Remember in the movie 'Pretty Woman' when Julia Robert's character was ignored by the sales ladies in the high end boutique? She eventually returned to that same boutique after spending loads of money at stores willing to assist her and stating very emphatically ""Big Mistake, big mistake!"". Well, mine is just such a tale, only I didn't make the big purchase just yet. I tried to buy what I had intended but failed. Here's my story about my experience at Honda of New Orleans.
This afternoon I telephoned Honda of N.O. inquiring as to the availability of the new Honda CBR 250R; the ""Baby Blade"". The young man on the telephone responded to my call in the affirmative as his shop had both the red and black models available.
I jumped on my Vespa and rode off to their shop eager to get a glimpse of the latest Honda offering.
When I walked into the store the only other customer was an older man purchasing oil. I immediately saw the Honda CBR 250Rs and walked over to take a look. I asked a man at the front counter if it was acceptable if I sat on the bikes. He responded in the affirmative so I climbed atop the red Honda.
I sat on the red and black 250R and then walked over to the larger 600 and sat atop it, too. Not a single sales person approached me. I then walked around the store taking a look at all of the bikes available, making several glances up to the front counter.
I was completely ignored. I might as well have grown a second head because not one person bothered to even ask me if they could help me with anything. I deliberately wasted time thinking that if my interest was noticed perhaps I could get some assistance. NOPE!
It became embarrassingly obvious that my presence in the store was not wanted. Oh, did I mention the fact that I am female? Oh yeah, being a woman who likes to ride I expect a certain amount of chauvinism when entering a more traditional motorcycle shop. I have never encountered this sentiment at Ducati or Triumph dealers but then again their clientele is of a much different ilk.
I decided to simply leave as I could find another Honda dealer who would be more willing to sell me a bike. As I was leaving an Arab couple entered so I hung around in the parking lot to see how they were treated. Sure enough, after watching them walk around the store, glance up to the front counter and talk between themselves they were also ignored. I opted to leave and rode away on my Vespa.
I have seen a lot of rednecks at the shop over the years so I am assuming anyone not fitting that stereotype is not welcomed in the store. I personally think they should erect a sign or find another way of making it know that certain demographics are not welcomed in the shop.
I was going to buy the Honda this afternoon, too. The store's biased policies cost them over $4000. I wonder if it was worth it? Take it from a person who has shopped extensively for scooters and motorcycles. Take your business to the Transportation Revolution downtown or to New Orleans Powersports. Avoid Honda of New Orleans if you do not meet the redneck, white, male stereotype. Only by hitting them in the pocketbook will changes be made to their current polcies.
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