Tips for buying a HD...?
#1
07-28-2011 | 01:05 AM
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: West... It's better out here!
Tips for buying a HD...?
I'll keep this fairly generic...
Ok, so I'll be buying a new HD in the next 30-45 days. I'll be bringing ~10-15% down (in cash/check)
My question is this:
Where are the dealers able to negotiate price. Obviously they want as much as possible, and I want to pay as little as possible. But where can they come down, and where won't they come down on prices? What fees are we stuck with paying and which ones can be negotiated?
My thought is to call up 2-3 of the local dealers and tell them to give me an out the door price and let them know what I'm doing. And just go with who gives me the cheapest price...
Thanks for the help in advance.
Ok, so I'll be buying a new HD in the next 30-45 days. I'll be bringing ~10-15% down (in cash/check)
My question is this:
Where are the dealers able to negotiate price. Obviously they want as much as possible, and I want to pay as little as possible. But where can they come down, and where won't they come down on prices? What fees are we stuck with paying and which ones can be negotiated?
My thought is to call up 2-3 of the local dealers and tell them to give me an out the door price and let them know what I'm doing. And just go with who gives me the cheapest price...
Thanks for the help in advance.
#2
07-28-2011 | 02:05 AM
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: West... It's better out here!
I knew this had been asked a number of times, but wasn't able to get the search function to work... (computer issues)
I just got the search function to work and found the posts I was looking for...
Sorry for the repeated post...
But If ya still want to give extra (and more up to date) input, I'll take it!
Junior
I just got the search function to work and found the posts I was looking for...
Sorry for the repeated post...
But If ya still want to give extra (and more up to date) input, I'll take it!
Junior
#3
07-28-2011 | 02:14 AM
It won't take but an hour or two of your time to call 10-15 dealers around the nation. Know exactly what you want and get the best price you can from each of them...letting them know what your best quote to date is.
I saved a couple thousand of MSRP by finding a dealer 1500 miles away that had excess stock of the bike I wanted and they gave me a great price. Took that price to the local dealer and they matched it. (before I shopped they said they could not come off the MSRP by one dollar)
A couple other factors....probably best to wait until you are ready to actually make the purchase to begin any serious negotiating.
Big One-With most dealers they are more ready to deal on price toward the end of the month...so they can get their month end numbers up. At the beginning of the month they are not as motivated, they are looking at the whole month to hit their numbers. Course if they have had a great month it does not work as well. Last two bike I bought from a dealership were on the last day of the month and it was a major factor to get it in that months numbers both times, helping me to get a better price.
Other things you can probably get-
Discounted prices on service (if you are not going to do them yourself)
Discounts on future parts purchases
Have fun shopping, and realize that most of the time when they say they cannot budge on price, you will find that they will if properly motivated.
Kevin
I saved a couple thousand of MSRP by finding a dealer 1500 miles away that had excess stock of the bike I wanted and they gave me a great price. Took that price to the local dealer and they matched it. (before I shopped they said they could not come off the MSRP by one dollar)
A couple other factors....probably best to wait until you are ready to actually make the purchase to begin any serious negotiating.
Big One-With most dealers they are more ready to deal on price toward the end of the month...so they can get their month end numbers up. At the beginning of the month they are not as motivated, they are looking at the whole month to hit their numbers. Course if they have had a great month it does not work as well. Last two bike I bought from a dealership were on the last day of the month and it was a major factor to get it in that months numbers both times, helping me to get a better price.
Other things you can probably get-
Discounted prices on service (if you are not going to do them yourself)
Discounts on future parts purchases
Have fun shopping, and realize that most of the time when they say they cannot budge on price, you will find that they will if properly motivated.
Kevin
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Last edited by DK Custom; 07-28-2011 at 02:20 AM.
#4
07-28-2011 | 03:55 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,839
Likes: 16,549
From: Wisconsin, USA
It won't take but an hour or two of your time to call 10-15 dealers around the nation. Know exactly what you want and get the best price you can from each of them...letting them know what your best quote to date is.
I saved a couple thousand of MSRP by finding a dealer 1500 miles away that had excess stock of the bike I wanted and they gave me a great price. Took that price to the local dealer and they matched it. (before I shopped they said they could not come off the MSRP by one dollar)
A couple other factors....probably best to wait until you are ready to actually make the purchase to begin any serious negotiating.
Big One-With most dealers they are more ready to deal on price toward the end of the month...so they can get their month end numbers up. At the beginning of the month they are not as motivated, they are looking at the whole month to hit their numbers. Course if they have had a great month it does not work as well. Last two bike I bought from a dealership were on the last day of the month and it was a major factor to get it in that months numbers both times, helping me to get a better price.
Other things you can probably get-
Discounted prices on service (if you are not going to do them yourself)
Discounts on future parts purchases
Have fun shopping, and realize that most of the time when they say they cannot budge on price, you will find that they will if properly motivated.
Kevin
I saved a couple thousand of MSRP by finding a dealer 1500 miles away that had excess stock of the bike I wanted and they gave me a great price. Took that price to the local dealer and they matched it. (before I shopped they said they could not come off the MSRP by one dollar)
A couple other factors....probably best to wait until you are ready to actually make the purchase to begin any serious negotiating.
Big One-With most dealers they are more ready to deal on price toward the end of the month...so they can get their month end numbers up. At the beginning of the month they are not as motivated, they are looking at the whole month to hit their numbers. Course if they have had a great month it does not work as well. Last two bike I bought from a dealership were on the last day of the month and it was a major factor to get it in that months numbers both times, helping me to get a better price.
Other things you can probably get-
Discounted prices on service (if you are not going to do them yourself)
Discounts on future parts purchases
Have fun shopping, and realize that most of the time when they say they cannot budge on price, you will find that they will if properly motivated.
Kevin
#5
07-28-2011 | 05:02 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
If you're getting a 2012 most dealerships won't be in a negotiating mood until winter. You'll get a much better deal on a new 2011. Regardless, the price you end up paying all depends on how desperate that dealership is to get rid of that bike and how badly they think you want it.
#6
07-28-2011 | 09:25 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Fall Branch, TN
If you're getting a 2012 most dealerships won't be in a negotiating mood until winter. You'll get a much better deal on a new 2011. Regardless, the price you end up paying all depends on how desperate that dealership is to get rid of that bike and how badly they think you want it.
#7
07-28-2011 | 09:45 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
+1, for sure. You will find that some dealers really want to sell you a bike while some don't. Some are motivated by cash, and others want you to finance. Don't leave any stones unturned. Even my salesman was shocked when HD financing beat my excellent Credit Union rate.
And never, ever pay full retail...regardless of who says what.
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#8
07-28-2011 | 09:57 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 35,719
Likes: 5,136
From: Honah Lee
Never ever act like you have any money. Borrow your neighbor's car if you must. Always let them think you are going to finance with them. Know the suggested price on line. Negotiate up from a low ball park. Know they are going to make a profit but let the other guy pay the most. Listen to the finance mans spill and then bring him a check from your local bank or credit union. Always pay cash. Never finance a hobby. If you walk away from a Harley dealer thinking you got a actual fare price be proud. If you think you go a good screwing, just enjoy the bike. Cain't take it with you
#10
07-28-2011 | 03:20 PM
The main thing is what the bottom line end number is....Do NOT get hung up on individual line item prices.....It doesn't matter if they charge 1 dollar for the bike and 9,999 dollars for setup & paperwork or 10 grand for the bike and nothing for setup & paperwork....either way all that matters is how much you end up paying in the end...