Setup fee?!!!!!
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 75
Likes: 37
From: NoVa
@GOV5 The answer that works for me is to ignore those fees completely. Look at msrp. Ignore the fees. Look at trade value. Ignore the fees. Look at what YOU want to spend...make it known...and ignore the fees. It's been said many, many times: The only thing that matters is the out-the-door price. To do that requires homework and preparation before getting wrangled into serious negotiations. If the dealer sells me a bike out-the-door (before tax) for $30k, I don't care how he arranges the fees. For all I care he can call $5k of it a shine and polish fee. If he claims $1000 for airing up the tires I won't worry. All I care about is the otd cost. I make that known up front and I avoid the games. And I never EVER get cranky or frustrated with the sales person. If I walk away it's on good terms and I remind them they have my phone number.
I have to agree with this 100%. OTD price is really all that matters. I recently bought a truck where the dealer had it advertised for $4k off MSRP. I did my homework on my trade (basically carmax price + $1k), subtracted that and rebates and then added back in tax, tag, title based on rates from state web site. Added it all up and sent them a message: I have this to trade, VIN >>> with >>> miles no accidents and I want this vehicle which you advertised for >>> and I'll pay $>>K out the door. Let me know if you can make it work.
They called me about an hour later and said if my trade was as represented, we had a deal. Went down, sales manager looked at my trade and said congrats, the paperwork will be ready in 20 min and it was.
3rd time I've purchased a car that way. Sometimes I have to go to other dealers but they are a dime a dozen especially if you're in a somewhat urban area. When I decide to pull the trigger on a new bike, I'll do the same.
Last edited by The_Clownpuncher; Aug 21, 2023 at 02:34 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
The bike may have been sold but you are assuming that the person paid the asked setup fee. You don't know what their final deal was with the dealer. Maybe the buyer negotiated that setup fee down some or even got the dealership to remove it. You call them a moron without knowing the details, maybe the buyer is actually very shrewd.
I've done my math. At 61yrs old I figure I have maybe 10 years of riding left (if that). So that's like 520 Saturdays left to ride. I would never let a $700 setup fee get in the way of those Saturdays. For my math that is $1.34 for each of those Saturdays. I will just smile and hit the starter button.
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