I have been browsing the web for dealers and even used Harleys on ebay and cycletrader. I have noticed some of the dealers list all the extra/hidden fees when purchasing a bike. I noticed a few dealers selling on ebay actually had a Harley Certification Fee. It was over $400. Is this a scam or something you have to pay for when buying a new bike? I worked at a Metric dealer for years, we had our fees as well but it was freight, and documentation along with the state fees/taxes. Our documentation fee was $40 and the freight was what we were charged depending on the bike. I have seen documentation fees at $295 which seems a little ridiculous. I think I am gonna start looking for used!

 

I never paid a certification fee, and I have never heard of such a thing. Is this for used bikes? Seems to me the only "certification" that you need is the VIN, and access to a computer to look it up...

Maybe they are "certifiying" that it is ready for sale?

Maybe someone else will come in on this one, but to me it sounds like another great way to certify your money in their pocket.

Mac

 

That's probably like the fee that the car dealers call dealer prep. It's not legal but if you don't call them on it , you pay it.

What are they certifying?

 

There was one dealer on ebay that had several different auctions/buy now deals on new 05 Harleys and in the fine print it had the certification fee. Smelled funny to me. I have never heard of such a thing but I haven't bought my Harley yet so I wasn't sure. I am sure they are trying to pull one over on a fellow that doesn't know any better.

 

It is sorta like in Texas, the car dealers collect ad valorem tax on every vehicle they sell, but they only pay the tax on vehicles they have at the end of the year. So, when I make a deal on a car, I make sure they understand that I am not going to pay the ad valorem tax.

 

Definitely sounds like they're trying to rip more money out of you. Scam artists!!

 

There would/could be a certification fee for a non harley harley, you know, chopper. Without a manufactuer's VIN the state assigns one and would charge accordingly.

DC.

 

Seems to me that practice is against ebays TOS. Since they have to get their cut the bidding price is supposed to be the only price short of taxes since thats government and shipping. Now if it's from an ebay store I don't know because I'm not familiar with the rules regulating those, what good this does you I don't know cause good luck bidding on a bike then arguing away the extra fees but just something to think about.

 

Wondering if the cert fee is maybe a Californication thing. Where is the dealer located?

 

I was wondering the same thing. It seems to me that only a few certain dealers out in the midwest are doing this. I'm sure that there are others and I'm only basing this on those that I've seen on ebay.

Here is part of one of the descriptions on ebay right now

Payment Information

All our Harley-Davidson's "1995" and newer are Pre-Owned Certified Bikes. A 10% deposit is required 72 hours after the auction ends, payable by Wire Transfer, Money Order or Cashier’s Check. The balance is due 5 days after the auction ends. Buyer is responsible for shipping, handling, insurance charges, tax and license in their state. There is a $199.99 Documentation fee for all motorcycles and a $399.99 Certification fee on Harley Davidson Models. We can also arrange shipping for you. Please call 1.XXXXXXXXXXXX anytime. Whether your credit is perfect or you have had some problems in the past we can help.

Here is a link to such auction that this was taken from Ebay

I've seen this in auction in MN, IA and IL.

I look at it this way. Your looking at an addtional $600 addedto the cost of the bike. So I just figured that before I paid that much extra, I'll look else where. $600 can go a long way for towards customizing another bike.