Have sales strategies changed or am I just getting old?

[NDK]

So in my intro I described my search for a super tenere. The dealership with the used bike and I couldn't agree on a price (they were also 375 miles away) so I decided to look into the new leftover '23s. I contacted 2 different dealers and Friday my wife and I drove down to check the bike out. Never doing business with either one we chose this dealership simply because it was 20 miles closer.
We go through all the formalities and get down to business. They gave us a price which they said was "their best". Being someone who doesn't want to make a quick decision I told them we'd sleep on it and call them back Saturday. We talk it over during dinner and decided to call the salesman in the morning and make an offer $679 less than what they were asking.
Here's where the confusion on my part comes in. The salesman tells me they're not dropping the price another penny, and they're not paying me to take the bike. I thought that was quite rude. I had another card up my sleeve so I asked him to add heated grips and the air deflectors for the fairing. He shot that down right away saying that's the price and nothing else will be added either. I could tell he was quite offended and wouldn't listen to any reasoning on my part so I told him $xxx is my offer and if you change your mind give me a call.

So my understanding of purchasing a vehicle (for transparency I've never bought a bike from a dealership but have bought cars) is you go back and forth a bit, "Do the dance"...

Has that changed? Am I missing something or does this guy maybe need a lesson in salesmanship or patience?

 

[gv550]

It varies from dealership and with salespeople in the same dealership. I bought a used T12 last month, it was listed at $6000 which I thought was very fair but I was in no hurry to drive 6 hours round trip on the interstate to go see it. I did phone them just to get details, not to haggle , but the salesman lowered the price twice just to prevent me hanging up the phone.
So I went to see it, the bike was in great condition, they let me ride it, they phoned the PO so I could ask about its service history, and generally treated me respectfully. After a bit more chatting he offered another price drop..... so I offered $4800 plus tax and tag and now own the bike.

 

[cyclemike4]

So in my intro I described my search for a super tenere. The dealership with the used bike and I couldn't agree on a price (they were also 375 miles away) so I decided to look into the new leftover '23s. I contacted 2 different dealers and Friday my wife and I drove down to check the bike out. Never doing business with either one we chose this dealership simply because it was 20 miles closer.
We go through all the formalities and get down to business. They gave us a price which they said was "their best". Being someone who doesn't want to make a quick decision I told them we'd sleep on it and call them back Saturday. We talk it over during dinner and decided to call the salesman in the morning and make an offer $679 less than what they were asking.
Here's where the confusion on my part comes in. The salesman tells me they're not dropping the price another penny, and they're not paying me to take the bike. I thought that was quite rude. I had another card up my sleeve so I asked him to add heated grips and the air deflectors for the fairing. He shot that down right away saying that's the price and nothing else will be added either. I could tell he was quite offended and wouldn't listen to any reasoning on my part so I told him $xxx is my offer and if you change your mind give me a call.

So my understanding of purchasing a vehicle (for transparency I've never bought a bike from a dealership but have bought cars) is you go back and forth a bit, "Do the dance"...

Has that changed? Am I missing something or does this guy maybe need a lesson in salesmanship or patience?

I think everything is changing in the motorcycle industry. It seems they want you to put a deposit down and wait on a bike you have not rode or seen. they just don't seem to keep bikes on the floor any more. I have to admit I see the bike industry being a hard place to survive these days. Not many new riders coming into this life style at all. With that in mind I can see not wanting to haggle to much on price but being nice is the only way to deal with customers if you want to make sale then or possibly in the future.

 

[OldRider]

I would go over his head and call the owner or manager and tell him I will give you $xxxx out the door. The Tenere isn't a hot seller for any dealer and he may want to get rid of it. The salesman may not have very much incentive to deal with you.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . I had another card up my sleeve so I asked him to add heated grips and the air deflectors for the fairing. . . .

I don't know if you were aware, or it was part of your strategy, but from '19 on, all Teneres are ES and come with heated grips. And if he didn't know that, that is all you need to know about that place.

 

[Sierra1]

I think everything is changing in the motorcycle industry. . . .

My local dealer, which has been fantastic, has been sold. I haven't been in yet, but my kids have. They've only bought oil/filters, so they don't know if the entire crew is still there or not. Hopefully the new owner is as customer friendly as the last.

 

[TenereGUY]

Yes, it has changed since Covid. Even cars now there isn't much dealing. Still I know people who have gotten good deals on 23 leftover bikes. Keep looking!

 

[Want2]

I purchased a leftover 23 in the last week of February, they had the motorcycle for a long time and were very motivated to move it off the showroom. They make a showroom payment at the end of each month for the loans they have on their current floor inventory so it’s always best to try and purchase at the end of the month. You can get a motorcycle shipped for around 600. I have in the past purchased a motorcycle from New York and they delivered it to my doorstep. I would look for some out of the way dealership and try and work a deal and get it shipped. There is a new one in Bristol Wisconsin with 33 miles on it with wind deflector ans
d 3 hard bags for 14,999. Not too bad of a deal.

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[Sierra1]

I think it's a hit or miss nowadays. We got $5k off of my wife's MX-5 and .9% apr. It was a '22 leftover in '23, but zero miles. That was the Mazda dealer. Now, the Jeep dealer was the opposite. Told my FJR kid that since his Dart was a manual, that was going to reduce the trade-in due to not being popular. I immediately said "cool, the Jeep we're looking at is a manual too, so it will be cheaper too?" Long story short, we left without a Jeep.

 

[Highwayman]

I think it's a hit or miss nowadays. We got $5k off of my wife's MX-5 and .9% apr. It was a '22 leftover in '23, but zero miles. That was the Mazda dealer. Now, the Jeep dealer was the opposite. Told my FJR kid that since his Dart was a manual, that was going to reduce the trade-in due to not being popular. I immediately said "cool, the Jeep we're looking at is a manual too, so it will be cheaper too?" Long story short, we left without a Jeep.

Do yourself a favor if you do get a JL.... Skip the manual.... Crappy trans and clutch setup and I had constant issues with it... Only way I finally got it to work properly is a B&M shifter and a full hydro clutch conversion. After having the trans out 3x over 80k miles. The one thing I regretted with my Jeep purchase over the years.... Auto is the only way to go with Wranglers IMHO....

 

[Sierra1]

Well, his is an auto JKU, but mine is a manual JKU. Got it new in Dec '12 after waiting for two months and it only cost me $28K. I don't do rock crawling or mudding, but I pull trailers and stumps and haven't had one issue with mine. Being able to hold a gear to redline is one of my favorite things about a manual. (Italian tune-up) I get to use all of my 285hp. She'll do 100mph in 6th, and 120 in 5th. I also only have 265x75 16s with a 3:73:1 ratio. And I average 16.5mpg.

Ya' got a good looking jeep. Doesn't look like there's much OE left on her from this angle.

 

[Checkswrecks]

So in my intro I described my search for a super tenere. The dealership with the used bike and I couldn't agree on a price (they were also 375 miles away) so I decided to look into the new leftover '23s. I contacted 2 different dealers and Friday my wife and I drove down to check the bike out. Never doing business with either one we chose this dealership simply because it was 20 miles closer.
We go through all the formalities and get down to business. They gave us a price which they said was "their best". Being someone who doesn't want to make a quick decision I told them we'd sleep on it and call them back Saturday. We talk it over during dinner and decided to call the salesman in the morning and make an offer $679 less than what they were asking.
Here's where the confusion on my part comes in. The salesman tells me they're not dropping the price another penny, and they're not paying me to take the bike. I thought that was quite rude. I had another card up my sleeve so I asked him to add heated grips and the air deflectors for the fairing. He shot that down right away saying that's the price and nothing else will be added either. I could tell he was quite offended and wouldn't listen to any reasoning on my part so I told him $xxx is my offer and if you change your mind give me a call.

So my understanding of purchasing a vehicle (for transparency I've never bought a bike from a dealership but have bought cars) is you go back and forth a bit, "Do the dance"...

Has that changed? Am I missing something or does this guy maybe need a lesson in salesmanship or patience?

As mentioned, things have changed since COVID.
Whether they will haggle depends on the dealership but having bought one new last year and almost a second, it seems most are standing on whatever price they set at least on the new ones. Used they were willing to negotiate on the one I did buy and one I was looking at.

Here's one from our local ADVRider bull/sell that is in Alexandria VA for a Fly & Ride. Don't know him.
If I'm around you can crash here for a night & have transportation.

2018 Super Tenere ES -- I am the second owner, purchased in Nov 20. ~8,XXX miles (still riding)

FACTORY FEATURES:
-Electronically Adjustable Suspension
-Cruise Control
-Traction Control
-ABS
-Heated Grips

ADDITIONAL MODS:
AltRider Skid Plate
AltRider brake pedal
AltRider headlamp Cover
AltRider fork guards
Upgraded Headlamps
SW Motech Crash Bars
SW Motech Pannier Rack
SW Motech Tank Bag
Heli Bar Risers
Kick Stand Foot
V-Stream and Puig Windshields
Pivot Pegs
Tank side grips
Lithium battery
Hella dual horn
RIGID auxiliary LED light w/ auto-dimming feature
Original tires with good tread
Delkevic 15" oval muffler (comes w/ factory exhaust)
Comfort foam grips
GIVI hard cases (panniers and top case)
Wired GARMIN XT GPS Ram Mount (GPS AVAILABLE, $ NEG)

TERMS:
$10,750
CASH or CERTIFIED BANK CHECK (you take possession of bike only after funds clear my bank).
Local pick up only.

I'm probably forgetting a few items. I'm selling because I don't ride it enough to justify owning it. Bike runs great. No issues whatsoever. Oil changed three times during my ownership (purchased it w/ approximately ~5k) w/ Mobile 1 synthetic. No major dents or scratches.

Best way to reach me is via phone or text at 210-seven seven seven - nineteen thirty 3.

Located in 22306.


View attachment 5794875

 

[Highwayman]

Well, his is an auto JKU, but mine is a manual JKU. Got it new in Dec '12 after waiting for two months and it only cost me $28K. I don't do rock crawling or mudding, but I pull trailers and stumps and haven't had one issue with mine. Being able to hold a gear to redline is one of my favorite things about a manual. (Italian tune-up) I get to use all of my 285hp. She'll do 100mph in 6th, and 120 in 5th. I also only have 265x75 16s with a 3:73:1 ratio. And I average 16.5mpg.

Ya' got a good looking jeep. Doesn't look like there's much OE left on her from this angle.

I always had issues with the awful throwing bearing clatter... Always a stick guy, but I hated Jeeps setup and I'd of done auto no doubt if I had a do-over. Its a common problem with their awful semi-hydro throwout bearing set up. I tried three separate brands of throw out bearings with no luck (they'd all rattle after 5 to 10k and sounded like a diesel). I also had issues with the awful long shift lever throws and constant popping out of gear in rough stuff. The centerforce full hydro setup and B&M shifter cured the OEM ills finally and I was sick of constantly pulling the trans in & out. But I did wheel it through alot of abusive stuff.

Yeah it was a build over 13 years and eventually wound up on 40s and built right by myself front to back. I loved it but actually just sold it to a gent from WA. Wife has worsening back issues and can't do Jeeping anymore. Had an amazing time in alot of States and with amazing people and will probably get back into it again with a built buggy next go around. BUT, I do miss it and even the wife hated to see "Rubio" go.

I've moved on to another project I've always wanted to do Raptor.

 

[NDK]

I appreciate the input guys. And thank you @Sierra1 for the info about heated grips. I didn't know that either

Another thing I was skeptical about was the #s they gave me on the print out just didn't add up. I tried several different ways and couldn't get the # they did. I'm guessing they were putting some kind of hidden charge in there.

We did end up talking to the other dealership that I originally emailed as well... He was firm on the price he quoted me in the email, said they're barely making a couple hundred off it. I said throw in the wind deflectors and we've got a deal...

We pick up my new bike Friday

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . He was firm on the price he quoted me in the email, said they're barely making a couple hundred off it . . . .

That may, or may not, be true. Some dealers will sell a bike at a loss on the assumption that they'll make it back in service and parts. It's also a common claim from car dealers to claim a low profit. My dealer gave me an ES for the price of a non-ES; $1,000 off. But he also discounts tires/helmets/etc. He said making a smaller profit off of more people instead of making more profit off of less people made him more profit. I'm hoping the new owners of the shop will carry on this practice.

 

[NDK]

The dealership where I'm buying the bike is 130 miles from home. Unfortunately I probably won't be going back unless they really impress me.

Hopefully your dealer's new owners continue and retain their current employees, sounds like you've got a good thing there.

 

[Sierra1]

The dealership where I'm buying the bike is 130 miles from home. Unfortunately I probably won't be going back unless they really impress me. . . .

It surprises me how far apart dealers are up there and elsewhere. We're the state with the reputation long travel distances. But the big 4 from Japan seem to have dealers all over the place. That being said, many are smaller dealerships and I'd be leery of expecting them to "know" a Tenere well enough to let them service it.

 

[cyclemike4]

About 40 years ago i stumbled across a dealer that really helped me out. From that day on i never had any desire to go any place else. They knew everything about every machine they ever sold! Amazing wealth of information stored in the minds of the workers and owners. I bought new bikes used bikes and new four wheelers from them over the years. Who knows how many thousands in parts over that time? If there was a cheaper or better alternative they were always willing to let me know and i appreciated that. They never haggled on prices but they always had new stuff i looked at 300 to 400 cheaper than any one and never tacked on a single charge of any kind. No shipping no set up nothing! They always had parts on hand and fluids whatever i needed. Unfortunatley they retired and the shop eventually closed. I went to a huge shop over in Lexington the other day for some things and the feller waiting on me didnt even know a super tenere was a yamaha and a DR650 was a Suzuki. Add to that the only part they have on hand is oil filters as far as i can tell. First you must be nice to the customers but you have to know your job and buisness!

 

[NDK]

I just moved here 3 yrs ago. There's a Yamaha/Honda etc dealer 20 miles away but I found out their reputation isn't an exaggeration. Brought my wife's NC750X in for a recall which was something with the computer. 30 min deal... Sat there for 3 weeks without them batting an eye at it. They told me winterizing snowmobiles was higher priority to them. Took it back to the dealer we bought it from up in Hermantown (Duluth) and it was done in 2 days. If I hadn't gotten it there so late that day they would have done it while I waited.

Unfortunately regardless of service the dealer we are buying from & the janky one were the closest with an S10 in stock.

 

[thughes317]

Unfortunatley they retired and the shop eventually closed. I went to a huge shop over in Lexington the other day for some things and the feller waiting on me didnt even know a super tenere was a yamaha and a DR650 was a Suzuki. Add to that the only part they have on hand is oil filters as far as i can tell.

Sounds like United Motorsports? At least there's a Hooters in the plaza across the street.