FREE AGENT

[Norway]

You sprinkle a few colorful emails on top of all of this that an executive might find offensive in nature (completely subjective in nature). you can see how a high priced attorney and most corperation have several on retainer could make the case. Do i agree with that? not really! Is it possible??? absolutely. Law is not really fair. It really comes down to who tells the better story and high priced attorneys can tell a dam good story if they are paid enough to do so

We have every right in the world to voice our opinion about how Arctic Cat is doing business as an individual customer. However as soon as we mention something in common with what someone else has said we can be lumbed into a group whether or not you wanted to be part of that group.

this is just a single persons point of view in which you may or may not agree with

Thanks for sharing some points. But as a person who did not get to read the post that Christoffer linked to, I am still left with a "if".

I see and concede your point IF Michelle/OTS started this by asking people in some way or another to voice their opinion to AC.
But like I mentioned, this is an outdoor sportshop, not black ops. People are not sworn to secrecy here. If there is a dispute with dealer X and AC that threatened to close the shop, it would be perfectly natural for this situation to appear in the local paper. Then, if people get mad and spew AC with bad feedback, how could the dealer be held accountable??

THIS I don't get UNLESS they did something to spark these actions.

I'm certain many more details will become public in the near future, then I guess I will get some of the blanks filled in and see a better picture.
Until then, cheering for OTS and Michelle.

 

[up-high]

The threat of sueing OTS was just to get Michelle scared enough to get Christopher to pull all the bad press Cat was getting. Whoever made the threat knew that OTS couldn't afford a drawn out court battle. Cat has lawyers that get paid by the word/letter. For Cat to use such underhanded and just plain classless tactics shows me that I want nothing to do with Cat or it's products. Don't forget that this was all started by a loser of a dealer in Lethbridge Alberta. Why? I have no idea. Maybe someone sh!t in his cornflakes?

 

[christopher]

To say the least, this whole situation is messed up....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 2 pro.

 

[geo]

I've never dealt with OTS but obviously from the unanimous support, they're a top notch dealership.

My assumption is because they are a great dealership they also move a lot of Arctic Cat product, which begs the question...
Why would they move to close one of their most reputable and profitable dealerships over a minor and honest mistake?

I totally get bholmlate's point about rules and the sometimes myopic way big companies enforce them but...given that AC is about profit, It doesn't make financial sense. And over a belt? They're just going to just throw away what I'm guessing is around $1 million in sales between sleds, ATVs, parts, and accessories over a $100 belt?? Seriously??

Common sense says OTS should receive a warning and maybe a probationary period but IMO, if AC pulls their line from OTS then there's something else afoot.

If another AC dealership opens soon after bet me the new owner has a personal connection to someone well placed in Thief River Falls.

Who would want an AC dealership anyway?

Way better ways of making money. You could sell flowers, ice cream, lemonade, mow lawns, wash cars,,,,

 

[bholmlate]

In any case I think we should all let things lay for awhile and let the partys that are directly envovled work things out. there was a reason the other thread was shut down we should all respect that. I am still routing for one side

 

[Norway]

In any case I think we should all let things lay for awhile and let the partys that are directly envovled work things out. there was a reason the other thread was shut down we should all respect that. I am still routing for one side

Maybe, I don't know...

What we have been led to do now is take the pressure of Cat. Does that help OTS?? I'm inclined to believe that a flow of love and support for OTS would keep pounding into their heads that OTS is a good dealer worth keeping.
And that lots of green folks would hate to loose them.

With little to no info I still feel bullied to silence. THAT don't usually go well with me... Or the ones trying to do it.

RS

 

[eddy]

Business today

"It is legal to be stupid" is a saying that helps many of us get through the day without strangling people who desperately need it. As a vendor who did business with many AC dealers over the years I must say I witnessed more unfounded decisions and coercion causing the closure of established Cat dealers than any other brand. The other 3 MFR's would puff up and threaten a dealer's business, however as it turns out, Cat would make choices more often that resulted in closure of dealerships than any of the four. This is my opinion based on a sample size of about 200 dealerships I actively did business with.

Bad Karma, bad juju or what ever it is, Cat seems to be destroying the work of many good people. Look at the marketshare figures and do the math. Cat is losing on snowmobiles and is on the path to exiting the market (in the future) as a MFR of snowmobiles. If they continue to treat the ATV and UTV dealers like the snowmobile dealers they will need to exit manufacturing those as well.

If how they treat the dealers is any indication of future stock price it may me time to "sell short" as that is what Cat does to the dealers.

 

[m8magicandmystery]

"It is legal to be stupid" is a saying that helps many of us get through the day without strangling people who desperately need it. As a vendor who did business with many AC dealers over the years I must say I witnessed more unfounded decisions and coercion causing the closure of established Cat dealers than any other brand. The other 3 MFR's would puff up and threaten a dealer's business, however as it turns out, Cat would make choices more often that resulted in closure of dealerships than any of the four. This is my opinion based on a sample size of about 200 dealerships I actively did business with.

Bad Karma, bad juju or what ever it is, Cat seems to be destroying the work of many good people. Look at the marketshare figures and do the math. Cat is losing on snowmobiles and is on the path to exiting the market (in the future) as a MFR of snowmobiles. If they continue to treat the ATV and UTV dealers like the snowmobile dealers they will need to exit manufacturing those as well.

If how they treat the dealers is any indication of future stock price it may me time to "sell short" as that is what Cat does to the dealers.

Right on..

yea their stock is well down from their high...actually closer to their year low..

Now that they are in bed with Yamaha they may get treated like they treat...abit of their own medicine.

Regardless a sled or atv manufacturer needs a "culture" of following about it to survive against the competition and to survive the not so good snow years.

Cat has had "bleed green" as an actual reality as a buffer, but by taking away the continuous healthy transfusion bit by bit they are making people that bleed green anemic...it just can't continue.

The best Boss I ever had always said his employee's to him was as important as the customers, so what I am trying to figure out this past couple years is what is important to Cat

 

[05900]

Look if the azzclowns hire a CEO that used to sell 2x4's, you'd think they'd have pulled his head out first..although he's probably pretty well insulated and out of touch.
Who is this Darling dumbass anyways..a brown nose neighbor perhaps??

 

[Matte Murder]

I would suspect that Cat is tired of Dealers complaining to them about Michelle's low prices. Even for people who have a decent dealer local to them it is very hard for most people to spend more money than they have to. Even when they want to have a local shop to be there for when they need them. Cat was probably looking for a LEGAL reason to shut OTS down. For original Cat parts you are ultimately going to have to buy from someone. Does Cat care if you spend 10-20% more? And most have way higher overhead than out in the sticks Oregon. A lot of local dealers have to charge sales tax too. In WA it's almost 10% so now the savings are getting high enough that the local dealers can't compete at all. They sell to all their dealers at the same price to it doesn't really matter but if there is one dealer selling cheaper than ALL the others then Cat is going to get a lot of heat from every other dealer. It is expensive to keep a dealership open and they need to make money on new units, parts and service to make a buck. What is probably going to happen now is some other dealer, out in the sticks with low overhead, in a state with no sales tax is going to see this as a golden opportunity to steal hundreds of new Cat customers and cutting her off is going to solve nothing. There are laws against price fixing so they know they can't be honest about the reasons for cutting her off but there is no way she can afford a legal fight like this. Sucks for her and her customers. Makes Cat look like a corporate bully too.

 

[ak]

Is Oregon Trail Sports still a cat dealer are not? What is the out come from this?

 

[RobertTrivanovic]

As much as I want AC and OTS to stay together (for my benefit) I feel like Cat doesnt deserve to have Michelle after how they have been acting. It may not seem like it at the moment but maybe this is a good opportunity for OTS to start dealing with another brand like Ski Doo for example, or just take it to the next level with Polaris and Yamaha.

Maybe im just talking crazy, and I probably am, but Michelle has been to good to have to deal with a company that treats her like this!

Either way I hope whatever happens is what Michelle wants, I hope none of us effected anything negatively... Good luck again Michelle!

 

[403kelvin]

I have read a lot of these threads from the start and am quite jealous that some of you have a dealer that is so good to garner this type of support. I would happily deal with someone who made customers feel important like apparently OTS does. I have no idea what the deal is between the manufacturers and the dealer network is either in the US or in Canada, but have been told by many in my area that if you buy your sled from anyone other than the local stores they won't even do warranty work for you or if they will it will likely be ready in June or July. I have also tried to spend money at these same local shops and get the feeling that by having to talk to me (the customer) that I am interrupting something important in their lives. I have spent my working life as a auto/light truck mechanic (at dealerships, private shops and my own business) and for the above reason do not own any "new sleds". When or if the day comes that I do buy a new machine it will be me, not a corp. that decide where and to whom I give my money regardless of their policy or availability to warranty. This stance will however mean I won't be riding anything new in the future. I truly hope that someone at Arctic Cat appreciates a dealer like OTS that does have a loyal customer following. By the way did I mention that as a result of the attitude of my local shops, both AC and Yamaha, I buy all of my parts from US dealers and have them shipped to the boarder to be picked up by myself. I don't give money to someone who gives me no service, that is not the way I ran my shop

 

[geo]

Lot of untold things on the corporate side, from all the OEM's. I would have thought by now a Canadian dealer might have,,, forget that.

Taxes aside, even when our dollar was equal or higher than the US a good deal in the States was below cost in Canada. Hard to compete with that.
Must be the shipping costs, eh.

That is not a situation created by OTS or higher labour costs in Canada.

 

[DPalmerM10]

Good luck OTS, I will still buy from you even if I have to change brands. Been AC for 44 years, maybe time.

 

[Blu Du]

I would suspect that Cat is tired of Dealers complaining to them about Michelle's low prices. Even for people who have a decent dealer local to them it is very hard for most people to spend more money than they have to. Even when they want to have a local shop to be there for when they need them. Cat was probably looking for a LEGAL reason to shut OTS down. For original Cat parts you are ultimately going to have to buy from someone. Does Cat care if you spend 10-20% more? And most have way higher overhead than out in the sticks Oregon. A lot of local dealers have to charge sales tax too. In WA it's almost 10% so now the savings are getting high enough that the local dealers can't compete at all. They sell to all their dealers at the same price to it doesn't really matter but if there is one dealer selling cheaper than ALL the others then Cat is going to get a lot of heat from every other dealer. It is expensive to keep a dealership open and they need to make money on new units, parts and service to make a buck. What is probably going to happen now is some other dealer, out in the sticks with low overhead, in a state with no sales tax is going to see this as a golden opportunity to steal hundreds of new Cat customers and cutting her off is going to solve nothing. There are laws against price fixing so they know they can't be honest about the reasons for cutting her off but there is no way she can afford a legal fight like this. Sucks for her and her customers. Makes Cat look like a corporate bully too.

^^^^^this is exactly what I was thinking since the start of the thread.

 

[tjcatman]

OTS

I orderd some parts from Michelle yesterday and all I can say is this issue is definately taking a toll on her. If anything we need to keep this thred going to let her know how much we care for her and support her. I think it is obvious at this point that we as a group have been bullied by AC, but again we need to do what is best for Michelle and OTS at this point. I for one am disgusted with AC and am seriously considering another brand that Michlelle sells.

Also I don't buy into all of the other dealers not being able to compete with Michelle either. I think they have chosen the higher (higher mark-up) road that is, in what they are selling. I have a local dealer and still do business with him on occasion. I have a good relationship with him and discuss what I can get the parts for from a different dealer (Michelle) and he has been able to meet or at least come close to that price on lots of occasions. When he can, I buy from him. Sure he has to lower his 45% to 50% mark-up, but sometimes he is willing to do that. It is his choice, just like it is Michelle's choice to sell parts and sleds at a lower mark-up then other dealers. As a result of that we all love and support her.

I hope this resolves itself either way, soon.

 

[MAC29]

The girl is a tiger

Hung out for a couple hours with Michelle and the rest of the OTS people today. She makes me laugh. Should be some news in a few days. These are good people and made me appreciate them more than I already did.

 

[Snomofo]

Good luck OTS, I will still buy from you even if I have to change brands. Been AC for 44 years, maybe time.

I agree totally----Michelle and her crew are fantastic---hard to find service oriented dealerships no matter what they sell

 

[KMMAC]

Arctic cat hates the west... They have always stood on the throne of we know more than you do when building sleds.. Look at them now in 2014 they have the pro climb Barely better than the M after 3 years.. Ya,, say what you want making a MOUNTAIN sled go better down the trail is not a better MOUNTAIN sled.. Cat has been arrogant for a long time. Think I'll sell my new too me low mile M and save money to buy a POLARIS PRO RMK....... No foolin, I bought the M to fix some of the factory problems and start riding next fall,but now why would I support a company that could care less about the HAND THAT FEEDS IT............ I pray for more good fortune to come to you FREEAGENT.......