Should you expect a discount if paying cash for a motorcycle

[NewGuy]

I find your attitude commendable and the fact that you are willing to go to these lengths to secure what you want at the price you want is great. However the I believe for most people time/cost would kick in eventually.

There was no herculean effort involved, just a little research, comparison shopping, and a little negotiating. two to four hours to save hundreds, and often thousands of dollars.

Your idealism in this area is great however it's just not pratical for most people because they don't have the time to drive all over gods green earth to get a good deal. They'll got to 2 or 3 places then just pick from those.

I've never gone to more than 3 dealers to get a deal on a vehicle.

I just don't believe in the long run it's worth going through THAT much trouble to save a bit of money.

Again, my buying strategy requires no more trouble than the visiting 2 or 3 dealers you've described. So if the same amount of effort saves hundreds, if not thousands of dollars why not do a little negotiating.

Then the dealer told me what I did was a mistake because "Now they think someone is interested in the bike and they probably won't trade with him."

Sorry, but you need to quit believing everything the dealer tells you. The dealer will tell you whatever he thinks will separate you from the largest chunk of cash possible.

Again, I think what you are doing is fantastic. But for the average working class American I don't think most people are willing to go through that much trouble for anything, let alone just a starter bike.

Again, it's not that much trouble and as an "average working class American" myself I have to say saving hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars is definitely worth it.

[NewGuy]

Maybe NewGuy should launch a motorcycle buying service?

Funny you should mention that, I've had a few friends ask me to help negotiate with car dealers, and even a couple who asked me to negotiate with motorcycle dealers, and that was before I started riding myself. The only "fee" I got was a couple beers and maybe lunch.

[NewGuy]

I agree that there is a lot of BS at the dealer, but there is some relationship between supply and demand. For example, if you had tried to buy just about any Harley, (excluding the Sporty) for less than MSRP around 2002, your wait would have been a couple of years. People (mostly RUBs) were on waiting lists to pay above MSRP.

Short term demand may temporarily overinflate prices. Wise people wait rather than overpay, whether it's H-Ds in 2002 or Tulip Bulbs in 1636.

http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_17/b3678084.htm

[Brackstone]

I'll just agree to disagree with you Newguy.

[flynrider]

Short term demand may temporarily overinflate prices. Wise people wait rather than overpay, whether it's H-Ds in 2002 or Tulip Bulbs in 1636.

So, what you're telling me is that rather than buy the bike that you want at MSRP (or above), your strategy would be to wait a few years until it is less popular? In the meantime, do you spend thousands on a bike that you don't like as much, or do without a bike altogether?

[NewGuy]

Short term demand may temporarily overinflate prices. Wise people wait rather than overpay, whether it's H-Ds in 2002 or Tulip Bulbs in 1636.

So, what you're telling me is that rather than buy the bike that you want at MSRP (or above), your strategy would be to wait a few years until it is less popular?

Why would I overpay for a bike ever? Do I need a H-D Dyna Fat Bob right now, this second? Is my life significantly affected if I have to wait a week, a month, or a year to get one? No, and neither is anyone else going to be hurt by waiting a little to get a luxury item like a particular brand/model motorcycle. If you actually NEED a bike as the only type of transportation you can afford, then you aren't going to be buying a bike like that anyway.

Let's also be realistic about the current market. Motorcycle sales in the US are down significantly. H-D shut down their factories for a couple weeks before Christmas, because revenues are down so much and they needed to save money by not paying their workers for those weeks. Honda is shutting down US production of motorcycles and all their bikes will be made in Japan, and lowered US demand is part of what drove that decision. Further, we're talking about a Ninja 250 in 2008, not a Road King in 2002. No smart buyer will be paying MSRP for that Ninja, especially not now.

Pay whatever you want to get your motorcycles and Tulip bulbs, but I'll spend my money more wisely, thank you.

[flynrider]

Further, we're talking about a Ninja 250 in 2008, not a Road King in 2002. No smart buyer will be paying MSRP for that Ninja, especially not now.

Pay whatever you want to get your motorcycles and Tulip bulbs, but I'll spend my money more wisely, thank you.

I never said that anyone should pay MSRP for a Ninja. I only pointed out that some bikes, due to their popularity, will not be sold at much below that level, unless you're willing to wait until they become less popular. For some people it's worth the extra money to get what they want, when they want it. For others it's not.

I've never actually paid MSRP myself, but then again, I've never been attracted to popular bikes. Every brand new bike I've bought has been a leftover.

[TomHiddlestonaaa]

It seems like the salesperson did not give you the best price when paying cash for the motorbike. It's understandable that you'd expect a discount for paying cash, especially when you see that other bikes at another dealer are listed below full price.

[TomHiddlestonaaa]

Hopefully you'll find a better deal elsewhere and get the motorbike you want at a reasonable price.

[Julian758]

The dealer likely benefited from various charges like interest expenses, finance charges, and possibly incentives from financing companies. While I didn't consider those incentives initially, dealers often make money despite any initial purchase discounts. Generally, dealers prefer cash upfront due to its immediacy over delayed payments.