This may be the best weekend to buy a new motorcycle, if you believe the
ads. But the ads I have been getting and reading may be true. Bikes at cost,
whatever that means, selling below wholesale, again what does that mean, and
losing money on every deal. Rather you than me. But stepping inside the lies,
rumors, and innuendoes of advertising, what does it all really mean? Just what
does your new ride cost? The simple answer is whatever you paid for it, but
what is dealer cost? Buying my new Triumphs from a friend who owns a
dealership, he gets out the invoice, adds tax and license, and the paperwork
fee, that is his cost, and my price. He also offered to give me the hold back
or ad money, factories traditionally hold back 3-5% applied to warranty work or
paid quarterly when the bike is registered. So even at invoice, or his cost, he
can make $500 on new bike sold at $10,000. Big money if selling Japanese
bikes. So what is the true cost, again, what you pay.
It is tough to place a wholesale price on a new bike, but when sold it can
vary greatly. Was it traded in, bought at auction, or a lien sale? What
condition is it in? Ran when parked means a different story than running now.
Perfect condition except it needs a battery, tires, and a tune up Is not
excellent. Dealerships add $500-1000 to their cost then pass it on to you, yet
used bikes are outselling new bikes at a rapid pace. Maybe the wholesale come
on works. But is different than dealer cost, again. But the one I steer away
from is the dealer bragging how he loses money on every deal. Who wants to deal
with a poor business that may not be there tomorrow when you need it? Or does
he make up for it at service time, parts and accessories? Ever hear of a bump
book? There is suggested retail, and a bump book, adding 5-10% to consumer
prices, then offering a discount, back to true retail, allowing us to think they
gave us a deal. So beware...there is no free lunch out there, how do you think
those Harley dealers pay for all the burgers and bbq?
But a quick Craigslist visit shows everyone discounting heavily, and every
once in awhile, I respond. Only to find added dealer markup, triple the freight
charge, and assembly costs that are too high. In truth, most dealers only make
a few hundred on sale, again Harley is different, they have a 25% margin, if you
pay $10,000, they make $2500. Simple math. Buys a lot of hot dogs. But
confronting a dealer friend about his low balling prices, he was honest. “No
one responds to my ads if I don’t.” And you still end up paying over retail
when all is said and done. But you feel better, thinking you got a deal. Long
gone are the days like Malcolm Forbes and his Jersey mega dealership, pay cash,
he pays the tax via a discount. Back in the seventies when I sold bikes, the 2%
tax New Mexico charged could be included to close the deal. So what is dealer
cost,and how does it affect you?
My old car dealer friend Vince once explained how the more he discounted,
the more the customer thought he was getting ripped off. I too found it true,
and also the opposite. If you laid them away, they tell all their friends of
their great deal. What gives with that one? So I operated on the basis that a
good deal is where both parties benefit. Fair price, great service, don’t
forget the customer. They’ll tell their friends, your best source of
advertising. Of course cash in hand always works, but the finance company will
kick back .5-1% on each deal to the dealer. Worn out, I’ll think I’ll keep my
old bike and go for a ride. After cruising the ads of course....
So do not believe every ad you read. Or every book about God. Or every
person claiming to have insight into God. We have the faith to believe, do we
have the faith to not believe? Many false profits are in the world, some
claiming to be Jesus himself, they may come on with a new revelation, some new
book, or new word of knowledge, promising to be more accurate than scripture.
More up to date. Numerous new Bible versions have been written, so beware, some
are close, but still a lie. Some words spoken sound true, but are lies.
Remember Eve and Satan, sounded good to her. But with disastrous results. So
what does a responsible Christian do? How do we know the truth? Test them,
make them prove the numbers like you would buying a new bike. See it on paper,
scripturally, not an interpretation. Works for my writings too, check them out,
see if they are true! We can all be led astray. So test the spirits, to see if
they give Jesus his proper place as God, and son of God. If they do not
recognize his deity, they are liars. Note that Mormons and JW’s deny the deity
of Jesus Christ, and are liars, so stay away. John also warns to not even wish
them God bless, as their god is not the God of the Bible. So beware.
And so he has given us his spirit of truth, to test the spirits, to be
discern if they are true or liars. Then based on his input we can make the
right decision. There is only one true spirit, only one way to God,and only one
way to heaven. Jesus Christ, anything else is a lie. God made it simple so we
can get it, and free so we can afford it. The world will offer different
interpretations, just like selling at cost, so beware, the devil is sly, but not
wise. We are to be wise as serpents, but gentle as lambs. So beware, whether
it comes from pulpits, Bible studies, devotions, songs, yes, listen to the words
and see how they match up to scripture, test the spirits. As I hope you do with
my writings. Some mislead innocently, some deliberately. And just like signing
on the bottom line for your new ride, if a better deal comes along, it is too
late, it’s yours now!
So don’t fall for anything but the truth. Look for his nail pierced hands,
the thorny scars on his forehead. Many will come in his name, with claims to
good to be true. Only Jesus backed up his claims with actions. We will all
face a Good Friday when we are tested, but will we celebrate an Easter
ressurection like Jesus did? Agent Mulder told us the truth is out there.
Jesus tells us the truth is in us, via his holy spirit. Even in reruns, I’ll
take Jesus.
So beware of come ons, of discounts and freebies when shopping. The best
deal is the one where both parties benefit, so shop around and compare. You
will find nothing compares to Jesus, nothing. Knowledge puffs up, but wisdom
comes from above. And unlike a discount house, Jesus will always be there when
you need him...
“Did you know we offer a free Bible cover with each membership”....you’ve
been warned.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com