New SGS Dealership Issues
#21
02-27-2014 | 09:57 AM
I can think of worse places to spend 5 hours.
I was there for 6, but bought 2 2014's
When I bought my RAM 1500 4x4 CC, I was there 12 hours.... but I beat the sales manager up pretty bad on the last day of their sales month, and came out 9 grand under MSRP, and worked them up 5 grand on my trade from their original offer, so it was worth it.
I was there for 6, but bought 2 2014's
When I bought my RAM 1500 4x4 CC, I was there 12 hours.... but I beat the sales manager up pretty bad on the last day of their sales month, and came out 9 grand under MSRP, and worked them up 5 grand on my trade from their original offer, so it was worth it.
#22
03-11-2014 | 11:33 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Galveston Bay Area, The Republic of Texas
#23
03-11-2014 | 01:19 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 183
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From: Bellevue Ia
took 2 to 3 hours did not meet salesman till I picked it up. 2014 limited contacted 3 dealers told them what color I wanted and there bottom price and that I was going to buy bike today. No trade no test drive no finance the one that gave me the best deal I bought from.
#24
03-11-2014 | 01:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
From: Stoneham MA
I walked into my Harley dealership last month on a snowy Wednesday at 5:15pm, dealership closed at 6pm. I knew the bike I wanted and knew how much I was going to pay (and knew I was giving the dealership a decent profit, just not all the profit they wanted).
Told the Sales Person I was interested and we sat down, gave him my number and had an OK from the desk at 6pm. Took another 45 minutes to do the paperwork and bike walkthrough. I was paying cash and was keeping my old bike so I had no trade in. I also was not planning on picking the bike up that day so did not need to deal with insurance and plates.
I agree with LL247, It all depends on how busy they are, how prepared you are, and how much outside work needs to be done.
Told the Sales Person I was interested and we sat down, gave him my number and had an OK from the desk at 6pm. Took another 45 minutes to do the paperwork and bike walkthrough. I was paying cash and was keeping my old bike so I had no trade in. I also was not planning on picking the bike up that day so did not need to deal with insurance and plates.
I agree with LL247, It all depends on how busy they are, how prepared you are, and how much outside work needs to be done.
#25
03-11-2014 | 03:44 PM
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 310
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From: Brick, NJ
Which dealership? I think it took me 2 at the most. But I didn't have a trade. I test drove a new bike but ordered a a Special and it was delivered a few months later. That day I went in sign the papers, left the bike again so they could add all my parts picked it up 2 weeks later. Long Branch HD.
#26
03-11-2014 | 07:24 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,033
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From: Long Island, NY
This is the third bike I bought from the same dealer did the deal over the phone he knew my trade quoted me over the phone sight unseen I emailed him my mod list to have installed on the new bike rode my bike in spent all of 15 min signing the papers he switched the plates gave me 30 min of tutorial on the infotainment and I was on the road.
#27
03-11-2014 | 08:12 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 131
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From: NC
I spent a good bit of time at my dealer to get my deal done. The day I picked it up, I had to wait 2.5 hours total. Of course, part of this was waiting for them to get a generator hooked up due to massive power outages caused by an ice storm.
It all ended well since I had 70 degree weather the rest of the weekend and got to put plenty of miles on my new ride.
It all ended well since I had 70 degree weather the rest of the weekend and got to put plenty of miles on my new ride.
#28
03-13-2014 | 10:17 AM
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From: Live Free or Die
Ok, I'm going to chime in since I'm the Business Manager for a Harley dealer in the Pittsburgh area. Time in and out all depends on how the deal is set up in the beginning. Here's an example of a deal I did this morning:
Guy picks the bike, we agree to numbers, talk financing and he wants to compare rates to his credit union, gives me a deposit and says he'll be back Friday to pick it up. I made sure we have all the info and copies we need, gave him the vin # to get his insurance straight and asked that he has a copy faxed to my office prior to Friday if he can. All took about a half hour today...now when he picks it up he'll be signed and done within about ten minutes on Friday.
That's the mark of a prepared finance guy IMO. My goal is to make sure the paperwork process is as quick and simple for the customer as possible. My line I say all the time, "Look man, I'll keep this as easy as possible. I hate paperwork myself and I do it for a living!"
Now on the other hand, a deal can take much more time. If you show up on a sunny Saturday and think it's going to be quick...er...you got another thing coming partner. Keep in mind these aren't toys, they're vehicles that involve state paperwork, plates, financing, ect. There are days where 3 people all decide to buy a bike at once, if you're third in line you'll probably be waiting a while. Good rule of thumb is this: after you say 'yes', providing there are absolutely no other deals going on at the time, expect about an hour. I'm lightning fast on paperwork and it still takes 45-60min to submit to the bank, load the deal, pull all the paperwork, issue plates, ect...and that's if you already have everything you need (like insurance)!
Another harsh reality folks is that not all finance departments are created equal. A lot of finance people are employees that were asked "Hey, you wanna do finance???" They tend to be the ones that take forever to put a deal together and end up quitting the position after a short time once they know what's involved.
Guy picks the bike, we agree to numbers, talk financing and he wants to compare rates to his credit union, gives me a deposit and says he'll be back Friday to pick it up. I made sure we have all the info and copies we need, gave him the vin # to get his insurance straight and asked that he has a copy faxed to my office prior to Friday if he can. All took about a half hour today...now when he picks it up he'll be signed and done within about ten minutes on Friday.
That's the mark of a prepared finance guy IMO. My goal is to make sure the paperwork process is as quick and simple for the customer as possible. My line I say all the time, "Look man, I'll keep this as easy as possible. I hate paperwork myself and I do it for a living!"
Now on the other hand, a deal can take much more time. If you show up on a sunny Saturday and think it's going to be quick...er...you got another thing coming partner. Keep in mind these aren't toys, they're vehicles that involve state paperwork, plates, financing, ect. There are days where 3 people all decide to buy a bike at once, if you're third in line you'll probably be waiting a while. Good rule of thumb is this: after you say 'yes', providing there are absolutely no other deals going on at the time, expect about an hour. I'm lightning fast on paperwork and it still takes 45-60min to submit to the bank, load the deal, pull all the paperwork, issue plates, ect...and that's if you already have everything you need (like insurance)!
Another harsh reality folks is that not all finance departments are created equal. A lot of finance people are employees that were asked "Hey, you wanna do finance???" They tend to be the ones that take forever to put a deal together and end up quitting the position after a short time once they know what's involved.
#29
03-13-2014 | 10:18 AM
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Cruiser
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From: Live Free or Die
Which dealership? I think it took me 2 at the most. But I didn't have a trade. I test drove a new bike but ordered a a Special and it was delivered a few months later. That day I went in sign the papers, left the bike again so they could add all my parts picked it up 2 weeks later. Long Branch HD.
#30
03-13-2014 | 11:59 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,321
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From: Upper Providence Pa
I do have a question or two for the OP.... Did you get the deal you wanted? Did you get the bike you wanted? Now that you have it, are you happy with the bike you got? In the end if the above answers are all marked as yes, does it truly matter that it took that long to get what you wanted and now have, like forever to ride it? If you answered No to any of the above, something is wrong. They are awesome machines, it was your decision to buy it, and if you feel you didn't get a good deal, you should have went elsewhere.
Just thought I would ask.
Just thought I would ask.
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