daveinva
New member
Hey all, the great news is that after months of figuring out the finances, I'm about to pull the trigger on purchasing a "new" silver 2010 RS SE5! 
hyea:
As much as I wanted to support a local dealer in the D.C. area, I got a bargain I couldn't pass up from a dealer in the Philly area (East Coast Cycle Center). Like all dealers this side of Cowtown, I've heard some good, some bad, so I want to be prepared going into the signature round (I've already locked in a price with a deposit, and I'm getting some options installed by the dealer, but I will see the bike before I sign anything else).
Before my questions, here's my plan:
-- Going up this Saturday to see the Spyder, do the dealer checkout and prep, and sign my bill of sale.
-- Returning home to get my credit union to release the check to FedEx to the dealer NLT Tuesday to release the bike.
-- Using a local company that does motorcycle deliveries throughout the Mid-Atlantic for a very affordable price (will let you all know how that goes), I'll have them pick up the Spyder and bring it home to D.C.
While I rode a three-day Spyder class a little over a month ago, that was on an RT around a parking lot, I do NOT feel comfortable braving I-95 through Philly, Baltimore and D.C. on my first day on my new ride-- I figure if I'm going to have any mechanical problems pop up after delivery, I want to be near my house (and near local Can-Am dealers) instead of stuck by the side of the highway in Delaware. (Not to mention I'd rather spend my first hundred miles in an *actual* parking lot rather than the virtual parking lot that is 95!)
I've read through a zillion threads, so I think I'm prepared with a good checklist for my dealer conversation. I'll get them to demo every last thing on the bike, and ride it around a bit myself to ensure I'm happy with it. Since it's a 2010 model (that's probably been sitting around for a while), I plan on paying particular attention to the battery and tires.
Anything else I should focus on while at the dealer?
Now, my BIG worry, and where I could use some advice from owners who bought out-of-state Spyders: how do I go about maximizing my value to a local dealer? I know that more than one dealer out there unfortunately takes the attitude, "you didn't buy it from here, we don't care about you, go to the back of the line." I'd obviously like to avoid that.
Additionally, if I have any problems with my Spyder right out of the gate, I won't be returning to Philadelphia to confront the dealer I purchased it from, I'll have to get it fixed by a local dealer who doesn't know me from Charlie.
My "plan" is within the first few days to get a state inspection from the dealer I intend to use, and use that opportunity to introduce myself to their BRP technician(s). Then, at my 600 mile service, I'd like to get some mods installed by the dealer just to throw business their way. Hopefully that will buy me enough goodwill to get on their radar screen.
Any other tips for establishing that relationship? I admit, if it wasn't for the excellent price I'm getting, I wouldn't be buying out of state, but since I can't avoid it at this point, I'd like to let my local dealer know in the best way possible that I plan to love them with my checkbook for many years to come
.
Anyway... thanks again to everyone with advice, and a HUGE thank you to all the Spyderlovers posters for making this the place that convinced me to buy the Spyder. Wish me luck!
hyea:As much as I wanted to support a local dealer in the D.C. area, I got a bargain I couldn't pass up from a dealer in the Philly area (East Coast Cycle Center). Like all dealers this side of Cowtown, I've heard some good, some bad, so I want to be prepared going into the signature round (I've already locked in a price with a deposit, and I'm getting some options installed by the dealer, but I will see the bike before I sign anything else).
Before my questions, here's my plan:
-- Going up this Saturday to see the Spyder, do the dealer checkout and prep, and sign my bill of sale.
-- Returning home to get my credit union to release the check to FedEx to the dealer NLT Tuesday to release the bike.
-- Using a local company that does motorcycle deliveries throughout the Mid-Atlantic for a very affordable price (will let you all know how that goes), I'll have them pick up the Spyder and bring it home to D.C.
While I rode a three-day Spyder class a little over a month ago, that was on an RT around a parking lot, I do NOT feel comfortable braving I-95 through Philly, Baltimore and D.C. on my first day on my new ride-- I figure if I'm going to have any mechanical problems pop up after delivery, I want to be near my house (and near local Can-Am dealers) instead of stuck by the side of the highway in Delaware. (Not to mention I'd rather spend my first hundred miles in an *actual* parking lot rather than the virtual parking lot that is 95!)
I've read through a zillion threads, so I think I'm prepared with a good checklist for my dealer conversation. I'll get them to demo every last thing on the bike, and ride it around a bit myself to ensure I'm happy with it. Since it's a 2010 model (that's probably been sitting around for a while), I plan on paying particular attention to the battery and tires.
Anything else I should focus on while at the dealer?
Now, my BIG worry, and where I could use some advice from owners who bought out-of-state Spyders: how do I go about maximizing my value to a local dealer? I know that more than one dealer out there unfortunately takes the attitude, "you didn't buy it from here, we don't care about you, go to the back of the line." I'd obviously like to avoid that.
Additionally, if I have any problems with my Spyder right out of the gate, I won't be returning to Philadelphia to confront the dealer I purchased it from, I'll have to get it fixed by a local dealer who doesn't know me from Charlie.
My "plan" is within the first few days to get a state inspection from the dealer I intend to use, and use that opportunity to introduce myself to their BRP technician(s). Then, at my 600 mile service, I'd like to get some mods installed by the dealer just to throw business their way. Hopefully that will buy me enough goodwill to get on their radar screen.
Any other tips for establishing that relationship? I admit, if it wasn't for the excellent price I'm getting, I wouldn't be buying out of state, but since I can't avoid it at this point, I'd like to let my local dealer know in the best way possible that I plan to love them with my checkbook for many years to come
.Anyway... thanks again to everyone with advice, and a HUGE thank you to all the Spyderlovers posters for making this the place that convinced me to buy the Spyder. Wish me luck!
