Hello, closing on our sold house today at 10am. Looking at a 1998 Electra Glide thats probibbly going to be my first Harley. Need some input on buying tips. Lets say asking or tagged price on bike is $8500 at a Harley dealership. Ive got cash so no financing, insurance etc is needed. What would be a good starting discount price from them, so I can offer a bit less? Could always tell em about another bike simular priced with more stuff at another dealer? True so id not be lying.
Im happy with the $8500 but always feel like a discount on anything is good. Not a real good at negoating prices. What has been your expirences with this situation? Maybe if I cant get a cash discount should I look for some free stuff or accessories, couple of oil changes, anything?
Thanks for your input!
Drew C from SC.

 

For me anyway dealers are funny when it comes to dropping their price.
They know from experience what they can get someone to pay their price for a bike.
They have a pretty good traffic flow of potential buyers to wait for their price.
They realize most potential buyers expect some kind of price negotiation.

What I would do is just come out and say, "I like the bike a lot but I would buy it for XXX"
If they don't agree at first fine but make sure you leave your phone number in case they get another bike similar to what your looking for and leave.
Bottom line is if they can sell it for what you're offering they will but they might be willing to hold off in-order to get what they want for it, time is on the dealers side most of the time.

good luck

 

The NADA site lists the bike around 6,700 retail. Offer 7,000 and go from there.

 

Print that information off the NADA site and take it in with you, so you can put the paper down when discussing price. Shows that you're serious, also well informed! They will probably reply by telling you the things that make the asking price higher, but that is part of the negotiating process. Be polite!

Best of luck and let us know if you are successful.

 

When they say it is worth $XXX over NADA because it has this that and the other thing installed. It is well known that Accessories are only worth $.10 on the $1 they were purchased for, so don't let them tell you otherwise. Lord knows they didn't give the previous owner squat for them on trade. I agree with $7,000.00 as a very reasonable offer. It will go up from what you offer, but never down!

Adam

 

I think you've made a good decision to buy a used bike, I would never buy another new Harley. Sorry to say you have no bargaining leverage, the dealership will not make much off the used bike in the first place, they don't NEED your money right now today, the bike will sell itself to someone willing to pay what they want. Don't tell them up front you are buying outright with cash and don't let on like you realy want that bike, maybe even sniff around a different bike for a while. If you have already been checking that bike out and they know you want it, you're screwed, you may as well go to different dealership because you are already marked. The bike is used so find all the little deficiencies and note them when dealing with the salesman; pipe blueing , chrome pitting, paint chips, tire wear. Decide what you are willing pay, lowball a little from that and see what they say. After they give you an agreeable price, then ask them what they would take cash right now. Don't actually take a wad of cash when you go shopping, do your deal and tell them you just have to go get the money out of the bank down the street. If you want to bargain for services, I would negotiate a deal for a dyno tune with print out that shows AFR tables, since it is a used bike they really can't gaurantee the tune condition. Other than that maybe score a case of oil and a couple filters, possibly new tires. Good Luck, don't get hosed.

 

Good stuff here! Thanks for the input!
Drew C from SC.

 

Thank you all for your input!