Should I be Offended??
Should I be Offended??
So I was out at my local dealer a couple of weeks ago looking at an 09 Street Glide. I love my Street Bob but the owner offered those in the H.O.G. chapter $1,000.00 off any Touring model so I though what the heck lets see what happens. Starting talking to my salesman who sold me the Street Bob and wanted to have him run some numbers for me.
First thing lets take a look at your Street Bob to see what kind of trade in you have. Now I know I'm going to be looking at some negative equity on a trade since I've only had the Bob for a year but thought O.K. lets see how much the offer me.
After commenting to me what a nice bike I have the guy doing the appraisal gives the paper work to my salesman and we go into his office. I ask him so how much are you going to give me for my bike?
$10,500.00
and the bike not exactly stock anymore less than 7,500 miles and I did the math and came up with about $2,500.00 of add on's I've done to the bike in the last year.
I look on their web site and find a 08 used Street Bob with close to 7,000 miles on it with a few add ons (not as many as I've got) and the asking price for it is $13,499.00.
So I was just thinking should I be offended by their offer or are they just doing business as usual?
TIA
First thing lets take a look at your Street Bob to see what kind of trade in you have. Now I know I'm going to be looking at some negative equity on a trade since I've only had the Bob for a year but thought O.K. lets see how much the offer me.
After commenting to me what a nice bike I have the guy doing the appraisal gives the paper work to my salesman and we go into his office. I ask him so how much are you going to give me for my bike?
$10,500.00
and the bike not exactly stock anymore less than 7,500 miles and I did the math and came up with about $2,500.00 of add on's I've done to the bike in the last year.I look on their web site and find a 08 used Street Bob with close to 7,000 miles on it with a few add ons (not as many as I've got) and the asking price for it is $13,499.00.
So I was just thinking should I be offended by their offer or are they just doing business as usual?
TIA
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 7
It's probably business as usual. Mods typically don't carry much, if any value on a trade-in or even a private sale unless the buyer considers them as valuable because they would want the mods themselves and wouldn't have to pay extra for them. I'd counter the offer but I wouldn't expect them to give you in trade what they are asking for the other bike. They have to have some wiggle room in the other bike and they also need to make a buck to stay in business. Oh, and that grand for being a HOG member has to come from somewhere too. You usually only really know what kind of deal you are getting if you aren't trading anything in. Chances are, they'd have offered you more to start with if they weren't giving you a grand off the other bike.
Normally you'd be better off buying the new bike and selling the other one on your own. But, in this economy - who knows?
Normally you'd be better off buying the new bike and selling the other one on your own. But, in this economy - who knows?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
It's really just business as usual.
you have to remember that your "add ons" are only valuable to you - they have no value to the dealer. His price is based on blue book and condition - nothing else.
HDs used to retain value - now they are like cars - lose 20%+ the minute you roll it out of the dealership.
you have to remember that your "add ons" are only valuable to you - they have no value to the dealer. His price is based on blue book and condition - nothing else.
HDs used to retain value - now they are like cars - lose 20%+ the minute you roll it out of the dealership.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,197
Likes: 708
From: (Toronto) Canada
No. Accessories are worth almost nothing if there is no theme. I don't know your bike, but the dealer will look at the listed book value, and give you that as a trade value.
We took in many bikes where the add on's were stripped off, costing the dealer money to take them off. Also the dealer usually services the bike, tires, brakes that sort of thing, and then they have to make a profit, so that 13,500 bike may have really cost the dealer 11,500 and then they have some room to negotiate on selling.
If you want to sell private, you may make some moremoney, but you have to do all the crap, for maybe an extra 500 to 1,000. Ask yourself if it's worth it.
Joe
We took in many bikes where the add on's were stripped off, costing the dealer money to take them off. Also the dealer usually services the bike, tires, brakes that sort of thing, and then they have to make a profit, so that 13,500 bike may have really cost the dealer 11,500 and then they have some room to negotiate on selling.
If you want to sell private, you may make some moremoney, but you have to do all the crap, for maybe an extra 500 to 1,000. Ask yourself if it's worth it.
Joe
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 504
Likes: 9
From: KY
Agree with the others....definitely business as usual. Car dealerships are no different either.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
I had an older sporty and they wanted to give me $3,000 under KBB value. I refuse to trade in anything anymore. They always hose you. Selling it on your own is more troublesome, but you get paid for it so it pans out.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
You'd be best off to sell your bike privately, then go make yoru deal cash in hand. The stealer has to make his $$ on both sides of the deal. They'll always try to lowball you and maximize their profit. Don't be offended, it's just business, not personal.