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Worst Experience I Have Ever Had at a Dealer

7K views 50 replies 29 participants last post by  CocoTN 
#1 ·
So I'm in the market for a new 2016 RGU so the wife and I hit one of the 2 local dealers today to take a look. She still is not 100% on board but still willing to listen. I was at this dealership a month ago and spoke to the salesman in length. So today I get the same guy and I tell him I am putting $0 down and have NO trade and want his best "out the door price." I plan on checking out other dealerships within a couple of hours from me to make sure I am getting the best deal since each dealer does things slightly different but the bikes and options are relatively the same. He proceeds to tell me "I'm not giving you a price to shop it around." I won't do that. I will see what each dealer is offering and see which one fits my needs the best. By the way I bought a new 2006 from them and had a great experience. He then says "I'm not giving you a price today". I was so pissed I told him to keep his bikes and the wife and I walked out. Apparently River City Harley Davidson sells so many bike they don't need my business. That's a good thing because they will never be getting my business again!! There are some really good people who work there like Dale, Chris and Lori but the way I was treated by Rusty today is unacceptable period and I won't be back. Sorry I had to vent to get my B/P down a bit.
 
#2 ·
The local dealer where I bought my '15 wouldn't commit to a price either, & I knew they wouldn't, because they hadn't seen my trade in yet. When I finally did decide that I was going to buy, we sat down, went thru the numbers & settled on something we could both live with. If they know you are going to commit, then they'll give you the "lowest price". That's when you begin the haggling. As you know, they get plenty of tire kickers, & I would bet they are told, or trained, not to give an out the door price for the exact reason the salesman said. Remember, those guys work on comission, so he's probably going to see if you come back & tell him dealer xxxxx gave you a certain price, then he'll play his game & beat it.
Lil Chief
 
#4 ·
This is a dealer I have bought from in the past and would have been happy to have bought from again. I was there and wanted to put a deal together to see where I would be. He flat refused to deal with me. Maybe I'm wrong but I have done deals on many vehicles for many years and have always checked numerous dealers. Guess I will just go somewhere that wants my business and treats me accordingly.
 
#5 ·
What you mite consider is go get your prices from your other dealers
(If they will give you one)and then go back and talk to the first puppet
Salesmen and tell him your best other prices and take another &1000 off and see if he bites. Most only want to beat by $100 but I would try and get him for at least a $1000. I will say they get damn tired talking to people who waist there time. I will never talk price on anything until I am ready to cash it out.
 
#7 · (Edited)
"Tired of people waisting their time"?? That is why they're there! To talk to people thinking about buying a new bike and to hopefully get them to come back before they make that purchase elsewhere. A good salesmen will enjoy talking with those people and would never feel his time is being waisted. If he is having thoughts of my time is being waisted, he better find a new line of work.
 
#6 · (Edited)
No salesmen should treat a potential client the way you were treated. This guy was simply not equipped to handle the situation put in front of him. I fault the dealer them selves for not properly training him. You didn't do anything that buyers in the market for a new bike don't do every day, and this guy wasn't prepared with a proper response. I'm not a salesman by any means but I think he should have said something like "here sir is a number that I thing is very fair, and one I believe I can get my manager to approve. All I ask is that if you find something out there that seems like a better deal that you come back here and give me a last look". If he had done that, he still may not have gotten the sale, but at least he wouldn't have lost a client for life.
 
#8 ·
"Tired of people waisting their time"?? That is why they're there! To talk to people thinking about buying a new bike and to hopefully get them to come back before they make that purchase elsewhere. A good salesmen will enjoy talking with those people and would never feel his time is being waisted. If he is having thoughts of my time is being waisted, he better find a new line of work.

Well said. I have nothing more to add.
 
#9 ·
Harley Archer:
What kind of price are you looking for? If you read your original post you said ( I have nothing to offer you!What do you have to offer me) (Oh ya! and I'm stopping here I will be doing this at the other local dealers!)
Here in mass.At my local dealer you pay M.S.R.P+the shipping fee witch is listed on the Harley Web sight.
Good luck.
 
#10 ·
Harley Archer:
What kind of price are you looking for? If you read your original post you said ( I have nothing to offer you!What do you have to offer me) (Oh ya! and I'm stopping here I will be doing this at the other local dealers!)
Here in mass.At my local dealer you pay M.S.R.P+the shipping fee witch is listed on the Harley Web sight.
Good luck.
I am also in MA and you can definitely do better than that. I have/had 3 dealers fighting for my business. Of course they all wanted to know what the other dealer was offering. I explained I am an electrician and hate when potential customers use my price to get a lower price after I did all the work. Give me your best Out The Door price!!
 
#11 ·
No one should be treated like that IMO. When I bought my 15 RGS I went to every dealer in my area and one about 80 miles away. Each one of them gave me their price and everyone made the statement to let them match any other offer from the other dealers (I went to 5 dealers). For me, it is also about how you are treated in parts, clothing, not so much on maintenance, but the overall experience. $100 will not make the difference in where I buy.
 
#12 ·
I can see both sides .. In most cases like this where someone complains about a dealer , I side with the dealer , and I don't like most of them any more than anyone else here does .. My local dealer , I can count on one hand the number of times I have been there since I bought this bike from them five years ago ...

You would have done better to have said "cash money today , no trades" .. If you say zero down , your best offer , then you are wanting his best offer for your worst offer ..

I can tell you if his best price is one you can live with , then you spring a trade into the deal , the numbers change ..

If you are trading , and making payments , the best deal is one where you are happy with the price difference between the trade and the new bike , not what they give for your bike or ask for the new one ..

The only time your "best deal" works , is with cash in hand and no trades ..

You should also consider the shop , if you like the shop , then pay them a few more bucks than the other guys .. Service after the sale ..

People bash dealers for ripping them off , but don't stop and think that it costs $15000 or more to just unlock the front door every day ..

Peeps want the dealers to give them a new bike and pay them darn near new price for their trade in ...

Shud he have treated you like that ?? Absolutely not . I got it from my best riding partner , that the sales manager who sold me this bike was fired because of my survey with Harley after the sale .. Did I want this person fired ?? No , but they were very unprofessional in the way the handled themselves ..
 
#14 ·
Guess the salesman thinks it's still 1989 when there was a huge demand. Arrogant azz. That dealer must be happy selling t-shirts rather than motorcycles. Volume dealers tell prospective customers "bring me your best deal and we'll beat it". Usually when sales people are arrogant so is the service dep't, and I move on.
 
#15 ·
I would talk with sales manager and voice your displeasure, but also shop around. Most will work with you as I have experienced, but none will tell you what interest rate. But I finance outside of Harley anyway, so that wasn't much of a concern to me. You will get a waaay better deal financing with a credit union any day.
 
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#21 ·
You will get a waaay better deal financing with a credit union any day.
not necessarily. the credit union in my area views motorcycles as 'recreational' and offers 6.49% financing. when I bought my cvo, eaglemark (hd) gave me 1.9%.

don't automatically discount eaglemark. if you have good credit, you can get a decent rate. if your credit is marginal to average, yeah, you may do better at your credit union.
 
#17 ·
What part of Indiana? Can you tell me which dealer? I have dealt with almost all of them around Indy and have strong opinions on all of them and would offer my two cents on who I think is the best as far as sales....Bloomington Harley. I refuse to even talk to the salesmen at Indy West. Southside is alright but their prices seem high. The Northside is ok, but I send most of my business to Bloomington. They don't have near the selection, but have always found them to be easy to deal with and really do treat you well. I did business there for 5 years before I ever bought a bike from them and always felt like part of the family, and buying a bike didn't change their attitude so I feel it is sincere.
 
#19 ·
It was River City Harley out of New Haven/Ft. Wayne. The guy who treated me this way was the sales manager. I have an email in for one of the owners to call me about this. Dale Elherding has been a great owner to deal with in the past so I am hoping he will call me so I can talk to him about this. Really not sure anything can be said to win my buidness back but I still want to speak to him.
 
#18 ·
I personally, would write the owner a letter or email. I'd let him know I was shopping around for a new bike like I do any big ticket item and explain how you were treated. Tell him that now ,his dealership is no longer in the running because of the attitude of the sales manager and let him know you have purchased bikes there before.
What the hell , did that sales manager expect you to do , just throw your credit card on his desk and drop your paints and grab your ankles ?????? I'd go for the jugular !!!!!
 
#22 ·
Wow! That's awesome. Congrats, I never seen them give that kind of rate. In my experience I've always got a way better deal from outside lenders. But my credit has always been average. Better now through focusing specifically on improving it through solid methods. My credit union also did way better with the gap insurance and replacement assistance as well.
 
#27 ·
Gap is something to look out for. Some insurance companies actually offer (at a competitive price) or include gap in their standard policies. You don't want to buy something twice so it doesn't hurt to check your existing policy.
 
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#23 ·
I'm just like FLTRXS15 in his above post. I didn't even shop around when I bought my '15. I frequented the dealer I bought it from for many years for parts. I was always treated very good, and from there I made up my mind that when I was ready to buy, that's where I was going. We have 2 other dealerships in this area, & one I won't buy anything from unless it's off the shelf maintenance stuff. The other, although a decent dealership, has employees that look down their nose at you if you don't look like you make at least $100k a year. They are located in a wealthier part of the city, and that's what the bulk of their customers are. Either way, I got what I wanted, at a price I could afford.

Lil Chief
 
#24 ·
This is what I did and I saved 2K. I went to my local dealer and talked to a junior salesman who didn't have any authority to cut a deal. I searched the web and found a few great deals and when the local couldn't beat the price I told him I wanted to deal with them but if I could save 2K by driving 3 hours I would.


After my 3rd visit the local had done his job and found "my" bike a few hours away. I agreed to the price and 2 days later the local had picked it up. I got the bike I wanted and the local got the sale. The salesman's commission may not have been what he wanted but he got the sale. I made him work for it.


Bottom line is don't feel locked in to one salesman. If you don't get a good vibe go to another office/desk. If his feelings get hurt, tough shit.
 
#25 ·
Some heave suggested that you stand to get a better price/deal if your paying cash. I have found this not to be the case. If you are financing the deal, regardless of the amount, your are basically entering into two separate negotiations. One for the price of the bike and the second for the cost of the loan. This is true regardless of where the funds are coming from, Harley finance department or a outside institution. In the end, the dealer is getting cash for the transaction ether way, so don't think because you are financing you may need to sacrifice something in the negotiation of the bike.

It is true though, the less you put down the higher the interest rate you should expect to pay. This is because you have less interest vested in the bike, consequently the bank feels they are taking more of a risk. Of course your credit record also plays a roll in what you should expect to pay for the loan. Nevertheless, the cost of the money should be completely separate from the cost of the bike.
 
#28 ·
I shopped around 3 local dealers last year when i bought my 15 RGS. I ended up going with a dealer farther away from where i live. I have since used them for my matience as well as all the parts i ordered. They gave me the best price right up front and the best deal on parts as well. If somone wont give you a price while you there take your busnies elsewhere.
 
#29 ·
I plan on hitting Brandts I-69 and a couple in Oh. My cousin got a good deal and is very happy with northside in Indy. I will find the right deal eventually. I don't mind traveling a bit to get it either. Got my 2012 in Toledo. Forgot about Kokomo, gives me an excuse to go see my niece at Purdue. Thanks for the input guys.
 
#35 ·
When i bought my 12 RG i was trading in my bike which had a clear title.so i was shopping trading value,went to my closest HD shop and said i was interested in trading in on a new one,so they gave me an appraisal,told them their offer wasnt enough their responce was well thats all we will give.Shook the dudes hand and said see ya later,rode 30 miles north and got $ 2500 more trade in.This dealer has since changed hands and the new owner said that he is here to sell bikes so far he has given everyone that i have sent there the best trade in while getting MSRP no hidden crap.it is called Piqua HD if you are in the area stop and see them.
 
#30 ·
Sept 8, 2015. Thunder Mountain Harley, Loveland, CO. My bike had been stolen in Las Vegas on July 28, 2015. I decided to buy a new Road Glide when they came out. I went to most of the HD dealers on the Colorado front range. Most of them were at MSRP or a little less. I spoke to Thunder Mountain based on a referral to the Sales Manager. I went to see the Sales Manager who promptly shuffles me off to some sales guy. The sales guy doesn't give me straight answer to what is the best cash price I can get today and almost an hour later tells me I have to talk to the finance guy. The finance guy says MSRP + dealer prep but he can do better if I finance. I left.

Later that day a bud in South Dakota said try Loess Hills HD in Council Bluffs, Ia. I called and they gave me a cash price at $22.7K. I flew in, they picked me up at the airport and had me out of the dealership in 20 minutes. I was about to leave and it started to rain. The manager came out and stopped me and gave me a rainsuit. No charge. I'll check with them before I buy again.
 
#34 · (Edited)
Loess Hills HD is where I bought mine too. I live 10 minutes from them. Awesome dealership. They are the ones I refer to in my posts when I say the local dealership.
Lil Chief
 
#31 ·
This salesperson & dealership are missing a couple of basic selling points. One being salespeople are hired to turn "shoppers" into "buyers", not just take orders. Order takers can be hired at minimum wage to just point to a price list. Two, a dealership cannot sell a bike if they don't give a customer a price. If they give a price, the customer can buy at that price, counter offer, or shop the price elsewhere, but at least the dealer has a chance to make a sale. No price, no chance. Three, the dealer knows the competition better than anyone. Before the customer leaves the dealership, give the price he would give if the customer had already shopped around. At least that price will be competitive and the customer may return.
 
#32 ·
Ok listen to this one.I went too high octane in Billerica Ma. Last December. They wanted 28.000 for a new 2015 Amber Wiskey RGS and wanted too give me 3000 less than blue book for my mint dyna. I purchased at Amirican H.D. in Leominster Ma.,I recived 1000 over what I wanted for my Dyna $12.000. i gave them my bike and $12.000 for there 15 RGS Amber Wiskey 1k and 5k service incpluded. I am happy.
 
#33 ·
ALWAYS check internet sales before going to the dealership. The lowest price you will find is on the web. The best ammunition you can take to the local dealer is that you already have a great deal and are willing to travel to get it if need be. Be firm and be patient.
 
#39 · (Edited)
You can always have a dealership use their shipper too, and have it delivered. That's what I did and saved thousands ,even after playing shipping.
 
#37 ·
Deals on 2016's you should at least be able to get MSRP out the door except for maybe a $250 docs fee. I always get price for bike first then work the trade, you can do your own research on what your bike is selling FMV. I like this site as well. Harley Davidson Motorcycles 2016 | See Dealer Cost
 
#40 ·
Guys

Please keep in mind that salesmen cannot give you a price until the manager approves it. This is why you have to wait because of the back and forth with the manager.

I told the salesmen that he only one chance to screw this up and if he wasn't back in 5 mins then I would he gone. I already have them my best reasonable price and told them "here if you don't like this price, then I will go to the next dealer"

Surprisingly it worked. After the 5 dealer I went to.
 
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