Stay away from American Kawasaki of Garland in Garland

Kinda reminds me of one time I was in there looking at a Vulcan 800.
Now, this was a used bike I was looking at and was not exactly without
blemishes and mileage. I FINALLY got a salesman over to me that I
could corner and get a quote for how much it was. He had to go check a
couple times (because I wondered if he was quoting the right bike). He
(and the couple other salesmen) finally decided the price was
correct...$7,000. Keep in mind, new 800s cost less than that new. I
said, "well, we can haggle over the price in a bit...how much of a
trade-in can you give me on mine". At this point, I was figuring
they'd be reasonable with the trade-in value with their pricing on the
used bikes there. The salesman came back with a WHOPPING $900
offer...but when I pointed out that my bike was cleaner than any other
bike on their used showroom, he upped the offer to an incredible $1200
and said that's his final price. I said, "ok" (just out of spite at
this point) "let's get started on it". Now, I know I've been to
college and took math courses in there and high school...but something
was wrong with their addition and subtraction. When the guy put it on
paper and showed it to me, the final price on the Vulcan was $8,900
and trade-in was $600. Hmm, something's wrong with that picture. I
asked him to check again. Wow, Dumb-**** (as he came to be known)
charged extra for the windshield that was on it and the pegs that were
on it and the engine guards that were on it....while deducting for
"prep fees" on my bike. Now, keep in mind, this was a USED Vulcan
sitting there. They didn't stick one bit of anything on it and it came
in as it sat.

I finally needed to go and told the guy to shove his bike up his
ass...which the way he walked looked like a couple people already did
just that.

Oh, and this salesman...still works there last time I was there.[/QUOTE]

Now that is interesting.. I priced out that same bike for a friend of mine,
shortly after your encounter on it.. Bottom line, tax, title and over the
curb was $5185.00..There was no trade involved and the friend didn't buy it,
because I thought it was still a little bit too high.. The repair of the
stater and voltage regulator on your bike was also done for about half the
cost in other dealerships in the area.. The time delay wasn't warranted, but
we got some good breaks from the owner.. Goes back to what I have said for
years.. "each one of us creates our own relationships with a dealer".. When
I am satisfied with my experience, the next guy comes through the door and
doesn't get the same feeling.. Ah well..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

LMAO

It's amazing, but dealers (some, not all?) think they can really get
away with this stuff. This guy probably thought you were gullible
enough to do the deal and was about to shoot his wad thinking of the
commission he was going to make.


--Fullstate

 

Bill -

I think that you and I both agree that there are certainly the
"one-off's" that happen. One guy has a good experience, another guy
has a bad one.

But, with this particular dealer, I can count three people
(you included) that have positive things to say about them. Let me
take that back. I can count ONE person that has positive things to
say (you). The other two have just said that they never had a problem
with them.

On the other hand, I can't count how many people have said to
stay away from them. So, I think this goes beyond a simple case of
"one bad time."



--Fullstate

 

That brings up another thing about them.

I went in there to buy a battery. When they rang up the sale, it was
right at $110 out the door. They got ready to hand me the battery and
I told them I was on the bike and I needed the battery charged and
ready to go. They finally agreed to charge it...sorta. After about 15
minutes, the shop manager came out with the battery and sat it on the
parking lot concrete next to my bike and walked back in. As I recall,
he didn't even say "thank you, come again". I guess for that
"brother-in-law" price, I was supposed to install it too. I rummaged
around and found a wrench in my bag and installed the battery.

It would've been nice if the guy had at least offered me a wrench.

To their defense though, the shop manager doesn't work there
anymore...but I know of at least one mechanic still there that if one
knows before hand that he'll be working on the bike, that person will
change their mind about letting him do the work.