Ask The Editors: Out of Whack ATV Pricing
Should you pay over MSRP?
I don’t know if I’m just thinking of days long gone where it was expected to pay under if not full MSRP.
Any one else seeing this? Is this the new normal just show up to the dealer pay whatever price they say or nothing?
We’d be lying if we tried to convince you the ATV industry was somehow immune to the seemingly endless bizarrity that is the world of late.
Taking us back to Economics 101, what we pay for anything is the balance point between supply and demand. If the dealers in your area are actually getting over MSRP for these machines, that would tell us demand is winning that battle.
It’s a strange thing, too, as supply can sometimes mean not whether or not they have models on the showroom floor, but rather whether they think they can continue to get them in tomorrow as well.
Between lingering pandemics, inflation off the charts, and now turmoil across seas, in every sector there is so much uncertainty these days as to whether we need to spend or save, splurge or hoard.
Our best advice, since you say you’re looking to buy new (ruling out trade-ins and checking your local Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace etc.) would be to call your local dealers and ask if they have any new leftovers in the back. Getting a brand new machine of an earlier model year often yields sizable discounts.
If that doesn’t pan out, take to google and start expanding your searches for dealers. Oftentimes volume dealers can offer savings significant enough to warrant taking an hour or two drive to pick the machine up. Lastly, while you’re at the dealer websites, don’t be afraid to email offers like “I’m willing to pay full MSRP on a YFZ50 if you can make that happen.” If one accepts your offer, save that email and give them your business or see if the local dealership is willing to match it.
