Just wanted to give everyone a heads up on the "$2997.00" special they are running in Chattanooga, TN.
1. Advertise and take your $500 deposit on your new 2012 CBR250r.
2. Get you to the dealership and say there was a miscommunication on the phone and your bike has $700 or more in accessories already on it.
3. Offer you a the same bike in a different color to try and force you to pay the upgrade. Tell you there are no more bikes in your color to sell at the agreed price.
4. Refuse to offer ANY significant discount to make up for the problem.
**** there were 2 more guys in there after me that they tried the same "bait and switch" deal.
Overall, i still got a great bike at the originally agreed upon price (albeit in a different color scheme) so I am happy.
But I would never deal with these guys again. They remind me of the stereotype of used car salesmen. It takes a lot of persistance to get out of there with your wallet planted on the agreed price.
Last edited by API-CBR250R; 07-28-2012 at 10:49 AM.
Reason: My error
Sounds like what you had happen was a miscommunication just as they said I bought mine from there gave them a $100 security deposit to hold the bike I asked them to. I wanted a stock black bike so they pulled it off the floor and put it in the back but they also had a modified black one on the floor.
I could see them grabbing the wrong bike off the floor or if they didn't pull it off the floor someone else buying it from under you. They were very busy when I was there and mistakes do happen but that is not a scam not to mention you still bought from them so upset or not over not having the color you requested you still did business with them.
Sounds like what you had happen was a miscommunication just as they said I bought mine from there gave them a $100 security deposit to hold the bike I asked them to. I wanted a stock black bike so they pulled it off the floor and put it in the back but they also had a modified black one on the floor.
I could see them grabbing the wrong bike off the floor or if they didn't pull it off the floor someone else buying it from under you. They were very busy when I was there and mistakes do happen but that is not a scam not to mention you still bought from them so upset or not over not having the color you requested you still did business with them.
Sent from my iPhone using MO Free
i still bought from them just based on price.
and it was not a miscommunication.
i had multiple phone calls with the salesman. it was very clear.
like i said in my original post, i got the bike i wanted at the price we agreed on. it just took WAY too much effort to do it and I had to settle for an alternate color.
read my post. I never said they were crooked. just that they appear to be old school used car salesmen that try the bait and switch tactic. i have seen it for 40 years and just wanted to warn people about it so they could ask for an email with specifics before they travel there fromout of state.
Your title however says watch out for their scam which is implying they are crooked... I guess it was a good thing I confirmed which one I was getting prior to arriving by getting the VIN so I could arrange insurance before I picked it up as I knew I was riding it home.
Maybe that should be done to ensure you get the bike you put a deposit down for. I had text confirmations with my salesman that I put a deposit on a stock black one and he sent me the VIN.
Your title however says watch out for their scam which is implying they are crooked... I guess it was a good thing I confirmed which one I was getting prior to arriving by getting the VIN so I could arrange insurance before I picked it up as I knew I was riding it home.
Maybe that should be done to ensure you get the bike you put a deposit down for. I had text confirmations with my salesman that I put a deposit on a stock black one and he sent me the VIN.
Sent from my iPhone using MO Free
You did it the right way.
Everyone else should do the same. THAT is the point of my thread.
I was frustrated when writing but after riding the bike this am I am much happier.
I have tried multiple times to take the word "scam"out of the title but it wont work. Perhaps a moderator could remove that word for me. I appreciate the constructive criticism from everyone.
Last edited by API-CBR250R; 07-28-2012 at 10:52 AM.
I can't see where $2997.00 could be a legit selling price for a 2012 CBR, not without big dealer fees added on to make up the difference between that price and MSRP, nor does it seem reasonable that they made a "special purchase" from Honda at mid season to unload inventory. Especially with other dealers saying they cannot get additional bikes from Honda. It's not like 2013 CBR's are coming out anytime soon. It would be one thing if it were Nov/Dec and Honda found themselves with too many '12 bikes in their warehouses and on dealership showroom floors, and just a few months away from releasing '13 models. This is simply another case of a dealer playing one of several versions of the "numbers game"... car dealers do it all the time. Example: The dealer shows you $3000.00 for your car as trade-in on a new car, when in reality your car is "$995.00 Backlot Special" at best. Another example is the "Loss Leader" special, a base model car at some extremely low price and which they only have one such vehicle in stock, and that car is sold by the time you get to the dealership. They show you another, "slightly more expensive" car, which they will happily give you a deal on. These sales tactics were not just invented last month. They came into being shortly after Henry Ford came up with the idea of mass production. If a "deal" sounds too good to be true... it probably is.
I am curious on what the total price is for the bike after tax title and everything. Basically the out the door price.
So ask. I find that a dealer who will give you an out-the-door price in writing is a dealer you can trust. In 2006 I bought a bike from just such a dealer, Sarasota Suzuki on Clark Road in Sarasota Florida. They have always treated me and my bike very well, and they have been honest despite opportunities to charge a lot for what turned out to be a simple repair. I tip these people, and they are glad to see me.
If Southern Powersports in Chattanooga TN will not give you an out-the-door price, then you can expect them to try to take advantage of you. That shop lies between where I am visiting (Toronto Canada) and where I live, so I may drop in and see what their price really is. I have had several clam dinners in Chattanooga, and I could use another one. I don't need another motorcycle (my wife just read this and nodded emphatically) but I can always use a bargain, so I may need to make room on the trailer. Perhaps ...
So ask. I find that a dealer who will give you an out-the-door price in writing is a dealer you can trust. In 2006 I bought a bike from just such a dealer, Sarasota Suzuki on Clark Road in Sarasota Florida. They have always treated me and my bike very well, and they have been honest despite opportunities to charge a lot for what turned out to be a simple repair. I tip these people, and they are glad to see me.
If Southern Powersports in Chattanooga TN will not give you an out-the-door price, then you can expect them to try to take advantage of you. That shop lies between where I am visiting (Toronto Canada) and where I live, so I may drop in and see what their price really is. I have had several clam dinners in Chattanooga, and I could use another one. I don't need another motorcycle (my wife just read this and nodded emphatically) but I can always use a bargain, so I may need to make room on the trailer. Perhaps ...
Keith
It would be interesting to hear if you do make that trek! Only reason I don't want to call and inquire is because I already have my bike. I got mine for 4200.00 OTD. A non ABS. Just curious what the difference really was. If it is indeed close to 3K OTD it's an amazing deal, and one I wish I got in ABQ!
Watch for Southern Powersports current sale.
