JC from Delaware
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
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From: Delaware
JC from Delaware
Hi, folks. I'm on the brink of buying my first Harley after riding a Honda for 7 years. I'm hoping for a little advice from anyone in the know.
I've been kicking around the idea of upgrading to a Harley for a couple of years. Whether switching to Harley or sticking with Honda, I'd been planning to buy a new bike sometime this summer.
When I saw a Diamond Black/Fire Quartz CVO Fat Bob on the H-D website I had to take off up to the local dealer to see if they had one I could lay my eyes on in the flesh. I wanted to see it, mind you, not to buy. Not surprisingly, before long a salesman had me planted in a chair anyway.
Luckily for me, unluckily for the salesman, they didn't have one in stock. I rode a stock Fat Bob and a stock Fat Boy and both were quite enjoyable. The salesman said he could have the CVO I want shipped up from another dealership within a few days. No way was I going to buy sight-unseen. So I got away from him and I have some time to do some homework I should have done before setting foot on the sales floor.
Dealer invoice price for the CVO is $20,239. MSRP is $25,299 (a 25% markup), but this dealer listed the bike at $29,999 (a 49% markup). A reasonable freight and assembly charge is $500, but this dealer wanted to charge over $800. I have two Hondas to trade in. A 2002 VT1100C2 and a 2005 VT750C, both of which are worth $3,000 to $3,300 trade in according to Kelly and NADA. The dealer was offering $2,500 for each.
It would seem to me I have some wiggle room, right? I think a 15% markup over invoice plus freight and assembly is more reasonable. I also feel I should be able to insist on a bit more for my trade-ins. I'm not so intoxicated by the Harley Davidson logo that I want to bend over one for the salesman to have his way with me. Can anyone give me some advice as to reasonable haggling here?
I've been kicking around the idea of upgrading to a Harley for a couple of years. Whether switching to Harley or sticking with Honda, I'd been planning to buy a new bike sometime this summer.
When I saw a Diamond Black/Fire Quartz CVO Fat Bob on the H-D website I had to take off up to the local dealer to see if they had one I could lay my eyes on in the flesh. I wanted to see it, mind you, not to buy. Not surprisingly, before long a salesman had me planted in a chair anyway.
Luckily for me, unluckily for the salesman, they didn't have one in stock. I rode a stock Fat Bob and a stock Fat Boy and both were quite enjoyable. The salesman said he could have the CVO I want shipped up from another dealership within a few days. No way was I going to buy sight-unseen. So I got away from him and I have some time to do some homework I should have done before setting foot on the sales floor.
Dealer invoice price for the CVO is $20,239. MSRP is $25,299 (a 25% markup), but this dealer listed the bike at $29,999 (a 49% markup). A reasonable freight and assembly charge is $500, but this dealer wanted to charge over $800. I have two Hondas to trade in. A 2002 VT1100C2 and a 2005 VT750C, both of which are worth $3,000 to $3,300 trade in according to Kelly and NADA. The dealer was offering $2,500 for each.
It would seem to me I have some wiggle room, right? I think a 15% markup over invoice plus freight and assembly is more reasonable. I also feel I should be able to insist on a bit more for my trade-ins. I'm not so intoxicated by the Harley Davidson logo that I want to bend over one for the salesman to have his way with me. Can anyone give me some advice as to reasonable haggling here?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,116
Likes: 3
From: Yakima, Wa.
Never buy on impulse!!!! It'll cost you big time. Shop other dealers, even on line. Take your time. It'll be worth it. Welcome from central Washington. You've arrived at the best forum, bar none. Great people, tons of info and the only thing more fun is riding. Glad to have you here and look forward to hearing from you. Geezer
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: maryland
Was the dealer in Smyrna or New Castle?
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