Experience 1: I purchased my first Harley, an 04 sportster at Obx Harley this past Oct. After-the-fact with a little bit of research I had found that I had paid 30% more than what the bike was worth in elevated purchase price and especially the $1000 in fees in which at least half was unnecessarily added on. (Upside down in loan now) That doesn't even include the $800 I asked them to remove from my bill of sale under "parts and accessories" (i added nothing) for a belt replacement made before I even looked at the bike! Also I only was able to "test drive" after the paperwork was finished, technically after I purchased it. I thought that must have been normal as I never bought a motorcycle at a dealership. (tho my third bike) Within a month I discovered I had bought the wrong bike for my needs. As a disabled veteran I found I needed more of a cruising bike to keep arthritic pain down. I decided to upgrade.
Experience 2: While shopping for a HD Softail Deluxe or potentially a heritage, I found myself going to various dealerships all over North Carolina, western TN, and eastern Virginia. Many offered test drives without me even asking for one. Since my first bike was purchased at this location and they had a beautiful deluxe I finally asked to test it. In conversation the salesman made a comment that they do not even allow people test drive new Harley's, just used bikes or rentals. I found that odd when the day before at bayside (same owner) I was 'offered' to test a 2014 deluxe with less than a mile on it just because I was sitting on it. That ride is what made me decide for sure to chose the deluxe. I had sat on this particular Deluxe at obx HD many visits over the course of 2 months, never was I encouraged to try it out. So, at Obx HD, I requested a test drive, then again a week later when i had money in pocket to buy. I noticed during that ride an alignment problem and signs that seemed to show proof it had been in an accident. I lost trust in the sales team when they denied knowledge and dismissed my observations with excuses. They said the handle bars were "aftermarket" (yet not upgraded) which is why they were out of alignment, clutch was stiff and located further from grip because it was "not a harley clutch or lever" (the brake side lever was normal distance tho) Then once I looked the bike over I noticed scrapes and deep gauges under the lower tail pipe, right floorboard, (left floorboard had typical scraping signs from sharp curves but way less than right side damage) right front fog light glass deeply scraped, windshield had scrapes on right side as well, etc. Even an inexperienced eye could conclude that all this damage plus all the un-upgraded "aftermarket" parts was not from a tip over. (Fall) It was more than likely wrecked. If after market bars came crooked, wouldn't someone send them back?? Same with clutch? Which I was told only replacement could fix, tho other resources have said it was a simple adjustment to fix. So basically... Draw your own conclusions from my experience.
Store Comparison: So as I have shopped 8 dealerships in 3 states, and eventually purchased a deluxe yesterday at HRHD in VA, I can honestly say obx HD fell short on sales customer service. I really never felt my presence or business was appreciated, especially in comparison to yesterday's purchase. If fact all dealerships paled in comparison to Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson in Yorktown VA! Every aspect of the purchasing experience there was amazing! Getting red carpet treatment really made me realize how bad my first purchase experience went at Obx HD. Bottom of the list :( Sorry guys.
The good:
Erin in retail is awesome tho! Shamra and Valarie are very nice. Parts guys are cool! Sales team.... I would shop elsewhere. read more