Test-riding a shop's bikes: is intended immediate purchase morally necessary?

[Iggy]

I have Ducati ST2 and am very happy to keep this bike for awhile longer, however I am in the process of upgrading my car so went to a couple dealers in CHCH last weekend. As I am trading my old car and make the difference up with cash , I went to one dealer and took one of their cars for a drive with only the proof of drivers licence and came back and was happy to do a deal but was undecided on the car, if it was practical for me. I went to try another dealer, saw a car I really liked, dealer said we are happy trade your car and a cash deposit before you take our car out of their yard for a test drive WTF!!!! .. Now I see this dealer has advertised Quake specials, we need your business urgently, well they can get fucked!!!
Is this normal business practice?

[Maha]

Our local new Indian takeaway does that - which I personally think is a marvellous plan. Lets me try new stuff without having to buy a big serving of it which I may not like.

I was in a local liquor store the other day, contemplating a bottom-shelf whisky that I hadn't tried before (I'm a working class man these days, y'know), and asked the shop attendant if it was palatable.

He didn't know, but called the manager from out the back, who proceeded to open a bottle and serve me a shot to try.

We're talking a $35 bottle of whisky here, not a case of Laphroaig. They weren't about to make a mint on it. But he still poured me a shot.

And, yes, I bought the bottle. It wasn't too bad.

Letting customers try before buying is good business.

Did I say takeaways?...sorry, I ment women....

[James Deuce]

You know what, I'm buggered if I can remember the name of it. Google's no help; I'll have to go back to the shop and check.

NZ brand. Blended in the South Island from a mix of local distillation and imported Scotch product. Bottled at 37%. Rough strong sort of taste, with distinct notes of bird shit and diesel smoke.

Sounds like Wilson's

[jrandom]

Did I say takeaways?...sorry, I ment women

I think your point that trying before buying isn't generally allowed in that instance has already been made, dude:

Unless you are running a knocking shop.

Trying before buying is still a sound course to take in such matters whenever possible, of course. Most principles relating to motorcycles apply well to women by analogy.

[Maha]

I think your point that trying before buying isn't generally allowed in that instance has already been made, dude:

And the best part of that is...no 'on road costs'.

[sinned]

I spend a fair bit of time looking but am reluctant to test ride as I may be tempted to buy. An offroad bike and a HD would fit in my garage but I may be unpopular if another bike was in said garage. Would never buy a bike unless able to test ride but have bought my last three vehicles without a test drive and the Mazda3, had never driven one, sat in one and read the reviews and that was good enough for me. I should have never ridden the Hayabusa as I could still be in the Triumph rat cult - going to their rat meetings where most turn up in a cage.

[MIXONE]

Unless you are running a knocking shop Please come again later sir ......


Back to your question.

Well there was this one time back at band camp...


The only bike I have ridden with no intention of buying (a brand spanking RD350) many moons ago, I was so impressed with that my best mate bought it's zero mileage twin the next day.

[vifferman]

Up until I bought my current bike, I was usually looking for a new bike when I went test-riding. However, when I bouth the VFR, I was only window-shopping for a new helmet for the vifferbabe. While we were waiting for some service, we were offered a test ride, took two bikes out, and ended up buying one. For that reason, I haven't test ridden a bike in the last six and half years...

So my answer would be that bike shops should be happy to allow test rides as it probably increases the likelihood of a sale.

One of the best shops for test rides is Holeshot Suzuki. I'd really like to buy a bike from them one day, as in the past they've been very willing to let me test ride their bikes, despite never finding one I liked.

[Ocean1]

Asked to test rise a bike at a Suzuki dealer which I was very interested in buying. They didint say no but made it very obvious they didnt want me to test ride it. Went round to the Kawasaki dealer that same day asked to test one of their bikes, " yep no problem", went back with a bank cheque a couple of hours later and rode it home.
Laughed my arse off as i rode past the Suzuki shop.

I've had similar experiences. Twice.

Both shops didn't simply fail to spot a cash buyer, they failed to understand that actual buyers look exactly like those annoying bastards that ask to test ride their bikes.

Conversely, I've been told, (having just written a rather large cheque) by a somewhat more enterprising salesman that the shop was firmly of the opinion that I was just another tyre kicker.


Maybe I should shave more often.

[DEATH_INC.]

One of the best shops for test rides is Holeshot Suzuki. I'd really like to buy a bike from them one day, as in the past they've been very willing to let me test ride their bikes, despite never finding one I liked.

Yep, they're always more than happy.....that's how I ended up with the gixxer back, they gave it to me so I could go with draco when she test rode the cbr....

[SPman]

I bought the SP after a test ride, with no intention (at that time) of buying. I liked it so much that I gave it a month then went past the shop and.....it was still there! Ergo: - it was meant to be mine...the FZR750 stayed behind - the trade was what I expected, and I rode the SP home....the beginning of a long love/hate relationship, and it wasn't even Italian........

[sinned]

I've had similar experiences. Twice.

Both shops didn't simply fail to spot a cash buyer, they failed to understand that actual buyers look exactly like those annoying bastards that ask to test ride their bikes.

Conversely, I've been told, (having just written a rather large cheque) by a somewhat more enterprising salesman that the shop was firmly of the opinion that I was just another tyre kicker.


Maybe I should shave more often.

Interesting that I have found the same and in other than bike shops. I have often wondered why I am not getting a sales person's attention when I am wanting to buy. Seems to happen a lot.

[sinned]

I've had similar experiences. Twice.

Both shops didn't simply fail to spot a cash buyer, they failed to understand that actual buyers look exactly like those annoying bastards that ask to test ride their bikes.

Conversely, I've been told, (having just written a rather large cheque) by a somewhat more enterprising salesman that the shop was firmly of the opinion that I was just another tyre kicker.


Maybe I should shave more often.

If not shaving works for you then don't shave - will save you some money. I often find I am ignored by salespeople in a range of areas. Haven't figured it out. I have worked out that few salespeople have any idea how to identify a genuine buyer or who has money and who doesn't.

[Swoop]

Test rides? What?

Dealers will not allow me a fucking test ride.
Seriously interested in a gxsr750. Dealer = no. = OK, I'll spend $$$'s elsewhere.
Honda dealer = no.
Others = same result.
OK, being an ugly bastard is one thing, but I was serious on all bikes and would possibly have parted with reddies for the right bike.

Mate, you're a champ.

That'd be awesome.

You do know that you'll have to cut the tassles off?

[boman]

Bein in the market for a new bike, at the precise moment. I have taken bikes for a test ride. The gixxer 600, and 750, and a Triumph 675 Daytona. I bought my current bike, SV1000, without a test ride, and although I have enjoyed it, I wouldnt buy my next bike, without a test ride. I had , when riding the 750 and 600, no intention of buying the bike from the dealer. And had no qualms about "using" their bikes for the purpose of riding.