Hey guys. I have been lurking for a while, and finally signed up because it seemed this site (out of 3, I think) had the most useful info re: the CBR250.
Anyway, like many of you I put down a deposit seemingly forever ago and have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the bikes, not only as a new rider, but as a person with no other transportation. I have been checking in with my dealer every so often and putting down money toward the bike as I get it so it doesn't get spent elsewhere. When I put my deposit down, I was number 6 on the list which didn't seem like a big issue since 10 bikes were ordered, but then events unfolded as you all know and now the only thing that IS certain is that no one will get near as many of these bikes as they ordered.
Yesterday, after calling to check in with my dealer, he essentially told me three things:
1. We still don't know when the bikes are coming, or which ones we'll get (that one was known and expected by me)
2. We might not get as many bikes as we ordered (duh), so with a #5 slot on the wait/deposit list, I may not even get a bike when it's all said and done.
3. "With the limited availability situation, Honda may want more for the bike."
Obviously, I take issue with number 3. I work for a Honda car dealer and know that "Honda" isn't asking for more money, the greedy dealer will be. MSRP is set at $3999 so people entering the sport can afford to buy in, so Honda who set that price strategically is not going to raise it. It appears that the ninjette phenomenom might be taking shape again with Honda's 250. In case no one knows what I am talking about, it's how during the first two years of the Ninja 250, demand far exceeded production, and dealers were marking the bikes up $1-2 grand or more. They were gouging.
I don't want to be gouged, especially after waiting all this time and really need to bike to stay the price quoted when I put down the deposit since raising the price will mean needing more time to get money together, less riding time, and possibly missing out on the bike altogether. In order to better my chances and have a plan B that doesn't involve the Ninja, I am putting down another deposit at another dealer.
Any input on how to avoid the gouging?
Anyway, like many of you I put down a deposit seemingly forever ago and have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the bikes, not only as a new rider, but as a person with no other transportation. I have been checking in with my dealer every so often and putting down money toward the bike as I get it so it doesn't get spent elsewhere. When I put my deposit down, I was number 6 on the list which didn't seem like a big issue since 10 bikes were ordered, but then events unfolded as you all know and now the only thing that IS certain is that no one will get near as many of these bikes as they ordered.
Yesterday, after calling to check in with my dealer, he essentially told me three things:
1. We still don't know when the bikes are coming, or which ones we'll get (that one was known and expected by me)
2. We might not get as many bikes as we ordered (duh), so with a #5 slot on the wait/deposit list, I may not even get a bike when it's all said and done.
3. "With the limited availability situation, Honda may want more for the bike."
Obviously, I take issue with number 3. I work for a Honda car dealer and know that "Honda" isn't asking for more money, the greedy dealer will be. MSRP is set at $3999 so people entering the sport can afford to buy in, so Honda who set that price strategically is not going to raise it. It appears that the ninjette phenomenom might be taking shape again with Honda's 250. In case no one knows what I am talking about, it's how during the first two years of the Ninja 250, demand far exceeded production, and dealers were marking the bikes up $1-2 grand or more. They were gouging.
I don't want to be gouged, especially after waiting all this time and really need to bike to stay the price quoted when I put down the deposit since raising the price will mean needing more time to get money together, less riding time, and possibly missing out on the bike altogether. In order to better my chances and have a plan B that doesn't involve the Ninja, I am putting down another deposit at another dealer.
Any input on how to avoid the gouging?