This post got some quick responses. I guess I'm not the only one to run across something odd like this. Thanks for the support.

I've got mixed feelings on posting the name of the dealer, but then again they are the folks who refused to sell so why should I really care. So, for those who are in the area it was Peninsula HD in Redwood City, which was the closest dealer to me at Stanford. As I said, the sales person (I can't remember her name, but a nice looking woman) was very nice and they were pleasant to deal with ... other than refusing to sell me a bike.

 

I had the same thing happen at Preformance HD in NY about 7 years ago, three bikes later and I still won't go there.

 

I would suggest contacting Harley headquarters and see what they tell you. That policy(if it is one) is asinine. But I guess they must make so much money that they can turn down sales.[:'(]

 

contacting HD is not going to work. Hundreds of dealers do it all across flordia I have seen it, Soutch Carolina, New York and wherever.

The dealers doing this are the ones SELLING bikes and lots of them. I have mostly heard it within a couple zip codes. This was so they get the parts sales, and the service sales, They want to keep their bikes local.

Seems very logical although some may not agree.

 

Probably better off buying a non-CA bike. I do believe the CA bikes are still more emission restrictive than the "49 state" bikes.

Selling only to local buyers was quite common during the shortage and waiting list days of the mid 90s. I had a dealer eighty miles from where I lived refuse to sell me a new Harley.

 

Oh god... let's not loose a couple more members by talking about Cali.... (<--sarcasm)

Unfortunately, I don't think anything can be done to this dealer that will affect them. Obviously the locals give them enough business and they (locals) wouldn't care about an "out of town'rs" experience, aslong as they are happy. It sucks that you wasted so much time there, in the end to be told, "nope". I agree with some of the guys here... why even get a bike from Cali? Glad you got yourself the bike you liked! A good ending!

Keep the shiny side up!!

 

I think this rule really bites even if it just a localized thing. There is no guarantee that if I buy a bike from a certain dealer that I will return there to have it serviced or buy accessories.

I wonder what the mark up on the bikes are versus how much it costs to produce?

 

When I was searching and comparing inventory, prices, etc. I called all over the Atlanta and southern Tennessee area and all the dealers I spoke with indicated they would sell me a bike even though they knew I lived in the Atlanta area. Sounds fishy to me. And the part about too much paperwork sounds like BS.

07HC

 

The important thing is...you left and went back home. Most likely where the people are normal. Smart move.
Ride Safe

 

This is not uncommon but I have not heard of it lately. This actually happened to me. I was living in Long Island, NY and was looking for a Harley. It was 1994. All the dealers had lines to buy their bikes so they wanted AT LEAST $5000 over MSRP. No way. So when I went back home to visit (Syracuse, NY), I went to Performance Harley. When I said I wanted a bike, they said, "where do you live?" I said, "Here." They said, "Prove it." Well, I had been in there a few times that week and I knew they were going to say that. So, I had actually gone to the DMV and had my address changed to my Aunt's house. They said they would be happy to sell me a bike for MSRP if I would wait in line for it. Well, it saved me money and I found a dealer who would not be bought off. I found out that they only sell to locals because that way they have the repeat business for service and upgrades. It worked out for us both. I may have left with the bike, but not before they did a ton of upgrades. PLEASE don't tell them what I did!