Tips for buying a HD...?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
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From: WPB, FL
Apples To Apples
The main thing is what the bottom line end number is....Do NOT get hung up on individual line item prices.....It doesn't matter if they charge 1 dollar for the bike and 9,999 dollars for setup & paperwork or 10 grand for the bike and nothing for setup & paperwork....either way all that matters is how much you end up paying in the end...
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 42
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From: cleveland, oh
Some great advice being shared here for sure. Over the years I have bought new and used cars, boats, atv's, campers, etc... bargaining along the way with every purchase. I must say my new HD purchase was the easiest stress free buy of them all. Here's how it went down:
I did my homework and knew what I was willing to pay for a new '09 Sportster. I walked into the dealer and told the salesman I was willing to pay X dollars cash out the door. In addition, I wanted a $250.00 store gift card and also wanted the dealership to throw in the 1000 mi. bike service. The salesman took my offer to his manager and within 3 mins. he returned and we were shaking hands. It does pay to shop around though. I presented this same offer to two other local dealerships. One dealership wasn't even close to accepting my offer and the other wanted to haggle too much. Stick to YOUR price, don't rush, be willing to walk away, have fun.
I did my homework and knew what I was willing to pay for a new '09 Sportster. I walked into the dealer and told the salesman I was willing to pay X dollars cash out the door. In addition, I wanted a $250.00 store gift card and also wanted the dealership to throw in the 1000 mi. bike service. The salesman took my offer to his manager and within 3 mins. he returned and we were shaking hands. It does pay to shop around though. I presented this same offer to two other local dealerships. One dealership wasn't even close to accepting my offer and the other wanted to haggle too much. Stick to YOUR price, don't rush, be willing to walk away, have fun.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 1
Here is another question. HD says bikes must be sold at MSRP and Dealers do try to sell at MSRP. However we know this is not all set in stone. So will HD Motoco know what price a bike is sold for? Lets say a 2020 NEW Street Bob is on the dealer floor and retailing for $13335. If the dealer sold for $12k...would motoco know that the bike sold for that much. If yes, then what do they do about it if the dealer flaunts motoco's policy iof selling for msrp?
I know someone got some kind of quote on what motoco sells bikes to dealers for...I forgot where but this info can be gotten for like $20 something. I presume this is the same for all bikes sold to ealers. So if the bikes are sold to dealers at "wholesale" prices and motoco states that bikes must be sold at msrp...then how come some dealers are still in biz after selling for less than msrp? Either motoco states must sell at msrp and dealers say screw them or motoco cannot "force" dealers to sell at msrp.
while I understand dealers must make money to stay in biz and support these huge stores...we do not see their open books and they may be making lots of money and I sure ain't as hell going to help them get rich as I "know my situation" ... only mine...so I got to watch out for me. We all know we want a bike for cheap and dealers want to sell a bike for most money. Its a draw for us all and we know we will not buy bike if we cannot afford it and that dealers will not sell a bike without making a profit. Draw again...
So we haggle ...
I know someone got some kind of quote on what motoco sells bikes to dealers for...I forgot where but this info can be gotten for like $20 something. I presume this is the same for all bikes sold to ealers. So if the bikes are sold to dealers at "wholesale" prices and motoco states that bikes must be sold at msrp...then how come some dealers are still in biz after selling for less than msrp? Either motoco states must sell at msrp and dealers say screw them or motoco cannot "force" dealers to sell at msrp.
while I understand dealers must make money to stay in biz and support these huge stores...we do not see their open books and they may be making lots of money and I sure ain't as hell going to help them get rich as I "know my situation" ... only mine...so I got to watch out for me. We all know we want a bike for cheap and dealers want to sell a bike for most money. Its a draw for us all and we know we will not buy bike if we cannot afford it and that dealers will not sell a bike without making a profit. Draw again...
So we haggle ...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Blueridge , did not know Harley dealers were required to be MSRP by Harley Motors Company. Sort of like the GM Saturn was. If thats what they do to all so be it. The people I have talked to either were give some kind of $5000 chrome add on package for $2500 (go figure HA) or another went to NC and said dealer did sell it for MSRP. With my two dealing with the Harley dealer in my area he simply wanted 3k more than MSRP and last time 2K more. Both deals I walked out on and just picked up used from a private seller.
I'm the kind of person that does not mind paying fairly but when I read on line at the Harley site a bike is 18995 and I go in the dealer and he adds in the taxes, shipping and process fees he says he needs to pay the gals and guys in back have no problem but when he say he needs 3K more because Junior will give it to him, I let Junior give it to him.
I'm fine on my $1000 hoe with 1000 hours of free labor
I'm the kind of person that does not mind paying fairly but when I read on line at the Harley site a bike is 18995 and I go in the dealer and he adds in the taxes, shipping and process fees he says he needs to pay the gals and guys in back have no problem but when he say he needs 3K more because Junior will give it to him, I let Junior give it to him.
I'm fine on my $1000 hoe with 1000 hours of free labor
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jul 29, 2011 at 09:04 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: In My Boots
In my case I'd look for the best price anywhere in the nation and turn it into a trip. You can fly or train to the dealer, get the best price and ride it home. New bike and a road trip/vacation to boot
" know someone got some kind of quote on what motoco sells bikes to dealers for...I forgot where but this info can be gotten for like $20 something. I presume this is the same for all bikes sold to ealers. So if the bikes are sold to dealers at "wholesale" prices and motoco states that bikes must be sold at msrp...then how come some dealers are still in biz after selling for less than msrp? Either motoco states must sell at msrp and dealers say screw them or motoco cannot "force" dealers to sell at msrp."
I dealt with this in the electronics business years ago. Basically the dealership has an agreement and can lose its license to sell said product if they don’t follow the national MSRP pricing. At the same time stores would of course would discount on occasion. The trick is it can’t be advertised. Sometimes reps would even call stores asking for a best price so on the phone you had to hold the line but if someone was in front of you with cash…well that’s when the talks began.
I also think I read that it was 4k profit in the bikes.
Clearly the mothership is tightening down with pulling Ebay sales as well. I am sure the mantra is more profit for all but I can promise you in today’s economy that there will be dealers looking to steal a sale. That is what makes our great nation what it is ; )
I dealt with this in the electronics business years ago. Basically the dealership has an agreement and can lose its license to sell said product if they don’t follow the national MSRP pricing. At the same time stores would of course would discount on occasion. The trick is it can’t be advertised. Sometimes reps would even call stores asking for a best price so on the phone you had to hold the line but if someone was in front of you with cash…well that’s when the talks began.
I also think I read that it was 4k profit in the bikes.
Clearly the mothership is tightening down with pulling Ebay sales as well. I am sure the mantra is more profit for all but I can promise you in today’s economy that there will be dealers looking to steal a sale. That is what makes our great nation what it is ; )
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