Menu
Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson review: hidden charges 6

H
Author of the review
2:04 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

The retail price of the motorcycle was quoted to me at $20, 900.00. After signing the security agreement
I discovered they had added extended service contract, prep charges and destitation charges for a total of over $2100.00. At the time of signing I was not told of these charges. I have tried to get them to remove these charges and rewrite the contract, they agreed to remove the service contract only. These extra charges have me paying much more than the bike is worth.

Update by Harold Swanson
Dec 28, 2011 2:57 pm EST

They did me the same way, HD should tell the GM of whisky river to get right or get left.

Update by Harold Swanson
Dec 31, 2011 5:14 am EST

way to go. There should be some way to get his comments to the head office of HD.

6 comments
Add a comment
D
D
David Michael Sternberg
, US
Jan 21, 2016 9:52 pm EST

First of all bashing a dealership online and trying to ruin a reputation and wining about fees is hilarious. Must be that time of the month for you ladies. What being involved in church or your kids school have to do with being a good person. Just reading customers comments and it is illegal for them not to go over the contract with you so stop lying people. I don't even know Darren but I know whiskey river and customers like you are not needed now you cry becuase you found a dealer with lower fees. Remember customers you agreed on price so man up 👆

W
W
wake up baby
, US
Jul 05, 2017 5:54 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

MR. STERNBERG, MY FIRST QUESTION TO YOU IS . DO YOU RIDE ? SECOND OF ALL YOU SAY IT'S ILLEGAL FOR THEM NOT TO GO OVER CONTRACT WITH YOU . SO AS A RIDER AND GETTING SCREWED ON HIDDEN FEES, THAT THEY DID NOT GO OVER WITH ME. YOUR SAYING THAT THE CUSTOMER HAS TO TAKE A LAWYER WITH THEM TO BUY A BIKE ? TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS LEGAL AND ON THE UP & UP, THEN SIGN THE CONTRACT ? I JUST BOUGHT BACK IN NOVEMBER 2016, A 2017 SPORTSTER SUPERLOW 883 cc AND BEFORE I HAD SOME THINGS ADDED TO THE BIKE . I WAS USING THE H-D 1 BIKE BUILDER TO MOCK UP BIKES THAT I MIGHT LIKE TO GET. WHEN I CHOSE THE 2017 SPORTSTER, IT SHOWED THE M.S.R.P. OF 8599.00, I THINK THAT IS THE CORRECT +/- A FEW DOLLARS. THEN I ADDED STUFF TO SEE WHAT I LIKED ON IT AND THEN WHAT THE FINAL COST WOULD BE. SO I GO TO A DEALER, THERE IS THE BIKE ON THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. TAG READS 9000.00 +/- A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS. SALESMAN TELLS ME THAT IS THE M.S.R.P. + DOC. FEES .BUT NO KIND OF PAPER IS EVER SHOWN TO ME TO TELL WHAT CAUSED THE FEES. SO I TELL HIM WHAT I WANT ON THE BIKE AND HE GETS IT ALL ADDED UP. NOW I'M TRADING A 98 AND A 13 YEAR BIKES IN ON THIS DEAL AND GOING TO WRITE A CHECK FOR THE DIFFERENCE . SO EVERYTHING IS ADDED UP AND I GO SEE THE LADY THAT GOING TO DO THE PAPER WORK . SALES TAX, TAGS AND TITLE . SHE COMES UP WITH THE DIFFERENCE I MUST WRITE THE CHECK FOR. I DO AND HAVE TO LEAVE THE BIKE TO GET THE STUFF I WANTED ON THERE WITH THE DEALER. WELL I GET TO LOOKING AT THE PAPERS I SIGNED AND SEE 350.00 DOLLARS FOR DOC. FEES FOR THE LIL LADY TO DO THE SALES TAX, TAGS AND TITLE . AFTER GETTING THE BIKE. I GOT ON THIS TECHNOLOGICAL WONDER, THE COMPUTER AND START LOOKING FOR WHY THEY MADE A CLEAN 1200.00 DOLLARS OFF OF ME IN SO CALLED DOC. FEES ! SO THIS BRINGS ME TO HERE. NOW I CAN ORDER A BIKE LIKE I BUILT ON H-D 1, GO TO DEALER AND SAY SEND THIS TO THE FACTORY TO BE MADE THE WAY I WANT IT. WHEN THE BIKE COMES IN . I HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE OF THE BIKE & FREIGHT CHARGES . AND TAKE THE BIKE HOME AND SET IT UP MYSELF AND GO TO COURT HOUSE AND PAY SALES TAX, TAGS AND TITLE . BUT HERE 'S THE PROBLEM . IF I SET THE BIKE UP MYSELF, THAT VOIDS THE FACTORY WARRANTY . SEE THE DEALER IS GOING TO ORDER X NUMBER OF BIKES, SET THEM UP AND PUT THEM ON THEIR SHOW ROOM FLOOR FOR THE CUSTOMERS TO SEE . SO TO BE LEGAL, THEY MUST SET THE BIKE UP AND NOT CHARGE THAT FEE. THAT'S A LIABILITY FOR THEM AND THE FACTORY, IF THERE SHOULD BE A DEFECT IN THE BIKE. PLUS I'M SURE HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS A QUALITY CONTROL THAT HAS TO CHECK X NUMBER OF BIKES COMING OFF THE LINE. I BET THEY EVEN HAVE A STATION ON THE LINE WHERE ALL FLUIDS ARE ADDED EXCEPT GAS . SO PRETTY MUCH IS THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO LOWER OR TAKE OFF THE THINGS TO GET THE BIKE IN IT'S CRATE, CONTAINER OR WHAT EVER THEY SHIP IT IN . SO I DON'T SEE PAYING THAT FEE AT ALL AND SURE DON'T SEE PAYING 350.00 FOR A LIL LADY TO COLLECT THE SALES TAX AND GETTING TAGS AND TITLE AT THE COURT HOUSE ! BUT HERE'S THE CATCH, IF YOU FEEL THE SALESMAN, THE GM AND ANYBODY ELSE PUT BOTH THEIR HANDS ON YOUR SHOULDERS AND THEIR BEHIND YOU ! YOU FIXING TO GET SCREWED ! BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL ABOUT THE MONEY AND HOW THEY CAN STICK TO YOU ON THE BIKE YOU WANT TO BUY ! IF A DEALER WANT SHOW YOU WHY THE BIKE WENT FROM THE M.S.R.P. TO AN EXTRA 1000.00 OR 1500.00 HUNDRED DOLLARS PLUS THE DOC. FEE THE ( IN MY CASE ) THE LIL LADY THAT'S GOING TO DO YOUR PAPER WORK AND ADD 350.00 DOLLARS MORE IN DOC. FEES ! YOU BETTER TURN AROUND AND WALK OUT ! AND THESE FEES THEY CHARGE YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO BE ACROSS THE BOARD ! IF A RICH BUDDY OF THEIR'S COMES IN WITH COLD HARD CASH AND YOU AND HIM ARE BUYING A BIKE, BUT YOUR A WORKING STIFF . THEN THE SAME AMOUNT THEY STICK TO YOU, THEY SHOULD STICK TO THEIR RICH FRIEND. BECAUSE BY LAW THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO BE DOING THIS AND IF NOT AND ARE CAUGHT, THEY BE GOIN TO SEND YOU SOME MONEY AND BE OUT OF BUSINESS ! BUYER BEWARE !

B
B
bambam
rosepine, US
Dec 31, 2011 2:40 am EST

Harley man, , I know your Darren the GM, , cause you wrote almost the exact comment word for word... shame you have to stooped so low..----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is your reply to my comment on Yahoo local: Darren Paul wrote:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"After reviewing your comment Bambam and reading the other comments that you have made about other Harley Davidson dealerships that you have purchased from, I don't think that anyone can satisfy you.. As for the practices od freight and prep.. all dealers that I know of charge them, some wave them or you can negotiate them at a lower price. A car dealer charges you freight and prep, someone has to get the bikes ready for you to ride stupid! It costs time, money and parts to get them ready.. Harley Davidson doesn't charge a Dealer a prep charge BECAUSE Harley Davidson doesn't send the motorcycles ready for immediate delivery! Fluids have to be insatlled, Handle bars adjusted, tires checked, controls checked, clutches checked, windshields installed on some bikes, headlights adjusted, bike test ridden for safety and the list goes on and on! I know theses guys, have brought my friends to WRHD to purchase motorcycles and the staff has always explained every charge and the contract to all of us.. Did you not read the contract or bill of sale before signing and accepting the terms.. You just sound like a disgruntled customer who NO ONE will be able to satisfy. As for the Harley Owners that you speak of.. WE take care of our Delaerships when an ### like you trashes them.. GET A LIFE! Whiskey River Harley Davidson has done great business since they got here and are very much involved in our community! Stay where you are from! We don't need you here spewing garbage because you can't negotiate until after it's all said and done. AND THESE ARE HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES! Don't like any Harley Delaership that you deal with, which is obvious, the go ride a HONDA!" -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/30/2011
Darren Paul, you represent Whiskey River Harley Davidson, and Harley Davidson. Your complete lack of respect and stooping to an immature, 6th grade level of calling your customers "STUPID!" and an "###" is unacceptable from a businessman, manager or adult! You come across as disgruntled, and a bully! You become very defensive when your 'authority' is questioned. I am a proud Harley owner and I do not take being bullied lightly nor do I accept being overcharged. You don't screw over hard working customers who don't review the contract with a fine tooth comb because they trust in HD and take your word as a representative of HD as the truth. HD as a whole has a code of ethics and knows the customer is the top priority. I wonder if HD would approve of "GM Darren" representing WRHD/HD with slander, insults, and name calling to their customers. Your retort was not at all well written, grammatically correct, nor did it hold one bit of professionalism or respect toward a customer who spent a good deal of money with WRHD.
Darren... I am a proud HD owner and have been for many years. I know you do not represent HD as a whole or they would have gone out of business long ago. I have a life, Darren. I live to ride, I give a great deal of time and effort to my children's school and various charities as well as the HD community and all it does for my town. I am an honest, straight forward man. I refuse to allow you to talk to me in such a way. And posting your reply to my HD community and speaking out to them about you and your business practices is not slander. It is hard cold fact. I have never been treated with such disrespect and I am not about to allow it to begin with you! Call me and maybe we can settle this dispute like men. I'll give you till the 6th of January 2012 to contact me and we will start again fresh. I want the respect you would want to be treated with.

H
H
harley man
Birmingham, US
Dec 29, 2011 10:23 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

You two guys are such whiners.. I know about your issue Harold Swanson.. You bought a bike and returned within a couple of weeks.. You were explained everything both times that you purchased the bikes and you signed the paperwork. Everything is disclosed on all of the paperwork that you signed. Both you and Bambam are people that can not be satisfied, I looked are your reviews BamBam. you are just a bully like Swanson who couldn't get their way.. All dealerships have the right to charge freight and prep/set up fees.. And you are right, harley Davidson doesn't charge the dealers a prep fee because Harley Davidson sends all new motorcycles with NO fluids with things that have to be installed, windshields, handle bars, security systems, etc that dealer has to install before the bike can be sold.. Car dealerships charge the same fees..As for other dealers and their practices compared to another dealer..a dealer can do what he wants to, charge you the fees are not charge you fees..If you don't want tp pay them, then buy your bike somewhere else.. As for BamBam, no wonder Renegade didn't want to deal with you again! I have purchased a new bike from the staff at WRHD and have brought my friends there to purchase motorcycles.. Everything was disclosed to all of us and we read what we signed when we signed it. These dealership has come into our community and conducted business above board and are supportive of our community. As for the GM.. he is a stand up guy who syands by his word and is fair. You two people are just disgruntled customers! Get a life!

B
B
bambam
rosepine, US
Dec 28, 2011 5:04 am EST

I purchased a 2012 FLHTCU in NOV of 2011. Whiskey River Harley Davidson tried to stick me with a $1500 fee for qualifying for a promotion. The salesman failed to mentioned this. I found it on the contract 2 days later. Also, a backrest was to be thrown in, but I was charged for it as well as the labor to install the 'free' accessory. After confronting WRHD, they wrote another contract. This time, I was charged a Dealer Preparation fee of $695.00 and a Freight fee of $795.00. After some research online, contacting multiple HD dealerships and a phone call to HD, I was told their Freight is $380 per touring bike... Period. Wow! I was overcharged $415.00 for Freight and also a Dealer Prep. fee. Guess what else my research found? HD doesn't charge a Dealer Prep fee! Imagine that. I don't mind paying the $380.00 freight, but $795.00? That's not friendly business practices. I had a phone conversation with the GM and a salesman, who after 10 minutes of talking, said I was nitpicking. I quote the salesman, "Most people are happy to just to get a Harley".

I will continue to speak out about this bad experience, and warn people to look out for over charge fees. I called 3 other dealerships and 2 of the 3 said they would NOT charge a Prep or Freight fee and sell the same bike at below MSRP. ($21400.00) The 3rd dealership said the Dealer Prep fee was $195.00 plus Freight of $380.00, the same price HD charges ALL dealers.

Anyone looking to purchase a new bike, please read the contract, and ask questions! WRHD charged more than double the Freight and the Dealer Prep fee. Most HD dealers will waive that fee. If not, the fee will not be over $300.00. Shame on WRHD. HD owners look out for each other and news of bad experiences within the HD community travel fast.

T
T
Trvkell
Cottonwood, Ca, US
Jun 17, 2011 6:40 am EDT

Well then do not buy the bike.
Contact the company that is financing the loan through HD and explain to them that you do not want this loan.
Write a certified letter to the HD dealer stating that the hidden charges were not agreed upon to including them in your security agreement.
have you signed the loan documents?