Polaris Industries Inc. announced a partnership with the Costco Auto Program (CAP), an auto-buying program specifically for Costco members, for its powersports division. Starting today, Costco members are able to access special pricing and promotional incentives on select Polaris products at participating dealers in the U.S.
Products include snowmobiles, off-road vehicles (Sportsman, Ranger and RZR), Victory motorcycles and GEM electric vehicles. Specific Polaris brand participation will vary by store and dealer geography. Costco members can locate a participating dealership by visiting Costco Auto Program. As a partner, Victory and GEM branded products will be on display inside select Costco warehouses. Costco members will be able to obtain special pricing and purchase these products through trained and certified Polaris dealer representatives at participating dealerships.
“We are excited to announce our role in expanding the selection of powersport products offered through the Costco Auto Program,” said Tim Larson, vice president, global customer excellence, Polaris. “This program allows Costco members to experience industry-leading Polaris products at a great value while connecting members with our valued dealers to engage even more riders in our brands and lifestyle.”
“Polaris is an industry leader offering the breadth and depth of products that are a great fit for Costco members,” said Jeff Skeen, president and general manager of Affinity Auto Program, which operates the Costco Auto Program. “Costco members rely on us to recommend premium products while saving them time and money. This new partnership gives us the opportunity to offer an exceptional value on powersport products without the hassle of negotiating.”
What ???
Seriously ???
Oh for the love of Pete !!! Next thing you know the Motor Company will be selling bikes at WalMart !
When .. will the insanity ever end ?
ColoradoKid,
If it saves you $$$$, why the heck not!!! also, you will avoid the annoying salesmen.
the way its worded, you’ll still be buying from a dealership salesman?
CC & Woody – Save a dollar or two in the short run [ as well as avoid negotiating because you’re lacking the skills to do so ] and cost both yourself and your community a fortune in the long term scheme of things
So now does a dealer bend over to help I think not.
The savings isn’t worth the poor brand positioning (unless, that’s the brand positioning they’re going for), IMHO. This just doesn’t feel “best in class” to me – it feels like “hey, our bikes are over-priced enough to discount at bulk retailers, like the 50lb cheese ball containers and 4 gallon milk jugs.” Cheapens the product from a high level. Some will love this, though.
I buy through cosco. I get a “special” price. I go to the dealer…what do I get. A higher price? A lower price, List price? Do I need to go to cisco to get the “best” price or will the dealers deal? Another layer in the retail chain…it makes me very uncomfortable.
Much ado about nothing. Almost every group has one of these manufacturer affinity programs. The “savings” are not that great, and you can often negotiate better. Nearly every manufacturer is listed on Costco’s site. Bike manufacturers include BMW, Triumph, Aprilia, Ducati, and even MV Agusta, among others. The “member pricing” gets people into the dealer before they can see the special price which makes the dealers happy.
The best deal that Costco has is an extended warranty (a real one), and ongoing P&A discounts of 10-15% if you use CAP.
@ COkid, understood, I forgot to put “@cc” at the beginning of my post. I’d personally have no interest in buying a vehicle through this silliness. From an educational standpoint, it does seem to imply they have way too much margin to play with, though 😉 If I were a dealer I’d have a permanent image of anyone buying through this program wearing a big red nose and floppy shoes every time they walked into the dealership☺
Their customers should get a deal, since they have to pay to shop there.
Plenty of similar “special-great Pricing-reduced price-unique opportunity-at-dealer cost-etc” out there.
This type of program usually brings more floor traffic to dealers. Usually sales people are not aware that you are coming form this “ultra special-huge/fantastic saving” you believe you will get.
I’ve been shopping/buying lots of vehicles during my life. My advice is to shop around. Use all kind of discount type you could find but always be aware the sales people are looking to fully empty your pockets and your job is to find find the SAME vehicle at the lowest price. EVERYTHING is negotiable. Costco program may help you or not. Mostly depends in your negotiations ability.
Costco is not WalMart. Costco customers and employees seem to love this company – not true for WallyWorld.
With Polaris’ (re)introduction of Indian, their very decent Victory bikes have been almost forgotten. So this is another way of marketing them.
Not my cup of tea, but anything that helps boost sales of these American-made bikes can’t be bad.
Right on B.D. !!!
These days, anything that gets a cycle in the hands of the person who will ride it is a plus !!!
Not much for the marketing idea, myself, but it is an alternative for some.