| Author | Message | ||
     Fresnobuell |
Hello all. I have made up my mind to buy an '06 Firebolt XB9. I have never bought a bike before, but I am well aware of the process of car purchasing (and the back and forth bargaining). I am just wondering if Buell dealers come down from the MSRP $8895 and if so, how much would be considered a "good deal". I know the Buells are hard to come by and the dealers themselves seem to be falling by the wayside, so I am not sure if it is like, "pay MSRP, cause if you don't then the next guy will." thanks for your insight. | ||
| Chellem |
I know that a lot of car places will haggle and bargain, but not generally on a brand-new, in-demand model. I'm not sure what your area is like, but for the most part, when something is in demand, the price doesn't go below MSRP. You'd probably have better luck negotiating with a dealer on an '05 model. But you may have better luck in your market area than we do out here. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Thanks, I originally was after a '05 XB9 that might have been left over, but they are nowhere to be found. I was told by a couple dealers that the XB9 selling better than originally predicted vs. the XB12 due to the $1,700 price difference and the fact that you only get a few more horses and lbs. of torque in return on the XB12. Makes sense cause if we were out for a bike to make big HP, then we wouldn't be buying a Buell. We are buying it for lots of reasons that are all over this forum, but power is not one of them. Keep the comments coming, please! | ||
| Kdan |
It's the same as car purchasing. There's an invoice and an MSRP. You want to be closer to invoice they want to be closer to MSRP. Be smooth and be prepared to walk away if you're not happy with the deal. Otherwise you're going to pay what they want and they won't kiss you while they're doing you. Me, I got a good deal on a leftover 03. It's all what you're willing to pay to ride one of the coolest bikes out there. | ||
| Chellem |
That's KINDA what I said. But it's not really like car purchasing, in that car dealerships can get as many cars as they want. So they can discount and charge less and make it up in quantity. Harleys and Buells are still on allocation, despite what some people think the market is doing. So dealer don't have the luxury of just ordering another one. You got a good deal on a leftover. That's kinda what I recommended too. Those sweet deals are a bit harder to come by for new, in-demand items. | ||
| Djkaplan |
If you do manage to get a dealer below MSRP, make damn sure the bike wasn't used as a demo. I'm still fuming over that one. | ||
| Daves |
Just be careful, the dealer that is willing to cut the price on a new 06 probably really sucks at Buell. Might be worth paying a little more to deal with a dealer that knows what they are doing? Make sure you get the total price. Frt,setup and any other dealer charges. Just as an example, I charge 240.00 for the shipping(that's what Buell charges all dealers) and I do not charge any setup fees. Just know all the facts before handing over your money. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Daves: "Just as an example, I charge 240.00 for the shipping(that's what Buell charges all dealers) and I do not charge any setup fees." Is this $240 fee a flat fee for ALL dealers, regardless the distance the bike is being shipped? Also, as a dealer, what is your take on coming off MSRP? Does cash matter? I would think you would have quite a few more people buying with cash due to the relatively low price vs. a car. also, since a bike is more a plaything, then a necessity, probably people with more discretionary income will be buying. thanks. | ||
| Daves |
Yes all dealers except Alaska and Hawaii pay the same shipping. My take on coming off MSRP? "Just be careful, the dealer that is willing to cut the price on a new 06 probably really sucks at Buell. Might be worth paying a little more to deal with a dealer that knows what they are doing? " | ||
| Fresnobuell |
"If you do manage to get a dealer below MSRP, make damn sure the bike wasn't used as a demo. I'm still fuming over that one." Yes, one of the advantages of buying a XB9 off the truck (and probably buying at full MSRP I would have to guess) is that it won't have all the hard test drive miles on it. I know the manual doesn't want you to take it over 55 MPH (not sure what the RPM limit is--3K?), yet on every test drive the bike exceeding the MPH limit and probably being sent close to redline on every shift. I applaud dealers that set aside one bike to be a demo--at least I think there are dealers that do this. they just need to be more upfront when selling it. (maybe that is the reason why most dealers don't designate a demo bike as they cannot/should not sell it as new? thanks everyone! these comments are great. please don't stop | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Daves: One more question. Is it true that the dealership decides what warranty work can be done? I am probably going to install after-market exhaust, ECM, etc. Is it up to my local dealer if they void the warranty or does Buell have a say so in this? | ||
| Medic_2512 |
Buells in demand? Not sure about that. I know several dealers that have 04`s and 05`s brand new still in stock. Also if your looking for the best deals check ebay for dealer sales. I bought my 04 XB12 in PA for $8700.00 brand new with 2 miles in dec of 2003. I`ve seen many HD dealers just dump their Buell stock on Ebay just to get rid them. Just buy from them, save a few thousand dollars. | ||
| Daves |
Fresno PM me Medic, It is against the dealer agreement to sell new Buells or HD on Ebay I report every single one of those dealers to several people at HD/Buell when I see them. Haven't seen any for a while now but I'll go look now, just for you. There will always be cheaper dealers out there. They suck at Buell and feel the only way to sell them is price. There will always be customers that will buy strictly on price. I prefer the customer that wants a fair deal, for them and for me. That way I can afford to spend the time to treat them right,have parts in stock,have Buell trained techs,go to the Buell sales training,sponsor websites like Badweb. If all you want is cheap, go to a •••••• dealer. If you want a dealer that will go the extra mile(sometimes many miles)in sales,parts and service not to mention knowledge and help in a pinch, then, well, it's gonna cost a little more. IMHO and evidently lots of other people it is worth it. Thanks to those of you that think it is. | ||
| Daves |
PS, If mass marketing Buells on Ebay works why do they sell them so cheap? I'd be willing to bet a large sum of money that I outsell several of them combined. 1 year 5 1/2 months at Appleton=82 Buells sold. See if any of the Ebay dealers can match that! Why do I sell so many? I work my ••• off and I care | ||
| Coolice |
AMEN and keep up the GREAT work DaveS!! You are an example to be followed, and enthusiast and GOOD salesman. Thanks! | ||
| Daves |
Thanks Mike I forgot to add honest and when I say "it's a deal" It is a deal. Integrity is everything. | ||
| Chellem |
Medic: Buells in demand? Not sure about that. I know several dealers that have 04`s and 05`s brand new still in stock. Also if your looking for the best deals check ebay for dealer sales That's true, but he's talking about a brandy-new '06, and those ARE on demand. It's what we've been saying - if you aren't too specific about what you want, then there are deals out there. But if you go into any dealership, car - bike - tractor - whatever - knowing EXACTLY what you want, and it's a high-demand thing, you are NOT going to get a great deal. As an aside - it's so nice to have such a great demand for Buells! Yay Buell!!! | ||
| Medic_2512 |
I agree with everything you said Daves, and i bet most of those dealer suck bigtime when it comes to Buells. While you are obviously very good and what you do, and it shows. But its very hard for a potential buyer to say no to a new XB12 for $8700 and then go spend 3 or 4 thousand dollars more for the same bike. Wouldn`t you agree? When i was looking for my XB12 locally at dealers the best price i could get was $11,500 out the door(plus tax.)The highend was $13,500, yes! Then i saw several of the same bike on Ebay brand new from a dealer selling from $8500 to 8700 out the door (again plus tax) Does that make me the bad guy? We`re not talking about $500 here, it i was i would gladly buy locally or from you. But almost $3000 less for the same bike still brand new in the crate? To me that is alot of money and being married with a family its hard to say no to. | ||
| Medic_2512 |
Oh and another place to find dealers selling Buells for huge savings is Cycletrader and other sites like that. Hey Daves, be sure to check them too! | ||
| Fresnobuell |
What happens when you buy a bike from an out of state dealer, does the local dealer have to honor the warranty? | ||
| Medic_2512 |
Your warranty is from Buell, not the dealer. Any dealer has to honor your warranty. Just like if buy you bike in CA but mover to FL, the dealer in FL honors your warranty. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I bet the local dealer will do no favors for you tho, esp. if you mod the bike as that literally voids the warranty. | ||
| Dave |
Fresnobuell- a blanket statement like that is BS.... Don't swallow it. Stuff like that comes from the mouth's of H-D service writers and techs that spewed synthetic oil was too slippery and would void a warranty. Jeeeeez... DAve | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Dave, Are you saying that i am giving the local HD shop a bad wrap? I just figure that if you bought a bike locally, then there is more of a chance that they might work with you if there is a warranty gray area. | ||
| Daves |
Medic, I do check those sites too. Nothing I can do about those as they are within their rights to give bikes away as cheap as they want. Just is a big red flag that they do not care about Buell, know nothing about how to sell them and probably care even less about their Buell customers. You keep doing what you do and I will keep doing what I do, OK | ||
| Court |
>>>I work my ••• off and I care That's the essence of it, but I suggest there is more. Blanket statements, like price cutting, benefit few. There will always be someone stepping up to compete on price only. Those folks scare me. When you buy a large ticket item (car, motorcycle or guitar in my case), you are buying into an ongoing relationship. Look past the instant purchase. I'm trying to think back about what would have happened if I had married the cheapest gal I knew. Dave Stueve and Michelle. . . thank you for your hard work and the positive things you have brought and continue to bring to Buell. Court | ||
| Crusty |
Dave Stueve and Michelle. . . thank you for your hard work and the positive things you have brought and continue to bring to Buell. Yes, thanks. | ||
| Chainsaw |
1 year 5 1/2 months at Appleton=82 Buells sold.  Go Daves go! | ||
| Dave |
Fresnobuell- I'll agree with you there. A positive relationship with a worthy (local or not) Buell dealership could make the gray area of warranty lean towards the customer. Then again... ANy customer focused dealership worth a leaky Showa would do everything possible to resolve in favor/satisfaction of the customer. It just makes sense. My disagreement was that a modified bike voids the warranty. That'a a huge statement that's been discussed in depth.  DAve | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Is it just me or does anyone else wonder why DaveS isn't working for Big Buell and spreading Buell related sales knowledge through out the land? It appears, from my distant view, that he'd be a tremendous asset to their current corporate infrastructure. He's so good at taking care of customers that I even order my HD parts from him. It's a pleasure doing business with a real person that cares -- rare commodity. Thank you DaveS for everything that you do. G2 |
