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It's just worth more for ME to trade local. Been trading at same place for 20 years. Three different owners, and three different business names in that 20 years , but they check back on the store records and see how many $$$$$ that I have left there during that time span . I haven't even spent too much there since 2004, and they still treat me like a King! ..... Staying in one place over time, pays for me.
And where will you take your new bike for service? Will the dealer you walked away from give you the best possible deal on parts? Will they go out of their way to give you the type of customer service you expect?
My advice is to work with local dealer and push for the better offer for as long as possible. If you dont give them the chance to earn your business
I am not a dealer, I am just saying I have seen people get screwed over by a dealer cause the customer went to a non local dealer.
What!? I have seen dealers go out of business for screwing over people, if they want to try and screw you for saving money then you are better to not use your "local" dealer.
On a side note, there is very little that you cannot do your self in terms of service any way.
I live in Kentucky too and bought my new '09 RKC in Nashville since the local dealer wouldn't deal. Got MSRP and accessories added for what they wanted locally. Their loss--doing my accessory shopping through M & M and Zanotti's....looks like they lost my parts business too! Already do my own service!
I would have done what you did, continue to work with the local dealer to make this work. HOWEVER, I would have done my shopping first and not had to be disappointed later by getting a lower bid after leaving a deposit. I did just that for my FLHRI and saved $3000.00. The dealer and his employees have families to feed and beer to buy too. You do your part, and they will do theirs, Caveat Emptor! In California, all deposits are 100% refundable...
Just an opinion, hoping to find something here I can learn from to!
I believe Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky all signed reciprocal tax agreements (I know Indiana and Ohio did). If you live in Indiana and buy a bike in Ohio, you pay the taxes to Ohio then pay any difference to Indiana. The main reason is to prevent us buyers from not paying taxes when purchasing non licensed titled vehicles (like quads) across states lines. We were still supposed to pay the taxes to our home state but since you do not license them or retitle them in your home state they had no way of tracking the required tax payments.
This closes the loop hole.
Sounds like a deal to me, I bought my bike 120 miles from home and I have to dealers within 45 of my place. Yes it was that good of a deal..................
In California, all deposits are 100% refundable...
That makes no sense. If the dealer requires you to put down a deposit to order a bike and you change your mind after ordering it, then he has to give you your deposit back... why even have a deposit??
What!? I have seen dealers go out of business for screwing over people, if they want to try and screw you for saving money then you are better to not use your "local" dealer.
On a side note, there is very little that you cannot do your self in terms of service any way.
Im not saying take it in the shorts, I am saying push the local dealer to give a better offer. Let him know you will buy somewhere else. Note I said "AS LONG AS YOU CAN"
I do my own service and part swaps, just saying some dont.
I don't see establishing a "relationship" with a dealer as anything needed. Heck, I've been going to the same one since 1993, and will get a "hello" from the owners, and the sales manager, but that's about as far as it goes. I've never gotten a break on service, or any special consideration. I only know of two people who have, and they either worked there, or were friends with the owner since grade school.
When I bought the last scoot I called the sales manager and told him what I was looking for. He knew I would go somewhere else (he's lost a sale, or two, before) so he made me a appropriate deal. I made my decision based on the economics of the situation, and not because of any relationship. If I could have gotten it cheaper anywhere within a couple of hundred miles I would have. So, knowing I don't get any special consideration for service EVEN after going to the same place for about 17 years I do all my own. Things I can't do require the bike to go to an indy shop. The indy shop is much cheaper and does quality work.
So, buy where it's cheaper. Spend your money wisely because it appears from your post that the dealership you are working with will be more than willing to take as much of it as they can at any point down the road.
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