Dealer Prep Charge?
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 225
Likes: 4
From: Edgefield, SC
Here is how I look at it. Say you buy a new Road King for $20,000. They bought if from HD for say $18,000. That is $2000 to cover expenses and hopefully at the end of the day make a profit for the owner. I am more than happy for the owner to make a profit, I would rather pay one price and have it all built in than lots of nickle and diming.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Likes: 2
From: Spring Hill, KS
HA "part of business expense" Who do you think covers that cost?
I just get a kick out of people on here,,,What do you think? A dealership should just be a salesperson and a janitor? Should the sales mgr just work for free? Should a finance person just work for free trying to push a loan thru for you? Should the techs just work for free? Do YOU work for free??
I dont know what you do for a living,,, I fly airplanes,,,people dont come up to the front of the plane and say "i'm not paying for the cruise portion of this flight because the autopilot is on" "All youre doing is looking out the window"!!!!
Lets just get rid of dealerships! You can all drive to Milwaukee and pick up your bike in a shipping crate and take her home! Bring cash,,or your own loan..make sure you bring all the paperwork your state requires!
I just get a kick out of people on here,,,What do you think? A dealership should just be a salesperson and a janitor? Should the sales mgr just work for free? Should a finance person just work for free trying to push a loan thru for you? Should the techs just work for free? Do YOU work for free??
I dont know what you do for a living,,, I fly airplanes,,,people dont come up to the front of the plane and say "i'm not paying for the cruise portion of this flight because the autopilot is on" "All youre doing is looking out the window"!!!!
Lets just get rid of dealerships! You can all drive to Milwaukee and pick up your bike in a shipping crate and take her home! Bring cash,,or your own loan..make sure you bring all the paperwork your state requires!
Bottom line is the bottom line, one dealer wanted 1500 more than the other dealer. I bought from the cheaper and more reputable (although not as close to me) and have spent 3x that "extra fee" amount in accessories/merchandise/service.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 6
From: 50 Miles North N.Y.C.
They some dealers not all. Have a Prep,Doc you name it fee. I don't buy from them. But then again I lost 3 dealers in my area. Stamford Harley,Prestige and one of the oldest Harley Dealers Reggie Pink. So the competition is not there to cut a real good deal.
My opinion is the prep fee is a legitimate fee. The amount however is another issue. Bike comes in a box. Forktruck, uncrating, some assembly , etc. etc. If it takes two guys an hour @$50.00 a manhour then the "cost" to the dealer is $100.00 bucks. Add 50 or double it to $200.00 but after that I think it is a bit much.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 128
I was at a dealer a couple of weeks ago getting some warranty work done when a shipment of bikes came in. The bikes came on a skid fully assembled, the only thing they had to do was put the windshield on the 3 touring models that came, and peel the plastic off. I left about an hour later, all 6 bikes were on the showroom floor.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Kingwood Tx
I don't want to hijack the thread but since mr pilot had to interject his 2 cents on behalf of the dealers... I am a mechanic for an airline and all modern aircraft have dual autopilot systems. If one fails the opposite system is used. On the rare occasion when both systems are inop the pilots will refuse to take the aircraft, heaven forbid they actually have to fly the plane. Modern airliners all have CAT II autoland. Yep they will land themselves. Our 737 first officers make 190k a year, gues when you make that kind of money you can afford to pay the dealer prep.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
I don't want to hijack the thread but since mr pilot had to interject his 2 cents on behalf of the dealers... I am a mechanic for an airline and all modern aircraft have dual autopilot systems. If one fails the opposite system is used. On the rare occasion when both systems are inop the pilots will refuse to take the aircraft, heaven forbid they actually have to fly the plane. Modern airliners all have CAT II autoland. Yep they will land themselves. Our 737 first officers make 190k a year, gues when you make that kind of money you can afford to pay the dealer prep.