Let's Make a Deal

[evanworld_imp]

I found the motorcycle for me - it's the one you all know and love. Next step, go buy it and share great stories with you all. Getting to a purchase is pretty straight forward - or so I thought. Last week I emailed RFQ to 5 Puget Sound dealers and received a quote back in a couple cases and a few rubber stamp "c'mon in and talk to us. We'll beat any deal and we wanna earn your..." You know the rest.

Here's my reply:

"Thank you for reaching out DEALER X. While I appreciate the owners interest in making a deal, my request is pretty simple - a line item quote on the motorcycle. I'm not going to have a conversation with any dealership that does not give me the quote that I requested. Every dealership has unique inventory and risks and sales targets. I work long hours and just don't have time to visit 5 dealerships to deal. If you have the inventory for the CB1100 and want to sell me a motorcycle, please submit me a competitive quote per my original request. Also I am not pitting dealer against dealer by sharing quotes.

If you do not want to provide a quote, I will consider a dealership who will - and I have 2 quotes in hand; one competitive, one not. Toss your hat in the ring your chances are good."

He didn't respond.

I understand market/demand and sometimes you gotta pony up MSRP if you want the bike - and I know the CB1100 is fantastic. Yet there are CBs on showroom floors today and it's fair to ask for a quote. The Honda site prompts you to ask for a friggin quote, yet most dealers ice you when you submit the request.

For those in the market, hold steady and get the deal you deserve. For those with a CB1100 in your garage or on your street, God speed. Hope to join you soon.

[Ridem32_imp]

Trust me as time passes by month the cb1100 will start dropping with them on showroom floor
Michael

[Tortuga_imp]

I found the motorcycle for me - it's the one you all know and love. Next step, go buy it and share great stories with you all. Getting to a purchase is pretty straight forward - or so I thought. Last week I emailed RFQ to 5 Puget Sound dealers and received a quote back in a couple cases and a few rubber stamp "c'mon in and talk to us. We'll beat any deal and we wanna earn your..." You know the rest.

Here's my reply:

"Thank you for reaching out DEALER X. While I appreciate the owners interest in making a deal, my request is pretty simple - a line item quote on the motorcycle. I'm not going to have a conversation with any dealership that does not give me the quote that I requested. Every dealership has unique inventory and risks and sales targets. I work long hours and just don't have time to visit 5 dealerships to deal. If you have the inventory for the CB1100 and want to sell me a motorcycle, please submit me a competitive quote per my original request. Also I am not pitting dealer against dealer by sharing quotes.

If you do not want to provide a quote, I will consider a dealership who will - and I have 2 quotes in hand; one competitive, one not. Toss your hat in the ring your chances are good."

He didn't respond.

I understand market/demand and sometimes you gotta pony up MSRP if you want the bike - and I know the CB1100 is fantastic. Yet there are CBs on showroom floors today and it's fair to ask for a quote. The Honda site prompts you to ask for a friggin quote, yet most dealers ice you when you submit the request.

For those in the market, hold steady and get the deal you deserve. For those with a CB1100 in your garage or on your street, God speed. Hope to join you soon.

Sounds like a frustrating process!

I worked in the motor trade some years back and I think a lot of this behaviour is conditioned from industry training techniques which are geared towards getting face to face with 'prospects'.

We were discouraged from giving prices over the phone (pre email) and were told if the guy was sat in front of you, you had a MUCH better chance of selling to them than anyone else...go figure.

I reserve the same contempt for this attitude as you do. I absolutely hate shops where nothing has a price on the shelf or the item and one has to ask the man behind the counter every single time. I went into an automotive spares shop that used to have the old fashioned paper price stickers on all their tools, oil etc. I used to spend a lot in there on impulse, because the price looked good.

Now they have nothing, so you either have to ask, or take it up to the counter and hope for the best. When I asked the guy in there why this was, he explained 'we get new ranges in all the time, so it'd be impossible to keep track of prices' yeah right ..

I walked out, and won't go back.

[evanworld_imp]

Great points. I do realize and appreciate the pressures facing dealers - there are rude and aloof customers out in the world and a ton of time wasting. Yet I'm trying to come at this as authentically as possible. I stated I'm serious and ready to buy and it's not a good feeling to get the brush off from dealers and I'm certainly not motivated to drive 20 miles when they hand me a hollow line. I'm not a natural negotiator and don't enjoy the haggling - yet I respect an honest quote and engagement. I'm just not giving hard-earned money to a dealer who insults me out of the gate.

[Cormanus]

Nice avatar, Evan. Maybe you should stick with that.

Seriously? Keep going. At some point the smart ones who want to deal will realise you're serious.

Good luck.

[Tortuga_imp]

Great points. I do realize and appreciate the pressures facing dealers - there are rude and aloof customers out in the world and a ton of time wasting. Yet I'm trying to come at this as authentically as possible. I stated I'm serious and ready to buy and it's not a good feeling to get the brush off from dealers and I'm certainly not motivated to drive 20 miles when they hand me a hollow line. I'm not a natural negotiator and don't enjoy the haggling - yet I respect an honest quote and engagement. I'm just not giving hard-earned money to a dealer who insults me out of the gate.

Coming at it from the other side of the fence it may be that these dealers feel you're getting a fist full of quotes together to use as a bargaining tool for getting a super deal from your local or preferred dealer. This happens a lot, in all industries.

You might find a better strategy is to phone each dealer in turn and ask for the sales manager specifically.

I would go at it along the lines of "hi, may I just make it clear, I'm not a time waster, I'm not a tyre kicker, I've got the money ready and I'm in a position to buy. I want a CB1100 in (insert colour), I will speak to a few other dealers and you'll all have the opportunity to give me a deal. Whoever offers the most attractive deal will get a deposit today and a signature on the dotted line tomorrow. No Dutch auction, no funny business. What can you do for me (insert first name)....... Then remain silent..


Good luck, let us know how it goes...

[the Ferret]

I found the motorcycle for me - it's the one you all know and love. Next step, go buy it and share great stories with you all. Getting to a purchase is pretty straight forward - or so I thought. Last week I emailed RFQ to 5 Puget Sound dealers and received a quote back in a couple cases and a few rubber stamp "c'mon in and talk to us. We'll beat any deal and we wanna earn your..." You know the rest.

Here's my reply:

"Thank you for reaching out DEALER X. While I appreciate the owners interest in making a deal, my request is pretty simple - a line item quote on the motorcycle. I'm not going to have a conversation with any dealership that does not give me the quote that I requested. Every dealership has unique inventory and risks and sales targets. I work long hours and just don't have time to visit 5 dealerships to deal. If you have the inventory for the CB1100 and want to sell me a motorcycle, please submit me a competitive quote per my original request. Also I am not pitting dealer against dealer by sharing quotes.

If you do not want to provide a quote, I will consider a dealership who will - and I have 2 quotes in hand; one competitive, one not. Toss your hat in the ring your chances are good."

He didn't respond.

I understand market/demand and sometimes you gotta pony up MSRP if you want the bike - and I know the CB1100 is fantastic. Yet there are CBs on showroom floors today and it's fair to ask for a quote. The Honda site prompts you to ask for a friggin quote, yet most dealers ice you when you submit the request.

For those in the market, hold steady and get the deal you deserve. For those with a CB1100 in your garage or on your street, God speed. Hope to join you soon.

Sounds like a frustrating process!

I worked in the motor trade some years back and I think a lot of this behaviour is conditioned from industry training techniques which are geared towards getting face to face with 'prospects'.

We were discouraged from giving prices over the phone (pre email) and were told if the guy was sat in front of you, you had a MUCH better chance of selling to them than anyone else...go figure.

I reserve the same contempt for this attitude as you do. I absolutely hate shops where nothing has a price on the shelf or the item and one has to ask the man behind the counter every single time. I went into an automotive spares shop that used to have the old fashioned paper price stickers on all their tools, oil etc. I used to spend a lot in there on impulse, because the price looked good.

Now they have nothing, so you either have to ask, or take it up to the counter and hope for the best. When I asked the guy in there why this was, he explained 'we get new ranges in all the time, so it'd be impossible to keep track of prices' yeah right ..

I walked out, and won't go back.

I was in a shop the other day, and there was not a price sticker on anything. Frustrating.

Great points. I do realize and appreciate the pressures facing dealers - there are rude and aloof customers out in the world and a ton of time wasting. Yet I'm trying to come at this as authentically as possible. I stated I'm serious and ready to buy and it's not a good feeling to get the brush off from dealers and I'm certainly not motivated to drive 20 miles when they hand me a hollow line. I'm not a natural negotiator and don't enjoy the haggling - yet I respect an honest quote and engagement. I'm just not giving hard-earned money to a dealer who insults me out of the gate.

Coming at it from the other side of the fence it may be that these dealers feel you're getting a fist full of quotes together to use as a bargaining tool for getting a super deal from your local or preferred dealer. This happens a lot, in all industries.

You might find a better strategy is to phone each dealer in turn and ask for the sales manager specifically.

I would go at it along the lines of "hi, may I just make it clear, I'm not a time waster, I'm not a tyre kicker, I've got the money ready and I'm in a position to buy. I want a CB1100 in (insert colour), I will speak to a few other dealers and you'll all have the opportunity to give me a deal. Whoever offers the most attractive deal will get a deposit today and a signature on the dotted line tomorrow. No Dutch auction, no funny business. What can you do for me (insert first name)....... Then remain silent..


Good luck, let us know how it goes...

Excellent advice Tortuga and I like how you worded it.

[Tortuga_imp]

I found the motorcycle for me - it's the one you all know and love. Next step, go buy it and share great stories with you all. Getting to a purchase is pretty straight forward - or so I thought. Last week I emailed RFQ to 5 Puget Sound dealers and received a quote back in a couple cases and a few rubber stamp "c'mon in and talk to us. We'll beat any deal and we wanna earn your..." You know the rest.

Here's my reply:

"Thank you for reaching out DEALER X. While I appreciate the owners interest in making a deal, my request is pretty simple - a line item quote on the motorcycle. I'm not going to have a conversation with any dealership that does not give me the quote that I requested. Every dealership has unique inventory and risks and sales targets. I work long hours and just don't have time to visit 5 dealerships to deal. If you have the inventory for the CB1100 and want to sell me a motorcycle, please submit me a competitive quote per my original request. Also I am not pitting dealer against dealer by sharing quotes.

If you do not want to provide a quote, I will consider a dealership who will - and I have 2 quotes in hand; one competitive, one not. Toss your hat in the ring your chances are good."

He didn't respond.

I understand market/demand and sometimes you gotta pony up MSRP if you want the bike - and I know the CB1100 is fantastic. Yet there are CBs on showroom floors today and it's fair to ask for a quote. The Honda site prompts you to ask for a friggin quote, yet most dealers ice you when you submit the request.

For those in the market, hold steady and get the deal you deserve. For those with a CB1100 in your garage or on your street, God speed. Hope to join you soon.

Sounds like a frustrating process!

I worked in the motor trade some years back and I think a lot of this behaviour is conditioned from industry training techniques which are geared towards getting face to face with 'prospects'.

We were discouraged from giving prices over the phone (pre email) and were told if the guy was sat in front of you, you had a MUCH better chance of selling to them than anyone else...go figure.

I reserve the same contempt for this attitude as you do. I absolutely hate shops where nothing has a price on the shelf or the item and one has to ask the man behind the counter every single time. I went into an automotive spares shop that used to have the old fashioned paper price stickers on all their tools, oil etc. I used to spend a lot in there on impulse, because the price looked good.

Now they have nothing, so you either have to ask, or take it up to the counter and hope for the best. When I asked the guy in there why this was, he explained 'we get new ranges in all the time, so it'd be impossible to keep track of prices' yeah right ..

I walked out, and won't go back.

I was in a shop the other day, and there was not a price sticker on anything. Frustrating.

Great points. I do realize and appreciate the pressures facing dealers - there are rude and aloof customers out in the world and a ton of time wasting. Yet I'm trying to come at this as authentically as possible. I stated I'm serious and ready to buy and it's not a good feeling to get the brush off from dealers and I'm certainly not motivated to drive 20 miles when they hand me a hollow line. I'm not a natural negotiator and don't enjoy the haggling - yet I respect an honest quote and engagement. I'm just not giving hard-earned money to a dealer who insults me out of the gate.

Coming at it from the other side of the fence it may be that these dealers feel you're getting a fist full of quotes together to use as a bargaining tool for getting a super deal from your local or preferred dealer. This happens a lot, in all industries.

You might find a better strategy is to phone each dealer in turn and ask for the sales manager specifically.

I would go at it along the lines of "hi, may I just make it clear, I'm not a time waster, I'm not a tyre kicker, I've got the money ready and I'm in a position to buy. I want a CB1100 in (insert colour), I will speak to a few other dealers and you'll all have the opportunity to give me a deal. Whoever offers the most attractive deal will get a deposit today and a signature on the dotted line tomorrow. No Dutch auction, no funny business. What can you do for me (insert first name)....... Then remain silent..


Good luck, let us know how it goes...

Excellent advice Tortuga and I like how you worded it.

I was in a shop the other day, and there was not a price sticker on anything. Frustrating.

Great points. I do realize and appreciate the pressures facing dealers - there are rude and aloof customers out in the world and a ton of time wasting. Yet I'm trying to come at this as authentically as possible. I stated I'm serious and ready to buy and it's not a good feeling to get the brush off from dealers and I'm certainly not motivated to drive 20 miles when they hand me a hollow line. I'm not a natural negotiator and don't enjoy the haggling - yet I respect an honest quote and engagement. I'm just not giving hard-earned money to a dealer who insults me out of the gate.

Coming at it from the other side of the fence it may be that these dealers feel you're getting a fist full of quotes together to use as a bargaining tool for getting a super deal from your local or preferred dealer. This happens a lot, in all industries.

You might find a better strategy is to phone each dealer in turn and ask for the sales manager specifically.

I would go at it along the lines of "hi, may I just make it clear, I'm not a time waster, I'm not a tyre kicker, I've got the money ready and I'm in a position to buy. I want a CB1100 in (insert colour), I will speak to a few other dealers and you'll all have the opportunity to give me a deal. Whoever offers the most attractive deal will get a deposit today and a signature on the dotted line tomorrow. No Dutch auction, no funny business. What can you do for me (insert first name)....... Then remain silent..


Good luck, let us know how it goes...

Excellent advice Tortuga and I like how you worded it.
Hehe, I'll be honest, I modelled it on the famous Liam Neeson line from the film "Taken"

"Bryan Mills: I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you're looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that will be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you and I will kill you."

[the Ferret]

Excellent movie and I think you nailed the quote word for word. Good memory.

[redbirds_imp]

Good advice Tortuga and well stated.