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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Kocho on April 06, 2016, 07:33:25 PM

Title: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: Kocho on April 06, 2016, 07:33:25 PM
Hello,

I am considering getting a new 2016 Zero this year and was wondering what you guys paid in so called dealer fees, destination charges, etc. These are fees other than tax, title, registration, and any other mandatory regulatory stuff that varies state by state (I know what they are in my state, so I am not asking about these).

I found one person list his here: "$800 in freight, and $200 in 'dealer handling'". Is this typical? What were you charged?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: rayivers on April 06, 2016, 09:19:22 PM
In early 2014, I paid $550 shipping and $45 'documentary fee' on my new FX.

Ray
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: KrazyEd on April 06, 2016, 09:48:59 PM
   Some localities have mandatory fees in addition to what the dealer elects to charge.
Here in Vegas, they seem to be quite high. A dealer told me once when I asked about
fees that they were " Required by law " to have some of these fees. I looked it up and
he was correct. However, recently I was at another dealer who has adopted the
" CarMax " style of sales and, they had minimal fees, so, either things have changed,
they are absorbing the fees, or, I misunderstood what I read.
   Not long ago I looked at a used bike that a dealer had on the lot. It was $1,795.
I figured taxes and fees should take it to between $2,100 and $2,5000. I asked a
sales person what the out the door cash price would be on this USED bike.
He had to " check ". Came back with $3,495. I asked how it could have doubled
the cost of the bike and got the " mandatory fees " argument again.
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: Kocho on April 06, 2016, 10:45:56 PM
Anyone done it in MD, DE, PA, or VA recently? My "local" dealers are in these states. I could extend to NJ, NY, and the like if it will save a few hundred $$$ - trailer rental and gas for me to get to these East Coast states would be under $100...
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: Kocho on April 06, 2016, 10:47:32 PM
Ray,

Which state was that in? And was the "shipping" to your door or what the dealer charges even if you pick-up the bike? I might consider ordering from out of state and have it shipped if the fees in my "local" area in MD, VA, DE, NJ, NY, and PA are ridiculously high...

In early 2014, I paid $550 shipping and $45 'documentary fee' on my new FX.

Ray
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: Kocho on April 07, 2016, 03:17:27 AM
OK. I can add my own observations from recent dealer quotes I received. In "my area" some tag-up $1,000 others only $100 to the Zero suggested price. I don't know if that is due to state regulations or what (quotes were from different states), but that's almost $1K difference to my pocket as they are about the same relatively short driving distance from me.
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: rayivers on April 07, 2016, 04:03:26 AM
That was at Eckenhoff Cycles in Cherry Hill, NJ (no longer a Zero dealer).  The shipping charge was just to the dealer, I picked the bike up there.

Ray
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: Kocho on April 07, 2016, 04:20:57 AM
Thanks!

That was at Eckenhoff Cycles in Cherry Hill, NJ (no longer a Zero dealer).  The shipping charge was just to the dealer, I picked the bike up there.

Ray
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: Coolio on April 07, 2016, 06:11:20 AM
Im considering an FXS, but the fee's bring the bike around $13,260 (USD) out the door. Of course there is the tax credit to take from this price, but that will not be reimbursed until the end of the year.  Does this price sound about right for an FXS to anyone??? so much more money than the 10k or under I thought I would have to spend for the cheapest zero...   
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: KrazyEd on April 07, 2016, 06:32:59 AM
   If there is a local dealer close to you, you should try to see about working with you
to add goodies, or, otherwise "enhance" the reason to buy from them. Best to support
local dealers whenever possible. If nobody close, then, open season to find one from
someone online. Possibly even get it drop shipped to you, pay only ONE shipping fee
instead of two. My First recommendation would be Hollywood Ectrics. Not aware
of anyone better than Harlan.
   If you want to go absolute penny pincher mode, find someone who lives in a
no sales tax area and use their address. Then, after a period of time to "season"
the registration, transfer it to your actual address. If you can't find someone, get a post office box. 
Probably best to check out registration rates as well. In Nevada, we have
a little over 8% sales tax, but, registration is based on the ORIGINAL MSRP
of the vehicle. My 2014 Focus Electric cost me $22,000, but, since It's price
at time of manufacture was $39K, THAT is what my registration fees
are based on. It was purchased in Californa and registered there for a year
at under $200. Nevada wanted over $700 for SECOND year's registration.
It does drop over time but that doesn't help up front.
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: LeftieBiker on April 07, 2016, 09:49:55 AM
   I paid about $1k in dealer fees. A closer dealer had quoted me a price on an SR that added about $2k in dealer fees.
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: Killroy on April 07, 2016, 11:16:43 AM
I have been fed the "we are required by law to charge these fees" before.

I say negotiate the bottom line.  I got a low mile 2015 SR demo last year for 12,000 OTD.  There are deals out there.

I went out of state.  The shipping was nothing and the savings was huge.

If the number is not right, I would wait it out.   Buying in the fall when dealers are empty from rain is great.
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: stevenh on April 07, 2016, 08:00:19 PM
I was charged $450.00 for shipping and $169.00 for dealer setup for my new DSR purchased last month.

Steve
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: Richard230 on April 07, 2016, 08:31:05 PM
I was charged $450.00 for shipping and $169.00 for dealer setup for my new DSR purchased last month.

Steve

That seems to be about the going rate around here, but watch those "set up" charges.  Many dealers use them to generate extra profit and I have seen "set up" charges ranging from $150 for a small scooter to $1000 for a very popular and expensive IC model at the same dealer. When it comes to Zeros, I am not sure what "setting up" dealers actually have to do.  I am pretty sure Zeros come out of the factory fully assembled and the only thing the dealership has to do is to wipe off the dust, roll it into the showroom and plug in the charger to top off the battery.   ::) 

I suspect that most of these "fees" are actually creative ways of generating extra profit over the vehicle's MSRP that are dreamed up by the dealers so as to not have to explain their price gouging.   ::)  If they tried to hit me up with any fee that was mysterious and didn't make any sense, I would pin them down and ask what government agency is requiring these fees, what they are for, where does the money go (in other words does it go directly to the state treasury or to the dealerships office party fund?) and ask them to show you the law that requires the payment of these fees if you are not satisfied with their answers.  ;)
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: MrDude_1 on April 07, 2016, 11:34:07 PM
I was charged $450.00 for shipping and $169.00 for dealer setup for my new DSR purchased last month.

Steve

That seems to be about the going rate around here, but watch those "set up" charges.  Many dealers use them to generate extra profit and I have seen "set up" charges ranging from $150 for a small scooter to $1000 for a very popular and expensive IC model at the same dealer. When it comes to Zeros, I am not sure what "setting up" dealers actually have to do.  I am pretty sure Zeros come out of the factory fully assembled and the only thing the dealership has to do is to wipe off the dust, roll it into the showroom and plug in the charger to top off the battery.   ::) 

I suspect that most of these "fees" are actually creative ways of generating extra profit over the vehicle's MSRP that are dreamed up by the dealers so as to not have to explain their price gouging.   ::)  If they tried to hit me up with any fee that was mysterious and didn't make any sense, I would pin them down and ask what government agency is requiring these fees, what they are for, where does the money go (in other words does it go directly to the state treasury or to the dealerships office party fund?) and ask them to show you the law that requires the payment of these fees if you are not satisfied with their answers.  ;)


I dont know about zeros, but most imported motocycles are in a metal crate. it takes a bit to unbolt the crate, put the bars on(or rotate clipons), lift the front, and put the wheel on, same for the rear, and then clean it all up.
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: stevenh on April 08, 2016, 12:09:07 AM
The dealer did have to do some work.  He had acquired a laptop to do some initial setup of the bike via software provided by Zero.  Not sure what assembly was required. 

All in all though, very happy with my dealer so far.  I was his first Zero customer...

Steve
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: Richard230 on April 08, 2016, 03:42:15 AM
I was charged $450.00 for shipping and $169.00 for dealer setup for my new DSR purchased last month.

Steve

That seems to be about the going rate around here, but watch those "set up" charges.  Many dealers use them to generate extra profit and I have seen "set up" charges ranging from $150 for a small scooter to $1000 for a very popular and expensive IC model at the same dealer. When it comes to Zeros, I am not sure what "setting up" dealers actually have to do.  I am pretty sure Zeros come out of the factory fully assembled and the only thing the dealership has to do is to wipe off the dust, roll it into the showroom and plug in the charger to top off the battery.   ::) 

I suspect that most of these "fees" are actually creative ways of generating extra profit over the vehicle's MSRP that are dreamed up by the dealers so as to not have to explain their price gouging.   ::)  If they tried to hit me up with any fee that was mysterious and didn't make any sense, I would pin them down and ask what government agency is requiring these fees, what they are for, where does the money go (in other words does it go directly to the state treasury or to the dealerships office party fund?) and ask them to show you the law that requires the payment of these fees if you are not satisfied with their answers.  ;)


I dont know about zeros, but most imported motocycles are in a metal crate. it takes a bit to unbolt the crate, put the bars on(or rotate clipons), lift the front, and put the wheel on, same for the rear, and then clean it all up.

For years (before they went out of business) I watched my Zero/Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha/Suzuki dealer bring bikes into the shop.  They arrived fully assembled on a flatbed truck, were off loaded in the street and rolled right on to the showroom floor.  I guess it is possible that they contracted with an assembly company to set up the bikes for them before delivery, but their "setup" fees sure differed for each model and seemed to have a direct relationship to the popularity of the model and how many they would receive that year. In other words, the setup fee varied with the demand and supply, leading me to believe that it was mostly an "extra profit" fee.    ::)
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: MrDude_1 on April 08, 2016, 07:23:21 AM
I was charged $450.00 for shipping and $169.00 for dealer setup for my new DSR purchased last month.

Steve

That seems to be about the going rate around here, but watch those "set up" charges.  Many dealers use them to generate extra profit and I have seen "set up" charges ranging from $150 for a small scooter to $1000 for a very popular and expensive IC model at the same dealer. When it comes to Zeros, I am not sure what "setting up" dealers actually have to do.  I am pretty sure Zeros come out of the factory fully assembled and the only thing the dealership has to do is to wipe off the dust, roll it into the showroom and plug in the charger to top off the battery.   ::) 

I suspect that most of these "fees" are actually creative ways of generating extra profit over the vehicle's MSRP that are dreamed up by the dealers so as to not have to explain their price gouging.   ::)  If they tried to hit me up with any fee that was mysterious and didn't make any sense, I would pin them down and ask what government agency is requiring these fees, what they are for, where does the money go (in other words does it go directly to the state treasury or to the dealerships office party fund?) and ask them to show you the law that requires the payment of these fees if you are not satisfied with their answers.  ;)


I dont know about zeros, but most imported motocycles are in a metal crate. it takes a bit to unbolt the crate, put the bars on(or rotate clipons), lift the front, and put the wheel on, same for the rear, and then clean it all up.

For years (before they went out of business) I watched my Zero/Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha/Suzuki dealer bring bikes into the shop.  They arrived fully assembled on a flatbed truck, were off loaded in the street and rolled right on to the showroom floor.  I guess it is possible that they contracted with an assembly company to set up the bikes for them before delivery, but their "setup" fees sure differed for each model and seemed to have a direct relationship to the popularity of the model and how many they would receive that year. In other words, the setup fee varied with the demand and supply, leading me to believe that it was mostly an "extra profit" fee.    ::)

Yeah they must have been setup somewhere else first. No manufacturer of ships bikes on a flatbed truck.
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: gingerjet on April 08, 2016, 11:18:24 AM
I was charged $450 for freight, $45 in doc fees (the cost for the dealer to file the required paperwork), and a setup fee of $295.  The freight appears to be around the going rate.  Depending on who you go with it could be a bit less or a bit more for shipping a bike down the coast.  One can argue with the setup fee but the dealer checks out that the bike is operational, does any software upgrades, and makes any requested adjustments.  I don't mind paying for better service so it didn't seem excessive to me.  The dealer was open and upfront on everything and they were preparing another bike for pickup as I was putting up the down payment so I saw what they were doing.   

The state of California take was $1039.  But $900 of that comes back in a rebate check in a few months so thats mostly a wash. 
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: gman669 on April 08, 2016, 11:01:00 PM
I know 2 of the three dealers in Colorado don't charge any fees at all besides tax and registration. I walked out with a demo fx 5.7 for $10,300 out the door.
Title: Re: Dealer "fees" and other "charges" (not tax, title, registration)
Post by: stevenh on April 09, 2016, 06:32:49 PM
When I purchased my new DSR ($450.00 shipping + $169.00 setup), the dealer offered me his demo DSR for no fees (no shipping or setup).  I elected to get a new one since there were a few scratches on the demo.  Just an FYI...

Steve