| Author | Message | ||
     Superlite_17k |
I've had a deposit on a bike since November, and now I'm being told Buell is not shipping any more bikes until April. Can anyone confirm this? It's a shame; I had my heart set on a Cherry Bomb Red XB12S, but working with a HD dealership is starting to leave a bad taste in my mouth. Seems sad that the Aprilia dealer down the street has (2) 2006 Tuonos in stock that he's willing to make deals on - yet I can't get the American- made bike I wanted in the first place. | ||
| Ulywife |
Have you check other dealers to see if they have the bike you want? Sometimes its worth the drive to get what you really want. | ||
| Superlite_17k |
The dealer I've been working with is currently running a "no freight / set-up for 2007 bikes purchased in January." That works out to be about a $500 savings. I was originally promised delivery of my bike at the end of this month. And they cashed my $5000 deposit almost 6 weeks ago, so I figured they would have already been working on finding me a bike. When I called a couple days ago, they were still trying to locate one. Today, they found the bike I want at another dealer (out of state), but the "no freight and set up" special won't apply. Moving bikes between dealerships is a cost of doing business, and HD is not hurting for sales. And running a special that applies to everyone but me seems like a poor way of doing business. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
That does seem pretty lame to me. | ||
| Superlite_17k |
Yeah, this is quickly turning into a situation where this particular HD dealer and Buell has lost a sale to an Italian company which does half as much business in the US. I'm giving these guys a day to make things right before asking for my money back. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I have bikes coming in through March, but we ordered them back in November. Small dealership, we only do less than 30 Buells a year. You might be surprised to know that Harley doesnt delivery bikes through the summer either. Their last shipment is in June, then we have to wait til the new model year arrives. | ||
| Bartimus |
I bet Daves could help you out. You should drop him a line, and see what he can do. | ||
| No_rice |
i doubt thats true, but i can check with sales tomorrow and make sure. i have never heard anything like that. | ||
| Bake |
Something smells fishey, keep us posted! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I think Farrow's H-D in Columbus Ohio has one in the front window. The EasyRider bike show is coming up on Feb 16TH - 18TH. It maybe worth the trip. Get a bike, see some bikes, get a tat and drink some beer....... | ||
| Eboos |
Superlite, you wouldn't happen to be heading up to New England anytime soon would you? If so, I have one in stock. I am going to have a chance to meet Erik tomorrow and I'll ask him what's up with the ordering and shipping delay. | ||
| Ceejay |
if the cherry bomb is the black one with red wheels and visor-yep they got one. Excellent looking scoot. Still have an XBRR in the window too. The all black (still see thru) cityx is way cool, much better than the Imac bikes IMO. | ||
| Superlite_17k |
I appreciate everyone responding - especially those of you from dealerships. Buell not shipping bikes for a 4 month period seemed odd. Keep in mind that the dealer has found me a bike - but there's an issue of what has become a $600 surcharge on it (read the third post). | ||
| Superlite_17k |
Just got off the phone with the salesman. He said the shipping delay had something to do with changes being made to the '08 models. Interesting. The salesman actually suggested that I wait to see what the '08 models are like. But they won't deal on the Red 12. I may end up with a gray '06 CityX that's on the floor if they can knock down the price enough. | ||
| Daves |
oops, just saw that you want a Cherry Bomb 12S, I have one about 8 feet from me! Call me. Thanks | ||
| Eboos |
What has probably happened is the swapping dealer would tack on those charges to your dealership, then there is the leg work of actually getting it (man hours, vehicle usage, gas ect). Keep in mind that there is very little profit between dealer cost and MSRP (verrry little). Cutting the freight and prep on a swap might not be in their best interests, unless you convince them that they will see your continued business. See if they could meet you half way on that $600, or throw in some accessories or services. | ||
| Blake |
A $5000 deposit?! And they cashed it before even having the bike? That is outrageous. I'd strongly advise finding another dealer. | ||
| Chellem |
As a dealer who does do several swaps, some from up to 100 miles away lately, it IS a huge deal of paperwork, legwork, and aggrivation. That being said, we don't "tack on" any additional pricing to the customer, however, if there were specials that applied to bikes on the floor, then it may not apply to bikes that we have to swap out, because of all the additional time, money and mileage. You may consider that a cost of doing business, but it is not a "usual" cost that would be factored into a discount or special program. You generally have to send two helpers, or a salesman and a helper, in case the other dealer can't spare someone to help load and unload the bikes. It can take, round trip, up to 4-5 hours of travel time for up to 2 employees, and sometimes you find out the bike hasn't been prepped yet, or is still in the crate (oops, they forgot to mention that part) which takes even longer, PLUS a PDI. Like I said, I'm not justifying it, just explaining it. Lots of times we'd have specials on clothing or parts that are IN STOCK, but going around to find the parts or bikes or whatever just to sell them at a discount, or worse, a loss, isn't something your average dealer is going to go for. But, we'd know ahead of time whether we'd have the bike in stock, and would let the customer know ahead of time what the pricing would be, I would hope. As far as the deposit goes, in the "olden" days, people would leave us deposits for months and months before the bike even came in. Some people still put deposits on future bikes that are scheduled to arrive at a certain time. We do cash those checks, yes. But we're also pretty clear about when the bikes are coming in - to the best of our ability, barring bizarre scheduling changes from the company, which do happen. We go through dry spells where we don't get a Buell for a few months, it all depends on how many you ordered for the year I think. Maybe he's just underestimated how many Buells he needed for the year. It would actually be a kinda good problem to have for most dealers. Some, not so much.  | ||
| Midknyte |
All I can add here is, it'll be worth the wait  | ||
| Superlite_17k |
Chellem, thanks for the information. While I recognize the time and trouble to do the transfer, they've also had almost two months to locate a bike for me. I went out of my way to do business with this particular dealer because they gave me the test ride and actually had some product knowledge. Now what? They didn't sell me a bike, and I'm on this site telling everyone about a bad experience with a HD dealer. Buell makes a fantastic bike - I still want one - but today they lost a sale. I just got back from the local Aprilia dealer. He knocked $500 off the MSRP on a 2007 Tuono, and is honoring the no freight/set-up deal from the much larger Harley shop. 20% discount on parts and accessories for the next 6 months. This guy is not only selling me a bike today, but creating a very happy customer and future business. | ||
| Daves |
Congrats on the new bike. Sorry it didn't work out for you to get a Buell. | ||
| Naustin |
What about the 5 grand? Did you get that back yet? | ||
| Superlite_17k |
Not yet. "The check is in the mail." I appreciate everyone's feedback on this. I've been on this site for a year, and the information I found here convinced me to buy a Buell in the first place. I'll get one, eventually. | ||
| Court |
You'll enjoy the heck out of the Aprilia and, if you haven't, take the opportunity to learn about the company's history and heritage. Interesting history. Let me know if you need recommended reading lists. Congratulations and ride safely, Court | ||
| Midknyte |
Two wheels is two wheels... Come back with some pics? | ||
| Naustin |
They oughta pay you 5% interest on top of it for your wasted time. 90 days interest at 5% is about $60 bucks. | ||
| Superlite_17k |
No hard feelings on my part. I'm now getting a great deal on a bike that I originally thought would be out of my price range. When you can't sleep because your biggest problem is deciding which V-twin sportsbike you're going to get - you're living a pretty damn good life. I'm just sharing a good/bad customer service story. And a reminder that the consumer who knows what they want (and is armed with cash) should always drive a hard bargain. | ||
| Subseadog |
Now get back up on that hose. Just kiddin,sorry to hear of your trials John.They were part of the reason I went to Daves. Steve |
