The line I was given was that they were blowing out the Sportsman to generate more sales of accessories. Harley Davidson used the Sportster for years as a loss leader to enhance their profits when people put $2000 in chrome stuff on them. I imagine the same is true with ATV's to some extent. I see your point however.

 

Thanks for the response wisonsindealer,
I was told that the dealer generally looks to make a 10-12% profit on each machine. Is this accurate?
Thanks for your help.

 

IF one dealer is selling a SP500 for $6200 and IF another dealer is selling the SAME ATV for $5100 plus set-up of say $200, then SOMEONE is taking a skrewing!...$5300 to $6200 is a $900 skrewing.

Any smart customer ain't gonna take a $900 hit like that!

even IF one dealer's service is better than the other guy.......it's NOT worth $900!......maybe something like $100 more but not $900 more!

c'mon! use some common sense!

 

ATV SALE SPORTSMAN 500 $5099 SPORTSMAN 600 $5399 SPORTSMAN 700 $5999 FREIGHT/PREP INCLUDED NO DEALERS PLEASE ONLY AT Mpls. 612-788-7600 XT8 Hopkins 952-933-9649 X8 St Paul 651-451-2521 XT8 Std Colors, in stock units, no rebates/finance offers with these prices

 

I agree with mt I wanted to buy my 700 from a smaller dealer that was closer to my riding area but he could not even come close he told me the price he paid for the same machine and it was more that I was getting it for. Then if you work in the trade they gave me we were 1,000 apart. He totaly understood why I could not get one from him. Like mt said if it would of been 100-200 more I would have got it from him.

 

Thanks for your comments wisconsindealer,
There is clearly a tradeoff between price and service. It's nice to see that there are a few dealers left like yourself who put service first as a means of developing and maintaining long term relationships with your clients. I do the same for my business. As I am in the market for a new quad, I would like to contact you by phone. If you would like, you can leave your information via a private message on this forum.
Thanks and have a nice day.

 

I know what it is like to buy cheap. I have purchased three atv's in two years and have gone thru three dealers for any kind of decent service. I have finally found a dealer in my area that will service my quad and get it back to me in a few days not weeks. I also know he is not the cheapest on new quads but when I buy another if he is within 200$ of the others I will buy my quad there as there service and parts people are the best in my book. Sometimes money isn't the deciding factor.

 

After reading all the above posts I would have to come the conclusion that some customers think more highly of sales and service than others. I am going to buy my ATV from up North since I can save over $1000 even after paying $300 shipping. All the local dealers want MSRP and destination charges of $500 on top of that . I believe in getting a good price and not letting someone take my head off on an ATV that I REALLY want.

Selling your parts and service dept. is sometimes nothing more than a marketing tool to help you keep your prices at a higher level and make more profit. There is certainly a number that is equitable for both the dealer and customer but that magical # will differ for every transaction. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Response

ATV prices are have traditionally been lower in the Twin Cities on a consistent basis over the last 4 years. This is actually a first for the Hitching Post to have joined into the price fray.

It could be an insurance sale. The Hitching Posts never has been the underpricer of atvs in the state.

Heinen & Mason have traditionally been the price point setters for Polaris and Larsons' Cycle in Cambridge, Minnesota is the price setter for Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Arctic Cat.

Produce invoices? No need my friend. These things actually happen here. I have watched it over and over.

Please check the archives and you will see quite a few actual ads over the years.





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I'm assuming that what you are checking is for dealers only right? I'll give them a call and see what's up. I'd like to hear what they say. I'm guessing it's like someone else said. A bunch pile up and then they all get entered together.

A question for entertainment purposes only.

If these 600's normally sell for $6300.00 ( I actually don't know.) And you could get a new one with NO warranty for $5399.00 but you knew it worked when you took delivery would you still take it? Given that these ATV's come with a six month warranty it would still be tempting....

John