Buying Tips
Bill Of Sale.
When you are shopping for a Harley-Davidson® always ask that the salesperson to "write the deal" for you to take HOME and review. If they are reluctant or unwilling to put things on paper, pay close attention to that. Insist on seeing "all the numbers" NOT just the monthly payment if you are financing the motorcycle. Many dealers sell the monthly payment without disclosing the price, interest rate or term used to determine the quoted payment. This is a shell game. They give you a low price on a new motorcycle and/or a high price on your trade but add hidden fees and/or interest rate mark-ups to make up the difference. You have the right to know this information before signing any deal.
Hidden Fees.
Be on the lookout for hidden fees. Charges such as freight ($300-$380) setup ($250-$500) and Documentary fees ($100-$300) are customary and reflect real costs incurred by the Dealership. However, these fees should be shown as separate line items in the Bill of Sale and not hidden in the price of the motorcycle.
Financing.
Again, you have the right to know every detail of the purchase you're making, including loan terms. Banks and other financing companies, including Harley-Davidson®, control the same terms in every loan: the amount loaned, interest rate and length of the loan. Financing with Battle Creek Harley Davidson®.
Interest Rates.
Know your bank's (or credit union's) interest rates before you visit a dealership. Interest rates vary from bank to bank and between dealerships. Some dealers may increase the interest rate you're charged to make up for the great deal you're getting on your new motorcycle or trade-in. While you may end up paying less for the motorcycle at these dealerships, you'll more than give that money back in terms of total finance charges over the life of the loan. Always remember what they say about deals that are too good to be true. Financing with Battle Creek Harley Davidson®.
Loan Term.
Know the number of months you'll be paying that low monthly payment. Generally, the longer the loan, the higher the interest rate. Longer loan terms take longer to build equity in your motorcycle, an important consideration if you're thinking of upgrading within a few years. You'll also pay a lot more interest over the life of the loan with longer terms. Ten year loans may result in a payment that fits your budget, but be aware of all the potential costs of that loan. Financing with Battle Creek Harley Davidson®.
Harley-Davidson® Literature.
Ask for a copy of the Harley-Davidson® literature. Ask to compare what they are selling their motorcycle for compared to what the literature says. Ask the salesperson how they arrived at their price using Harley-Davidson® literature.
Hang Tags.
Does the motorcycle have a hang tag clearly displaying the vehicles options and the price of that motorcycle? If not, can you get a price from a salesperson with reasonably little effort, or will you be passed around to other sales staff to negotiate your day away? If it takes sitting down with three different people before you know what the motorcycle actually costs, is that a dealership you want to do business with?
Incentives.
Dealers (and lenders) may offer no payment or interest rate incentives that can be charged to the dealer. Make sure any fees associated with a "free" financing incentive are not placed elsewhere in the deal. Again, you know what they say about a deal too good to be true.
Valuing Your Trade.
Trade-ins are a great place for Dealers to mask what's really going on with the deal. Be cautious of trade-in offers that exceed normal market values because sometimes they are added back into the price of the new motorcycle you purchasing. Ask questions like: "What is the actual cash value of my trade?" and "What is the price of the new motorcycle without my trade?" You can research your trade value at NADA (www.nada.com ) and Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com). Have those numbers with you when you head to the dealership. Let Battle Creek Harley Davidson® value your trade!
Warranty.
All new Harley-Davidson® motorcycles come with a two year, unlimited mileage warranty. Harley-Davidson® also offers extended warranties that you can purchase quite reasonably. Pre-owned motorcycles may be sold "As-Is", with a limited dealership warranty or with a Harley-Davidson® factory warranty. Be sure you know what coverage you have before you complete the purchase of a pre-owned motorcycle.
Follow Up.
Some dealers use dedicated staff to follow up after a dealership visit, while others use full time telemarketing companies to call out to you. Showing a customer you are interested in earning their business and being a nuisance are two different things. We all deserve to eat dinner without a telemarketer's phone call. We hope these tips are helpful in your search for a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. If we can answer any questions, don't hesitate to call Shannon or Robert at (269) 979-2233.