Dealer Wouldn't Take My Check
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 81,309
Likes: 36,894
From: Oklahoma City
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,363
Likes: 24,227
From: NC, USA
I've been in business over 10 years and have only had one bad check. What sucks is the guy who wrote it I knew well and he killed himself the same day I found out it bounced (coincidence) ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,708
Likes: 17,550
From: Driftless Area
I have an Indy that has a sign...No Checks. He does some head machining for me on occasion. Since I don't know exactly how much it will be when I pick up the work, I give him a check, and he said he has no problem taking one from me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
A dealer not taking a check for a bike purchase....I say screw that.
Like most, I don't use checks often. But when putting a down payment on a vehicle, I do so with a check. I've never had an issue doing that. They have a little gizmo these days that can verify the account and the funds available.
For me, if I'm making a major purchase like this, it would seem that trust is a two way street. They run your credit history, and if they approve you for a loan, it just makes sense that they'd take a check for the down payment.
So, faced with a situation where my check is no good, I'd say, "i beg your pardon?" And I'd walk. The purchasing routine is difficult enough without having to run to the bank to get a certified check. If they've been burned before, I get that. But I'm just not willing to deal with an outfit that punishes me for the prior actions of dishonest people.
I reckon if I absolutely, positively had to have THAT vehicle, I'd comply. But, there are plenty of other dealers, plenty of other vehicles. ESPECIALLY for a bike, which is not a needed primary mode of transportation for most people.
Like most, I don't use checks often. But when putting a down payment on a vehicle, I do so with a check. I've never had an issue doing that. They have a little gizmo these days that can verify the account and the funds available.
For me, if I'm making a major purchase like this, it would seem that trust is a two way street. They run your credit history, and if they approve you for a loan, it just makes sense that they'd take a check for the down payment.
So, faced with a situation where my check is no good, I'd say, "i beg your pardon?" And I'd walk. The purchasing routine is difficult enough without having to run to the bank to get a certified check. If they've been burned before, I get that. But I'm just not willing to deal with an outfit that punishes me for the prior actions of dishonest people.
I reckon if I absolutely, positively had to have THAT vehicle, I'd comply. But, there are plenty of other dealers, plenty of other vehicles. ESPECIALLY for a bike, which is not a needed primary mode of transportation for most people.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 481
Likes: 111
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
It only takes 1 deal to create a policy. Those dealers that don't except checks at one point or another probably lost. Maybe they lost an entire motorcycle or maybe they lost a large service payment. You/We are being inconvenienced because of a few idiots.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 315
From: Alexandria, VA
I own and operate a retail establishment that deals in high-end products (not vehicles) and when you run across a situation like this where the dealer won't accept a personal check for a high dollar purchase, it's because they have been burned by a customer - usually more than once. Don't take it personally.
When a person writes a NSF (insufficient funds) check, its not a criminal offense, its a civil offense that requires civil court to rectify. And because a new motorcycle is outside the limits of Small Claims Court, that means an attorney has to get involved that they have to pay. It's a huge hassle and it takes months to recover the money.
Want to use a credit card? The fees on an AM EX are typically 3 to 3.3%. Offer to pay the fees and I'm sure they will be glad to accept it. Can a customer do a chargeback? Doubtful they would be able to be successful on a face to face transaction with signatures required. Chargebacks are not that easy for disgruntled consumers to prevail.
Not sure what the fuss is all about, unless you are a huge impulse buyer. When I bought my new Road Glide this past March I simply called them up before heading to the dealership and asked for the total. They gave it to me and I stopped by the bank to get a Cashier's Check - took all of 5 minutes. Makes everyone happy, no need to make it difficult.
Alternatively, if you ARE that impulse buyer and have to have it right now and are unprepared, just finance it on the spot and pay it all off when the first bill comes in. There are no penalties, you just have to wait a few weeks for the title - no biggie.
When a person writes a NSF (insufficient funds) check, its not a criminal offense, its a civil offense that requires civil court to rectify. And because a new motorcycle is outside the limits of Small Claims Court, that means an attorney has to get involved that they have to pay. It's a huge hassle and it takes months to recover the money.
Want to use a credit card? The fees on an AM EX are typically 3 to 3.3%. Offer to pay the fees and I'm sure they will be glad to accept it. Can a customer do a chargeback? Doubtful they would be able to be successful on a face to face transaction with signatures required. Chargebacks are not that easy for disgruntled consumers to prevail.
Not sure what the fuss is all about, unless you are a huge impulse buyer. When I bought my new Road Glide this past March I simply called them up before heading to the dealership and asked for the total. They gave it to me and I stopped by the bank to get a Cashier's Check - took all of 5 minutes. Makes everyone happy, no need to make it difficult.
Alternatively, if you ARE that impulse buyer and have to have it right now and are unprepared, just finance it on the spot and pay it all off when the first bill comes in. There are no penalties, you just have to wait a few weeks for the title - no biggie.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
A dealer not taking a check for a bike purchase....I say screw that.
Like most, I don't use checks often. But when putting a down payment on a vehicle, I do so with a check. I've never had an issue doing that. They have a little gizmo these days that can verify the account and the funds available.
Like most, I don't use checks often. But when putting a down payment on a vehicle, I do so with a check. I've never had an issue doing that. They have a little gizmo these days that can verify the account and the funds available.
I reacall this when the transitions from checks to debit cards was in progress. In many cases they didn't even need you to fill out the check, they just entered the dollar amount, whipped the check thru the scanner and handed it back to you. Instantly cleared.
Now I cringe when someone in line ahead of my whips out he checkbook. For those few places that even accept checks- like grocery stores. And yeah, they always seem to wait till after everything is rung up and packaged before starting to write out the check.
Grrr................
