Modern Buddy

Couldn't decide if this was a For Sale item or a Events item, so I'm exercising admin privilege and putting it here.

Scootwerworks is having a "Secret Santa" event this Friday and Saturday. There will be food and refreshments, giveaways and contests and all sorts of fun.

More importantly, they're blowing out scooters at super deep discounts, including Genuines at or below dealer cost.

More details here:
http://www.scooterworkschicago.com/secretsanta.html

A lot of dealers seem to be clearing out stock and offering some crazy deals. If you're looking for a scoot and not in Chicago, it may be time to check in with your local dealer. If ever there was a time to get a good deal, it's now.

oops

I thought about taking off to go down and look at the restorations they have, but don't think I can get off of work.

iwabj wrote:I certainly don't need one, but I would splurge for that green stella if I thought I could get it below cost.

My dealer is flush with Stellas right now—4 or 5 for sale. All used but very low miles and in great condition. So tempted… Yet so broke…

ericalm wrote:

iwabj wrote:I certainly don't need one, but I would splurge for that green stella if I thought I could get it below cost.

My dealer is flush with Stellas right now—4 or 5 for sale. All used but very low miles and in great condition. So tempted… Yet so broke…

DO NOW.

Stellas rule.

ericalm wrote:Couldn't decide if this was a For Sale item or a Events item, so I'm exercising admin privilege and putting it here.

Scootwerworks is having a "Secret Santa" event this Friday and Saturday. There will be food and refreshments, giveaways and contests and all sorts of fun.

More importantly, they're blowing out scooters at super deep discounts, including Genuines at or below dealer cost.

More details here:
http://www.scooterworkschicago.com/secretsanta.html

A lot of dealers seem to be clearing out stock and offering some crazy deals. If you're looking for a scoot and not in Chicago, it may be time to check in with your local dealer. If ever there was a time to get a good deal, it's now.

Hey Eric !

This seems stunning to me that the distributor of Genuine would do this and potentially undercut their dealer body? Not sure this won't start a riot, if Piaggio had a dealership and they did this we would bolt the doors.

Getting a fire sale on a scoot is good stuff but doesn't this seem odd?

What say you almighty one?

SDG

PS Next year the Ventura Blvd parade is a must for you, it was hilarious.

Scooterworks Chicago is a dealer like any other and a separate company from Genuine (though obviously related). I honestly don't know how all that is set up other than they've done some restructuring this year and that the dealership is being managed and run separate from other operations now. It's no secret that with the scooter market 63% down as of Sept. a lot of dealers are flush with stock and have very little capacity to take on 2010 stock.

As you well know, dealers all over—including Vespa dealers—are fighting to survive right now. I don't really know how this sale effects other dealers but do know that the sale includes vintage scoots on their floor as well as Kymcos, SYMs and other brands sold there.

So as far as I know, Scooterworks is taking a loss on these as would any dealer who made the same choice. (Wouldn't they have to pay for the scoots just as any dealer? I imagine anything else would be illegal, right? I dunno. Maybe not.)

Dealers of all kinds of scoots are trying to clear out stock and are offering all kinds of discounts and other offers to stimulate sales. Piaggio has extended their $500 discount on the 150s. (I hope it becomes permanent to make their entry-level scoot more competitive and accessible.) Today Vespa of LA took $1000 off a brand new LX 150. Vespa Lexington is offering cuts up to $1400 off. Buy a Vespa and get a Wii game, too. I don't recall Vespa dealers ever having to make these kinds of deals or the company offering these types of incentives.

Re: parade
Colin says he was doing donuts on Turdsie all the way down Ventura. Sorry I missed that! Lesson learned: Battery Tender is junk if you don't use it.

Riding on the coattails of the Admin's privilege yes, many local dealers hare having great big clearance sales.

Philadelphia Scooters is having a HOLIDAY PARTY! Friday & Saturday, December 18 & 19

I'm saving to buy my first scooter, a Buddy 125 most likely from San Francisco scooter Center, with these deals and discounts around any ideas on what kind of a price I should look for/push for? I know I can get $400 off but it seems like more might be possible!

GearGirl wrote:I'm saving to buy my first scooter, a Buddy 125 most likely from San Francisco scooter Center, with these deals and discounts around any ideas on what kind of a price I should look for/push for? I know I can get $400 off but it seems like more might be possible!

Is the $400 off the free accessories deal or is that off the normal price of the scooter?

What kinds of deals are available and how much is being discounted really depends on the individual dealer and the market. The $400 worth of accessories is already quite a good offer. The best thing to do is just ask if SFSC has any discounts or clearance prices on '09 models. They're pretty straight shooters over there from what I've heard. (I've only met Barry once, briefly, but the shop is one of the most well-liked and reputable in the country!)

Most of the time, dealers will advertise or post any kind of offers they have available. It's not like buying a car—the margins are much smaller—so there's usually not a lot of haggling involved. Often, they're more willing (or able) to offer some kind of discount on gear or accessories.

I was in Lincoln Square (5 minutes from Scooterworks) early Saturday afternoon dropping my daughter off at the Old Town School of the Arts (go figure..in Lincoln Square). I had an hour to spend shopping and talking with Dean (he works for Genuine) and Anna (she works at the new parts warehouse. I spent 15 minutes looking at all the scooters for sale (I knew I would be dead if I brought one home) and about 20 minutes with Dean taking a tour of Genuine and Scooterworks. I finally bought a set of black grips (my tan ones always look filthy) at 30% off. They didn't have them there, so Anna was going to send them from the warehouse on Monday with a T-shirt and no charge for shipping. $11 bucks plus change for two grips and a T-shirt. What a deal!
What a great bunch of people over there at Scooterworks and Genuine, especially Anna and Dean. No, I can't tell you what I found out about the 4 stroke Stella or the road scooter.

+1 on great treatment! I dealt with Anna, and told the poor woman that the Prima pipe was on sale for $159. (It was a couple of weeks ago, but obviously I missed that!)

But I still got one plus a battery at 30% off, and it was mailed here today, just as she said!

Also talked to the service guys who were great about confirming my little recent episode with my variator (documented elsewhere!) and the course of action for it.

Great experience at the end of what must have been a long weekend for them.

ericalm wrote:

GearGirl wrote:I'm saving to buy my first scooter, a Buddy 125 most likely from San Francisco scooter Center, with these deals and discounts around any ideas on what kind of a price I should look for/push for? I know I can get $400 off but it seems like more might be possible!

Is the $400 off the free accessories deal or is that off the normal price of the scooter?

What kinds of deals are available and how much is being discounted really depends on the individual dealer and the market. The $400 worth of accessories is already quite a good offer. The best thing to do is just ask if SFSC has any discounts or clearance prices on '09 models. They're pretty straight shooters over there from what I've heard. (I've only met Barry once, briefly, but the shop is one of the most well-liked and reputable in the country!)

Most of the time, dealers will advertise or post any kind of offers they have available. It's not like buying a car—the margins are much smaller—so there's usually not a lot of haggling involved. Often, they're more willing (or able) to offer some kind of discount on gear or accessories.

I think I can choose either. What do you think the better deal is? Taking the accessories or $400 of the scooter. Is the accessory package important? Do I need the windshield if I'm wearing a full face helmet?

Thanks so much for your help! I've heard really good things about SF scooter center, I'm glad they are near me!

Windshields have their advantages but some people don;t like them. They will actually reduce drag and help improve some pickup, power and fuel economy. Not a lot, but a noticeable amount. The downside is that they can increase noise and wind around your head but the full face helmet will help deal with that.

For high speed riding, I think a windshield is essential!

I love them. Others, not so much.