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[deucedog]

I haven't posted much because I have not yet purchased a CVO bike, but I enjoy reading and seeing the photos of all of your CVO bikes. 

We have a regular Ultra and RK, but we would like a CVO Ultra.  Most dealers in our area (Southern California) are selling the 2008 CVO Ultras at 3-5K over list.  I found a dealer who is at MSRP plus $700, so we left a deposit for the September delivery bike.  We didn't get an official sales order because they don't know the exact bike they will receive from MOCO yet, but assured me that once they do, they will firm things up with a written sales order.  In the meantime, I just have a receipt for the refundable deposit.  I bought my Ultra from this dealer and they were excellent, so I have no reason to believe that they won't deliver, but I would like to hear about your experiences with respect to leaving "good faith" deposits.

Thanks,

DOG

[d o g o l s]

deucedog  welcome aboard 
 
 

[miker]

Welcome Dog...I left a good fatih deposit for my 07 serk back in June of 06..The dealer stuck to t=his word and called me when it came in.It was only $500.  Some others in the area wanted anywhere from 2-5 K to hold the bike, I guess that was the over on msrp...Good luck.

Miker

[RedDevil]

Welcome to the site Dog.  I left a good faith deposit on my SEUC², and as soon as the dealer had more firm word on the delivery date, they called me and we worked out the final deal and accessories I wanted added.  As far as working with them, they were straight-laced with me on the deal.  If you've had previous experience with this dealership and have been satisfied with their past performance, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't give you the same service.
Cheers ,
 

[Fired00d]

I placed a deposit on my CVO to a dealership I had never been to before. This dealership was recommended by a friend that had bought a CVO the previous year from them. I would call and speak w/my sales person every couple of weeks just to build a relationship with him (really I was just antsy to get the bike). I waited nine months until the arrival of my bike and it all ended up well. As long as you have a receipt for your deposit and it is refundable you should be fine.
 
 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Ghost Rider]

deucedog,

First of all welcome.

I wouldn't worry about your deposit.  I left a deposit in September of last year on a bike that wasn't scheduled for delivery until the middle of November.  I went by the dealership every couple of weeks to check on things.  They called me the day they learned of the ship date and what the vin number was.  They didn't have to call me the day it arrived, I was already standing there.   

Good luck, and hang on to your wallet your about to experience a whole new level of OCD! 

Ride Safe,
Ghost

[Smiler]

Welcome to the site from England

[Smiler]

Oops, I forgot to say my dealers  (both of them) were brilliant.  I even had the agreement right down to the colour I wanted.

[Midnight Rider]

Dog...congratulations on getting the new bike deposit down.  I did the same, as both dealers here in my home town wanted 3-4K over MSRP.  I called around the state to see what other dealers had coming in, whether they took deposits, or just put you on a first come, first served "list", and finally found my bike at a dealership 250 miles away in the extreme southern part of my state who took a $500 deposit, was MSRP plus frieght and setup.  That was in late March of '06 and the bike was to be built/shipped in early May.  I kept in touch every couple of weeks with my salesman by phone...I had never seen the dealership, nor met the man in person, but got good "vibes" from him on the phone.  Build date was delayed almost three weeks (they were working out paint issues on some of the 06's at that time), but as soon as my bike was built, my salesman called, then called again when it was on the truck.  Never a glitch, no surprises.  The extra time, and the good people here on the site, helped me decide on some of the intitial modifications I wanted on the bike.  Trip down there to do the paperwork, then another to pick the bike up...all positive experiences.  If you've got a receipt, I wouldn't worry....the wait is agonizing though!!

Let us know something when you know something about exactly what you're going to get!!

[mr_magoo]

Glad to here you found a good dealer to work with.

[bdas2]

Don't give it a second thought............It's ellegal in CA to keep yuor deposit even if you tell them to go f^%$#^% themselves.  good luck on your new ride..

[Dan_Lockwood]

I also have left a deposit for a new bike.

My dealer here in St. Louis, Doc's Harley Davidson, is selling me my new SERK Anniversary at MSRP plus setup/freight etc.  I dropped a $1k good faith deposit and all is going well so far.

The schedule doesn't show this particular model/bike to be shipped until November sometime.

I already have $2k in parts waiting for the new bike.  V&H Dresser Duals with Oval slip-ons, new AC, still waiting for the PCM III USB to be finished for the '08 models, and a new reptile print leather tour pak, mount and dock for the SERK.  Oh, flush mounted gas cap and gauge.  It's unreal that they don't come with these this year.

Doc's is the oldest Harley only dealer in Missouri and this year is ranked as #1 in the US for customer experience and satisfaction, 3rd last year.

I curretly own a '76 FLH shovelhead and this dealership has taken the time to help me out with this old bike in both parts and mechanical suggestions.  All of the people have just been great to work with, including the owner, "herself".  Her dad and a partner started the dealership 52 years ago and then her brother took over.  Back in the '90s he had health issues and Pat Bush has been at the helm since then.  Doc's has a very good reputation locally.  Doc's is about 28 miles from my house and there is another dealer about 5 miles from house.  I go there ONLY IF I NEED something for the ole FLH, like gaskets etc that I just don't feel like driving the extra 40 round trip for.  I'm sure I would not buy there because I've had a couple discussions with the service department and they've not been the most friendly people I've ever met.  Not that you have to be friendly, but these guys were bordering on rude.

The other dealership is only about 6 miles from Doc's and they're so so, I just like Doc's better.

Sorry to rant and rave about Doc's.

My wife and I are chomping at the bit to get our hands on the SERK Anniversary bike.  Hey, I just thought of a great name for the new bike, "Annie"...  Works for me.

Doc's has a black SERK scheduled to arrive any day now.  Up until last weekend this bike was still up for grabs, but I still want my new Annie...  They're going to call me when it hits the floor so I can at least get some pictures and do the touchy feely thing on the new black bike.

At 57, I've not been this excited since I put the first few miles on my '40 Willys coupe with the blown 392 hemi, and that was in '00.  You can see it in my Picture Trail albums if anyone is interested, along with my for sale '55 Nomad project and ole '76 FLH refab project.  I know, cheap for sale plug.  Don't tell anyone...   But it's okay to tell you car friends though.

http://www.picturetrail.com/Dan_Lockwood

Again, sorry for the rambling.  Once my fingers get going, I can't shut them up.

[deucedog]

Thanks to all for the responses.  I'll keep the thread alive when more information from the dealer becomes available. 

The overall climate on the CVO demand from what I can see here in Socal is more subdued than in prior years.  Back in 2005 and 2006 some dealers actually laughed at me when I asked about buying a CVO Ultra.  Today, they seem to have a more interest in working with you if you appear to be a real buyer.       
 

[bobaroni]

I placed a deposit on my CVO to a dealership I had never been to before. This dealership was recommended by a friend that had bought a CVO the previous year from them. I would call and speak w/my sales person every couple of weeks just to build a relationship with him (really I was just antsy to get the bike). I waited nine months until the arrival of my bike and it all ended up well. As long as you have a receipt for your deposit and it is refundable you should be fine.
 
 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Same here. Put $2000 refundable over the phone to a dealer I'd never visited and made the calls like d00d.
In '03 I wanted an Ultra (the rare black and silver) and the Marquette, MI dealer wanted $4000 Nonrefundable. Yikes.
In any case, it can't hurt to get the bonding going.   

[Hoist!]

I had a deposit on my SERK at 4 dealers until one gave me a contract and build date. Dealers in NYC, LI, Orange County NY, and NJ! They all knew the first one to come up with a contract for a new B/I SERK was getting the order! They had no problem taking a deposit under these terms and promptly refunded my money after they were informed that I got one! I even left 1 of the deposits after I was given a commitment, just to make sure I had a backup plan. It was worth $100 if I had to eat it for insurance. But they had no problem refunding it after I did get my bike! Hoist!