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Micro Dot anyone have one?

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Old May 27, 2019 | 11:26 AM
  #1  
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Default Micro Dot anyone have one?

Talking to a dealer about a used bike. When discussing the fees to get it OTD I was told that the bike would get a micro dot to aid in recovery, in the case it got stolen. I was told the $299 fee was not a choice but a necessity, and part of the cost. I objected but to no avail. Ended up walking out the door.
Does anyone else have one of these dots? As it was explained to me LE only has to use a ultra violet light and the dot would show the current owner. I never heard of one before and certainly have never had the fee forced on me.
 
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May 27, 2019, 12:00 PM
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Data Dots are not mandatory.

It's one of the back-end products Harley Financial offers along with ESP, GAP Plus and their paint protection.

Data Dots are a RFID micro transmitter suspended in an adhesive paste that dries clear. The paste is applied under body panels, on the frame and under pedals. Really anywhere the tech can think to put it. A label is attached to the frame. When a stolen bike is found, the label tells LE to scan the bike with a UV light to find the RFID transmitters. They scan it like a lost pet and the serial number sends them to a website. If your bike is stolen and not recovered, Data Dots will provide $5000 towards a down payment on your next bike provided you go back to your issuing dealer.

The bike CANNOT be dot'd before it's sold because the serial numbers have to be registered at time of contracting (there are ways around this, but they would be violating Data Dots policies which would prevent claiming your 5k if you needed it). If the bike WAS dot'd already, they can't sell dots again because they cannot apply a new dot paste over the old one.

That being said, $300 is a pretty good price IF YOU WANTED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, as most dealers charge $500-800 installed. There is a part/labor cost to install it.

I would highly advise calling Harley Financial services and let them know that a dealer is forcing customers to buy back end products. This is a very serious issue that most of us dealers have to fight against.



Source: I'm formally a Harley Davidson Finance Manager and Internet Sales Manager.
 

Last edited by estrada42; May 27, 2019 at 12:34 PM. Reason: Spelling
Old May 27, 2019 | 11:43 AM
  #2  
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Sounds to me like the dealer is trying to pocket some extra cash from you
 
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Old May 27, 2019 | 11:47 AM
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I had the option of a GPS tracker when I purchased mine.
As for the microdot, it has been decades ago.
 
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Old May 27, 2019 | 11:51 AM
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Did they try to sell you undercoating and rustproofing too?

Just one more useless feature dealers try to peddle in the business office. Tell 'em to pound sand.
 
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Old May 27, 2019 | 12:00 PM
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Data Dots are not mandatory.

It's one of the back-end products Harley Financial offers along with ESP, GAP Plus and their paint protection.

Data Dots are a RFID micro transmitter suspended in an adhesive paste that dries clear. The paste is applied under body panels, on the frame and under pedals. Really anywhere the tech can think to put it. A label is attached to the frame. When a stolen bike is found, the label tells LE to scan the bike with a UV light to find the RFID transmitters. They scan it like a lost pet and the serial number sends them to a website. If your bike is stolen and not recovered, Data Dots will provide $5000 towards a down payment on your next bike provided you go back to your issuing dealer.

The bike CANNOT be dot'd before it's sold because the serial numbers have to be registered at time of contracting (there are ways around this, but they would be violating Data Dots policies which would prevent claiming your 5k if you needed it). If the bike WAS dot'd already, they can't sell dots again because they cannot apply a new dot paste over the old one.

That being said, $300 is a pretty good price IF YOU WANTED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, as most dealers charge $500-800 installed. There is a part/labor cost to install it.

I would highly advise calling Harley Financial services and let them know that a dealer is forcing customers to buy back end products. This is a very serious issue that most of us dealers have to fight against.



Source: I'm formally a Harley Davidson Finance Manager and Internet Sales Manager.
 

Last edited by estrada42; May 27, 2019 at 12:34 PM. Reason: Spelling
Old May 27, 2019 | 12:09 PM
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No way, no how.

1) Trying to force you to buy it???? NOT a gd sign.
2) Odds are in you needing to use it is small, tiny, if not very tiny maybe micro as in micro dot.

It is despicable of them to try and force you making me think that dealer thinks u r stupid.

You made a GOOD decision in my opinion to walk off. Not so sure I would return there either.......
 
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Old May 27, 2019 | 12:21 PM
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Why is this better than VIN? I would think that could be run quicker, then getting light.
 
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Old May 27, 2019 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Kawickrice
I had the option of a GPS tracker when I purchased mine.
As for the microdot, it has been decades ago.
Dude...
 
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Old May 27, 2019 | 12:52 PM
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Don't know about the micro dot but my wife had me chipped! And tattooed, "If found please drop in nearest mailbox!"
 
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Old May 27, 2019 | 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by estrada42
Data Dots are not mandatory.

It's one of the back-end products Harley Financial offers along with ESP, GAP Plus and their paint protection.

Data Dots are a RFID micro transmitter suspended in an adhesive paste that dries clear. The paste is applied under body panels, on the frame and under pedals. Really anywhere the tech can think to put it. A label is attached to the frame. When a stolen bike is found, the label tells LE to scan the bike with a UV light to find the RFID transmitters. They scan it like a lost pet and the serial number sends them to a website. If your bike is stolen and not recovered, Data Dots will provide $5000 towards a down payment on your next bike provided you go back to your issuing dealer.

The bike CANNOT be dot'd before it's sold because the serial numbers have to be registered at time of contracting (there are ways around this, but they would be violating Data Dots policies which would prevent claiming your 5k if you needed it). If the bike WAS dot'd already, they can't sell dots again because they cannot apply a new dot paste over the old one.

That being said, $300 is a pretty good price IF YOU WANTED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, as most dealers charge $500-800 installed. There is a part/labor cost to install it.

I would highly advise calling Harley Financial services and let them know that a dealer is forcing customers to buy back end products. This is a very serious issue that most of us dealers have to fight against.



Source: I'm formally a Harley Davidson Finance Manager and Internet Sales Manager.
$300 might be a good deal if you wanted it. But given no choice it is a pretty lousy sales tactic.

When you say "Most of us dealers have to fight against" I am curious how serious an issue it is? I have never had a dealer before tell me that options were not an option. It reeks of desperation to make a sale.







Originally Posted by BuzzCap7
No way, no how.

1) Trying to force you to buy it???? NOT a gd sign.
2) Odds are in you needing to use it is small, tiny, if not very tiny maybe micro as in micro dot.

It is despicable of them to try and force you making me think that dealer thinks u r stupid.

You made a GOOD decision in my opinion to walk off. Not so sure I would return there either.......
This was exactly how I replied when told That this dot was not an option and could not be removed from the deal.
 

Last edited by Mr.Softy; May 27, 2019 at 02:04 PM.
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