Auto industry invoices and margins have changed over the years.
Many cars no longer have the traditional 15% mark up. Manufacturers have taken to the tact of forcing dealers to meet many standards imposed by the mfr, including training for all staff down to lot porters and receptionists, quality of advertising, how many lease returns they buy back at the end of leases etc.
Unfortunately the Harley business is becoming more and more like the car business in the sales department. Too many bikes force dealers to sell at lower prices, narrow margins and carry higher inventory. None of this leads to better profit margin.
While many dealers have done very well in the past many are not doing so well now or in recent years. Multiple dealerships have changed hands in Washington State, including the factory added a large dealership two years ago in this area. That didn't help dealer profit either.
Currently there is a dealership for sale near me. This "stealer" has not turned a profit for four years. Hard to imagine with the chatter we see all the time, but reality. A good dealer too, friendly, fair prices etc.
Whoever takes over this looser will be viewed as the typical "stealer" because they will raise the labor rate and be tough negotiators in the sales department. Imagine, they actually need to make money to stay in business.
Anyway, if it was easy, we'd all be doing it, as they say.
I hope my dealer is there when I need a part or service near by. It would be a pisser to have to wait days for the mail or UPS or drive 120 miles for a needed part so I could make a bike trip if my bike was down.
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Topic: Dealer Invoice (Read 3684 times)