Triumphrat

Max_NYC · 05-19-2007

A couple of weeks ago I put a deposit on the Special Edition Speed Triple at Ducati/Triumph NYC, where I was a regular visitor & accessories buyer.
The out-the-door price that I got for the special Speedy (more than $14,000) was not very satisfying (no discount at all + $500 billing for the installation of carbon fiber parts and Arrow exhaust, and I kind of had to negotiate to get the original parts), so I decided to shop around a little bit. To my utmost surprise, I've discovered that other dealers do not charge for the installation of parts for the purchase of a new bike, and that sometimes they're also able to knock off a few more hundred dollars (on freight, set up fees, whatever). I got an $826 better OTD price for the SE S3 from a dealer outside NYC.
But I still wanted to do business with "my" dealer in Manhattan. (Loyal guy that I am.)
So I emailed "my" dealer about what I'd found, in an embarrassed and funny kind of way. (You know, I played it cool, I didn't want to upset him, but still I wanted to make my point.)
And here let me quote his response:
"The price I gave you was more than fair considering the $1000 savings on the carbon fiber and exhaust. I will re-sell the triple today and I will gladly refund your money. Thanks."

Like HE was responsible for the Triumph savings offer... Anyway, I didn't get his email in the morning and when I went to the shop in the afternoon to talk to him, the first thing he said to me was: "I sold the bike". "I sent you an email and I sold the bike".

Shock, anger, etc. I took my deposit check back and left the place for ever.

[ This message was edited by: Max_NYC on 2007-05-19 22:06 ]

MattTriumphs · 05-19-2007

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

I understand wanting to be loyal to the local guy, but when the local guy isn't priced competitively AND is a rude--forget about it! All he had to say was something like "You know it's a hot bike and I'll have no problem selling it at this price. If you found a better deal, I understand, but the price is firm." I don't know how much money you guys make but $826 is a lot to me!

kj4nt · 05-19-2007

Rember he is in NYC all business men are rude there, go see for your self. But you are right Ed

Baltobonneville · 05-19-2007

My dealer wanted to charge for installing the accessories I bought (fly screen, tacho, sissy bar, center stand), so I installed them myself. I suppose that it depends on how motivated he is to sell the bike.

I like the dealer and feel that I was treated fairly, but I wasn't going to get free installation, even though these things are simple to install. Ultimately, I'm glad that I did them myself, because I learn from that.

[edit] PS You have every right to expect your original parts back after installation. You paid for them and they're yours.

[ This message was edited by: Baltobonneville on 2007-05-19 20:22 ]

ohiorider · 05-19-2007

I'd be curious to see if your selling dealer is all talk. Why don't you ask him to take it back and give you a full refund, and go elsewhere where the deals are better? This dealer sounds windier than an onion sack.

Bob

[ This message was edited by: ohiorider on 2007-05-19 21:32 ]

Max_NYC · 05-19-2007

Quote:

On 2007-05-19 21:30, ohiorider wrote:
I'd be curious to see if your selling dealer is all talk. Why don't you ask him to take it back and give you a full refund, and go elsewhere where the deals are better? This dealer sounds windier than an onion sack.

Bob

Actually I took my deposit back and I do not intend to buy anything ever again at that dealership.
The quote that I use above comes directly from an email that the shop manager sent me yesterday morning after my attempt to negotiate the price a little bit (by email, too). When I came to the shop in the afternoon yesterday (to work things out), first thing he said to me was: "I sold the bike. I sent you an email, and I sold the bike." He didn't even waited for my answer to his email (I could have accepted his BS price after all -of course not, but...), and sold the bike to someone else, albeit my deposit on it!

TCL · 05-20-2007

How windy is an onion sack?

badrufus · 05-20-2007

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the dealer had someone come in and go ga-ga over the bike, then find out that it was sold and want the dealer to find one for him (or her). Someone like that wouldn't care about price, just wants the bike yesterday. Then you email with concerns, and the dealer, being a jerk, takes the opportunity to get out of the deal with you and sells it for more to the ga-ga guy.

I understand and admire your attempt to be loyal. Now you know for sure that the loyalty was not appreciated, and fortunately you weren't burned financially. Go to the other shop and get the bike. Bad dealer, bad experience, but you'll still have a great bike.

I would suggest you post a summary of your experience on the Dealer Forum (under the General section). Just a few days ago, a fella on the Speedmaster/America forum was looking for a dealer in NYC. Don't want him going to this place. People don't realize that there is a huge amount of variability from dealer to dealer, even within the same locale, in terms of pricing policies, negotiation strategies, and overall attitude. But we can at least let each other know when a dealer needs to be avoided. Sorry you had to be the one to find out.

mecscc · 05-20-2007

I'm sorry for your troubles, but you actually came out pretty good, and I think you will realize it after you simmer down a bit.

1) you got your deposit back, all of it. Many dealers will not refund all of the deposit, or, at a minimum make you sweat and/or scream for it.

2) you found a dealer who will save you a lot of money. I don't know how "loyal" you thought your dealer would be to you; but it is rare indeed to find any dealer who will truly be loyal to you. If you wonder what would happen if you tested your dealer's loyalty: you versus more profit, you lose.

3) you found out now, before you bought the bike, that the guy is a jerk. You could have found out later when you really needed him to go to bat for you, and he didn't.

4) you learned a valuable lesson that business is business and loyalty is almost never part of the equation. If you want someone to be loyal, look somewhere else than in a business transaction, or buy a dog.

5) You know what you want, what you are willing to pay for it, and there is at least one dealer, and there are probably many more, who will deal with you at your price.

Again, sorry for your troubles, totally understand why you are upset, but think you will be less likely to enter into anything in the future that doesn't protect your interests.

BTW: If you really want a firm deal then both you and the dealer must sign the deal at the time you make the deposit. Most dealers won't do that.

Now, go get that new bike somewhere else and enjoy it!

Monte

Colonel_Dorkus · 05-20-2007

Dealers are there to make a buck. Some care, some don't.
I didn't get a good price on my new 07 bonnie black. 8,600 OTD. Not that happy about the price, but I could have gone elsewhere. No one to blame but myself. The dealers argument is that the blacks are hot sellers. Have to believe him cause I never see any on cycle trader in CA. I could have driven to Southern Cal and got a T100 for 8300 OTD. But the only thing I liked about the T100 was the two tone tank.
However I hate being lied to. I told the dealer I knew he could go lower on the price and still make a profit. He told me he couldn't. Another thing that kind of ticked me off was when I went to pick up the bike. I took off work early, called the dealer and told him I was coming by to pick up the bike. He said, OK, come by any time. When I got there he was with a customer. He said i should have called first cause he was busy. ***???
Sorry for the hijack/rant, but the subject of dealers kind of struck a chord.

-Aaron