Harley Davidson

[spicoli512]

Originally Posted by chevybill

I feel I must clarify my earlier post. In May of 2011, I purchased a new 2009 honda shadow aero 750. A 2011 new harley sportster lacked only about $1000 dollars being double the price I paid for the shadow. Yes a 2011 shadow would have been much closer in price to the sportster. I still believe that H-D dealers should be more flexible on pricing when they have a serious buyer. My H - D dealer experience was "this is our price along with all fees, no discounts you should be grateful you even qualify to purchase one of "our" bikes." "It's a harley after all." This was the non verbal message I reeceived from them.

Is your main gripe the fact that they didn't discount? Its one thing if the dealership was charging a premium but whats wrong with offering MSRP? The market will dictate prices and apparently this dealership felt the bike would sell at MSRP. Don't get me wrong, I like to feel like I got a good deal but I'm not going to hold a brand grudge b/c I was only offered list price. Its just business.

Bike dealerships are not like car dealerships where you can expect to pay invoice vs MSRP. The bike you were specifically looking at has the lowest margins in the entire fleet. Most dealerships are dependent upon credits and rebates to move off of MSRP. Especially for current year models. I would suspect that the dealership only had btw 500-1500 of profit on the bike you were looking at. Not much room for movement unless rebates are available.

I'm guessing the Gross Profit (Profit before taxes / sales / marketing etc) was roughly 10-15% on the bike you were considering. Many business would require a much larger rate of return.

[Hondaguy]

Originally Posted by chevybill

I feel I must clarify my earlier post. In May of 2011, I purchased a new 2009 honda shadow aero 750. A 2011 new harley sportster lacked only about $1000 dollars being double the price I paid for the shadow. Yes a 2011 shadow would have been much closer in price to the sportster. I still believe that H-D dealers should be more flexible on pricing when they have a serious buyer. My H - D dealer experience was "this is our price along with all fees, no discounts you should be grateful you even qualify to purchase one of "our" bikes." "It's a harley after all." This was the non verbal message I reeceived from them.

You don't have much room to negotiate when you only make 250K bikes a year for an eager worldwide market, nor do you have to.....exclusivity has a price.

When you make millions of bikes you have a lot of room to discount and a lot of leftovers. There are still brand spanking new 2007 VFR Interceptors for sale. .

[jimnfor]

There is a saying that applies as far as what a manufacturer can/will charge,
"don't hate the player, hate the game"
Fits perfectly.

[hunnus2000]

Originally Posted by Hondaguy

You don't have much room to negotiate when you only make 250K bikes a year for an eager worldwide market, nor do you have to.....exclusivity has a price.

When you make millions of bikes you have a lot of room to discount and a lot of leftovers. There are still brand spanking new 2007 VFR Interceptors for sale. .

WOW! So where can I get one of those brand new 5 year old discounted bikes? Or is that called depreciation?

[jimnfor]

Originally Posted by hunnus2000

WOW! So where can I get one of those brand new 5 year old discounted bikes? Or is that called depreciation?

Import dealers always have 'new' bikes that are a couple of model years old sitting in the showroom.
The local Honda dealer has several '09 dirt bikes 'brand new'.