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Trade In Value

PW2013STL

Active member
We just returned from a dealer and asked what they would give us on trading in a 2011 HD Road Glide Ultra with 27,000 miles and our 2013 ST-Limited with 4700 miles on it for a 2014 RT-Limited with trailer.
Now I know they do not have the pricing on the 2014's yet, but I assume it will be list that they go with so they can quote me the trade in price that they would give me.
I assumed correctly that they would low ball me on the Harley, but was surprised that they would do the same on the ST.
HD = $13,500
ST = $15,600

$15,600 for a bike that sold for $26,000 this spring:yikes::banghead::mad:
 
That is what dealers do. Remember, that dealer has to buy it from you at a price low enough to make a profit on what they give you for the bike. The only way to come close to market value on any used vehicle is to sell it yourself. We had a low mileage Toyota that my wife drove for 12 years . . . had 60,000 miles. Kelly Blue Book, retail was $4,000 . . . we bought her a 2013 Corolla and the dealer offered $1,800 for the Echo! There was no way I was giving them that kind of deal, so I kept it and traded it to a young fella with a wife and a couple kids for some yard work that I wasn't ever going to get done . . . too much digging!
 
I usually don't get into pricing on new, or trades to get new, because the possibilities are all over the place.

Generally: a trade in price offered by a dealer will usually be at $1,000 to $2,000 less than they anticipate they can sell it for. Some dealers even want more. Accessories if you have them usually count for zilch. If you can get 50% of value--you are doing very good.

A current model, (2013 for a 2014) is where you are usually going to take the biggest hit. Add to that, the fact that the 2013's are somewhat questionable--and it makes the situation even worse. I am guessing trades/resale on 2013's are going to be impaired because of all the bad press. Usually you will not find a good price in KBB or similar for a less than one year old trade in.

If you are serious, you may do better by selling the 2013 outright, rather than trading it in.

A little surprised the dealer was willing to take in two vehicles in trade on one. That is also why you are getting such a lowball offer.
 
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Sell it yourself if you want to get the most bang for your buck...:thumbup:
The dealer isn't in business for YOUR benefit; he's in it for his own family! He's got to do what he needs to, in order to make a profit...
...and I don't begrudge him that...
 
Sell it yourself if you want to get the most bang for your buck...:thumbup:
The dealer isn't in business for YOUR benefit; he's in it for his own family! He's got to do what he needs to, in order to make a profit...
...and I don't begrudge him that...

on that thought give him both bikes for $500.00 each. so he can feed his own family very

well. on Lobster. Ha Ha
 
Have to agree..!!

with Bob..check kelly blue book, nada they give you the three prices. Go from there, selling it yourself will always get you the best deal...good luck..!! :thumbup:
 
Sell it yourself if you want to get the most bang for your buck...:thumbup:
The dealer isn't in business for YOUR benefit; he's in it for his own family! He's got to do what he needs to, in order to make a profit...
...and I don't begrudge him that...

Bob,

I don't begrudge them trying to make a profit, but a $5,000 to $7,000 profit on each bike is to much and then add in the profit on the new outfit. Now that is excessive!

I will be checking with other dealers and see what they will offer. I also will be selling my HD myself. As for the ST I will not accept a $10,000 hit so we may just keep that and add the trailer if I cannot get a better trade offer.
 
It's actually not quite that simple...
They don't start showing profit until the trade-ins are moved. How long they sit; nobody knows! :shocked:
They're going to build as much money up front into the equation just in case they get caught with a bike that doesn't sell...

They DO have more traffic in their showrooms, than you'd ever see in your front yard... But if you can be patient; selling the bikes on your own will always yield more money... and more bargaining postion for you! :thumbup:
 
It's actually not quite that simple...
They don't start showing profit until the trade-ins are moved. How long they sit; nobody knows! :shocked:
They're going to build as much money up front into the equation just in case they get caught with a bike that doesn't sell...

They DO have more traffic in their showrooms, than you'd ever see in your front yard... But if you can be patient; selling the bikes on your own will always yield more money... and more bargaining postion for you! :thumbup:

:agree: Then also they might not know what they're looking up on your ST - Limited and just giving you a low price on a ST
 
I think the key here is the two bike trade in. i'd be curious to know what they would have allowed you if it was just the spyder for a spyder! the addition of the hd and the total of two bikes threw it off!
 
:agree: Then also they might not know what they're looking up on your ST - Limited and just giving you a low price on a ST

They knew this is a limited as they commented on how clean and like new the limited was. The sales lady seemed to know Spyders quite well. She even stated before she gave me the value that there is a $3000 rebate on new limiteds.
 
I think the key here is the two bike trade in. i'd be curious to know what they would have allowed you if it was just the spyder for a spyder! the addition of the hd and the total of two bikes threw it off!

Good point and I will be asking about that as the HD should sell fast, or at lest by spring.
 
It's actually not quite that simple...
They don't start showing profit until the trade-ins are moved. How long they sit; nobody knows! :shocked:
They're going to build as much money up front into the equation just in case they get caught with a bike that doesn't sell...

They DO have more traffic in their showrooms, than you'd ever see in your front yard... But if you can be patient; selling the bikes on your own will always yield more money... and more bargaining postion for you! :thumbup:

Bob,

I do understand where they are coming from due to the fact that I used to be in car sales and we were always told to low ball any offer, but I was surprised with the 40% reduction on the limited.

I do know that I can make more money selling them myself. I was just hoping to avoid the hassle of dealing with the " I want to test ride it, but how do these things work since I have never ridden a motorcycle before" and the " I will be over in One hour " and they never show up
 
Bob
I do know that I can make more money selling them myself. I was just hoping to avoid the hassle of dealing with the " I want to test ride it, but how do these things work since I have never ridden a motorcycle before" and the " I will be over in One hour " and they never show up
You can make more money selling the bike's yourself,however you need to have them priced right to sell quickly and selling them quick also depends on your location.
Also,easier to sell if you have the titles.
If you list them on CL,be prepared for spammers!
As far as test rides,cash in hand before test ride is one approach.Another is no ride at all which can make buyers walk.

Yes trading them in is the easiest way if you can live with the loss.
 
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" Accessories if you have them usually count for zilch"


:agree: That is until the dealer goes to sell that bike. Then they tell the prospective buyers about all the extras on the bike.:gaah:
 
" Accessories if you have them usually count for zilch"


:agree: That is until the dealer goes to sell that bike. Then they tell the prospective buyers about all the extras on the bike.:gaah:

You got that right. When I traded in my RS I was told the comfort seat added no value. That was until I told them I was going to put the OEM seat back on.
 
Will the dealer consider putting them on his floor on consignment? That way you set the price but get the benefit of his traffic. My dealer in Las Vegas does this frequently

Also, have any of you looked at KBB prices? They are pretty unrealistically high considering the deep discounts on the 2013 that the dealers are offering.
 
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