what to expect regarding "negotiations" - Ducati.ms

407guy · Sep 8th, 2011, 6:38 pm

I'm trying to get some color on dealerships and what to possibly expect if/when I go and buy a Ducati (specifically the HM796 at this moment).

Do they stick to MSRP?

Is there a "standard" dealer fee/prep charge?

Any delivery fees (like with cars)?

I understand that some bikes and their price point don't leave much room to negotiate but I wanted to ask anyway.

Thanks for any info.

P.S. What if a dealership quotes a price above MSRP as the "price"? I've already had that happen specific to a 2011 HM796. I was quoted $500 more than the MSRP of $9995 on ducatiusa.com. And then it was TT&L and dealer fees on top of that price.

Dmitry · Sep 8th, 2011, 6:56 pm

Bike mark up is 10%-15%, dealer prep and destination (freight) charges are charged on top of MSRP and about $500 on average.

My local dealer charges couple hundred for freight, don't think they charge prep, also they probably would lower the price if you were ready to buy with cash in hand.

407guy · Sep 8th, 2011, 7:11 pm

Cool, thanks. My purchase would be writing a check and calling it a day.

Dmitry · Sep 8th, 2011, 7:19 pm

I think in FL dealers are more prosperous than here in North East having a riding season year round.

I would offer $9K out the door and wave a check.

LessPeople_MoreRobots · Sep 8th, 2011, 9:18 pm

Make sure you call around to other dealerships in nearby cities. If you can go as far as Ft Myers, ask for a quote from them. I've found the best deals in the state there.

rwortman · Sep 8th, 2011, 10:30 pm

Find a dealer that you like doing business with and just hanging around. A good dealership is like Cheers. You walk in and everyone knows your name and says hello. You can drop in just to BS and talk bikes. Once you have found that, they are going to give you a decent deal. Take it. It's not worth it to shop all over the state or region to save a few hundred bucks, buy the bike from some knucklehead you will never get to know, and then rely on your local dealer to service it. It is not a testament to your manhood or intelligence to brag about the lowest price anyone ever paid for the bike you want. Motorcycling is fun, find the dealer that helps make it fun and then pay him a decent price for his products and services.

johnny_boy02 · Sep 8th, 2011, 10:45 pm

Everything is negotiable. Make up your mind about what you want to pay and offer that, leave if they dont accept. I paid $1000 under MSRP out the door for my bike and they paid $500 over book price for my trade in. .

Why not get used?

Dmitry · Sep 8th, 2011, 10:52 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwortman

Find a dealer that you like doing business with and just hanging around <...>

Yeah, that too, I would not throw my local dealer (Razee's) under a bus for couple hundred.

Also I've heard horror stories about some purchases.

Cyrano · Sep 8th, 2011, 11:37 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwortman

Find a dealer that you like doing business with and just hanging around. A good dealership is like Cheers. You walk in and everyone knows your name and says hello. You can drop in just to BS and talk bikes. Once you have found that, they are going to give you a decent deal. Take it. It's not worth it to shop all over the state or region to save a few hundred bucks, buy the bike from some knucklehead you will never get to know, and then rely on your local dealer to service it. It is not a testament to your manhood or intelligence to brag about the lowest price anyone ever paid for the bike you want. Motorcycling is fun, find the dealer that helps make it fun and then pay him a decent price for his products and services.

+1. Building a pleasant relationship with a professional and honest dealership will save you money in the long run and reward you in ways that can't be measured monetarily.

407guy · Sep 9th, 2011, 7:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwortman

Find a dealer that you like doing business with and just hanging around. A good dealership is like Cheers. You walk in and everyone knows your name and says hello. You can drop in just to BS and talk bikes. Once you have found that, they are going to give you a decent deal. Take it. It's not worth it to shop all over the state or region to save a few hundred bucks, buy the bike from some knucklehead you will never get to know, and then rely on your local dealer to service it. It is not a testament to your manhood or intelligence to brag about the lowest price anyone ever paid for the bike you want. Motorcycling is fun, find the dealer that helps make it fun and then pay him a decent price for his products and services.

Yes. I agree completely. I'm not going to haggle and mess around to save a couple hundred bucks "just because". The total package of the dealership is important to me.

And thanks everyone for the info. Keep it coming.