spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub

The link above is to a web page of 2011 price comparisons for every HD model. It shows we pay 1/3 more for an HD in Aus than in NZ. Prices for both Aus and NZ are set by HD Aus in Ryde. Imports for Aus and NZ are by HD Aus in Ryde. NZ pays 15% GST to Aus 10%. The NZ market is smaller and thus less profitable. By rights HD's should be more expensive in NZ.

BUT, HD Aus has virtually an identical price list for both Aus and NZ that does not consider the strength of the Aus currency. For example: 2011 Electra Glide Ultra Classic is ~ A$37,000 and also ~ NZ$37,000. It should be ~ A$27,750 and ~ NZ $ 37,000 based on exchange of NZ$1 = A$ 0.75. That's ~ A$9,250 more in Aus than NZ without justification!

I have spoken with HD Aus and they simply argue two things; the Aus market is conditioned to pay the much higher price (they do it becuase they can get away with it); 2/ a price drop to align with NZ pricing would devalue current Aus bikes (true but not completely negative).

The former argument supports their price gouging, the latter while true is only relevant to someone who is selling an HD and buying another manufacturer's bike or getting out of HD ownership entirely. The latter argument by HD Aus suggests that they are keeping the price high in Aus so people no longer wanting to own HD's benefit. That is a perverse argument that makes no sense at all.

Harley Owners should contact HD Aus to apply consumer pressure. The objective is to get better pricing for all HD enthusiasts and public pressure now may just see a price drop in the 2012 pricing due in July / August 201. HD contact details are available in the link.

The pricks would more likely go the other way and jack the prices up in NZ rather than lower them here

Greygo, I'm sure you have also noted that US prices are around another 15 to 20% LESS than even the NZ price. The whole thing is a big con job. As long as there is only one importer they can charge what they want. This is what our government (both sides) call the "level playing field". We won't charge you import duty on your Nissans if you don't charge us duty on our Holdens. No mention of monopolies which is the ultimate cause of inflated pricing.

I believe I am correct in saying that a Holden costs roughly the same in England as here. Seems fair to me. Even a bit extra for shipping is OK too. I think it's more about supply and demand. Ironically, HD laid off hundreds of workers due to the GFC yet they could have kept their jobs perhaps if they simply lowered Aussie (and other) prices by say 20%.

The ONLY way I can see HD dropping prices is if NOBODY buys a new bike for say a whole year as a protest. HD in Oz would have to lay off most of its staff and close down many dealerships. The efficient ones would survive. If every known bike club encouraged its members to do the right thing then their sales would drop......what....... 50-70% maybe?

Let's face it, WE are the mugs! We just keep paying the price they ask! At least now that Victory are on the scene they might just try a bit harder . Every Victory buyer COULD be a Harley buyer but for price alone.

The other alternative is to take a year off, go to the US and buy a bike, tour the States and bring it home under the Personal Import scheme which I believe is reasonably priced.

Comments welcomed!

Thanks for your comments.

We are not helpless victims in this. We are led to believe that HD's in Aus are they price they are because that's what it costs. BUT the cost argument all falls apart when we see that the same organisation (HD Australia) can do HD's in NZ at a much lower price and still make money.

Consumer action can rectify this. Email the link below to all your Harley Owning friends. Tell them they need to apply presure to HD Australia. All the information they need is in the linked document.

If HD Australia hears from enough people before they set the 2012 prices they might realise their price-gouging days are over. If they don't , well maybe other actions are required but until about June-July 2011 we have a window to tell them enough-is-enough!

Pick up the phone, make the call, get an HD Call Number, and email all you HD Riding friends.

But do it NOW or the 2012 prices will be set and we can all bend over and take it for another year.

Here's the link, cut and paste it into an email. We can influence HD Aus through constant consumer pressure.

http://tinyurl.com/4ybsj2h

Keep in mind that it's Harley Australia who dictates the prices not the dealers.  The dealers have a very small margin of retail markup to work with.  I don't know exactly what it is, but I would be surprised if they made any more than 1 to 2k on new bikes. 

I've been told that in the Jappa world it's much less, someone told me that Honda wholesale is so high the dealers make only a few hundred per bike.

Do not blame the dealers in my discussions with them they are not making anywhere near what some people think on new bikes.

If its cheaper in NZ than Aus to buy a Harley we should try and do something about the price, but good luck with that one.

That is why they are screwing us now so we cant purchase HD parts on the net so they make more money again, they know we the consumer are going elsewhere and purchasing on the net.  Then if we get HD bikes direct from the US they will stop that also, just a crazy greedy world we live in.

They will screw us no matter what, but they shouldn't be able to do this.

If anyone is interested in buying from NZ, I am only too willing to help, and i will display all costs, plus costs for time and effort, so that others canorder with confidence.

If anyone is interested, i can raise jackets at a competitive rate against local.

cheers

cj

Apologies for cross-posting but the "Will HD Prices Drop in 2012" thread is covering much of the same ground so I am putting my comments in both.

There are 4 or 5 strategies being discussed that undermine HD Australia's business. They are:
1/ import bikes from the U.S. (HD Aus is owned by the HD U.S. so being able to get a bike for less by doing this shows how ridiculous HD Aus' pricing strategy is, and it is) ,
2/ import bikes from NZ (NZ is managed by HD Aus so being able to get a bike for less by doing this again shows how ridiculous HD Aus' pricing strategy is, and it really really is),
3/ buy another manufacturer's bike (yuck),
4/ stop buying HD's until HD Aus comes to their senses (I doubt anyone can actually orchestrate this),
5/ price gouge Aus customers until they are so disgusted they take one of the above strategies (this is what HD Aus is currently doing, f-wits)

Undermining HD Australia's business hurts us the customer! A stronger HD presence with more riders more dealers great prices (for bikes, accessories and service) is good for us as customers.

So taking any of the above 5 strategies is like poking a finger in our own eye (or in the case of option 5, like HD Aus poking a finger in our eye)! We are the ones who get hurt.

The only strategy that makes sense and strengthens the HD business in Aus is to correct the pricing so it reflects both the (exchange adjusted) price that bikes are available for in NZ and the (exchnage adjusted) price that bikes are available for in the U.S (while allowing a little extra for Aus compliance, shipping, and other justified charges).

Undermining the HD Aus business is not a good strategy for loyal customers ( the fact HD Aus is doing so is pathetic) but as customers we can apply leverage to get them to correct this without taking an alternative and equally damaging strategy (and hurting ourselves).

Call HD Aus, register your disgust, get your HD riding friends to do so, let HD Aus know we are loyal but are not stupid! See this link for all the details you need to tell HD Aus it is time they got serious about the Australian market. tinyurl.com/4ybsj2h

All other options listed above are always available if they do not heed this feedback.

Not to support HD aus' inflated prices, but there are a lot of people that have bought new harleys over the last 4 or 5 years wouldn't be so keen to support a price drop on new (and therefore recently second hand) HD's. Its already getting hairy enough with a the economic collapse toys streaming in from the USA through dealers for a quick buck. Seems like they are shooting themselves in the foot there?

I realise your argument is that it wont matter if you get less for your 2 or 3 y.o bike, as a new bike will be less also..... but do you reckon it will be an equivalent drop? I would assume the ass would fall completely out of the 2nd hand market. Just gives dealers more excuse to give terrible trade in offers etc....

My point is - if you could get your next HD for cheap, will it be the last one you can comfortably afford? - not because the new one is too expensive, but because you got nothig for the used one.

I think my next HD will be an old one for sure.