Price add ons. Sticker shock?

[LidoCA]

 I am still in the research stages of scooterdom. I joined the forum to learn more. I was working down the street from two scooter/ motorcycle shops yesterday. I looked at the LIKE 200 and was knocked back by the add ons. The tag on the bike showed the Base price $2699.00, shipping/freight $798.00, Dealer prep $697.00. The Shipping and Prep fees seem excessive. 
 The BUDDY dealer across the street only charged a total add on of $425.00 dealer prep.
 I didn't speak to a salesperson about the price, I just thought that was a high starting price. Is this normal?
It seems that I need to shop around to different dealers in the area.

[big blue]

Hello Lido and welcome! Those numbers are WAAAY out of line. I purchased my 2012 Like 200i LX for $3100 out the door with all dealer prep and license document fees. The dealer even threw in the first service. I am in Oregon so I know that your DMV charges will be more but that dealer is gouging. Check out the  prices for left over Likes online you can save a bunch.

Len

[08087]

Welcome to the forum.

It's normal for some places to try and rip you off, for some to drop some "fee" as a way of saying, "Look we're giving you "X" discount on the price."

If you like the "Like" tell them the dealer across the street charges $400 for add on's, and he's willing to drop 1/2 of that fee. Why would I pay you more?

Or just ignore all the sticker crap and make him a offer you can offord or think is fair, if they say no walk away.

[Dolemite]

I agree the prep/freight for that Kymco is crazy. I'm betting it's a powersports dealer that has a few scooters correct? From my experience those places typically don't care about scooters and would rather move them out, they're ALWAYS negotiable. When I was looking around at a new Like and Buddy, freight/prep was only about $350-400, that's in Alabama though. I ended up finding a 5 month old Like, still under warranty that had already had it's first service, I ended up spending $2,500 otd. I doubt your scooter shop/buddy dealer will come down on prep costs as they HAVE to make a profit to stay in business, your powersports place should be able to deliver a good deal with minimal haggling. Good luck.

[MtnGirl1]

Hi Lido!  I too am a newbie to the forum.  I just purchased my Like200i last week and did a bit of research beforehand.  I went to the Kymco site and found a promotion on 2013 models.  The program is called "Kymco Kash" that goes until 3/31/14.  I believe the discount on the Like 200i was $300.00.  At least that's what I got.  Hope this helps.  Now I have to wait until my class that starts April 3rd.  It feels like forever!!!  Best of luck in your negotiating!

[CROSSBOLT]

We had a Buddy 150 for her and she thought it was great until she rode a Like 200i. That is just experience. The Buddy is a good machine but the Like is better in our opinion. Having said that, the dealer prices you quoted are way out of line especially "dealer Prep" since the dealer won't "prep" anything other than getting it out of the shipping crate and assembling stuff that is not already bolted on. Use the advice already given and get what will get you started for a price you are comfortable. The dealers job is to get as much of your money that is possible and YOUR job is to get what you want for as little as possible. It may take a while and you may have to "huff out of there" but GO for IT!

Karl

[MotoRandy123]

When I got my Yager, I had to order one as they were being discontinued and no one had one.
One dealer wanted $4100 with all the fees, another said MSRP ($3499) + $120 doc fee. You can
 guess which one I bought! Those fees are markups plain and simple. In some places you cannot
 get around them but it pays to shop around!

[mrmike]

     I was lucky enough to have several dealers within 100 miles of me. I bought 300GTI for $1000 less than some other dealer quotes. You have to shop.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I paid $2699 for the LIKE 200iLX + $200 freight + $0 Set Up + $185 tag, title,document + $213 Tx =@$3300
Minus $100 dealer gift card and $100 KYMCO promo gift card.
So, $3100 on the road price.
These LIKE 200i's are selling for $1999 new old stock from a lot of dealers. I do not know what they add to that.
Have seen LIKE 200i's with less than 500 miles on them for $1500 from private sellers - NO add-ons there!

The price your dealer is quoting brings a whole lot of bigger scoots into the picture if you are willing to take a look at new/old stock with "0" miles and warranty.... or private seller scoots with very few miles on them. Look at KYMCO and SYM scooters.

I'd look into shipping one in from another dealer!
Good luck and DO NOT let these folks do that to you!
Stig

[donandrews]

I agree with the rest. My Like 200 was $3100 otd including a windshield and free initial maintenance at 500 miles. Another factor I had consider, not being a mechanic, was service. No way would I want to have my scoot serviced by some one who wants to rip me off from the beginning. There has to be some element of trust and your proposed deal doesn't have it. My advice ..... move on.
Peace and Ride Safe

[LidoCA]

 Thank you all for your information. There seems to be a pattern with lot of dealers in So Cal to charge these extreme add ons. I have been to a few so far and called a couple more. Some are willing to negotiate, while others are blaming the manufacturer for low profit margins. They are stating they are the reason for the add ons. I will not deal with those, as I see it as a cop out for their poor sales skills. Also, the internet seems to want to tar and feather some of these dealers.

 The beauty is that the prices seem to drop the further I get from the coast.
 I checked out another dealer today. I felt comfortable with them. Although they had a big selection of different manufacturers, they let me make up my own mind with every one I looked at.
 I will be buying soon. I have gained a lot more confidence in dealing with motorcycle shops since I started looking. I had never dealt with motorcycle dealers before this.
  I have talked to some good people at a couple shops. This process is becoming fun. I will get my scooter at a fair price.

LidoCa

[souzamoto]

My .02 cents as i was formerly a dealer (not kymco)
A dealer has an invoice amount he pays for the scooter. included in the invoice is a destination fee or freight fee.
This fee is not figured into the profit margin for the dealer.
The dealer receives the bike, has the service or assembly dept uncrate, assemble, pre deliver the bike (a 25 plus point checklist).
They add fuel, service the battery and detail the bike. All this takes time, time that the service dept of the store charges to the cost of the unit. (Try uncrating and assembling a 300cc scooter someday and see how long it takes you)
Dealers need to charge a destination fee and set up fee. If not, they make little money on the deal. Some smaller shops do not charge ans they have very little overhead. Larger shops have to charge as they have large overhead in order to provide a, sometimes, better service to customers.
It's all about negotiation. But remember, the dealer need to stay in business. The profit margins are not as great as one would think.
CS

[Stig / Major Tom]

My .02 cents as i was formerly a dealer (not kymco)
A dealer has an invoice amount he pays for the scooter. included in the invoice is a destination fee or freight fee.
This fee is not figured into the profit margin for the dealer.
The dealer receives the bike, has the service or assembly dept uncrate, assemble, pre deliver the bike (a 25 plus point checklist).
They add fuel, service the battery and detail the bike. All this takes time, time that the service dept of the store charges to the cost of the unit. (Try uncrating and assembling a 300cc scooter someday and see how long it takes you)
Dealers need to charge a destination fee and set up fee. If not, they make little money on the deal. Some smaller shops do not charge ans they have very little overhead. Larger shops have to charge as they have large overhead in order to provide a, sometimes, better service to customers.
It's all about negotiation. But remember, the dealer need to stay in business. The profit margins are not as great as one would think.
CS

Thanks for your comment.
Fair enough.
A big dealer employs lots of people - that is good.
A small husband-wife shop does not - but they have a proven reason for still being in business : personal service, superb knowledge of their products, friendly shop atmosphere - a place you go to hang out and talk scooters, get your parts and your scoot serviced.
My big store dealer does have a personable service manager. Full stop.
Looking for that small shop......