Advice requested:dealing with a dealer.

[jwalz1]

Ok, so I am interested in a Kymco Yager. There are several dealers within 100 miles of me but lets start with the one closest. Looks like a nice place, good reputation and I want to support the small business owner and a local business.

They have it listed at sticker price but then say "on top of that there is a $280 shipping charge to get the bike here." Is that typical of Kymco or is the dealer trying to pad profit?

Is paying sticker fairly common in the scooter game or do they deal? (I have never bought a scooter before)

And lastly, I read a post on another scooter board where someone said they picked up (dated in the fall of last year) a brand new Yager for $2700 (instead of the $3500 list) and was about $3200 out the door. I don't need to do THAT well and don't want to deny the business a little profit, just don't want to get screwed either. What am I likely to hear if I say I will pay $3k for the $3500 list bike and no shipping charge? Get lost? A counter offer? Or SOLD!

I see myself maybe riding 300 miles a year so don't want to pay a ton, even though the Kymco is a good product. If I have to pay more than $3k for it, I would just get my second choice, a Glory for $1500. Not trying to stick it to the dealer, just want a nice way to say "If there is a way to put me into one and you can still make a profit you can live with, lets do it. Otherwise, no offense intended, but I will just get the much cheaper option which is a pretty good bike. "

I say this because I worked an an auto dealer as a teen that had a couple different managers in my stint. One had to go for a high "take" on each model or let the customer walk. The other manager could size people up and get the high take out of the willing buyers, but still make some money off the cheapskates instead of letting them walk out the door. He realized if he sold cars to the cheapskates, Chrysler would still make all he could order.

Thanks.

[Carolina Fun Machines]

The dealer selling the Glory is making as much profit on the Glory as the Kymco dealer is on its unit. If you have not been in the business it's hard to understand the little profit margins some of these dealers have on their products.

[imnts2]

First and formost stop confusing yourself trying to read the dealers mind. You are not a mind reder
Secondly, while it would be nice t make a friend, you really don't want to marry him do you!!!
Waht you want to do is buy the scoot as cheaply as you can. you are willing to pay him a bit more cause he is near and you will probably want him to service the warrenty.

Keep that in mind. Waht you want is what you need to focus on.
May I ask you why you want athat particular make and model?
What you want in a scoot and why.

Lots of great choices. What city are you in? What are you going to do with it? Do you have a Motorcycle enrosement on your liscense?
Cheers
lefty2



Sort of amke a friendly game out of it. You do not not have to buy from him. YOu can buy a Kymco form anyone you want.

[porboy298]

I'd check with the other dealers and see what they would sale the same scooter out the door and that would give you some ammo to use.

[alexl]

There is very little room off msrp for ANYTHING with two wheels, whether that be a scooter or a harley or ducatti. That said, you SHOULD try. I purchased my super 8 as a year old "demo" model that had 400 kms and the full 2 year factory waranty starting the day i signed. I payed 1800 instead of 2400 new. YES, the "delivery" charge is common, as it is with any "luxury" item such as motorcycles and boats. I'm not saying they all do it, just that its common. The place i bought my kymco was an out-the-door-price on the sticker place, i paid 1800 OTD, that is uncommon. I would start by trying to get them to wave the delivery, that is probably your best bet. Oh and by the way.. you will drive WAY WAY WAY more than 300 miles once you get going . i bought mine just to go back and forth to school, that was 8 months and 2,000 miles ago.

[ootscoot]

As a dealer, I try to do all I can to help a customer get into the most suitable bike that meets their needs, and still make a living. There really is not much markup for the dealer. In your case, if 300 mi per year is how little you would be using the bike I would want EFI, as carbureted bikes don't like sitting around. The Yager is an excellent ride and well worth $3700.
The shipping costs vary, depending on warehouse location, number of bikes per load, etc... I usually order several bikes at a time, I use a forklift so liftgate charges not needed, and my warehouse is within the same state, so my freight charges per bike are not too bad - I absorb them. $280 per bike is about $200 more than I get charged...
Everyday someone asks me what kind of deal can I get on a good bike? - I do my best to work with my customer - first to find the most suitable bike, then to make it as affordable as possible - and still stay in business. I enjoy bargaining with my customers as long as it is friendly and non-confrontational - there are things I can do to help - free helmets, deliver the bike to them, scoot lessons, test rides, free service, and so on.
So don't be afraid to ask what your dealer can do for you - you might make a new friend...

[skuttadawg]

Only 300 miles ? I put that many on in two days as I love scooting . I understand you do not need to pay alot for a scooter than you will barely ride . I would get the Glory , enjoy it , save the extra money and I am sure you will get more than 300 miles quickly as EFI and LC scooters perform better and are much more reliable . The Glory has an unlimited mile 2 year warranty requiring the very first oil change be done by the dealer . The Glory has disc brakes on both ends as drums are a deal breaker for me , 14 inch wheels , halogen headlight and LED dash .

I have an Echarm which has the same engine an at 5,500 miles only a single valve adjustment and oil changes and it still runs like day one . The drive belt is much thicker than most and lasts longer , my dealer told me a client has over 10,000 on factory belt and still working . I am going to be the first Echarm to ever have the variator ever taken off due to well built and get Dr Pulley sliders of same weight . A MRP video of Echarm review said the the Dr Pulley clutch made no dif as it already had a quality one . The rear shocks are too springy for me and MainPeace has some nitrogen for 49 or 79 with reservoir eshop.mainelyscooters.com/product-category/cat-suspension/ I will do some checking to make sure they will fit but byfar the best deal I have seen .

Since you can afford 3 grand why not get two Glorys so you can ride with a guest ?

[jwalz1]

First let me say thank you for honest responses. I do wish to form a relationship with a good dealer and might see myself as owning a few scooters. I think that a yager is a good bike but have a price that works for me or it is option 2. I can go with either bike and be satisfied and want the dealer to understand but do not want to deprive the dealer his living. I just want to communicate that I have options and if I can get a good deal to start with I might be a lifetime customer . I'd rather make a trusted partner long term than get a rock bottom deal, but don't want to get things like delivery charges if they are for just newbies.

[hardd1]

a sensible solution would be if all powersport distributors would adopt the mandated automobile standard of charging the same freight cost to dealerships whether they are in Mesa, Arizona or Bangor, Maine.....simplifies any questionable charges

[jwalz1]

But is the freight on a scooter (on top of suggested retail price) at a dealer a customary thing or is it just a dealer add on? Like when you buy a car and they try to put $1,000 on it for a "protection package" or some gimmick just to add profit.

[Scooter Elements]

well idk if this is the same but when my dad back in 2001 bought a brand new mustang the one he wanted they did not have at that dealership i think they charged him like 500 dollars for a delivery fee for them to bring it to that dealership.

[jwalz1]

This is probably a better question for the Kymco forum and should try it there. This particular dealer has a big show room, and keeps one of each model for several different brands of scooters (vespa, genuine, kymco, etc. ) The have the one to demo and anything you buy is ordered and they have a every scooter listed at MSRP, then the small print on the tag has an "out the door price" which includes TTL + a freight charge of a few hundred dollars.

[Carolina Fun Machines]

With fuel costing what it is freight has become a bigger concern to dealer’s and their profit. Last year we paid over $36,000 for inbound freight. That averaged about $80 per unit. Some units come in for less than $35.00 and some, because of distance and weight, cost $250 to $400 in freight.

When you purchase a car, even one that is already at the dealer’s location, they charge the freight because it is a real cost that if not recaptured can make an average deal a very slim one.

For example, the freight charge on one of our units is equal to 50% of the profit if we sell it at suggested retail.

Some dealers charge as much as $200 for documentation fees and $600 for freight and assembly. Yes and No, depends on local government regulations with DMV and how far the product is fom the dealer and the weight. If you ship a Gold Wing from California to Charlotte I would guess the freight could be $600 or more.

The last thing a new owners wants is to show up at their dealer's location for service and support only to find a sign on the door that they are no longer in business.

With overhead, licenses, insurance, marketing, and city/state/federal taxes it is not an easy business to be successful in. Everyone out there has their hands in your pockets.

[crew]

Hello everyone, This is my first post although I have been al over the forum to scrounge as much info as possible. I am in the market for my first scooter and have decided on a Kymco Super 8. I live on Vancouver Island and most of my commuting will be on hyways of 90km/hr, ( i generally do 70 or 80 as I'm never in a hurry, retired).
There are about 3 dealers that Kymco Canada has listed on their website. The MSRP on the Kymco site is $2,995.00. The lowest price on any of the dealer sites is $3,695.00. This puts the bike out the door at about $4,800.00 which for me is not affordable yet if it were sold according to MSRP I am sure I could justify it. Over 4,000 dollars seems a bit steep for a 150cc. I emailed Kymco and mentioned the difference in the prices and they emailed me back and said,
Quote:"I'll ask them to ensure they update the pricing. 2012 Super 8 150 should be an MSRP of $2995 (plus freight, PDI, admin, taxes). It was reduced from 2011 due to some more competitive pricing from our supplier and a favourable exchange rate."
This led me to a sigh of relief because I really like the Super 8 and would just be able to manage the purchase if it were a little more affordable. Thank you Kymco canada. I only hope when I'm ready to lay the greenbacks down ( late summer) that the chosen dealer passes the new 2012 pricing on to me.

[adoga]

Have you called Scooter Underground in Victoria to confirm the total price?

[crew]

I went on their website but apparently they are changing over to an online store only, so no showroom or shop. I would really like to see, touch and sit on the bike before I buy.

Update: Just got off the phone with Shawn at SCOOTER UNDERGROUND and had a very pleasant conversation. He was able to give me an estimated price which was really great and they are using a local shop for all repairs and PDI so I will be dealing with him in the near future. Thank you for the referral adoga.

[beachbum]

Definitely, shop around and do your homework. I bought a 2010 Honda elite 108cc. The first place we went wanted $4350 otd. The next place wanted $3300 otd. The third place otd was $2999. These are drastic differences in pricing.