The Only Reason You Should Pay More Than You Have To...

[Tortuga_imp]

I will buy many things on the internet to get the best price, but like to buy a motorcycle, or maybe any product that requires ongoing service, at a dealer that is close enough for me to consider "my" dealer. I'm not going to switch dealer because some guy 100 miles away makes me a better deal by only a $100 or so....not worth it, I would than consider a buyer who does that not one worth having anyway.

As I sit here today, I'm inclined to agree with you. I recently bought my CB1100 from a dealer not far from me, about an hours ride tops.

Years ago I bought a CBR600 from a dealer 170 miles away because the local one wouldn't do a deal. I voted with my (feet?) and made the deal a fair distance away.

By the time I'd commuted on it for a week I had to take it back for the first service, still with fuel included it saved me hundreds of quid.

This time round I got a great deal and a local dealer, win/win but I'd have shopped around if they didn't play ball..

[Flynbulldog_imp]

I think you're way out of line and to me it sounds like you want special treatment because you're a serviceman...

All dealerships charge freight and set-up fees and in my state they all charge a Doc fee too.
Once in a while you get some of the fees knocked off on models that are sitting the floor for awhile or bikes that aren't hot sellers but in the beginning of spring on a bike that's new this year I think you're expecting too much.

Stop trying to play the troops/ veteran card and just go make the best deal you can.

[gary_imp]

I think you're way out of line and to me it sounds like you want special treatment because you're a serviceman...

All dealerships charge freight and set-up fees and in my state they all charge a Doc fee too.
Once in a while you get some of the fees knocked off on models that are sitting the floor for awhile or bikes that aren't hot sellers but in the beginning of spring on a bike that's new this year I think you're expecting too much.

Stop trying to play the troops/ veteran card and just go make the best deal you can.

Ouch, this feels like an attack. Sorry that you had a bad day. Hope it gets better man. Cheers.

[calamarichris_imp]

I think you're way out of line and to me it sounds like you want special treatment because you're a serviceman...

All dealerships charge freight and set-up fees and in my state they all charge a Doc fee too.
Once in a while you get some of the fees knocked off on models that are sitting the floor for awhile or bikes that aren't hot sellers but in the beginning of spring on a bike that's new this year I think you're expecting too much.

Stop trying to play the troops/ veteran card and just go make the best deal you can.

Not true at all. Perhaps you didn't read the part about me traveling 150 miles to pay MSRP + TTL only in my initial post?


And while I am an honorably discharged Army veteran, I didn't mention this to the dealership at all. Santa Barbara is not a big military town anyway, so it's not like it would have mattered. I don't believe I even mentioned it in my initial post...

But down here in San Diego County on the doorstep of Camp Pendleton, Miramar Air base, and Coronado where the Seals train, the demand for new motorcycles is apparently high enough that these dealerships are brazen enough to demand extra. I mention the military only because of the smarmy "We support our troops" broadcasting, even as they are screwing them over.

I hope I'm not making the same error you did and jumping to conclusions, but it sounds like you have a earnest chip on your shoulder against military personnel. We're not all war-hungry extremist rightwing fanatics looking for a handout. Some of us did it for the same reason we pay taxes, vote, and pay for the parking when we get called for jury duty.

If you want to pay those extra charges, be my guest. But if you're willing to shop around (especially away from major military installations), you'll very likely find an MSRP + TTL deal like I did. Maybe even better.

Erm... you're not employed by or affiliated with a dealership are you? Because that would be pretty awesome if you were. (And by "awesome" I mean completely hypocritical & self-serving.)

[Flynbulldog_imp]

Nah, I have no chip on my shoulder against military personnel nor do I work at a dealership.

I just don't think the dealers are gouging by asking the same fees that every other dealership in the country asks for as a general rule (with exceptions for some bikes or sales of course).
I thought it was out line by focusing on military personnel and accusing the dealerships of gouging those people.
Dealerships will gouge anybody they think they can get away with gouging. We all have to be on guard against it, and if we don't feel we are getting a reasonable deal then we walk.

I do think some military folks will take advantage of the general sentiment that Americans have for our service people.
But I don't want military folks to be preyed upon either.

[the Ferret]

Geez full moon tonight or something?

[calamarichris_imp]

Thanks, relieved to hear it.
But by that logic, if all the dealerships decide to gouge us, it's okay because none of them are actually doing it.

IMO, they're doing it exactly because these military guys who're returning from hell with fat wallets, have more money than patience or diligence. And they're getting lulled into complacency by the "We Support Our Troops" painted on the windows. Lord knows I was pretty young, dumb, & gullible when I was in the Army.

Also the Big Four dealerships are learning from Harley Davidson of a few years ago. When the demand for Harleys went crazy in the 90's, all the dealerships were adding on insane mystery-fees (as in several thousand dollars), and once it became the norm, none of them were gouging anyone, because everyone was doing it.

I'm not a cheap b@$t@rd by any means, (I tip the technician who installs & balances my tires $20 every time) but I hate seeing this kind of thing. They know we're excited and happy to be buying a new motorcycle, and we'll do almost anything to NOT walk out of that dealership without a bike. After all, what's an extra 700-$800...?

Well, it's two high quality helmets.
Or about FORTY tankfulls of gas.
Or about four new rear tires, installed & balanced.
Or an extra 3-4 monthly payments if you're financing it.
Or an Aerostich safety suit that could save your life someday....

[dBuster_imp]

Boy being a marine corps veteran of several enlistments I can say that military towns do stick it to the military. Or at least they did in the 80's and 90's. Even more so on the east coast versus the west coast. Drive away from those towns and you will get better pricing.

Now the military members that really want a bike can go to their local exchange overseas and buy a new bike for the next model year when they first get overseas and have in most cases the bike fully paid for when they get home as there are plenty single one with nothing else to do with their money and all they need to do is take delivery of the bike when they get home. Been there done it.

Now to think that the military uses a "so called military card" to get things that must be coming from a possible conscientious objector? I want to thank you for serving your country. Step into a hostile environment and come home to a country that doesn't appreciate it I guess is the way some would want it.

It is society today that makes some think like you do. Until your in those shoes you really can't say or have a leg to stand on. If you are a veteran do your part join your local American Legion or better yet join the American Legion Riders and learn about how those veterans are still giving to their country well past the normal enlistment.

If you live in my district I can get you signed up with the Riders, heck I will even sponsor you...

Sent from my XT1055 using Tapatalk

[Red Mist_imp]

I think you're way out of line and to me it sounds like you want special treatment because you're a serviceman...

All dealerships charge freight and set-up fees and in my state they all charge a Doc fee too.
Once in a while you get some of the fees knocked off on models that are sitting the floor for awhile or bikes that aren't hot sellers but in the beginning of spring on a bike that's new this year I think you're expecting too much.

Stop trying to play the troops/ veteran card and just go make the best deal you can.

Damn straight. I think this is way, way out of line.

I'll pay whatever the hell I want for my motorcycles. I've been buying them for over thirty years and if I listed them all like some do there wouldn't be room in the bloody signature for them. I like having a good relationship with a local dealer that I can ride to in ten minutes. And I do. Same with my cars. All bought from the same dealer. I just treated the entire dealership to lunch last week because they have been so good about things.

If that doesn't work for someone else, fine.

[Cormanus]

I think you're way out of line and to me it sounds like you want special treatment because you're a serviceman...

All dealerships charge freight and set-up fees and in my state they all charge a Doc fee too.
Once in a while you get some of the fees knocked off on models that are sitting the floor for awhile or bikes that aren't hot sellers but in the beginning of spring on a bike that's new this year I think you're expecting too much.

Stop trying to play the troops/ veteran card and just go make the best deal you can.

Damn straight. I think this is way, way out of line.

I'll pay whatever the hell I want for my motorcycles. I've been buying them for over thirty years and if I listed them all like some do there wouldn't be room in the bloody signature for them. I like having a good relationship with a local dealer that I can ride to in ten minutes. And I do. Same with my cars. All bought from the same dealer. I just treated the entire dealership to lunch last week because they have been so good about things.

If that doesn't work for someone else, fine.

Damn straight. I think this is way, way out of line.

I'll pay whatever the hell I want for my motorcycles. I've been buying them for over thirty years and if I listed them all like some do there wouldn't be room in the bloody signature for them. I like having a good relationship with a local dealer that I can ride to in ten minutes. And I do. Same with my cars. All bought from the same dealer. I just treated the entire dealership to lunch last week because they have been so good about things.

If that doesn't work for someone else, fine.
One of the many engaging characteristics of Breckinridge Elkins is his ability to get the wrong end of the stick.