David Brumley, sales associate at Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso, took the position almost 15 years ago not knowing it would shape his life in a way he never expected.
“I’ve always been in sales. When the opportunity at Harley presented itself, I pursued it and it ended up turning into a whole lot more than just a job,” he said
Brumley has ridden a bike since he was 18, starting off on sports bikes and later making the switch to a Harley-Davidson.
“I enjoy riding myself. Bikes have always been a passion of mine, and when I started working within my passion, it accentuated it a bit. I was even more excited about riding after beginning at Harley,” Brumley said.
On average, Brumley sells about 200 bikes per year.
“I love helping customers through the buying experience. Whether it’s their very first Harley or they’re trading in, there are so many decisions to be made, and it’s fun to help them through it,” he said.
Brumley spends his days accommodating customers, helping them make a decision that most have been dreaming about for some time. Because buying a bike is a decision to be handled with care, Brumley always approaches the situation on a more personal level.
“I spend a few minutes getting to know them as a person. I talk to them about everything but motorcycles. Once they open up, I begin to ask them questions that will steer me into the direction as to what they’re looking for,” Brumley said. “It’s a relationship and an experience for customers. If I can make them feel comfortable, the buying process will go pretty smoothly.”
Brumley works to make customers completely happy with their purchase.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had someone come back unhappy with their bike. And if they have, we were able to fix it up or customize it in a way that solved those concerns,” he said.
Brumley noted that there aren’t many buying experiences that share the same excitement as buying a Harley.
“It’s nothing like buying a TV or even a home in some cases,” he said. “I’ve seen guys miss their home payments but have never missed their Harley payments. It’s more than buying a bike – it’s being a part of the family and culture that comes with it.”
When he’s not on the floor, Brumley takes the time to keep in touch with past buyers, letting them know about incentives and upgrades, while continuing to build on their relationship at the same time.
Brumley’s favorite part about Harley is getting to represent one of the most recognized brands in America.
“There are so many people out there who physically have the Harley-Davidson symbol tattooed on their bodies. Being part of a company that so many people feel so strongly about is pretty cool,” he said.
Brumley enjoys the family-oriented values that Harley-Davidson exudes.
“Even though this isn’t a family-run business, it definitely has that family-feel. I’m close with everyone here; we’re just about as close as it gets to a family,” he said.
Looking forward, Brumley continues to make many goals for himself within the company.
“Goals, goals, goals—we’re all about setting goals here. My main goal is to keep selling motorcycles, increase my interactions with customers, and continue to share that experience with as many customers as possible.”
In his free time, Brumley enjoys vacationing in the Outer Banks to see family, taking his bike on long-distance runs, and hunting in the winter.
Looking back on his time at Harley-Davidson so far, it seems as though Brumley has found his place.
“I never pictured myself being in one place for 15 years, but I’m glad that that has been my reality. Every day I kind of feel like I’ve found my home,” said Brumley.
To learn more about Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso, visit https://www.hdvalpo.com/.
