Hey, just wondering if any of you can offer any tips here.

I am looking for an '09 SG (ready to buy right now) and I research the heck out of things. Are there any dealers you know-of who are especially good (motivated) when selling a bike sight unseen to a guy hundreds (even thousands) of miles away? Any to stay away from?

I have roughly 25 dealers within 400 miles of me...and I'd love to work with a local place but I want the best deal I can find, of course...give or take a few hundred $.

My plan is to find a few dealers who sound good and then wait to see what they do with the '09s on July 27 when they're all out with the 2010's.

Any recommendations for excellent dealers who like to sell all over the country?

Thanks!

 

Here's my take on buying a bike from a non-local dealer. Warranty work never pays the best, so when your bike brakes and more than likely it will, your dealer "maybe" more interested in servicing you if you bought the bike from them. I'm a Big Dog Dealer and it doesn't really bother me to much, because I look it as another customer coming in the door, however with the bs of submitting a warranty claim etc, it's nice to know you bought the bike from us.

Me personally, I'd call the dealer you want to do business with. Get your best deal, if the dealer you want to buy from has that bike.Then tell him you'd like to buy the bike from him, but you can get it for this price elsewhere. Do not talk to a salesman, talk to the owner or GM. It's really good, if you go there and put your money where your mouth is. Tell them you'll buy it today? If they don't do it, then in this economy there nuts!

 

Here's something to consider with your long distance bargin. time + costs.
600 miles away? how do you plan and going and getting the bike?
Factor in the cost of fuel, food, any over night lodging, and YOUR time. Is it still a bargin?

Then you have to think of "bait & switch" tactics. Here you are, 600 miles from home BURNING with desire for that new bike.... will you walk away, if there are "fees" that weren't mentioned?

I have 6 dealerships, within one hour from me.... I'd work them, before I looked anywhere else

 

I'm with the Golden Turd, i'd deal with shops closer to home first, unless the deal was THAT good.

 

+1 on what others have said. Dealing closer to home is better, if at all possible, so that 'when' your bike does need service, you aren't treated like a red-headed stepchild.

Dealing from 600 miles away is not in your favor from the git-go (the dealer knows that they've got you over a barrel once you sign the paperwork, because you are highly unlikely to bring the bike back for issues, etc).

 

Thanks for the advice!

I really appreciate it...I'll find a dealer with the bike I want and make the deal...if it's just way off, then I'll just keep looking.

Thanks again.

S

 

I think dealers prefer to deal with local people, so they can get them back for parts and service after the sale. There's a lot of profit in that scheduled maintenance, and they know you won't be back for that. The dealer has the best incentive to work with you on the price when he can expect to see you back at his place spending money in the future.

Most problems with the new bikes become apparent pretty soon after you take delivery. When I brought mine, the dealer forgot to set up the security system, for example. How would you like to be 600 miles away from the guy who screwed up and will fix it for free? Unless you are getting a really special price from a distant dealer, I don't think it is worth the trouble.

 

I look at this at a different angle. Great excuse for a road trip mini vacation. Fly in, Ride Home. Especially if your getting a good deal. Just my thoughts.

 

I bought two bikes from a dealer 100 miles away. Totally honest, did most of the dealover the phone. So good I went back to them for a second bike. Barb's HD in NJ. So What...fly to philly( closest to them). I bet they would will pick you up. Tonss of bikes to choose from. Ride home. Classic eagle is right. It's a great road trip. My local dealers are offering nothing. I saved over two grand at barb's with no bull sh*t. Good luck and have fun!

 

Find the closest dealer that wants your business and he'll give you a price comparable to the other dealers you talk to. The owner of the dealership i bought from took his truck and a trailer and drove 300 miles each way to get the bike i wanted. When I asked him why he did it himself he said " I was the only one here that wasn't doing anything that mattered". That's the kind of dealer you're looking for.