10-06-2015, 10:13 PM
As carguy said, when you compare dealers, clearly ask what other fees do they charge. Some will try to soak you a few hundred more for a dealer setup fee, documentation fee, etc. Don't buy the story from them that these are non negotiable and outside of the agreed price. EVERYTHING is negotiable.
Dealers have also been known to tell you over the phone that there are no other fees, only to hit you with one when you are asked for payment. Get the sales manager to send you an email confirming the out the door price which includes shipping if needed. Also be aware, the last bike I bought long distance, the dealer quoted me a price of $400 for shipping which was reasonable. He did state, however, that they needed to put the bike in a crate, and if I backed out of the deal after I had sent the check, and after they crated it, that they would charge me the $400 for building the crate. The crate they built turned out to be an amazing job. They did such a good job, it took me all afternoon to disassemble the crate to get to the bike. It contained enough 2x4s, 4x4s, and plywood that I could have built half a garage! So the $400 price they quoted me was probably fair, what with all the new wood they used, and the employees' time I'm sure it took to build it.
Generally speaking, you should not pay tax on an out of state buy, you'll be assessed for your state tax when you title and register it back home. And of course, factor in shipping fees. These do vary quite a bit. Sometimes it's best from both a price and a reliability perspective to use a shipper that the selling dealer regularly uses.
Dealers have also been known to tell you over the phone that there are no other fees, only to hit you with one when you are asked for payment. Get the sales manager to send you an email confirming the out the door price which includes shipping if needed. Also be aware, the last bike I bought long distance, the dealer quoted me a price of $400 for shipping which was reasonable. He did state, however, that they needed to put the bike in a crate, and if I backed out of the deal after I had sent the check, and after they crated it, that they would charge me the $400 for building the crate. The crate they built turned out to be an amazing job. They did such a good job, it took me all afternoon to disassemble the crate to get to the bike. It contained enough 2x4s, 4x4s, and plywood that I could have built half a garage! So the $400 price they quoted me was probably fair, what with all the new wood they used, and the employees' time I'm sure it took to build it.
Generally speaking, you should not pay tax on an out of state buy, you'll be assessed for your state tax when you title and register it back home. And of course, factor in shipping fees. These do vary quite a bit. Sometimes it's best from both a price and a reliability perspective to use a shipper that the selling dealer regularly uses.