Local HD dealer laying off
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,788
Likes: 2,222
From: Texas
The next 4 to 5 months will tell the story down here. I believe if bikes aren't moving by May, you will see some major "CUTHROAT" dealing taking place among the local Harley-Davidson dealers! At least that is the drift that I'm getting.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 283
From: California, Md now Savannah, Ga
I will be interested in seeing if this is true in my area as well. I am going shopping tomorrow for a new '09 FLTR. My plan is to buy (or at least order, if they don't have what I want on the floor) tomorrow -- cash deal, no trade. I have three dealerships within a 30 minute drive of where I live. Two of them are long established dealers that are in new, very large facilities. The third is also a long established dealer, but in small place (has been in the same place for many years). My plan is to tell the salesman or sales manager what I want, and ask for them to quote me their "best" deal. I will explain up front that I am visiting three dealerships, with the intent of closing a deal by the end of the day. I will let you know if the small shop, or one of the large ones, earns my business! If none of them offers what I believe to be a fair deal, I will be delaying my purchase (maybe pick up an '09 when the 2010 models are released)!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 6
From: inland empire so. calif.
If its true that HD wont let them deal on new bikes, why is it that members from parts of the Country claim to get deals on bikes, when others in different areas still cant get a deal. Makes no since to me. Extended warranty's and maintenance plans mean nothing to me. I do all my own work and the mods I will do will void the warranty anyway.
Ive shopped until I'm blue in the face. NO DEALS to be had here in So Cal. I want a new 09 SG so bad it hurts, BUT, Ill be damned if I'M going to pay above MSRP or even at MSRP especially in this **** economy. All the dealers still have the attitude that if you don't buy it the next guy will. Sure is funny how the same bikes are still sitting on the floor for the last few months now and they still don't want to deal. They still somehow think for some reason that we all NEED a new bike, not just want one. Ive got two bikes already so I don't need their bike or their attitude. Sooner or later I will find a deal on a nice clean used 09 SG and buy it. And also sooner or later all these greedy *** dealerships will fold up and I will be the first one sitting out front LAUGHING MY *** OFF AT THEM!
Ive shopped until I'm blue in the face. NO DEALS to be had here in So Cal. I want a new 09 SG so bad it hurts, BUT, Ill be damned if I'M going to pay above MSRP or even at MSRP especially in this **** economy. All the dealers still have the attitude that if you don't buy it the next guy will. Sure is funny how the same bikes are still sitting on the floor for the last few months now and they still don't want to deal. They still somehow think for some reason that we all NEED a new bike, not just want one. Ive got two bikes already so I don't need their bike or their attitude. Sooner or later I will find a deal on a nice clean used 09 SG and buy it. And also sooner or later all these greedy *** dealerships will fold up and I will be the first one sitting out front LAUGHING MY *** OFF AT THEM!
Screw Quaid, I went to Biggs in San Marcos.
Mike
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Belleville, MI
Dealers around here are starting to deal. I bought my SG early Oct 08, paid MSRP but no prep/freight and got $15300 trade on my 07 Deluxe. Now my delaer (they have 2 locations) are advertising 10% off MSRP on all 09's and 15% off MSRp on any leftover 08's. I have a feeling trade in values have decreased at least the same amount too.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: FLORIDA
Dealers around here are starting to deal. I bought my SG early Oct 08, paid MSRP but no prep/freight and got $15300 trade on my 07 Deluxe. Now my delaer (they have 2 locations) are advertising 10% off MSRP on all 09's and 15% off MSRp on any leftover 08's. I have a feeling trade in values have decreased at least the same amount too.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Columbia SC
Discounts...Discounts... Everyone wants one..Ever thought the High prices they charge help keep the price of your used one high..The walmart theory Does Not work for all products..
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Tupelo, MS
American's have had the "buy for less than MSRP" drilled in us for years and years, due to the auto industry. I don't have a problem paying MSRP, if that is what it costs, but as soon as the "big discounts" start, everyone wants to see how much they can get "off" on their purchase.
I also want the best deal that I can get, but if I go into a dealer and the product that I want is MSRP, and I can afford it without feeling that I am being ripped off, I'll buy it.
That being said, If I go into a dealer and pay MSRP and "ole' Joe" goes in a week later and tells me that he got his ride for $1k less than MSRP.. I'm gonna be ticked off.
Guess what I'm saying is, if you sell at MSRP, stay there. If you are going to "deal" and come off, set a standard amount off. (read: 10% off MSRP,etc.)
I paid a little less than MSRP when I bought my bike, not much... but had a few freebies thrown in, nothing major. Do I feel ripped off? No, I paid what I considered a fair price. Could I have gotten it for less, possibly... but where would I have had to gone to buy it.
In my opinion, it would be best that Harley (MOCO) took control and sold their bikes MSRP. If a dealer wants to "throw" stuff in to intice you to purchase from their dealership.... let them do that.
Just my opinion....
I also want the best deal that I can get, but if I go into a dealer and the product that I want is MSRP, and I can afford it without feeling that I am being ripped off, I'll buy it.
That being said, If I go into a dealer and pay MSRP and "ole' Joe" goes in a week later and tells me that he got his ride for $1k less than MSRP.. I'm gonna be ticked off.
Guess what I'm saying is, if you sell at MSRP, stay there. If you are going to "deal" and come off, set a standard amount off. (read: 10% off MSRP,etc.)
I paid a little less than MSRP when I bought my bike, not much... but had a few freebies thrown in, nothing major. Do I feel ripped off? No, I paid what I considered a fair price. Could I have gotten it for less, possibly... but where would I have had to gone to buy it.
In my opinion, it would be best that Harley (MOCO) took control and sold their bikes MSRP. If a dealer wants to "throw" stuff in to intice you to purchase from their dealership.... let them do that.
Just my opinion....
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 2
From: Naples, Florida
ANd I'm sure to lose friends here for this...But why is everyone complaining that the prices are not down? I don;t plan to buy a new bike soon, sure I'd love an 09, but my 08 is awsome...
The reason I say this is that if the prices fall dramatically, so does the value of my bike... If you want cheap bikes, japan makes a bunch of them...and the resale that goes along with it..
MOCO has done a lot lately to kill the value of bikes already bought, 6 gal, 96ci, new frame, etc...
I love my bike but I don't want it to go the way of my house in this market...
No I didn;t buy it as an investment, I ride the crap out of it. I'd just like have it be worth something....
That said, how much does a stealer pay for a bike below MSRP?
The reason I say this is that if the prices fall dramatically, so does the value of my bike... If you want cheap bikes, japan makes a bunch of them...and the resale that goes along with it..
MOCO has done a lot lately to kill the value of bikes already bought, 6 gal, 96ci, new frame, etc...
I love my bike but I don't want it to go the way of my house in this market...
No I didn;t buy it as an investment, I ride the crap out of it. I'd just like have it be worth something....
That said, how much does a stealer pay for a bike below MSRP?