General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Negotiation?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 07:44 AM
  #11  
Hot Rod Harley's Avatar
Hot Rod Harley
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: A little north of Boston
Default

I ordered an 09 Heritage Softail the day after Thanksgiving with the custom root beer color.I got it for $500 off MSRP without any other set-up or destination fees. I think I could have done a little better but, what the heck.
 
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 08:14 AM
  #12  
NewHarleyGear's Avatar
NewHarleyGear
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 13
From: USA
Default

If they don't negotiate, be prepared to walk. Find a different dealer and call before you go. Check ebay before you buy.
 
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 08:26 AM
  #13  
deni's Avatar
deni
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 5
From: Austin Texas
Default

Never walk in on a sunny day, Saturday or holiday.
Better to wander in on a rainy, cold & rainy (end of month) is even better.

They'll be a little softer this way.
 
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 08:31 AM
  #14  
June Bug's Avatar
June Bug
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
Default

I do love our dealer, but they are not known for the lowest prices in town. When I traded my Nighster for my Street Bob (unfortunately BEFORE the special buyback deal came around), I just stood firm on what I could afford (I financed). How they came around to that figure was up to them. Ultimately they got me a better percentage, took money off the bike price, and gave me a pretty good deal on my trade-in. I didn't push for added accessories, etc., since they had REALLY done well by my hubby when he had traded in his Night Train for his ElectraGlide a few months earlier and I didn't want to push it. But I walked away happy. The big thing I find even when buying a car, is to tell them right up front what YOU are willing to pay, and stick by it. I don't like haggling. I don't want to waste my time or theirs. For me, if a deal can't be struck, well, either a deal can be found elsewhere, or it will just have to wait.
 
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 08:33 AM
  #15  
WireDawg's Avatar
WireDawg
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 0
From: WI/ The State of Harley
Default

Originally Posted by GT_RoadGlide
First thing I'd do is call dealers in areas where they do deal. Milwaukee is one area. Find the dealer who will give you the best deal. Then give your local dealer the option of giving you the same deal. When they don't buy from the dealer who would deal.

Last winter a friend saved $2000 on a RK because she bought it in SE Wisconsin rather than where she lives in northern Virginia. And how did she get it from here to there? I rode it!
+1.........There are 7 Dealers within a 100 miles of me........over a foot of snow on the ground........if they don't negotiate during these economic times they are fools........(Paid significantly less than MSRP for my 07 Ultra in April 2007)..........$ .02 WD
 
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 08:33 AM
  #16  
RDKingRider's Avatar
RDKingRider
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 1
From: Heart of Missouri
Default

Nothing to lose by trying. If you want it and they want to make a deal, it will happen.
 
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 08:43 AM
  #17  
Boo67's Avatar
Boo67
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Perch
I do love our dealer, but they are not known for the lowest prices in town. When I traded my Nighster for my Street Bob (unfortunately BEFORE the special buyback deal came around), I just stood firm on what I could afford (I financed). How they came around to that figure was up to them. Ultimately they got me a better percentage, took money off the bike price, and gave me a pretty good deal on my trade-in. I didn't push for added accessories, etc., since they had REALLY done well by my hubby when he had traded in his Night Train for his ElectraGlide a few months earlier and I didn't want to push it. But I walked away happy. The big thing I find even when buying a car, is to tell them right up front what YOU are willing to pay, and stick by it. I don't like haggling. I don't want to waste my time or theirs. For me, if a deal can't be struck, well, either a deal can be found elsewhere, or it will just have to wait.
I think we are talking about the same dealer....
 
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 09:54 AM
  #18  
F1J1's Avatar
F1J1
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 441
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Default

Negotiate as a cash deal, regardless. Standfast. Don't rush. Enjoy the process. Eat up their time. After they find out it's a financed deal (if it is), hold out for a better interest rate. Hold out, but don't be ridiculous with you're numbers. Let them know that you buy the bike "today," if you get your deal. BE PATIENT and eat their time. They will try to wear you down. Turn the tables and wear them down. Be prepared to spend a lot of time negotiating. The real negotiating begins when the sales manager steps in, and comes over to deal.

I sell new and used cars for a living, and am usually in the top 4 of 15 salesmen. I've often thought of starting a business for a small fee to negotiate deals for buyers.
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 24, 2009 | 10:14 AM
  #19  
craigcrewcheif's Avatar
craigcrewcheif
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 434
Likes: 9
From:
Default

I agree with F1J1. Be patient. I think now is a great time to start to deal. The dealers will get a bump in traffic in another month or so when winter starts to turn to spring. They won't be dealing as freely then.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
simmons1
Touring Models
3
Nov 16, 2015 10:55 AM
bazam9s
Tri Glide, RG3 & Freewheeler Models
15
May 29, 2015 08:40 PM
TMO
General Harley Davidson Chat
20
Sep 15, 2011 07:09 PM
stafford
General Harley Davidson Chat
8
Oct 24, 2006 07:13 PM
bored stiff
Touring Models
13
Oct 30, 2005 09:53 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:44 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE