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[WildClyde]

I rode to Sturgis this past summer from San Francisco on my '00 Fat Boy. I went to the Harley event in Rapid City and fell for the black/orange '07 FLHTCUSE2 they had on the floor. I kept thinking about it on the way home while I was driving in top gear at 80mph with my engine screaming high revs. "I wonder what it would feel like having a sixth gear" kept resonating through my head.

After I got back I asked the local dealer in Oakland to let me know when one came in. When the call came I went over to look at it. They wanted $4k over list and would not budge on price. I was shocked since I have never paid over list for a motorcycle. I was a new customer to them who was ready to purchase on the spot. No deal. I told them that I would be willing to wait for another one to come in. No deal!

Fortunately I was able to find another dealer within an hour after I left Oakland who was only too happy to sell me the bike at list. I have to wait until November, but that's no big deal for me.

My question is how often do dealers mark up CVO models over list? Is this a common practice among Harley dealers?

Thanks,
Clyde

[Fired00d]

......
My question is how often do dealers mark up CVO models over list? Is this a common practice among Harley dealers?

Thanks,
Clyde

It's a common practice. I would venture to say more probably markup CVO's then sell them at MSRP. Limited number produced, dealers only get a limited amount (based on there standing w/MocO), many people that want these particular models at ANY price. Those that do mark them up will sell them, just will not sell them to your or I. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[sadunbar]

Most either markup over MSRP or even worse, they add high margin accessories (of their choice) prior to putting the bike on the sales floor to boost their sales margin.

[sailfish]

They are going for $40,000+ at Daytona, Florida Harley....

[jimp]

The dealer in Crystal River Florida wanted 6K over MSRP    when I was looking, I had the time and kept looking, found one for MSRP the next week. I really think the days of paying over MSRP are history.

[SPIDERMAN]

They are going for $40,000+ at [highlight]Daytona, Florida Harley....

[/highlight]


Fat Bastard's Destination Daytona

[BLM777]

The dealer in Crystal River Florida wanted 6K over MSRP

[UK Dave]

You might want to include the fact that the bike you were looking at was a unit purchased from another dealer at a retail plus premium to have one available for showroom viewing.

[The Mysterious Q!]

[/highlight]


Fat Bastard's Destination Daytona

[grc]

The days of adding additional markup to the already excellent profit margin at MSRP may be grinding to a halt as we speak.

[Robmay]

.....

[sadunbar]

[highlight] One way we as consumers can help the whole process is to refuse to do business with the gougers, not even to buy accessories or T-shirts.
 
Jerry [/highlight]

Could not agree more with this comment.  Reward the dealers who treat you like a valued customer.

sadunbar

[jimp]

You might want to include the fact that the bike you were looking at was a unit purchased from another dealer at a retail plus premium to have one available for showroom viewing.

[george]

I purchased my 2006 SE Ultra from J&E HD in Winterville NC in Jan 2006.  They sold it to my for MSRP, free freight, free setup and 20% everything I purchased for 6 months.  They have 3 SE VRods there right now.  Salesman told me last week to make an offer, but I am not interested in another bike right now.  Anyone interested could be worth you while to give them a call

[Johnny]

Dealers in the Atlanta area charge $3-4K over MSRP for the CVO's when I bought my first one in 04 I had to call 23 dealers to find one that was not spoken for at a dealer that was a couple of hundred miles away.  I do not like the fact that the dealers "gouge" us but in this market they are going to find someone willing to  pay the freight - so if you want the bike you have to pay or you have to go way out of the market which also sucks!

On my 07 I went to the local dealer & got a much better deal after showing him how good of a customer I had been there (service, parts & accessories) even after they originally quoted me $4K over.  They would not budge on accessories or installation of mods after the sale though but I was the first one in line for the 07.

Some dealers seem to have a business philosophy to get the most they can & are not concerned about the customer.  I have sopke to many that say they feel that way about this dealer & I agree some even after being a customer there for almost 4 years.  My only alternative is to go 20 miles one way or the other accross town to have bike serviced etc.

The problem here is that the market is willing & can pay more because of the upscale demographics - but what about the guy that is not in that group?  He does not get a chance to compete for the bikes.  I guess that is the american way, I know that in my business I try to get the most I can for my products - but I very much take into account my customer and weather they have done business with me before & how well or relationship has been.