Triumphrat

Jimbeamrye · 09-17-2006

In 2005 I purchased a $10K Jap Cruiser, Its been a good bike. Last week I saw and rode a demo R3 at local stealer(dealer)....WOW...I got to have one!!
So now I have entered, what feels like hell on earth, knowing I bought the wrong bike and realizing I only have myself to blame for not being a little wiser in 2005 and not checking into the Triumph line-up. I'm not made of money so I can't just go down and make the stealer all those profits they want so I am being a little wiser this time around and I'm price shopping. I HAVE to sell my 2005 Jap bike first, (wife required) and I just can't give it away...the stealer offered me $4,000 less than I paid for it last year(aaarrrggg). So I have my bike up for sale...wish me luck! I have visited every dealer web site in the USA and have found 2 dealers selling the R3 for $2200 less than my local dealer. My local stealer knows that I have found better deals at other sites. I keep letting him know I would rather buy local, but it keeps falling on deaf ears. Its like they don't want or care to get the sale. I even said if they(local) would come close..like $1100 less I would deal...but that sales guy just avoids talking price. He keeps on saying Retail $15990. All the while I can see the owner at the other counter and he won't even look my way.
This all leads to the real question...I need help with figuring out the complete procedure for setting up a financed sale with a dealer 7 hours drive away.

If you have bought your bike out-of-state..I would love to hear a few notes on how you progressed to a sale!

I apologize for such a long drawn-out post.
HELP....Any advice would be helpful

Shawn · 09-17-2006

I understand your situation, but if I were you the decision would be to just keep riding the existing bike for a while. Make the R3 purchase a goal that can be attained at a later date.

Unless it's a Harley, Triumph, Ducati, or a premium Japanese bike; resale value normally drops significantly after the first year.

However, if you feel the desire to still make the purchase now, then adjust your approach to the reality that there are a few dealers out there acting on the strategy that they can move a lot of units by not selling them at the normal MSRP. One of them became an advertiser here:

http://www.rocket3triumph.com

Buying a bike long-distance can be fun, but don't turn the experience into a personal issue with your local dealer. You'll still need the local dealer for service and support.

Hope this helps,

Jimbeamrye · 09-17-2006

Point well taken...Thanks.

RevBuddyWinkler · 09-23-2006

I from GA and bought a SPIII up in Chattanooga. I had a similar situation. My local dealer was not going to move an inch on the new 2006 SPIII's (MSRP + tax and couple other minor fees), so they had a demo bike that I considered.

After telling me that he would "work with me" on the asking price of the demo... and me telling him I could get a better deal on the net, but was willing to pay a little more to support a local dealership, he ended up not "working with me" at all.

They wouldn't budge on the price he quoted the first day I went in to look. (quoted about $800 more than what Chattanooga wanted for a brand new one), tried to tack on $1200 dollars for a used aftermarket exhaust the bike had on it (which I could buy brand new for $900), tried to argue that he was "doing me a favor" by not charging me for the 600 mile service they performed a couple months before I even laid eyes on the bike (this bike had 1000 miles on it, when I rode it), and refused to even throw in a fly screen if I paid his entire asking price (despite everything, I was still ready to buy if he had just thrown in a flippin' flyscreen).

After all this, he then basically called me a jerk for considering going out of state to buy and not supporting the local dealership. Then actually told me I had "wasted his time and used them" for coming in to ride one of their demo bikes. This was obviously the final straw. I told him that since he made such a big issue of me needing to "support them," could he name one single thing they did to support me or encourage me to buy a bike from them. (after saying he'd work with me, he in fact, never came down one single dollar from his original price).

I bought the bike at Chattanooga without all the hassling (the price they quote you on the phone is the price you write the check for), plus they threw in the flyscreen and a few Triumph Tshirts for my wife. The entire staff including sales, parts, and service folks were all very friendly (unlike local dealership who will tell you to your face, if you don't like our asking price, we'll sell it to someone else who will). They were exactly the kind of dealership you feel good about supporting, so now, I'd rather support an out of state dealership who deserve it by treating their customers well, than a local dealership who acts like you owe them something.

I paid $800 less OTD for a brand new bike than I would have paid for a demo with a 1000 miles locally. More than enough to cover the state sales tax I had to pay on the bike when I got it home.

Sorry for the long-winded story, but just wanted to point out you should feel no guilt about not "supporting" you local dealership if they are not worthy of support. I did not finance, so I can't help you with that part, but everything else for me went seamlessly. Brought a check for the exact amount quoted and walked out with a brand new bike. But remember, you do have to pay local sales tax when you go to license it in your state, so figure out what that is and add it to any quote from an out of state dealership. When this fee is added, your local dealership price may look much better.

[ This message was edited by: RevBuddyWinkler on 2006-09-23 15:51 ]

milqster · 10-01-2006

Wow, RevBuddyWinker's story is near identical to mine.

I also looked at a demo with about 500 miles on it (closest dealer to me = 75 miles) and they wanted 1200 more than what I paid at Chattanooga. I drove 6 hours one way, the paperwork was done except for my signatures (I had my own preapproved financing check in hand). The service mgr. spent around an hour showing/explaining things on the bike, etc. I also spent the morning catching some local sights since they didn't expect me until afternoon, beautiful area.

It was the best purchase of any vehicle I have ever made.

The best thing is that I had found another dealer (120 miles from home) that simply had no triples left for the year.....he holds no ill will toward me for buying elsewhere, since he simply couldn't get one in August.

Good luck on your purchase.

Butchster · 10-03-2006

The only issue I see buying from someone besides your local dealer is warranty work. If you take it to your local dealer and expect great service after buying it from someone else, good luck. Your bike will probably sit on the back burner till they have extra time for it. I had a similar experience with my ATV. I bought it here and I paid a premium price, my buddy bought his from a dealership 100 miles away for cheaper. I needed warranty work done on a Friday, the dealer had his mechanic stay late to get it to me Saturday morning so I could ride that weekend. My buddy had a bad strut which was covered under warranty so he took it in to the local dealer after buying " out of town " . He got the ATV back a month and a half later. It comes down to what kind of after purchase service do you want? I think a person has to figure that in with the purchase price also. Just my

Garyhjd · 10-04-2006

Well I just bought a bike out of state. So.... here's my story.

I was looking for a blue sprint w/ABS and there wasn't one in the western US so I looked elsewhere. Found what I wanted 2500 miles away in Ohio at North Coast Motorcycles (best bike shop I have ever dealt with). Did the entire transaction on the phone and through the mail. Saved $3,000 over the local dealer, and had the joy of spending 5 days on the road bringing it home.

The shop owner picked me up at the airport and had my bike waiting with the bags installed for free. They even tossed me a free t-shirt. If I lived within a couple of hundred miles of Toledo they are the only place that would touch my bike.

I can't comment on how the local dealer will be for warrenty work but. given how they have been on non-warrenty parts on my Legend I am not expecting too much from them.

But long distance purchase was great, except riding 8 hours in the rain through wisconsin.

Gary

tbsrider2000 · 10-05-2006

It shouldn't make any difference on where you bought it.. What if I bought my bike in, say Louisiana, and moved to Texas. My bike was now bought out of state... Am I expected to receive 2nd rate service because I moved? I think not..

I will say, my bike has not been back to a dealer since I bought it, except to visit. My closest dealer is 100 miles away, and I'm pretty mechanically inclined, so I perform most service and checks on my own, but if I ever do take it in to the dealer, I sure don't expect 2nd rate service. The dealers get paid.. even for warranty work.., maybe not right away, but it comes.. and I would assume they would want me to make future purchases from them as well.. I know for me, giving me shabby service is the quickest way to get me to not come back..

Garyhjd · 10-06-2006

Dave,

I totally agree with what you said. However the reality of it can be different.

I ordered a part at my closest shop, called them back a month after ordering it to see if it had come in or if they could check with triumph about it. The parts manager told me if they didn't have it then the part was back ordered and they would call me when it came in and not to call back, oh and how rude his tone was with me. I then called in a couple of weeks later to ask about a fender I had ordered and the 17 year old kid of the store manager answered the phone. He put me on hold and went to look for it, then told me they didn't have it but he would call Georgia and ask about it. He called me back in half an hour and told me the part would be in that week. She has a great kid.

Now three weeks ago when I was in looking for a new sprint the parts manager saw me checking out a new bike and came out to sell me on it. I then asked him about my part and he could not have been more helpful. Of course my first phone call is exactly why they weren't even considered for the new sale.

So while I agree with you, in the real world where you make the purchase does seem to matter.

Gary

jbirdfl · 10-10-2006

I bought 600 miles away in a different state. Financing could be set up right at the dealer. Probably smarter to set it up ahead of time, and perhaps locally. VIN numbers and amounts can all be handled via fax. Handle the licensing and tax yourself (it will save you $$$). All you need is the certificate of origin (which will come with the bike). The dealer can give you a "temp" no matter where you live (being out of state mine was a slip of paper I carried with me rather than a temp tag on the bike)
As far as grudge maintenance... people are people, and each has his own agenda (even different ones at the same dealership). Professionals will handle you equally, no matter where your bike came from.