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

Affes :(

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 07:22 PM
  #1  
CBRAV0810's Avatar
CBRAV0810
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Kailua, Hawaii
Default Affes :(

So im deployed to beautiful afghanistan and i find out about the AFFES program. After working my own deals back in Georgia, and hawaii which is my duty station with some pretty decent success i was excited to find out about this program. I had done some research on this board and most people seemed to be pleased.

I just recieved quotes today and let me tell you im extremely disappointed. If this quote is anything indicative of what other people think is a "great" deal its laughable. First off saying MSRP is 13,453 on a 12,999 bike. I dont quite get that. I could break this quote down line by line but basically the total came out to 13,873 with the 3 year extended warranty and a security system. Plus im responsible for state tax wherever i register the bike. The same bike shipped directly to HI is, 14672.

Either people have **** poor negotiating skills or this program is a joke.
 
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 08:34 PM
  #2  
skratch's Avatar
skratch
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
Default

i found the same thing when i was in iraq back in 03/04. basically the only difference between the bike i could buy at a dealer and the aafes bike was for the same price, i got 2 years extended on the warranty. but, i could not roll the sales tax/registration into the loan and would have to pay that out of pocket back home.

it really wasn't a big deal since i had already bought the bike before i deployed, i just happened to come across the new car sales program while i was there and was curious as to how much i got 'screwed'..... needless to say, i felt i didn't.

i have also heard some problems people were having with delivery, pickup, dealer attitudes with warranty, etc. so all in all, i felt pretty good.
 
Old Apr 11, 2011 | 05:12 AM
  #3  
CBRAV0810's Avatar
CBRAV0810
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Kailua, Hawaii
Default

Yeah, sorry about the rant. I was just extremely disappointed that AAFES seems to be another screwball dealer. I guess i should be used to it. Its very common for auto dealers etc to attempt to screw over people in the armed services. I just figured that since its thrue the exchange it would have some sort of controls placed on it. Going thrue the bill i see that basically they just rearange where the money is comming from, slap it on at the end and say here you go. When you factor in that your responsible for sales tax when registering the bike, I in fact think that you will pay more for the bike thrue them than a HD dealer.

Once again just disappointed since i know there are many people out there that have been overcharged for bikes thinking they were being taken care of.

My suggestion to any fellow members of the service deployed and currently looking at this system, do a lot of research first back home. Use the HD dealer locator for your area, call/email those dealers. See if they will give you a quote, im sure they will work with you, at least thats been my experience. Dont just take for granted this system is actually there to help you. If it didnt make dollars it wouldnt make sense.
 
Old Apr 12, 2011 | 01:48 AM
  #4  
Cowpokey's Avatar
Cowpokey
Outstanding HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 195
From: Harford Co., Maryland
Default

AAFES Exchange New Car Sales (ENCS) is a retailer, not a dealer. The difference in price I paid going through ENCS just offset the cost of having the bike shipped to Korea. When you're stationed overseas they are the only game in town, not like they have any competition. Yes, you have to pay out of pocket for tax and registration to the state you go through if you pick it up there. One thing about being overseas, I haven't paid any taxes, and registation here was only $5.
 
Old Apr 12, 2011 | 11:48 AM
  #5  
garand's Avatar
garand
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 4
From: From Illinois; Currently Belgium
Default

I thought I was the only one that could do the math. Even when you do get a good deal, it's nothing that would make me wanna stand up and dance a little jig. My local dealer back home has better deals on their Jeep Wranglers than what AAFES can do.

If I were you, I'd save up some deployment money and take someone's baby out from under them. There are people having hard times and there are TONS of deals out there to be had on bikes barely broken in.

Now, I'm sure I'll be flamed for being a low-balling scum, but hey, I'm the one with the cash and they're the one needing it. It's not an insult to have discipline to save some money and to be looking for a bargain.
 
Old Apr 14, 2011 | 03:46 PM
  #6  
BullK9's Avatar
BullK9
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Default

Agreed. I just came back from Iraq about a month ago and I had the same experience as you. I got a better deal with my local dealer. They let me put money down over the net and the bike was waiting for me when I got home. I ordered about it 6 weeks before I returned home and all accessories and extras I wanted were also installed before I got home too.

Good luck man... and thanks for your service out there.
 
Old Apr 14, 2011 | 05:53 PM
  #7  
WUNKMONKMAN's Avatar
WUNKMONKMAN
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Default

I just bought my Iron here on Oahu. You pay an arm and a leg b/c it's HI and you can't really get around it. I shopped at every dealer on the island and all gave the same quotes and same military discounts. But no matter what you do here, it's going to be shipping, assembly, and state inspections and taxes. The one good thing is that they all come from the same distribution center here so ordering what you want isn't a problem. They're all military-friendly and are very willing to work with you.
 
Old Apr 14, 2011 | 06:41 PM
  #8  
donter's Avatar
donter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, Md
Default

hi guys, I lurk here and don't often chime in...but.... back in 86, while stationed in germany, I bought an 87 heritage softail, $8499.00, when i get back to pick it up an identicle heritage sitting next to it was somewhere over 10,500... i had to pay sales tax, but i guess the lady at the dmv felt sorry for me and only charged me a tax for $4800.00, plus the dealer threw in t-shirts and riding glasses...after the breakin maintenance , I rode it to fla and then on to louisiana, sold it after 114,600 miles for $8500
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 14, 2011 | 08:27 PM
  #9  
jwlehman's Avatar
jwlehman
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 838
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Default

If you've shopped in a AAFES exchange lately you won't notice any deals there either. AAFES does not offer any major discounts on items they sell. The only advantage is no sales tax, and that catches up to you if you're buying a bike or car.

I remember years ago, the exchanges used to have big electronic sales for stereo systems and televisions. If you happened to be in Okinawa during that sale you could get a fantastic deal on some high end gear....I don't believe they do that any longer either. It sounds corny, but AAFES aint what it used to be
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
davese
General Harley Davidson Chat
9
Jul 30, 2011 08:58 AM
IronRick
General Harley Davidson Chat
31
May 20, 2009 12:40 PM
Hydraboss
General Harley Davidson Chat
64
Nov 8, 2007 07:04 PM
ebeattie
General Harley Davidson Chat
3
Jul 2, 2007 08:47 AM
Psycho
General Harley Davidson Chat
0
Apr 26, 2007 07:59 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:06 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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