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Snowmobile-specific open house gets customers amped up

The StaffFebruary 7, 2018

Echo Cycle’s targeted audience bought new Arctic Cat sleds, spied used units

Getting customers into the dealership during the winter months can be difficult as temperatures drop and door swings dwindle. Echo Cycle, based in Edmonton, Alberta, hosted a snowmobile open house in late November to give customers and staff an opportunity to visit for a few hours.

Echo Cycle sales manager Dave Boire was pleased with this year’s turnout, despite unseasonably warm weather and melting snow.

“The traffic was a little softer than we had hoped due to the weather, but we’re happy to report a door swing count of more than double our 2016 numbers at our open house,” he said.

While the dealership did not host a snowmobile open house the prior years, it has hosted open house-style events, and looks forward to making the snowmobile showcase an annual event.

During the event at Echo Cycle, the dealership sold three snowmobiles and even one motorcycle.

During the course of the event, Echo Cycle sold three sleds and one motorcycle. “Whenever there is plus weather, motorcycles tend to sell,” said Boire. “On the snowmobile side, we have found with the strong programs and rebates that Arctic Cat is offering, that even people who didn’t buy that day, they are still buying afterwards to take advantage of the savings.”

The snowmobile open house also included a used parts garage sale, door prizes, BBQ, a rider prize pack drawing and, of course, hot chocolate for all those who attended.

“Wow, yes, a great response to our first garage sale,” Boire said. “We were so happy with the results that we actually held the sale over the entire week! Tons of people were looking for used bits and we have a lot of it. We really take pride in having a great selection available.”

Echo Cycle, of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, hosted a snowmobile open house to see more traffic in the winter months. Photos courtesy of Echo Cycle

The dealership had sale racks with discounts of up to 70 percent on jackets, helmets and casual wear. Other promotions included decal kits for $50 (marked down from the regular $250), and all Arctic Cat parts and accessories were 15 percent off. Door prizes consisted of hats and t-shirts. The main giveaway of the day was the rider prize pack, which included an Arctic Cat riding jacket and bib. The winning name was selected from among those who purchased sleds that day.

Boire said the response to the event was very positive and the dealership is already looking forward to planning future festivities.

“There was a good vibe on the floor and a lot more excitement for the snowmobile season than in the last few years. Everyone seems to enjoy it — especially the yummy hot chocolate and the used units. We had a lot of used units outside, which made them very popular and accessible,” he said. “It is something we would like to build on every year now that we have the facility to host a fantastic event.”

The store, which opened in 1987 as a Husqvarna shop, has found success carrying its one line of snowmobiles. It began selling Arctic Cat snowmobiles and ATVs in 1996. Its brands today include Aprilia, Arctic Cat, E-Z-GO, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Textron Off Road and Triumph.