Dealer rant

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May 17, 2009 | 09:34 AM

#31

Deepsouth251

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,063

Likes: 1

From: Alabama Gulf Coast

When I traded my 06 RK on the 09 Ultra, the dealer did not give a crap one way or the other whether I left the accessories on or took them off, the trade in price was the same so I took them off and sold them on this form for around $1700. I think the dealer looks at it as they would rather have it stock on the floor just like a new bike so they can sell the new purchaser new accessories.

May 17, 2009 | 11:36 AM

#32

NOLAMike

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 1,169

Likes: 2

From: New Orleans

Whether its a bike or a pick-up I do the same thing...I go to the local library where they have the latest NADA book, look up avg trade and avg retail on my trade-in vehicle, make a copy, go to dealer, make a fair offer (not a low ball). If they take it great, if they play the back and forth with a new number from the "manager" game I give them my phone number, tell them to call me if the can meet my offer, and walk.

The last time I did that, on my F-150, they chased me out in the parking lot and met my offer.

One last thing--if your trade is paid off, bring the title with you and show it to them. It helps them know you are a serious buyer.

Overall, the whole process sucks.

May 17, 2009 | 12:08 PM

#33

cmashark

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,498

Likes: 213

From: Atoka, TN

Don't get me wrong, I think their offer on my bike was ok...but I would have thought they would be willing to come down alittle on a bike that has been setting on their floor for a while. I do like my salesman (he's a good kid and I've know him for a while), I like the service manager (he has replaced an engine under warranty, on a sporty, for me and had it back to me in less than 30 days. It's really the sales manager that I don't care for...i wonder if he feels like an IRS agent?) I'm going back on Monday. I'll keep you posted

oh yeah, unless I want to travel more than 2 hours, we have 4 dealers in the area....they are owned by the same 2 people. One of them I will not go to because some of their tactics seam to prey on the military.... I would rather have the finance lady ask me how much I make rather than the salesman tell me how much I make.

May 17, 2009 | 12:12 PM

#34

cmashark

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,498

Likes: 213

From: Atoka, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrsess

Who says you have sit there all day. Go to another dealer! If you don't like their offer leave!

I was waiting for them to evaluate my trade...their initial offer was 11500. I was able to talk them up to 12500. The bike I want, they offered to me at 19K before I mentioned the trade and it stayed the same after negotiating the trade..

May 17, 2009 | 12:46 PM

#35

acchd

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 3,002

Likes: 86

From: Charlotte Metro

Dealers won't give you much if any on accessories/aftermarket parts. If your gonna trade strip the bike back down to stock and sell your accessory parts out. You'll come out better that way.

May 17, 2009 | 01:49 PM

#36

cmashark

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,498

Likes: 213

From: Atoka, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by acchd

Dealers won't give you much if any on accessories/aftermarket parts. If your gonna trade strip the bike back down to stock and sell your accessory parts out. You'll come out better that way.

That's what I am doing now...selling the seat and bars.

May 17, 2009 | 03:03 PM

#37

Arizona

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 5,878

Likes: 17

From: The Desert SouthWest

It's a tough game. Try the get up and walk away trick. Also as said - middle of the week and maybe even end-of-the-month might effect their willingness to deal.

May 17, 2009 | 03:21 PM

#38

meintel

Cruiser

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 137

Likes: 0

From: Colorado Springs, CO

When I bought my 09 RG I was was tradin in my 03 Night Train with 6,000 miles and pretty much every performance part they made for it. The offered me 6500 for my Night Train and I stood up and walked out. I didn't really need a new bike anyway but, due to some hip problems the forward controls just hurt to much. Long story short after 2 weeks of them d**king me around on my trade the went up to 9,700 and I made the deal. What really pissed the dealer off was I paid cash for the bike so they didn't get the "cut" from financing it through H-D. The thing that sucks about the city I live in is that there are two dealers both owned by the same person so you can't shop around. Luckily about 80 miles up the road there is a bigger city with 5 dealerships all competing with each other so its just a phone call away to save 3 grand. Shop around. And the best part of having to drive an hour or two to pick up your bike is the ride home.