Perplexed - Negotiated new bike cost

[MrBee]

Want to buy new Rt1200RT - Unlike cars, where you can find an invoice cost, bike info is not available. So what's the balance between driving a hard downward price from MSRP and allowing the delealer some profit. Seeking some guidence?

MrBee :stick

[kbasa]

I put this in the Campfire so it would see more traffic than it would on one of the tech forums.

[Stuff2C]

Around 15% :deal

[Hodag]

my gripe is when you are looking at used bikes at a dealer NADA is way low, except when you are trading in then they say its kinda high ????


low retail
high trade in

[85138]

Used to be around 15% for the higher end models. Last I heard BMWNA reduced it (again). They also have other incentive programs to help dealers recoup some of the margin they no longer realize upfront, e.g. the CSI sham. (customer satisfaction index)

Don't begrude the dealer a decent profit. It's already tight at MSRP and they need to stay solvent. (see other threads about dealers closing) Ask for a discount for accessories included with the bike sale.

[rinty]

Mr. Bee:
At the big dealers, I don't think they care how hard you negotiate; they have a price point below which they won't go and that's all there is to it. Some dealers don't get much quota and sell all they can get, so they may not move off their posted prices too much. One thing you can try is to tap into your local BMW group and find out if there is an individual who has an inside track with the local dealer, then talk to them.

But probably your best opportunity for a good deal is in getting a discount off the price of related accessories and gear, particularly the expensive BMW hard luggage. In Canada, and possibly in the States, there are various markups on different kinds of BMW stuff, and the dealers can be more creative.

Good luck.

Rinty

[Belquar]

Not to crap on the dealers but I would buy private. There are a select few dealers out there willing to deal properly. But you can get the same bike with more accessories in most cases with a private sale. I know I know. We gotta keep the dealers alive as well but do it through service and parts. That is where they make most of their money anyways. I recently went through the shopping thing a couple of times. Bought my GS used from a guy in TX and found my sister's bike from a guy in maryland. I found an almost identical bike at a dealer as the one we bought my sister. Same paint job, and all Two years older. more miles. They wanted 3k more than high retail on NADA. No accessories. Maybe system casesk, I can't remember for sure. Bought the one privately. Had crashbars, system cases, parabellum windscreen new in box. 3k less than the dealer was asking and under book value.

Most of the bikes I see at dealers they have taken the cases off and either sold them separately or the previous owner didn't let the cases go with the bike. Most have the rails.

Just my .02

I bought two bikes from dealers and two privately. I got what I was looking for privately.

[Belquar]

+1 on the accessories discounts though. First BMW I bought at mortons. Gave them what they were asking on the bike. Asked them to throw in a First Gear Voyager Jacket free with the sale. They had them on sale anyways on clearance. They let me have it. That was cool. Great jacket too.

[kbasa]

My dealer's always been good about giving me a bit of a discount off the list price and then helping me on the accessories.

[Hodag]

my local dealer is 15% off list price on BMW accesories and free shipping on other non-bmw stuff
and then free install on the farkles...
for 30 days after bike purchase

[Mika]

Where can I find dealer invoice pricing for motorcycles?
In the printed edition of the Kelley Blue Book Official Motorcycle Guide there is a section in the back called "loan codes". The dealer invoice cost can be found there for most Manufacturers. To subscribe to the printed edition of the Kelley Blue Book Official Motorcycle Guide, call 1-800-BLUE-BOOK, extension 22. If you do not want to subscribe, this publication can often be found at libraries or credit unions.

From the Kelly site @ http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/ke.kb.sp?kbb&&60&faq_mc#dip

I did some searches for dealer invoice information sources. After taking a shower to get some of the slime off this was the only bit of information of interest. If the search for this information on cars has become somewhat transparent it seems to be a seedy little secret for motorcycles which for $19.50 per report can be revealed – on a Harley – on one site. For BMW’s it seems the Department of Veteran Affairs should handle their information so carefully.

The margin on bikes is not as big as it was at one time. So there is not the room to deal. My only suggestion in dealing is being clear on what you are dealing over and for. Make certain what BMW is including in its list price that you are starting with. I have dealt with and walked away from dealers that wanted to add back delivery and prep when at the time they were included in the manufacturer’s list price.

[James.A]

Mr. Underwood always sold at full MSRP, but for the price you also got the benefit of his excellent dealership. Ah, for the good old days.

[Stuff2C]

Make a deal with a dealer you like! I traveled to Tampa BMW for my last 4 new bikes, 90 miles from Orlando and 40 miles further than Daytona. Because they make you feel welcome when you walk through the door. Each time they have given me something, but the people make the deal/difference!

My recent trip to Orlando BMW (now owned by Daytona BMW, same crap there) was another fiasco, I was quoted Friday $13 on the phone for R1200gs oil filters. Went in Saturday to pick up 4 and the price was $15. When I questioned the price increase the response was "do you want them or not". I guess not. It's not the $$, it's an overall attitude.

Make the deal with a friendly dealer you can trust, it's worth more $$$. :thumb

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I would agree with stuff2c here, it is about how you like the people and can trust them. If they make you feel good then you will want to buy from them. As for buying any new bike and car, each dealer knows what their incentives and margins are on the machines and so regardless of what you offer they will either say yes or no based upon what they are willing to make...it is not personal so just throw out your offer and let the fun part begin.

I believe the days of the big margins to be over for the time being at dealers, the better profits are in used machines as with cars currently (except the cult brands and models). I did learn one nugget of trivia which seems to have held true though. It used to be that if you want to deal just wait until the end of the month and make your deal because the guys will want to make a sales quota and are likely to accept. Apparently not necessarily true anymore. As many bike (and car) inventories are financed and assessed daily charges as floor plan, you can get the best deal making a good offer early, before that machine costs the dealer more money in carrying charge via financing etc.

[phil]

Make a deal with a dealer you like! I traveled to Tampa BMW for my last 4 new bikes, 90 miles from Orlando and 40 miles further than Daytona. Because they make you feel welcome when you walk through the door. Each time they have given me something, but the people make the deal/difference!

My recent trip to Orlando BMW (now owned by Daytona BMW, same crap there) was another fiasco, I was quoted Friday $13 on the phone for R1200gs oil filters. Went in Saturday to pick up 4 and the price was $15. When I questioned the price increase the response was "do you want them or not". I guess not. It's not the $$, it's an overall attitude.

Make the deal with a friendly dealer you can trust, it's worth more $$$. :thumb


Your right I have bought 4 bikes from Dave at Tampabay BMW. I had the same problem once at Daytona BMW. I always got at least a $500.00 discount from Dave. Just bought a new bike from Dave 2 weeks ago great people there.

[MrBee]

Thank you everyone. Very thoughtful replys. Just what I hoped for. I do want the dealer to be around. This is a new dealership in our area. Seems to be good folks here in Shrewsbury, MA.
Thanks again.

Mr Bee

89 Honda Pacific Coast purchased new
07 R1200RT to be ordered Soon!

[bmwcliff]

Since you are in Ma. anyway, European Motorcycles of Pittsburgh is not that far away, you could always give them a call. I have always found these guys a pleasure to deal with, got a great deal on my Rockster[a demo with system cases and a touring windshield], but the dealer support in the past couple years has been excellent. Plus ,they got BMW,Ducati,Triumph and Vespa, so a trip there is like an adult candy store. :clap :dance

[Emoto]

Thank you everyone. Very thoughtful replys. Just what I hoped for. I do want the dealer to be around. This is a new dealership in our area. Seems to be good folks here in Shrewsbury, MA.
Thanks again.

Mr Bee

89 Honda Pacific Coast purchased new
07 R1200RT to be ordered Soon!

There is also AJ's in Gill, MA, right on rte 2. Nice people there.

For eastern MA, I like http://www.dunbareurosports.com/ in lovely Brockton. That is where I got my GS. They are not really a discount type shop, but have excellent service and have always been fair with me and taken care of any warranty issues without any quibbling.

[Belquar]

Make a deal with a dealer you like! I traveled to Tampa BMW for my last 4 new bikes, 90 miles from Orlando and 40 miles further than Daytona. Because they make you feel welcome when you walk through the door. Each time they have given me something, but the people make the deal/difference!

My recent trip to Orlando BMW (now owned by Daytona BMW, same crap there) was another fiasco, I was quoted Friday $13 on the phone for R1200gs oil filters. Went in Saturday to pick up 4 and the price was $15. When I questioned the price increase the response was "do you want them or not". I guess not. It's not the $$, it's an overall attitude.

Make the deal with a friendly dealer you can trust, it's worth more $$$. :thumb

WOW!!

There are those out there who make it easy to give your money to them and those who actually make it a chore. That kind of attitude will make me walk out of any establishment. Appreciation for business in this country has gone out the window. It is always refreshing when an establishment is genuinely happy you walked in the door.

[rinty]

Mr. Bee:

If you haven't ridden a 1200 or the earlier 1100/1150, I would suggest you do so before you finalize your purchase. Even with the new boxer, you'll probably find a bit more buzz than your super smooth Pacific Coast. It's a fairly major expenditure and you want to make sure it's right for you.

Have fun.

Rinty

[soffiler]

Thank you everyone. Very thoughtful replys. Just what I hoped for. I do want the dealer to be around. This is a new dealership in our area. Seems to be good folks here in Shrewsbury, MA.
Thanks again.

Mr Bee

89 Honda Pacific Coast purchased new
07 R1200RT to be ordered Soon!


Shrewsbury? Do you mean Wagner in Worcester? I just recently became aware of the existance of Wagner. Turns out they are the second-closest dealership to me and I'm looking for an opportunity to check them out.

[Motorman]

Somebody posted earlier about the BMW dealer in Wichita having slow sales. I have to agree that when I was there last October it was pretty slow for them. They were great for parts and information as well as just plain friendly to be around. If I were you I'd be giving them a call. They might save you enough for the plane fare there and then some over the other guys. Besides since they sell just about every Japanese bike made you can compare the beemers to the competition very very easily.

[threeflys]

I'll just say this... If I was buying a bike on the West Coast I'd be at Marin BMW, the East Coast Morton's. Why? Becuase before I even bought my BMW I would visits these dealorships (depending on when the USCG had me where) and I always got really great customer serivce at both places. I only bought a couple of clothing accessories at Morton's, but thier open houses are the best and Jeff Dunkle is an outstanding wealth of knowledge. I bought my RS in California and promptly made a re-visit to Marin to get a new helmet,jacket and intercom system. When they didn't have the helmet I wanted, they offered to install my autocom in whatever helmet I found (ended up doing it myself). Kris at Marin was always ready to talk bikes, answer any questions or offer a testride on any of the new bikes. When I buy my next bike, if it is from a dealer it will be Marin BMW (I'll be on the West Coast the next 4 years). A strong honerable mention goes to Santa Rosa BMW also.

Let me say there might be other dealers just as good, I just may have not found them yet.

Chris :bikes :german