After succumbing to cabin fever and five straight days of rain, all the
batteries were charged, and all the bikes in the garage polished. I had caught
up on all my mail, and was left only with Craigslist and the motorcycles for
sale ads. Seems prices go down for them on rainy days, and this one day was no
different, as the prices seemed too low, but we know that drill all too well. I
had been eyeing Kawasaki’s new Z900RS for awhile, but the high price, at least
to me kept me in the Triumph stable. I had even at one time considered trading
my Tiger 1050 against one, but came to my senses when I realized what a step
down it would be. But still the lure was there, it would only take the right
bait. As in price....
Now a bike with an MSRP of $11,199, plus freight and set up ends up well
over $12,000 before taxes. So the $8995 ad price got my attention, and
responding via email, heard back quickly from the general sales manager. To me
the deal is your price, you advertised it, plus tax and license, about 10% of
sale price. And my fantasy world was shaken, $1590 added dealer margin or
profit, plus $280 to register, thanks California, and 9.5% sales tax, it is only
7.75 where I live. Quick math told me it was not a good deal, he was adding
more in ADM than discounted from retail, and his tax number were high, in his
favor. Listed on some contracts as government fees, you decide. When I
cornered him on his specious pricing, he countered with his cost, before hold
backs of $10,379, plus tax and license. Before I could question why did you try
to low ball and add on the fees, he explained “if we do not advertise low prices
we never get any calls.” So much for the buyer beware. And so I passed. Just
how far have we fallen from telling the truth? Just to sell a
motorcycle......
When I bought my 2017 Bonneville T120, Art the owner sold it to me at cost,
less his holdback money, he offered I cut him off, I want him to make something
to stay in business. So I got out the door with all tax and license for less
than the MSRP, and I was happy. Sadly talking with Nate, a guy who works in
service for a multi line dealer, he had just bought a Z125, the Grom of
Kawasaki. MSRP of $3195, discounted to $1995, the ADM of $1500, he paid more
than retail, and that was his employee discount! Am I stoned or just stupid, or
was he? My daughter in law works for KTM and got my son a new 2019 250 for $33%
off retail, her price. Mickey tells me the same deal from Triumph, but with a
hassle. Both with no added dealer mark up! So it can be done. But unlike Nate,
I am not willing to pay too much, nor be suckered by a low ball price. The
Z900RS deal fell through because I still felt ripped off, just tell me the
truth, you may get less phone calls, but more word of mouth and more sales. I
see dealer invoices, Harley dealers make 25% before adding ADM, and all the
chrome and leather is added on, while some Japanese bikes make only $300, on a
$5000 bike. It used to be getting a free $50 helmet sealed the deal, so many of
us still ride what is in our garage. And with no advertised low prices, I find
more time to ride, that is why you bought you bike isn’t it? Well, isn’t
it?
Two men were in the chapel praying, one rich and famous, the other poor and
destitute. The rich man praying out loud “thank God I am not like that poor
man,” his pride bubbling up inside, for in his mind he was better, maybe the
best. With no money issues, he felt comfortable and secure about his next meal,
or his next BMW. He had tax people, and others to take care of his worries, he
thought he had it made, discounting the fact of his pride, and how it was a
stumbling block to him and Jesus. He bragged on himself, not on what God had
done in his life, as if he had all the right answers, and the poor man didn’t.
Failing to know one key fact, both rich and poor come to God the same way. The
poor man was humbled, the rich man would need to be humiliated. Jesus tells us
to be satisfied with what we have, both men here approached it from different
perspectives. One was concerned where his next meal was coming from, the other
which restaurant he would have it in. How it would taste. One was wondering
how he would get there, the other which car would he drive. Affluence had
become a hindrance, and a stumbling block between him and God. His riches had
transferred his concern from the necessary things to secondary things. His
affluence had become a stumbling block, as he was now unteachable, knowing it
all, he had made it, he should be the teacher! His life of affluence had become
one of comfort, and it now would take greater things to comfort him. All
external, things to be seen, and for others to desire. And then there is the
other guy, the poor man....
In his humility he forced himself to spend time with God, to seek his
spirit to be comforted, and was satisfied with what he had. It is not a sin to
want nice things, but many times a price higher than we expect is paid, and not
in dollars. In humility he asked God, not by bragging, but by testifying to
God’s greatness, and his provisions. With one great difference, one admitted he
was a sinner, the other didn’t. Pride will keep us from God, he became owned by
the attitude of things rather than the one who provided them. But both still
need Jesus to enter heaven, and repentance is the first step. There is no other
way.....
So for many years in business and personal, I lived by the definition of a
good deal, where both parties benefit. No low balling to get me in, you set the
price, then I say yes or no. Only in Christ do we see how fair salvation is,
for it costs nothing out of pocket. It cannot be bought, rented, leased, or
borrowed against. It is the same for all, confess Jesus as Lord and savior,
repent, and confess him with you mouth, live a changed life in him. No low ball
salvation just to get them in, although I have heard some lies just to get
people to church, or sadder yet, to the altar. God is not the genie in the lamp
so many profess him to be, and things tend to get worse after salvation because
you see sin and how dirty it is. But he is always with us, everlasting. With
no ADM for becoming a Christian. If only buying a new bike was so easy...
Rich or poor, only Jesus saves. And at today’s prices, it still remains a
miracle. While some boast in men, I choose to boast in Jesus. No small print,
only small faith. No false promises, only the truth. Just tell me the price,
let me decide. Sadly selling motorcycles is not like salvation, just be glad it
is not the other way around. Jesus paid it all, what part of free don’t you
understand?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com