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[grc]

While it would be nice if motorcycle manufacturer's and dealers were required by Federal law to post a Monroney label like auto companies, the fact they don't doesn't mean a person can't easily find that information.  The MSRP and freight are listed on the factory website for any and all to see.  So while not having the asking price listed on the actual bike sucks and smacks of shady used car dealers (which is where Harley got many of it's current crop of dealers btw), it's not going to affect someone like me who researches everything before he goes shopping.  This tactic works on rubes and people who make impulse purchases, not people who understand the process.

While I would prefer a discount off MSRP, I don't mind paying MSRP if that is the norm.  And I understand that the freight charge is legit and a straight pass through from the manufacturer.  However, I also fully understand that the extra setup or prep charges are pure unadulterated BS.  If they expect me to buy their product, those charges get dropped right away. 

They count on people who don't know how vehicle sales work, don't know real prices, don't know they can do much better on financing with their credit union in most cases (unless the manufacturer is running a special financing deal for instance), and mostly they count on people who make purchases based on emotion.  The absolute smartest way to buy is to pay cash, refuse all the extras the dealer pushes like ESP, financing, service plans, and whatever else they offer these days to boost their profits.  And if they insist on more than MSRP, the smart consumer will control his emotions and walk away.  I haven't seen a single product Harley offers that is truly worth a premium over and above MSRP.

Jerry

[miker]

Just buy used private party and find happiness....I insure you that is all I will do....now who has that nice low mileage fxr for me? 

[Soot]

While it would be nice if motorcycle manufacturer's and dealers were required by Federal law to post a Monroney label like auto companies, the fact they don't doesn't mean a person can't easily find that information.  The MSRP and freight are listed on the factory website for any and all to see.  So while not having the asking price listed on the actual bike sucks and smacks of shady used car dealers (which is where Harley got many of it's current crop of dealers btw), it's not going to affect someone like me who researches everything before he goes shopping.  This tactic works on rubes and people who make impulse purchases, not people who understand the process.

While I would prefer a discount off MSRP, I don't mind paying MSRP if that is the norm.  And I understand that the freight charge is legit and a straight pass through from the manufacturer.  However, I also fully understand that the extra setup or prep charges are pure unadulterated BS.  If they expect me to buy their product, those charges get dropped right away. 

They count on people who don't know how vehicle sales work, don't know real prices, don't know they can do much better on financing with their credit union in most cases (unless the manufacturer is running a special financing deal for instance), and mostly they count on people who make purchases based on emotion.  The absolute smartest way to buy is to pay cash, refuse all the extras the dealer pushes like ESP, financing, service plans, and whatever else they offer these days to boost their profits.  And if they insist on more than MSRP, the smart consumer will control his emotions and walk away.  I haven't seen a single product Harley offers that is truly worth a premium over and above MSRP.

Jerry

Well stated Jerry. That's the key.....as a buyer, to be able to control the emotions and be prepared to walk away. However, the sad thing is that buying a Harley or any other bike for that matter is of itself an impulse decision to buy a toy. I doubt there are that many ppl out there that have their motorcycle as their prime vehicle for absolute year round; day in and day out use. There's also the buyer that has already broadcast to all his friends and relatives that he's buying a HOG and even at the risk of paying MSRP++, he will go through with the deal.

 I spent 12 years in the automotive industry and was in the top ten salesperson level for my community; having had training from some of the best in the business. What I have seen of Harley sales personnel so far borders on being laughable. These ppl would never last on an automotive sales floor. Many of them rely heavily on the fact that you are buying a product that is very high in reputation and demand and quite often don't have any additional sales training other than the gift of gab. "Caveat emptor" (Buyer Beware)!! 

[braymond52]

I have heard both sides of the tag / no tag discussion. One side is that if there are no tags, you have to talk to a sales to get a price and at that point some wont even give you that. The flip side is that new riders to the HD world are reluctant to ask and get suspicious of the "if you have to ask, you probably can't afford".

Personally I would rather see a price and then have someone assist me with the purchase that I want to make, not sell me on something they want to sell.  Or "maximize" the amount of HD Financial product they can load onto the deal.

Our local dealer said they had the opportunity to have the HD Finance rep come and help show them how to better offer more Finance products but was not a forced initiative by the MoCo. They also still have hang tags.

Personally, I could care less if the have tags or not.  Before I buy a bike I've done a lot of research and I know what I'm willing to pay.  Either I'm getting the bike for that or I'm not buying the bike.  That's about all there is to it for me.

[FLSTFI Dave]

I know the MSRP of a bike I want before I ever talk to a salesman.

I always have my own financing.

SMHD has so far never been a pressure sales store.

They seem to be MSRP or better.

Just like cars, educate yourself before you walk though the door.

Never talk payment.  Just price.

[Thermodyne]

I'm thinking that it's unlawful to display a new motor vehicle for sale without a retail price displayed in most states.  I know that some states require a tag along the lines of an automotive Monroney sticker.  Back in the glory days when dealers were routinely adding thousands to the retail prices on Harley's many states enacted laws to require that the MSRP of scooters be shown along with the asking price, just as was required for autos under federal law.

My thought are that if the MoCo is training up the finance departments and pulling price tags, then they are about to begin discounting scooters to the dealers.  Pushing the dealers to move units and make their profits on finance and rebate.   I'm still seeing brand new 11's on dealer floors, and 12's can still be ordered in.  The MoCo must be sitting on a lot of inventory. 

[Steve_G]

I had to pay $3k over MSRP for each of the two CVO bikes I purchased from Black Hills HD in Rapid City.
Last week I was in the shop and the sticker on a 2013 USE8 was $40,995.
I can tell you that at trade-in time, that extra 3 grand you previously paid is ignored.
Also one of the dealer's owners (at closing) told me that they were only getting one anniversary USE3, and they had to get a stiff price on it. 
I think they ended up getting 4 of them.
They have had a used one on the floor for the past several months, it didn't sell- so now it's been moved to their basement.
-Just MY experience

[phato1]

You guys are making me appreciate my dealer, Gengras HD, all the more.
 The bikes on the floor are all clearly marked - at MSRP, even any CVO's they might have(currently none) - and the salesmen don't pounce (usually) when someone walks through the door. There was a time when they had every bike marked up over MSRP some by more than a 1k but that didn't last long , only about two model years and it was right after a change in ownership and a new building, then they saw the light I guess.
 I've always received great service whenever the bikes need something, either parts or service work