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[OhioDave]

wonder why?   spyder

My guess is that once they go down this road the days of msrp+ would be over for good, they would get pressure from customers to continue the discounts, much like the auto industry.

[Brinks]

I hear there's a Yellow one at Chicago Harley

[grc]

My guess is that once they go down this road the days of msrp+ would be over for good, they would get pressure from customers to continue the discounts, much like the auto industry.

Not unless true competition becomes the norm in the heavyweight motorcycle market.  The auto industry is super competitive and has vast amounts of excess manufacturing capacity, but fortunately for Harley and it's dealers (and unfortunately for we consumers) the same cannot be said for the Harley market.  And don't forget, MSRP+ pricing is a relatively new thing even for Harley.  I don't remember too many folks paying huge premiums back in the AMF days, for instance.  If the demand comes back after our little depression, and no true competition is forthcoming, I'm quite sure you would see a rapid return to MSRP+ pricing and lousy customer service.

Jerry

[32Lager]

Yes, that's how I got mine for almost 5 grand under msrp.  They guy told me straight up, business sucks, I want to sell you this bike.  What do I got to do?  And he did.

I got a good discount on mine but yours is a fantastic deal, congratulations ! What ticks me off is the fact that they're still able to make a profit at that price or they wouldn't have done it. When you see profit margins like that, it's no wonder they can afford to keep 20 employees on staff... Our closest dealer is so arrogant that he tells people very bluntly "If you don't like our price, go somewhere else". Because of his attitude, most prospective buyers (like I was) will. People around here know how he is so they don't even enter his doors anymore. In this economy, they're going to have to change that attitude or go under. It's as simple as that.

[Jbbrown73]

I just talked to one of my co-workers in the northern part of Illinois today, and a buddy of his bought an '09 Road King Classic with 5 year extended warranty and the tire replacement warranty for $17,000 plus tax.  2 grand under msrp, plus the warranties. 

I think if this economic down turn and credit crunch goes very long that there will be dealers that will go down.  The ones that do probably needed too anyway for reasons stated below.  When their attitude is pay our price or go somewhere else, then everyone should go somewhere else.  When the economy does turn around, I hope that the dealers that adapted to survive continue to do what it took to get the business that saved them.  I say don't look a gift horse in the mouth. 

[hard10]

Not unless true competition becomes the norm in the heavyweight motorcycle market.  The auto industry is super competitive and has vast amounts of excess manufacturing capacity, but fortunately for Harley and it's dealers (and unfortunately for we consumers) the same cannot be said for the Harley market.  And don't forget, MSRP+ pricing is a relatively new thing even for Harley.  I don't remember too many folks paying huge premiums back in the AMF days, for instance.  If the demand comes back after our little depression, and no true competition is forthcoming, I'm quite sure you would see a rapid return to MSRP+ pricing and lousy customer service.

Jerry

I think you're going to see this change. I also think that those dealers with inferior customer service are going to suffer most. Over 900 automobile dealerships closed in 2008. There are a lot of qualified people out there looking for jobs and some of them are going to go to the motorcycle dealerships that think outside the box and are looking to improve customer service.

[FNGw/08SERK]

I think you're going to see this change. I also think that those dealers with inferior customer service are going to suffer most. Over 900 automobile dealerships closed in 2008. There are a lot of qualified people out there looking for jobs and some of them are going to go to the motorcycle dealerships that think outside the box and are looking to improve customer service.

Sounds like AJ has some inside info 

[SBB]

Sounds like AJ has some inside info 

Howie

He always does!

 

[WaSEEG]

Orange and Black SERG sitting on the floor in Yakima. WA.  It's been there a couple of weeks.  MSRP + , somewhere around $32,400 if I remember correctly.  Call Don At Owens H-D.  You know where to find the number.

[grandpadoc]

For the past several years we have been caught in the middle of a battle between the dealers and the factory. Harley says remodel and here is what we want or you loose your allotment. This has required a huge capital investment which is written off in 10 years or less and then it starts all over again. So at this point we have many dealers which had to build monuments to Harley, stuck with huge debt and inventory. These guys can only afford to stock stuff for current bikes. Just try to get parts for your iron sporty or shovel head...it isn't there !!  I tried to get a rebuild kit for my 00 M&M FI, its not there and simply not available anywhere. The dealers are pissed and they are not insulating us from this mess anymore...somebody has to pay. I responded by buying a used Harley last time, there are just too many low mileage great bikes out there to put up with this chit. The independent shops are thriving in my area and have there pick of qualified mechanics jumping ship from the dealers, along with painters, fabricaters, and service managers who know how to diagnose problems the first time.
Willie knows knows what we want, but I feel he has no control over this anymore. The corporate mentality of unit to unit sales with no regard to the customer has gone too far as with other industries in this country.
Hey, I love my Harley and my Dodge truck and my Nitro but its going to take more than that to keep these brands around much longer.  My $0.02  Doc

[Twolanerider]

I tried to get a rebuild kit for my 00 M&M FI, its not there and simply not available anywhere.

Doc, what Marelli parts were you not able to score?

[grandpadoc]

Doc, what Marelli parts were you not able to score?

I needed the small return spring which is included in the minor rebuild kit and isn't available more. I had to go to a marine dealer who had them available for Merc outboard FI's. All this guy had to do was to look at the spring I brought in from my 08 and he matched it. The Harley service manager didn't even know where to begin and really didn't seem to care.  Doc

[hard10]

For the past several years we have been caught in the middle of a battle between the dealers and the factory. Harley says remodel and here is what we want or you loose your allotment. This has required a huge capital investment which is written off in 10 years or less and then it starts all over again. So at this point we have many dealers which had to build monuments to Harley, stuck with huge debt and inventory. These guys can only afford to stock stuff for current bikes. Just try to get parts for your iron sporty or shovel head...it isn't there !!  I tried to get a rebuild kit for my 00 M&M FI, its not there and simply not available anywhere. The dealers are pissed and they are not insulating us from this mess anymore...somebody has to pay. I responded by buying a used Harley last time, there are just too many low mileage great bikes out there to put up with this chit. The independent shops are thriving in my area and have there pick of qualified mechanics jumping ship from the dealers, along with painters, fabricaters, and service managers who know how to diagnose problems the first time.
Willie knows knows what we want, but I feel he has no control over this anymore. The corporate mentality of unit to unit sales with no regard to the customer has gone too far as with other industries in this country.
Hey, I love my Harley and my Dodge truck and my Nitro but its going to take more than that to keep these brands around much longer.  My $0.02  Doc

Doc-
That last statement couldn't be truer. As I have said, my family is in the manufacturing business. We take our distributors and customers out to dinner at trade shows to encourage them to buy our product. We have found that we can do a better job, in house, at customer service than our distributors can. If a customer has a problem, they call us direct. But at the end of the day, we want to know how many units were sold. Sales is what drives the company. I don't care if you're selling tin cans or widgets, you've got to move product.
AS for the other things mentioned, I posted here that all those "good" people from the auto industry are looking for work now. With disgruntled techs and SM's, painters, etc. the brightest are going to work for those people that "see" what needs to be done and that is not doing things the same ole way.

[grandpadoc]

Doc-
That last statement couldn't be truer. As I have said, my family is in the manufacturing business. We take our distributors and customers out to dinner at trade shows to encourage them to buy our product. We have found that we can do a better job, in house, at customer service than our distributors can. If a customer has a problem, they call us direct. But at the end of the day, we want to know how many units were sold. Sales is what drives the company. I don't care if you're selling tin cans or widgets, you've got to move product.
AS for the other things mentioned, I posted here that all those "good" people from the auto industry are looking for work now. With disgruntled techs and SM's, painters, etc. the brightest are going to work for those people that "see" what needs to be done and that is not doing things the same ole way.

These bright folks will eventually prevail, but it could happened sooner if the government would just let the market sort itself out. It looks like we are headed in the direction England took and nationalize everything and now they are withot a auto industry. The bright folks did resurrect Triumph though. 

[Brinks]

Saw another one at City Limits but I think it's sold.