Dealerships
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,960
Likes: 6,716
From: WI
Negotiate with facts. Its easier for you and actually easier for the dealer.
Check out seedealercost.com (its based on vivid black and does not include freight).
Add the freight to the invoice price (its listed on H-D website) & what you feel is a reasonable profit & make that your offer. Explain why you feel that number is reasonable. Note: "That's what I can afford" or "All I want to pay" are NOT good reasons.
Have the dealer explain why a $4k, 5k, or 6k profit is more reasonable. Have the dealer explain why $500 is a reasonable fee for "set up". Have the dealer explain any additional freight charges over and above the factory freight. Have the dealer explain that a $750 "dealer fee" is reasonable. While you're at it, have them explain what the "dealer fee" actually is. And post it here, so we'll all know.
If your offer is intentionally low, be willing to come up if the dealer has good reasons to pay more. Also be willing to walk if you can't get agree on a number.
You may get closer to your number than you think. Or you may find your local dealer is actually on the money and you'll have to pay his price.
Don't get emotionally involved. Some people negotiate on a bike that is not the color they want, then switch to the preferred color after a price is agreed upon.
Like hustling a girl in a bar, whoever buys who's story will determine if a sale is made.
Check out seedealercost.com (its based on vivid black and does not include freight).
Add the freight to the invoice price (its listed on H-D website) & what you feel is a reasonable profit & make that your offer. Explain why you feel that number is reasonable. Note: "That's what I can afford" or "All I want to pay" are NOT good reasons.
Have the dealer explain why a $4k, 5k, or 6k profit is more reasonable. Have the dealer explain why $500 is a reasonable fee for "set up". Have the dealer explain any additional freight charges over and above the factory freight. Have the dealer explain that a $750 "dealer fee" is reasonable. While you're at it, have them explain what the "dealer fee" actually is. And post it here, so we'll all know.
If your offer is intentionally low, be willing to come up if the dealer has good reasons to pay more. Also be willing to walk if you can't get agree on a number.
You may get closer to your number than you think. Or you may find your local dealer is actually on the money and you'll have to pay his price.
Don't get emotionally involved. Some people negotiate on a bike that is not the color they want, then switch to the preferred color after a price is agreed upon.
Like hustling a girl in a bar, whoever buys who's story will determine if a sale is made.
Thx for that website and info. Just checked it out and it's very useful since what I am after is Vivid Black
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Feb 25, 2017 at 10:48 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 612
Likes: 175
From: Milwaukee
It is, but truth be told, even if I bought it tomorrow, it's sitting at the shop till mid March or maybe early April anyway. So I'll just hold tight, get my bike out and then go in and make the entire deal. Then I can get on my bike with my cash and drive away if needed.
I dont recommend going to most dealerships for anything, but check out Suburban HD in Thiensville. They're still owned by the same folks that have owned it for decades. They arent part of a multi-dealership conglomerate, like so many are now. They've resisted replacing the building with one of new style cathedrals. They also have the reputation of being more willing to deal than the others. As a result, they move a lot of bikes. See what they can do for you. What have you got to lose?
Advanced
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 72
Likes: 29
From: Wilmington, NC
It's is true that they MoCo cannot tell a dealer at what price to sell. But manufacturers that sell product through the retail channel will encourage dealers/retailers to sell at the MSRP.. This is especially true with a new or high demand product. If the manufacturer feels a dealer/retailer is selling the product at price they feel devalues the brand or hurts the gross margins of its other dealers/retailers, they will manage this by simply backordering future shipments to the dealer/retailer. Many years ago, I worked as a manufacturers rep for a company everyone of you would recongnize. That is exactly how we worked to manage the retail pricing. The MoCo probably utilizes this method of pricing control, everything else will be negotiable. Ask for the world when it comes to service, parts, accessories the MoCo most likely will not care at what price the dealers sells these items. Best of luck on that new bike. Ask for it all, the only thing that can happen is they say NO.
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,960
Likes: 6,716
From: WI
It's going to be a toss up, selling your 09 yourself or trading in. Either way, it'll be a tough sell. Lots and lots of used bikes out there. Many dealers dont really want trade-ins, they're trying to fire-sale their 16's. Selling yourself will be tough. There are bikes on Craigslist that have been for sale for months. Supply exceeds demand, and not just cuz it's February.
I dont recommend going to most dealerships for anything, but check out Suburban HD in Thiensville. They're still owned by the same folks that have owned it for decades. They arent part of a multi-dealership conglomerate, like so many are now. They've resisted replacing the building with one of new style cathedrals. They also have the reputation of being more willing to deal than the others. As a result, they move a lot of bikes. See what they can do for you. What have you got to lose?
I dont recommend going to most dealerships for anything, but check out Suburban HD in Thiensville. They're still owned by the same folks that have owned it for decades. They arent part of a multi-dealership conglomerate, like so many are now. They've resisted replacing the building with one of new style cathedrals. They also have the reputation of being more willing to deal than the others. As a result, they move a lot of bikes. See what they can do for you. What have you got to lose?
It's going to be a toss up, selling your 09 yourself or trading in. Either way, it'll be a tough sell. Lots and lots of used bikes out there. Many dealers dont really want trade-ins, they're trying to fire-sale their 16's. Selling yourself will be tough. There are bikes on Craigslist that have been for sale for months. Supply exceeds demand, and not just cuz it's February.
Very True... I suspect if I do upgrade it will be with trade, not private sale. Like you said, to many of them for sale.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Feb 25, 2017 at 10:48 PM.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
This is the first thing I thought of...the same owner of those shops.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
H-D has "influence" on dealers not to discount. Left overs are an exception.
Few H-D owners fail to understand how beneficial to the value of their bike that H-D and the dealers holding to MSRP to them.
If they were heavily discounted then so would the value of your used bike.
Few H-D owners fail to understand how beneficial to the value of their bike that H-D and the dealers holding to MSRP to them.
If they were heavily discounted then so would the value of your used bike.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,137
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Submit for bid, the bike you want, from all the dealerships you are willing to travel to. All the dealerships have sales via website. Send detailed pictures/descrption of your trade in. set a time limit for when the auction is to end. Award the winner, go get your bike.
Simple.
Simple.
Dealerships can sell for what they want it is not dictated by the MOCO.
If all of the dealerships in your area are at a similar price it is not surprising, most business will or should have a very good idea of what their competition in the area is charging for like products. If I am one of four dealerships in an area it is important for me to have a good idea what kind of deals the others are giving, based on that info I am going to price my bike to be competitive with them and try to close the sale on intangibles such as giving you a better experience in the dealership, discount P&A and/or service. I really don't want to slash my selling price and sell on price alone because while that may initially gain me a few sales the other dealerships will be forced to jump on the bandwagon and before long we are all selling on price. That will only result in ASP (actual selling price) of all units at each dealership continuing to go down which is good for the customer but as a dealer I will continue to have to drop prices and see profit decrease.
With that said I would not pay close to MSRP on a 17 at this time. My deal on my 17 RGU was about $900 below MSRP and that included all taxes and fees. I wrote the check for $26,500 including all fees and taxes (including 7% State sales tax) , the bike shows a MSRP of 27,399. This was a cash deal with no trade
If all of the dealerships in your area are at a similar price it is not surprising, most business will or should have a very good idea of what their competition in the area is charging for like products. If I am one of four dealerships in an area it is important for me to have a good idea what kind of deals the others are giving, based on that info I am going to price my bike to be competitive with them and try to close the sale on intangibles such as giving you a better experience in the dealership, discount P&A and/or service. I really don't want to slash my selling price and sell on price alone because while that may initially gain me a few sales the other dealerships will be forced to jump on the bandwagon and before long we are all selling on price. That will only result in ASP (actual selling price) of all units at each dealership continuing to go down which is good for the customer but as a dealer I will continue to have to drop prices and see profit decrease.
With that said I would not pay close to MSRP on a 17 at this time. My deal on my 17 RGU was about $900 below MSRP and that included all taxes and fees. I wrote the check for $26,500 including all fees and taxes (including 7% State sales tax) , the bike shows a MSRP of 27,399. This was a cash deal with no trade
Last edited by Mxdad; Feb 26, 2017 at 05:59 AM.