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Had the Dealer Talk me out of $2,400 of add-ons

2162 Views 46 Replies 22 Participants Last post by  Trren20
After a test ride and a decision to go with the Pursuit, I went home to start building my bike out on the website.
I sent my build in to the dealer, and the salesman gives me a call back after a bit.

He explained that Indian just makes the base bike, and most add-ons are ordered/shipped separately and then the dealer has to install (and charge to install) them.

He told me that the ~$2.4k Stage 2 performance package would cost another $1.5-1.8k to install it. Knowing I was near budget, he recommended that we drop that from the build.
I assume this is normal for Indian? But it would have been nice to know when adding options on the Build a bike that most of the those fancy upgrades will cost time and money at Dealer after it gets delivered. Well, I am sure it is in some fine print somewhere, but they have the "As Configured" Cost in the bottom left makes it a little misleading.

Anyone else have an experience like this? Anyone not have to pay to have the add-ons installed?
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I’m not sure about ordering parts WITH the bike, but dealers charge labor to install any upgrades you have installed there. None of the parts prices on their site include labor, either. I’d assume the same goes for a new bike, too. The dealer is using their labor to install the parts.
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I’m not sure about ordering parts WITH the bike, but dealers charge labor to install any upgrades you have installed there. None of the parts prices on their site include labor, either. I’d assume the same goes for a new bike, too. The dealer is using their labor to install the parts.
Yep yep, I get that for sure.
But this is where I built a brand new bike on the Indian site and knew my budget. I added on parts/upgrade till I hit my budget. It just seems weird to order a brand-new bike they have to build anyway, ship it, then have the dealer tear it apart to put new cams, and other upgrades into it and charge you for that on top of the quoted price.

Such is life, just found it weird but am still really super excited! I think I will happy with the Pursuit engine as is ;-)
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I’m not sure about ordering parts WITH the bike, but dealers charge labor to install any upgrades you have installed there. None of the parts prices on their site include labor, either. I’d assume the same goes for a new bike, too. The dealer is using their labor to install the parts.
This +1. IM of SEVA had a "menu" up on the wall that outlined the total cost of installing Stage 1, 2, and 3 upgrades, including labor. It was nice to be able to see what the cost would be.
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It seems that it is a factory configuration, but essentially you are many many parts twice. But you do get to keep the original parts that are not worth much. It seems stupid for a low production bike not to be able to build as ordered, unless its a deal with the dealers so they can make more $$$
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After a test ride and a decision to go with the Pursuit, I went home to start building my bike out on the website.
I sent my build in to the dealer, and the salesman gives me a call back after a bit.

He explained that Indian just makes the base bike, and most add-ons are ordered/shipped separately and then the dealer has to install (and charge to install) them.

He told me that the ~$2.4k Stage 2 performance package would cost another $1.5-1.8k to install it. Knowing I was near budget, he recommended that we drop that from the build.
I assume this is normal for Indian? But it would have been nice to know when adding options on the Build a bike that most of the those fancy upgrades will cost time and money at Dealer after it gets delivered. Well, I am sure it is in some fine print somewhere, but they have the "As Configured" Cost in the bottom left makes it a little misleading.

Anyone else have an experience like this? Anyone not have to pay to have the add-ons installed?
I agree. I think if you are going to advertise “build your bike” and you are ordering a new bike that has to be “built”, then it should be delivered to the dealer with the options that you selected already installed. After all, that’s how it’s been with cars and trucks from the manufacturers for years.

I think if it were this way Indian would sell more bikes.

Why do I want to order a custom bike and then have the new parts pulled off and set aside to put the same but custom parts back on the bike for yet an additional charge? Let me decide what color, what engine options, what mufflers, what bars, what intake, what seat, etc., and have it built and delivered with those features.
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It seems that it is a factory configuration, but essentially you are many many parts twice. But you do get to keep the original parts that are not worth much. It seems stupid for a low production bike not to be able to build as ordered, unless its a deal with the dealers so they can make more $$$
Just make sure you ask for the original parts back. My dealer tried to keep my stock airbox. They turn around and sell oem takeoff parts on eBay.
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Just make sure you ask for the original parts back. My dealer tried to keep my stock airbox. They turn around and sell oem takeoff parts on eBay.
Great suggestion, I did not even think of that...

Even upgrading with speakers means there will be two brand new saddle bag lids amongst everything else. (the upgrade includes saddlebag lids with speaker cutouts).
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I agree. I think if you are going to advertise “build your bike” and you are ordering a new bike that has to be “built”, then it should be delivered to the dealer with the options that you selected already installed. After all, that’s how it’s been with cars and trucks from the manufacturers for years.

I think if it were this way Indian would sell more bikes.

Why do I want to order a custom bike and then have the new parts pulled off and set aside to put the same but custom parts back on the bike for yet an additional charge? Let me decide what color, what engine options, what mufflers, what bars, what intake, what seat, etc., and have it built and delivered with those features.
I have to disagree. I visited the Honda site recently to build a new Ridgeline and many of the accessories (tonneau covers, for one) are added after delivery at the dealer. I was very surprised myself.
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I have to disagree. I visited the Honda site recently to build a new Ridgeline and many of the accessories (tonneau covers, for one) are added after delivery at the dealer. I was very surprised myself.
I'm OK with a dealer adding something, like a tonneau cover on a truck, when they are not taking anything off to add it. But, most if not all of the stuff we do to our bike is removing a new part just to add another new part, i.e. exhaust, intake, bars, seats, etc.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just customize our bikes, and not have to pay for two sets of parts for each thing that we customize? Even if the manufacturer charged a premium to have this customization done, it would be much prefered than having two sets of parts.
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Yes, it is pretty cheapskate if you ask me. Back in the day (and you may still be able to) you could custom order your car from GM/Ford/Chrysler. I know because my dad got to order his new company car every couple of years. The company would pay for some items, but then my dad could add other and pay for those upgrades.

Now this was a while ago and power windows/seats were not that common. But my dad wanted them. His car did not arrive at the arrive at the local dealer with crank windows and a manual seat that the dealer had to replace. It was all done at the f-ing factory ! ! ! Yes, there was a charge, but I don't think included labor . . .

On time he was ordering a new '75 Monte Carlo. It looked just like this one:




I was going to buy it from the company after 2 years. I talked my dad into upgrading from the 302 w/a 2bbl to a 350 w/a 4bbl. I had to pay a couple a hundred for the upgrade, but I didn't get an extra 302 !

I agree that if you are going on the Indian website and building a custom bike from scratch - one that you are going to have to wait a loooong time for - they should build it the right way the first time.





BD
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Yes, it is pretty cheapskate if you ask me. Back in the day (and you may still be able to) you could custom order your car from GM/Ford/Chrysler. I know because my dad got to order his new company car every couple of years. The company would pay for some items, but then my dad could add other and pay for those upgrades.

Now this was a while ago and power windows/seats were not that common. But my dad wanted them. His car did not arrive at the arrive at the local dealer with crank windows and a manual seat that the dealer had to replace. It was all done at the f-ing factory ! ! ! Yes, there was a charge, but I don't think included labor . . .

On time he was ordering a new '75 Monte Carlo. It looked just like this one:

View attachment 746276


I was going to buy it from the company after 2 years. I talked my dad into upgrading from the 302 w/a 2bbl to a 350 w/a 4bbl. I had to pay a couple a hundred for the upgrade, but I didn't get an extra 302 !

I agree that if you are going on the Indian website and building a custom bike from scratch - one that you are going to have to wait a loooong time for - they should build it the right way the first time.





BD
That is a great looking car!

And some still work there same way. A couple years ago I 'built' a Jeep online and it was delivered as ordered to the dealer. I guess after that good experience I was a little surprised by this one.
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I'm pretty sure you can order a car picking out all the options and colors, etc yourself. BUT, with modern lean manufacturing you'll have to wait until the Assembly Plant is doing on a run on that exact configuration. I have seen guys complaining they are waiting 9 months to a year for their Custom Order car.

The Dealer may be particularly honest, or he may just be practical knowing what kind of scene he could expect on the showroom floor when your Pursuit shows as a base model and a bunch of boxes on the side, and he tells you that it will be an additional $2500 over what you've already paid for the labor to install everything you ordered.
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Back when Polaris first released the Indian line accessories were used by the dealers to help close the deal. Those days are mostly gone as least in this economy. Dean
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It seems that it is a factory configuration, but essentially you are many many parts twice. But you do get to keep the original parts that are not worth much. It seems stupid for a low production bike not to be able to build as ordered, unless its a deal with the dealers so they can make more $$$
It is exactly why. Harley does the same thing. You can't build a bike from factory, has to go to dealer. I don't know of any bike manufacturers that do that. Very different than many cars, like my challenger I ordered recently, some stuff is factory like seat coverings, built in tech etc, but if you want accessories like mud flaps, door sill protectors, etc, a lot of that stuff is dealer side also. Difference is with these bikes, EVERYTHING thats not bone stock is a dealer install.
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Yes, it is pretty cheapskate if you ask me. Back in the day (and you may still be able to) you could custom order your car from GM/Ford/Chrysler. I know because my dad got to order his new company car every couple of years. The company would pay for some items, but then my dad could add other and pay for those upgrades.

Now this was a while ago and power windows/seats were not that common. But my dad wanted them. His car did not arrive at the arrive at the local dealer with crank windows and a manual seat that the dealer had to replace. It was all done at the f-ing factory ! ! ! Yes, there was a charge, but I don't think included labor . . .

On time he was ordering a new '75 Monte Carlo. It looked just like this one:

View attachment 746276


I was going to buy it from the company after 2 years. I talked my dad into upgrading from the 302 w/a 2bbl to a 350 w/a 4bbl. I had to pay a couple a hundred for the upgrade, but I didn't get an extra 302 !

I agree that if you are going on the Indian website and building a custom bike from scratch - one that you are going to have to wait a loooong time for - they should build it the right way the first time.





BD
Oh my, a car with REAL bumpers and those sick whitewalls... my grandma had a 1953 Buick Special, that's when I fell in love with chrome, and my dad kept that beauty running until the late 80's.
The more chrome and the more shiny the paint the better. I know the blacked out engine parts and matte finish paint is all the rage these days, but for me I can't get past bright shiny chrome and paint despite the effort required to keep it that way.
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Yes, it is pretty cheapskate if you ask me. Back in the day (and you may still be able to) you could custom order your car from GM/Ford/Chrysler. I know because my dad got to order his new company car every couple of years. The company would pay for some items, but then my dad could add other and pay for those upgrades.

Now this was a while ago and power windows/seats were not that common. But my dad wanted them. His car did not arrive at the arrive at the local dealer with crank windows and a manual seat that the dealer had to replace. It was all done at the f-ing factory ! ! ! Yes, there was a charge, but I don't think included labor . . .

On time he was ordering a new '75 Monte Carlo. It looked just like this one:

View attachment 746276


I was going to buy it from the company after 2 years. I talked my dad into upgrading from the 302 w/a 2bbl to a 350 w/a 4bbl. I had to pay a couple a hundred for the upgrade, but I didn't get an extra 302 !

I agree that if you are going on the Indian website and building a custom bike from scratch - one that you are going to have to wait a loooong time for - they should build it the right way the first time.





BD
Ahh the 70's and the custom order. I recall as a teenager a woman around the corner from me ordered a Malibu with the worst combination of colors known to man! The paint, vinyl roof and seat colors literally had nothing to do with each other. It was fuggly. But I guess it sounded good when she ordered it.
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I'm pretty sure you can order a car picking out all the options and colors, etc yourself. BUT, with modern lean manufacturing you'll have to wait until the Assembly Plant is doing on a run on that exact configuration. I have seen guys complaining they are waiting 9 months to a year for their Custom Order car.

The Dealer may be particularly honest, or he may just be practical knowing what kind of scene he could expect on the showroom floor when your Pursuit shows as a base model and a bunch of boxes on the side, and he tells you that it will be an additional $2500 over what you've already paid for the labor to install everything you ordered.
Agreed. Either way, it’s good that he was forthright with the info.
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Yes, it is pretty cheapskate if you ask me. Back in the day (and you may still be able to) you could custom order your car from GM/Ford/Chrysler. I know because my dad got to order his new company car every couple of years. The company would pay for some items, but then my dad could add other and pay for those upgrades.

Now this was a while ago and power windows/seats were not that common. But my dad wanted them. His car did not arrive at the arrive at the local dealer with crank windows and a manual seat that the dealer had to replace. It was all done at the f-ing factory ! ! ! Yes, there was a charge, but I don't think included labor . . .

On time he was ordering a new '75 Monte Carlo. It looked just like this one:

View attachment 746276


I was going to buy it from the company after 2 years. I talked my dad into upgrading from the 302 w/a 2bbl to a 350 w/a 4bbl. I had to pay a couple a hundred for the upgrade, but I didn't get an extra 302 !

I agree that if you are going on the Indian website and building a custom bike from scratch - one that you are going to have to wait a loooong time for - they should build it the right way the first time.





BD
That’s beautiful!!!!!!

My first car was a 73 Cutlass Supreme with a 350 Rocket/Holley 4bbl. The thing was a boat and you could see the fuel gauge creeping toward empty when you got on the gas! My wife had a 76 (?) Cutlass as her first car. Needless to say, we both have a soft spot for the 70’s land barges 😂
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That labor cost for the Stage II seems really high. I know it's a huge job, but that a lot. My labor charge for the complete Indian Stage II was $580. I even had a chance to see it when it was in process of the install. It was painful to see my brand new motorcycle that I have not ridden completely tore down. My dealer does heavily discount parts, accessories and labor when purchasing a new bike. After that normal prices are in effect.
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