's my grocery store story:

I was about to pull out onto the street after shopping, and some older man cried out "The gas companies must love you!" - proceeded by traditional questions, blah blah. Then he was all like, "Well, you are a very intelligent woman, and if I won the lottery, I'd be down on my knees for you."

I was very flattered (even though I was, like, a third of his age!)

Post by **ericalm** » Fri May 23, 2008 4:16 am

SScooterG wrote:I was about to pull out onto the street after shopping, and some older man cried out "The gas companies must love you!" - proceeded by traditional questions, blah blah. Then he was all like, "Well, you are a very intelligent woman, and if I won the lottery, I'd be down on my knees for you." I was very flattered (even though I was, like, a third of his age!)

I don't really get what the lottery has to do with it.

Best negative comment I ever got was from a weird old coot:
"We drive CARS in America, not BUBBLES!"

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Fri May 23, 2008 4:19 am

Christy wrote:did someone mention grocery shopping?

i know the floor board appears full, but trust me, those bags are soft and squishy and there was plenty of room for my feet.

i only live 3 blocks from the grovery store so i usually hoof it... but i am tempted to take my buddy and see how much i can put on...

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Sat May 24, 2008 2:02 pm

the dude abides...

Indeed he does! That jumped out at me to, KB!

Christy, love the pic! I just purchased a bungie-net for my scoot. What a GREAT creation!

Modern Buddy

Viva la Buddy Revolucion!

Viva la Buddy Revolucion!

Re: Viva la Buddy Revolucion!