Author Topic: Buying from a dealer. (Read 5485 times)

ant_129 · « **on:** August 07, 2006, 06:18:14 PM »

Hi guys,

I recently was able to sell my B4 to someone locally. I am now ready to go to the dealer and pick up a new FZ6.

Any tips on getting a good deal? I have already talked to them a few times before and they seem to be stuck on the MSRP price so there is not much I can do about that. But do you think I have a chance of getting something thrown in for free like a cover or another helmet?

curiousmike · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2006, 06:53:29 PM »

I'm a pretty terrible haggler; but when I bought my Hayabusa six years ago, there was a service on the net where you could get up to six dealerships in a radius to offer you their best deal OTD.

For me, I ended up getting the Busa for MSRP out the door, which was "about $1500 in savings."

In general, anytime I buy an auto or bike, I consider MSRP OTD to be a decent deal.

The FZ6 isn't a bike that's burning up the sales charts --- see how long he's sat on that bike. I suspect that bike has been there since springtime.
Are there other dealerships in your area?
Shop around.

curiousmike · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2006, 06:57:06 PM »

This isn't the service I used ( I can't remember what it was ), but try googling "motorcycle price haggling" or something along those lines.

This is just an example of something I used.

http://www.motorcyclebuyer.com/

WEINERDOGBONE · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2006, 07:01:32 PM »

Sure. Look at it this way. You can buy an FZR6 anywhere for MSRP. They should throw in a helmet minimum. Always ask for a little more than you think you can get.

I'd tell them to knock $500.00 off the bike and also throw in a helmet. If you don't walk away once or twice, you haven't seen the best deal. Leave your phone number, if they ask. They'll call you and offer something.

The local Suzuki shop is the only place I've ever bought a vehicle without having to walk away a couple of times. The owner is just a reasonable guy and he is easy to deal with. Thats why I keep buying from him. I used to own Hondas.

ant_129 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2006, 08:45:28 PM »

Man, I have just been researching some OTD prices in the Houston Area on the sportsbikes.net forum and it seems that it is nearly impossible to get a good deal on a new bike. Most dealers want and get MSRP.

silvershadow · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2006, 09:13:11 PM »

Walking away is about the only method that will take a salesman to the next level. I have been in commissioned sales for the past several years and the last thing I want is a sale to walk because I left money on the table. Give it a shot and you will be surprised at how fast it works. You do have to keep on the guy’s good side when you are about to walk or he will right you off. Make sure that he knows that you are ready to buy. The dealers get lots of people that like to look and ask questions but never buy. Before you leave tell him that you are going to check out the dealer on the other side of town. One thing any commissioned sale guy wants is someone else to get his check.

snofrog · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2006, 10:48:56 PM »

walk in and as soon as the salesman comes up and starts chatting tell him right out you have cash ,you are purchasing your bike today from one of the local delers.the location of witch depends on the otd price .so what price are you offering me today

amboman · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2006, 11:23:12 PM »

I was ignored by at least 4 sales staff when I went to by a new B12. It turns out that the best deal was at a Honda dealer. I told him of my dealings at the Suzuki franchise and that I was a cash buyer. I asked him to do the best he could, and made it clear that I was serious about buying on the day. I also made it clear that I had an expectation of the way I should be treated.

Long story short, Honda came to the party and now I am riding on the dark side, CB1300 and really happy.

What I am trying to say is, don't put up with poor salesmanship just to buy that new bike. If it was supposed to happen it will happen with good service.

mike · « **Reply #8 on:** August 08, 2006, 09:46:46 AM »

Quote from: ant_129

Man, I have just been researching some OTD prices in the Houston Area on the sportsbikes.net forum and it seems that it is nearly impossible to get a good deal on a new bike. Most dealers want and get MSRP.

I bought my Bandit at Stubb's (S. Houston) in 2001. They wouldn't deal. I walked out probably 6 or seven times over 2 months, they never called or budged. They were a Harley/Suzuki dealer and Harley was their primary seller, so I don't think they cared if they sold a cheap ol' Bandit anyway. They had 20K dollar Harleys to focus on. But they had the only black naked in the whole city, so I paid it.

I also tried to buy a black FZ1 in College station at the same time period, they wouldn't move either (but it was a new model in 2001) gauranteed to move.

Sven · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2006, 11:28:19 AM »

The two larger Suzuki dealers in the Memphis area both display their prices on every bike, and the prices are always about $1000 off list. No need to haggle when you know they are already taking a lower profit on the bike, although asking for a free break-in service wouldn't hurt.

The biggest Kawasaki dealer sometimes doens't even post prices at all, which annoys me...even the grocery store lets you know what something costs before you get to the register!

It's funny, nobody thinks they should pay list price for ANYTHING.

erict716 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2006, 01:50:49 PM »

they are also asking for MSRP becuase the demand for vehicles (be it bikes or compact cars) is high right now due to high gas prices. They know what ppl are looking for. Thats also why the price of used bikes in want ads is so high, its summer time and the gas price is a lot higher than what ppl are use to.

stormi · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2006, 04:50:02 PM »

I talked to a honda mechanic gone salesman gone independant mechanic last week. He said that Honda has been cutting the profit margins for years. That the MSRP has little in it to move, and that the dealers make money on the Destination and Delivery. He said he didn't believe in and never charged the D&D and used to get royal sh!t regularly for it, cos the dealer wasn't making money. Perhaps all of the manuafacturers are doing similar things? I have noticed that D&D is going up like crazy....

Seems to me that your best place to try to negotiate is the D&D and accessories. I know that the Honda dealer that the other half deals with will come to the table that way for sure.

Ronrdrcr · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2006, 09:30:07 PM »

I bought the Z1000 last month, went to a dealer in my hometown about 45 miles away that I used to deal with a lot years ago. They had one sitting on the floor and I told him I was waiting for my check to clear the bank for the house I had just sold. Showed him the deposit slip from the bank and said I would be back the next day to purchase. The sales manager still did not want to give me an OTD price until I was there with cash in hand. Would only tell me MSRP of $8499. Went to the dealer 2 miles from my current residence and they immediately gave me a price of $7499 without even haggling or telling them how I was paying. I got a 10% discount on all of the accessories I had purchased with it. Of course I ended up purchasing almost $3500 in accessories including gear for myself and the wife. So they made some good money off of me, but I still feel I made out also.

Ron

doublenaughtspy · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2006, 12:46:03 PM »

Ok, Ant....here's the skinny. There is about 18% dealer markup in the big 4 Jap bikes. That's all. The dealer is going to stay on mark for most of the fast movers, but has to pay "floor-plan" on inventory that stays too long. Like, for instance, a B12. I know a couple of dealers here in ATL who will drop to around 7-10% markup to move just about anything, but will then jack up up on the "crap." Dealer prep, documentation, lunch allowance, etc. Decide for yourself what a fair deal would be based on that small margin (18%) that will allow him to keep his doors open and keep you in the good graces of your personal finacial planner. That's where the "fair deal" is. Or buy a year-old bike for a REAL bargain. Fly and buy; now that's an adventure, but you might spend your saving on the plane ticket and fuel! Good luck, dude.

'Spy

Old_n_Slow · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2006, 07:36:17 AM »

One of the guys I ride with is the finance manager at a local bike chain, he told me that with the gas prices going nuts many buyers who were sitting on the fence for years are getting into the game. They're using the "it'll save gas money" ploy on their wives and it's working. Because of that, his shops haven't sold anything in the past 6 month for less than full price. But, they do throw in sweetners like helmets, gloves, etc. to take the sting out of paying full retail.