Dealers and deposits

[OpenGambit]

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I have another question:

Once you put down the deposit, is that it for negotiating the price of the bike?

Eg. If someone deposits whatever $ over the phone via credit card, and the advertised price is 3K + tax, is the dealer going to budge even 5% from that $3K?

Not sure what I want to do yet - but I definitely don't want to travel 200km going over numbers in my head only to find out I'd be wasting my time and the dealer's trying to bargain down even slightly.

Think of a deposit as a goodwill gesture. I am not wasting your time you are not wasting my time kinda thing.
In your case tho, maybe you are better off just making an offer with the price you want and see what they say.

 

[Mina]

I have another question:

Once you put down the deposit, is that it for negotiating the price of the bike?

Eg. If someone deposits whatever $ over the phone via credit card, and the advertised price is 3K + tax, is the dealer going to budge even 5% from that $3K?

Not sure what I want to do yet - but I definitely don't want to travel 200km going over numbers in my head only to find out I'd be wasting my time and the dealer's trying to bargain down even slightly.

If it's over priced to begin with then why bother?... If it's a great deal and you know you won't find it cheaper elsewhere then why negotiate?...
If you've placed a deposit, you can always call the dealer back and confirm a price over the phone before you make the trip.
If you come to an agreement, have him fax/email you a copy of the bill of sale, along with the visa slip, sign both and send it back.

Before you sign MAKE SURE that in the comments section on the bill of sale, it says something along the lines of "DEAL SUBJECT TO CUSTOMER'S INSPECTION UPON ARRIVAL, IF NOT SATISFIED, DEPOSIT REFUNDED IN FULL"

You've covered all angles, your deposit is secure, your bike is secure, the price is confirmed and at the end it's up to you whether you go for it or not.

Good Luck.

 

[RickT]

I have another question:

Once you put down the deposit, is that it for negotiating the price of the bike?

Eg. If someone deposits whatever $ over the phone via credit card, and the advertised price is 3K + tax, is the dealer going to budge even 5% from that $3K?

Not sure what I want to do yet - but I definitely don't want to travel 200km going over numbers in my head only to find out I'd be wasting my time and the dealer's trying to bargain down even slightly.

Not sure I understand your question. Normally a deposit is taken once you have agreed on a price. The deposit then holds the bike until you pay in full or attempt to get financing or insurance. I don't know of any seller who will accept a deposit and then continue to haggle over the price. And placing a deposit over the phone for a used bike just doesn't make sense either.. IMHO.

 

[blackcamaro]

I have another question:

Once you put down the deposit, is that it for negotiating the price of the bike?

Eg. If someone deposits whatever $ over the phone via credit card, and the advertised price is 3K + tax, is the dealer going to budge even 5% from that $3K?

Not sure what I want to do yet - but I definitely don't want to travel 200km going over numbers in my head only to find out I'd be wasting my time and the dealer's trying to bargain down even slightly.

This is sort of what I meant in my original post about you are basically giving a deposit to hold the bike so you can come and look at it, this is not something any dealer wants to get involved with. If you gave me a deposit I would expect you to purchase the bike at the price discussed prior and that you would be taking it as long as it meet the condition I described it in. 200km isn't that far, if i was you I would just go look at the bike and work it out from there, if you give a deposit now you are going to have an idea in your head of what your getting and if you show up and it isn't in the exact condition you pictured you will end up being disapointed which is no fun for anyone involved.

It is great that consumers can get some or all of there deposit back but you should only give one once you are 100% sure that you want to go through with the purchase.

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