Yea, so yesterday, I get a call from the local dealership, as I had put in a request for a ballpark on the Blackline Dark Custom. Ya know, the one I've been talking about. He asked me if I had made a purchase yet, and if not, would I be interested in coming in and taking that baby out for a test ride. I was like "damn straight", what time ya want me there?  So we made the appointment, and I was stoked.  Today, however, I get an email, from same dude, beggin' off because of "a back injury".  Fine, I emailed back, we can reschedule. A couple hours later, I check my email again, and this time I get one from him, inquiring if I had straightened out my financing situation. Six months ago, when I tried to make a purchase, an old medical bill had shown up, and that put a hitch in the purchase. They said I would need a co-signer.  Hell no. The last brand new bike I bought was paid off in six months.  Why do I need a damn co-signer?  Especially for a bill that was supposed to have been covered by medicaid. I ain't blaming anyone here, I just don't understand, how a person with good credit (for the most part) and a paying job, now needs a co-signer. I had a feeling when he told me he was injured, that this is what he was really leading up to. I would have appreciated honesty. This just feels like another one up the tailpipe. And I didn't even get kissed first.   Ride Free

Tweek

Mate you wanna try and get finance over here..I still blush and feel a little dirty when i think about the last time i tried.Its bloody hard work here..CHEERS BOOF

Yeah, it's a raw deal. And the worst is that when ya pay the darn thing off early they could care less!

My two cents:
Screw him. Go to the bank. Preferably the bank you use and talk about a motorcycle loan. If your credit is pretty good and you don't have any B.S at the bank (decent amount of $ in the account, no returned checks) they should give you a decent rate. The rate will probably not be as good as the dealer but, there is a way to deal with that. New bikes are not selling as well as they have in the past and Harley (because of the higher cost) are effected more then many others. Used bike sales are still pretty strong but, new ones are not selling as well.

Tell them you are paying cash. This puts them in the position of talking only about price. When a dealer provides the loan they can screw with the price. They can offer a lower price and make up the money by tweeking your rates.

If you pay cash/pre-approved loan you take alot of B.S out of the situation. Make sure to tell them you are paying cash. You can always say you decided to go with your bank after you've got the price.

Shop around. Go to several different dealer and low ball there asses. Be prepared to walk away. Low ball and walk. Then, after you've visited some dealers evaluate who seemed to be the most willing to deal. Call the salesman, or better yet, call the sales manager and request a test drive.

After your ride, remind them of your original offer and tell them you liked the bike so much your willing to talk some more. DO NOT TELL THEM WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY. They will ask but, don't tell them. Insist they tell you how low they will go. This wil allow you to work them down. If you name a price they will only try to work you up.

Hope I was helpful and good luck.

A little more about sales managers. In most cases a sales manger is rewarded by annual sales with a bonus as opposed to a salesman who is awarded a percentage of each sale. Sales managers can sometimes be better to deal with because they are not as dependent on making money off of a sale as they are volume so, they can be more willing to go low. Especially, during the end of the year. That being said, they are not always allowed to make direct sales and sometimes they serve a dual purpose as sale and sales management, especially in small dealerships.

Oh, and when you get your new bike, make sure to ride over to the dealer who's playing games with you and show the guy you're new bike. There is no better way to say FU to a salesman then to show him his loss. Make sure to tell him you paid way more then you actually did. Hehe

 I will definitely try ya'lls advice and thanks. This guy is a sales manager, unbelievably, whom I've had "dealings" with in the past. And they weren't positive then either.  I complained to the Head Honcho here in J'ville, and he told me they wanted to straighten it all out, and offered me "the best deal in the nation", if I purchased from them.  It all comes down to one thing.  I hate to say it, but, I believe plain and simple, it's the fact that I'm a woman.  I never read about this kind of issue, coming up with the guys.  Have they ever asked you, if you had a down payment when you wanted to take a test ride?  That's what happened the first time.  I told them, I won't purchase a bike without a test ride, period. 

I agree with StBobber. Go do some more legwork,check out surrounding dealerships in your area,also ask the salesperson if they are willing to show you what the dealer invoice was for the bike.Go online n research the pricing across the country & state.Dont forget that you can often times picked up a "slightly used" model of the bike within 6 mo's of it hitting the showroom floor,and save considerably.

With respects to the woman issue & downpayment,I was treated pretty much the same way when I was looking at them in 02,tho friends have told me those sorts of practices have changed locally here,the market demands friendly sales tactics,its dog eat dog..n yes low ball low ball low ball,n stick to ur guns!!! no talke money till its in writing.

Yeah I know the feeling there...I bought a new 2009 Crossbones and paid a very hefty amount down which only left less than third of the price to finance.....Harley Davidson Credit gave me a lame excuse and a jacked up intrest rate...bottom line is that they just wanted to get their intrest as same as if  financed the whole amount....they were like blah blah this and that and they didnt know what to say when I told them that I was in the process of closing a home loan at 4.25% at this time....sooooo they didnt even check?.....and I had already paid off a 2006 Harley in 2 years.....I love my Harleys...but I am begining to dislike the company..Their moto is supposed to be screw it lets ride...not screw us so we can ride!!!!

I couldn't get a test run on my new one. I told the salesman that if I could not ride it, then I would not buy it. He had everything written up and ready for me to sign too. He made the offer that I could ride it home and if I was not happy with it and I returned it the next day, all paperwork would be torn up. Told him to put it in writing. He did and I rode off. Needless, I didn't return the bike. Point is, be prepared to walk if there is an issue with money, test ride, etc. Times are tough out there, espically for the sales people.

I'm beginning to see that alot of people had or are having issues, and I just don't get it. I wanted to blame it on my being a woman, (and in my case, I still feel that way), but I'm seeing things thru fresh eyes. Maybe, if the company did a little research of their own, like reading pages like these, they would make an effort to retain the people who have been good customers, up until now. In this economy, it's just not smart business practice, to try and "jack up" anything. And a simple handshake could be trusted. Times have changed, folks. But I'm betting that America's Motorcycle Company, needs to do some serious adjusting, or they may end up being a thing of the past. And I would really hate to see that happen, cause I have been a proud Harley-Davidson owner, for the better part of my life!
Ride Free
Tweek

Whatever will be will be. Todays business people have forgotten what customer service means, be it motorcycles or automobiles. I mean, we didn't pay 10 cents for the things we drive or ride. A person can't be blamed for trying to get the BEST for the BEST possible deal they can. Money is tight everywhere.. But you are right tweek. What happened to the good old handshake, treating a returning customer fairly and honestly (regardless of gender) knowing that customer will be back or provide referals, etc. I could go on and on, but I'm sure it has been covered before.

I don't know how things have changed since june 09 when I purchased my bike. I had no intention of buying one till may be this year so as to have a good chuck of the money for the bike. Well I was a bit streched for cash and came across a deal on my bike. That and I didn't think my credit was up to par. Thinking what the hell I scrapped up as much cash as I could spare and figured that if I got financing ok if not so be it. Sure as shit they didn't bat a eye and had financing for the bike.
You may need to check on another dealer or two. If they want to sell bikes they will find away to accomadate you. That's just the rules of sales.