DANG! No Stella auto coming to my local dealer!

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 8:08 pm

I've been hounding my local Genuine dealer about the Stella auto (Stellato? Stellamatic?) and was informed today that they'll likely NOT be ordering any 2014 Genuine Scooters. He said they're already overstocked with unsold units from previous years (both Stellas and Buddys) and that they just do not sell well here.

This could be a good thing, since it could mean getting a great deal on an unsold 4T instead, but man, I really REALLY wanted the automatic!

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 8:49 pm

You mean your dealer would not order one if it were presold? That sounds very strange. (actually sounds more like he is in the process of giving up his Genuine dealership to tell you the truth)

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:44 pm

Maybe you're right about dropping the brand, because he also mentioned he's "had nothing but problems with the Stellas." That doesn't scare me because I know how to maintain a bike, but without dealer support, I'm not sure what to do, even if he'd special-order me one.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:50 pm

caffeine65 wrote:Maybe you're right about dropping the brand, because he also mentioned he's "had nothing but problems with the Stellas." That doesn't scare me because I know how to maintain a bike, but without dealer support, I'm not sure what to do, even if he'd special-order me one.

He has nothing but trouble with Stellas, eh?
That is because he expects them to need little prep once removed from the crate.
A good dealer takes the time to recheck and adjust just about every cable and wire connection and routing befor sending the machine out.

LML, I have learned, expects the dealer to finish the assembly job, just like all motorcycles required (cars too) back in the 60's and 70's.
If he doesn't, they WILL have problems immediatly after the sale.

Rob

Dage'sVew · Post by **Dage'sVew** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:55 pm

Did you talk to the one in No. Huntingdon or the one on Penn?

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:17 am

Robbie, yeah I wondered that, or maybe folks not breaking them in properly, maintaining them properly, etc.

Dage'sVew wrote:Did you talk to the one in No. Huntingdon or the one on Penn?

North Huntington. Holy crap, I didn't realize there's one on Penn Ave until just now googling it. That's much closer to me, thanks! Are you familiar with that one?

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:09 am

Most dealers order scooters on credit — flooring plans — and basically pay interest on every unsold scoot in the shop. This adds up when scoots aren't moving, but creates a bit of a conundrum when it comes to ordering new models. Though I can't see into the mind or finances of this dealer, when the market crashed in 2009, a big problem that led to many dealers going under was that they couldn't extend their credit and didn't have the funds to order new scoots but were stuck paying for the older ones.

Dage'sVew · Post by **Dage'sVew** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 3:17 pm

I've never been to the one on Penn and only twice to the No. Huntingdon store. I got the impression there that with all the other lines they carry they just didn't put much focus on Genuines. I would like to check out the Penn Ave store one of these days. My Buddy was bought used in OH. Being in Gbg. I tend to shop the local big 'cycle stores for my needs and order online for those things my personal mechanic (retired HD/Honda man) can't supply.

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 3:34 pm

Dage'sVew wrote:I've never been to the one on Penn and only twice to the No. Huntingdon store. I got the impression there that with all the other lines they carry they just didn't put much focus on Genuines. I would like to check out the Penn Ave store one of these days.

I've been trying to contact Unique Cycles on Penn Ave this morning, but there's no answer.

I'll let you know how it goes if I ever get through.

EDIT - Just got hold of them. They sound cool and friendly enough, and even mentioned the Stella auto without my asking. Think I'll pay them a visit today...

Alexbv200 · Post by **Alexbv200** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 4:24 pm

And the Auto Stella now won't be here until February...

Elder Scoot · Post by **Elder Scoot** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:01 pm

Alexbv200 wrote:And the Auto Stella now won't be here until February...

I spoke with Genuine last Tuesday. They were noncommittal but said perhaps January. You, being a dealer, must have better information.

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Fri Nov 22, 2013 7:20 pm

not directly related, but thought I'd share...stopped by BMA Cycles this week before work to ask about maintenance/service issues with my motorcycle and the shop is loaded! at least 3 Stella 150 4-stroke shifty's, a Buddy 170i, 2 or 3 Buddy 125's, a Buddy 50, and an assortment of Chinese scooters; there's also a leftover Sym Symba and a few used scooters;

Lyle Jr. said they ordered as many 4-stroke shifty Stellas as they could since they (him & his dad) feel that the introduction of the auto Stellas might spell the end of the shifty's, especially if the autos take off like wildfire; I asked about their opinion of the Hooligan and I got mixed reviews...sounds like they might not get any unless there are repeated requests or someone puts a deposit to have one ordered in;

I'm curious why they order at the end of the season and then sit on them all winter...I wonder if they get a discount for ordering this late which helps Genuine from sitting on leftover stock into 2014

oh well...I'm holding onto my Buddy 125 since I'll have the motorcycle for longer rides & charity runs

RoaringTodd · Post by **RoaringTodd** » Fri Nov 22, 2013 7:57 pm

kmrcstintn wrote:I asked about their opinion of the Hooligan and I got mixed reviews...sounds like they might not get any unless there are repeated requests or someone puts a deposit to have one ordered in;

I am so stroked about the Hooligan and Stellatto. Wish I had $6,000 right now, and I would put in a order.

Finally a worthy replacement for my 1980's Elite.

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Sat Nov 23, 2013 2:29 am

RoaringTodd wrote:I am so stroked about the Hooligan and Stellatto. Wish I had $6,000 right now, and I would put in a order.

I'm in a pretty good spot, having just sold my motorcycle, I've got enough to pay cash for one scooter for me and one for my wife. So naturally, I'm SUPER stoked about the new Stella!! The timing couldn't be more perfect.

I have to say though, if by chance the official name is indeed "Stellato", I'm rebadging it immediately.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sat Nov 23, 2013 5:16 am

Stellato just has a great ring to it; It is what I'm calling them :p

jmp111181 · Post by **jmp111181** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 4:19 pm

My local dealership wasn't very forthcoming with info. Wanted to go ahead and pre-pay for one. Just kept saying "We'll call you when they come in." No word as to what color they'd be ordering, or an eta on anything.

Called a dealership an hour away in Mississippi. He immediately contacted Genuine, got me a final price, an eta on delivery, and pre-ordered. Didn't even have to pre-pay. A good old fashioned handshake deal.

Last we spoke, said it'd be end of Dec, early January for delivery. The gov't shut down delayed EPA testing on the bikes for importing.

Stilts · Post by **Stilts** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 5:59 pm

caffeine65 wrote:Robbie, yeah I wondered that, or maybe folks not breaking them in properly, maintaining them properly, etc.

Dage'sVew wrote:Did you talk to the one in No. Huntingdon or the one on Penn?
North Huntington. Holy crap, I didn't realize there's one on Penn Ave until just now googling it. That's much closer to me, thanks! Are you familiar with that one?

Double Holy Crap, I never thought I'd see my hometown's name mentioned on this forum OR that there would be a Genuine dealer in its confines. Wow.

Just wow.

Alexbv200 · Post by **Alexbv200** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 5:41 pm

Due to the bad weather in the Northeast, the Stellas Auto won't be at dealer until after March 10 or so....

theemptythrone · Post by **theemptythrone** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 4:27 am

i know how you feel, i was so excited to see the new line up at my dealers, i went in there today and he said he wasn't going to be carrying genuine any more.

my heart broke, hes the only genuine dealer for two hundred miles.