Any negotiating tips and wisdom....

dc112675

Joined
Dec 5, 2014
Messages
167
Location
Hobbs, NM
Bike
2004 ST1300A
As I mentioned in my intro, I located an 04 ST1300 ABS and am going today to look at it. It has a decent price and comes with an extra windshield, an extra "Two Brothers" exhaust (stock is on), 3 seats (sergeant + OEM + Corbin), a top trunk, and a GPS. It has 28k miles and is in great shape (minus a scratch on a saddlbag).

They are asking $5999 + $325 fee for tech maintenance inspection (which they say checks all fluids, rubber, etc) +TTL. The blue book for it is $6,070 in excellent condition, which it is not because of the scratch. I suspect the tires will pass their inspection but need to be replaced very soon.

I feel like it is a buyer's market for several reasons:
End of the month (quota)
End of the year (inventory taxes)
End of season (few buyers)
11 year old bike
Bike is out of production
Not a popular bike (though salesman mentioned it was)
I'm guessing they bought it for about half of the $6300 they are asking...
I have a bike so don't need one
I'm from out of town so this is their only shot to sell to me

Any other thoughts? Thanks in advance. Doug
 
1st off, the bike is not out of production, the current models (since 2013) are NOT being sold in the US. You can still buy brand new in the UK and elsewhere!

If the bike is as clean as you say, it doesn't sound too bad of a deal. If they are asking $5,999, I would probably start at $5,000 and work my way up from there.

They are great bikes, so good luck and hope it works out for you!

:bl13:
 
"I have a bike so don't need one"

Then, you decide how much you want to pay and tell them it's your only offer. Walk away if they balk.
 
Hi Doug, My advice is to not fret too much over the price, but focus on making yourself comfortable that you buying a sound machine. Those couple of hundred dollars you talked a seller down are only a vague memory if the bike soon needs unexpected major repairs or maintenance. A look over by an independent shop or someone familiar with the ST would be a boon. That said, the ST is REALLY well built and the few gotchas it has are well covered in this forum so if you are familiar with working on bikes in general and look through the forum's maintenance section, you can be pretty well prepared to do your own inspection. Hope it works out well for you!
 
I think it's a fair price. All though the extras shouldn't be part of the price, BUT you'll get some excellent aftermarket goodies. It all boils down to what your comfortable with. If you can haggle down one dollar and are happy, then that's what REALLY counts. [emoji106]
 
Hi Doug:

Some thoughts for you...

1) The people at Kelly don't buy cars or motorcycles. Hence, it doesn't matter to you (and should mean even less to the dealer) what the Kelly Blue Book says. If the dealer perseverates about the KBB price, tell them to call Kelly and ask them if they want to buy the bike. That should put an end to that nonsense.

2) I would be a little bit apprehensive about having the selling dealer carry out an inspection on the motorcycle, and would be even more apprehensive about paying them to do it. They are not going to be able to inspect the moto from a neutral point of view, no matter how honest and ethical they are. For example, if they find a defect, what do they do? Fix it themselves and eat the cost of doing so? Disclose the defect to you and jeopardize the sale? Do nothing and say nothing? Bottom line, I would take the $325 inspection right off the table as something you would consider paying for. If the bike needs routine maintenance (fluid changes, etc.) you can do that yourself after referring to the many how-to articles here on the website. If it needs more thorough maintenance, it would be better to take it to anyone except the selling dealer, simply to avoid conflict of interest.

3) $6,000 for a ten year old vehicle is, I think, kind of high. That's about 45% of the original selling price. By way of example, I purchased a 2012 ST 1300 with about 23,000 miles on it for USD $8,900 two months ago. Don't let all those farkles that are included (extra seats, extra mufflers, etc.) distract you... if they weren't included, would you go out and spend money to get them? Not likely. Nothing depreciates faster than farkles on a motorcycle, and many sellers make the mistake of thinking that the next buyer should somehow reimburse them for what they spent on those goodies. The only two things that you mentioned that actually add any value to the moto are the top trunk and the Corbin seat (assuming, of course, that you need/want a top trunk, and assuming you find the Corbin seat to be comfortable). All the rest of the stuff is of no value at all. Even the GPS is of questionable value, unless it is a very new device (less than 18 months old) and includes lifetime map updates.

I suggest you tell them that you simply don't need all the excess stuff (extra windshield, extra exhaust, extra seats) and, if you are satisfied that the bike is in good mechanical condition, offer them $4,500 and work up (a little bit only) from there.

Michael
 
The end decision is really up to u... that said,

I think the price is a bit to high... like mention, imo, closer to 5k... good start point... make an offer and be ready to walk..there are many out there.

and for the $350 service check, I 'd tell them it better have new tires! ( inspection is abt $6, brake fluid $10,oil change $30, all new brake pads if needed $120... and your time doing/learning to do all Priceless! )
 
Yes sir I would start with a low price and then come up slowly to what ever the maximum you are willing to pay for this bike, if they don't want to sell it for that there are others out there for a good price.

Good luck!!
 
for $325 they should be doing a whole lot more than inspecting, that's pure profit. Nor should farkles enter into it unless they happen to be ones you fully intend to buy, used add-ons hold their value less than used bikes. If they are starting there, they likely picked it up in trade for half that and expect to sell it for 20-30% less than the opening price. Winter is long. Ofter them 4, wait a month or so and see what they come back with. You are paying a premium to buy it at a dealer & they don't seem to be doing much to earn that. Given that, I might prefer to buy privately, not only would pricing be better but you'd get a better idea as to service history. Talking to an owner gives you a much better feel for how well a bike has been maintaned than talking to a sales guy.
 
I agree that the price seems a bit high. And I'v always said that the best deal is the one you were willing to walk away from. I've been comfortable deciding what my highest offer will be, adding a number to allow for wiggle room (Would I really be happy later having walked away if he wanted $50 more than my absolute highest number?) and sticking to that.

The Kelly blue book is a guide - nothing more than that. Local conditions will adjust the price up or down. I believe that is noted in the front of the book. FWIW, MCN listed that bike at 6240 - and they say up front that the values are to be used as guidelines only....

Having said that, there are not many ABS bikes available out there, and no ABS was a deal breaker for me when I was looking.

The other suggestions above sound very good to me.
 
CYYJ brought up some excellent points, best so far.......only thought I'd differ in is, yea you could wait for that "killer deal" or not.....that is up to you. Just remember, as soon as you plunk down your cash, a better deal will follow. That's called ......."life" [emoji57]
 
I don't know what the bike is worth but from a negotiating point of view I would not pay for their inspection and to make the price more to your liking get them to put on the new tires and a fresh fluid change. I think for the dealer the tire & service is a at cost value while for you it has retail value so it is often easier to get $500 that way than in a cash discount.

Gerhard
 
I would not be interested in the dealer doing anything to the bike for a cost to you. Decide what you will pay for the bike as is and stick with it. This time of year the dealer will negotiate although he probably won't be in a hurry. Gerhard and CYYJ have some good pointers too.
 
Everyone has made excellent points so far on this thread. I'm sorry if I didn't catch how you were planning on paying for it. If you're paying cash, you're at the advantage. Like other have said, start low. From what I can see, I would go in around $4,800. If you don't plan on putting the extras to use, then you can tell them that. If you think the tires need to be replaced soon, then you need to make sure you change them at their expense and include/waive the inspection fee as well as having the TTL included in the final price. Too bad you're in NM, I would help you out. I am really good at negotiating and cutting to the chase. Best of luck to you and please keep us up to date on your possible purchase.
 
The made up blue book price means half paid more half paid less. Be in the less category :D

What ever you offer you're either paying that or something more so start a little low.
Maybe $4674 (4999-325). If he asks about the goofy number.. just say you have heard good things about this dealer and know they would have made it safe when it came in the door. It helps if you don't crack up LOL.

If the bike was really popular elevating the price he'd have a few current year ones on the floor. LOL.

Without being insulting to him, your mind set; the illegal cans and cinder block seat, used windscreen etc. are part of the package not addons with any additional value to you. If they did to him he'd be selling them as parts.

Assuming you have the warm fuzzies after riding it kicking the tires and reviewing maintenance records have a walk away figure and be prepared to walk. Keep it friendly give him your number maybe 5500 and let him know you might still be interested if his situation changes and the boss gives him some working room if he doesn't bite.

28k assuming it has no issues has a long service life ahead of it. Good luck.
I guess it all boils down to how much you want it. You're gonna spend more on gas an tars than the selling price of the bike soon enough.
 
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Well, I walked away from the dealer empty handed...They offered $5750 and they would put on new tires. So with TT&L it would be over $6,000. I offered $5,250 with new tires. Even with all the accessories I think their offer was too high. Kind of bummed out. Thanks for all the advice...I'm so appreciative. The hunt continues!
 
dc112675 said:
They offered $5750 and they would put on new tires. So with TT&L it would be over $6,000. I offered $5,250 with new tires. Even with all the accessories I think their offer was too high.
Click to expand...

I'll agree, you did good.

Watch the bay, watch the used bikes forum on here.
Last time I was looking I kept a spreadsheet of bikes offered for sale (year and mileage), the major accessories, and then what they sold (or didn't) for. Helped me stick to what I thought were fair deals.
 
I agree with the looking around, seems like buy something and the next day there's something better. Thats always the case, but you are ahead of the game when you are not a impulsive buyer! Not interested myself, but just ran across this 2003 for $2000.00. just keep your ear to the ground and one will show up.
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/mcy/4761916910.html
 
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