The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
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Dealership taken off vendor list after reneging on motorcycle purchase
PUBLISHED: May 22, 2008
At its May 13 meeting, Police Chief Ed Toth Jr. informed the Chelsea City Council that the planned purchase of two Harley Davidson motorcycles had hit a bump in the road.
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Toth said American Harley Davidson of Ann Arbor had given a verbal commitment on a price of $9,462 each for two pre-owned 2005 Electra Glide police bikes in January, but when officers went to pick them up in April the dealer wanted $11,500 each.
"You can get brand-new ones for $14,200 or $14,500," Toth said.
Officer Rick Cornell got new quotes from Town & Country Harley Davidson in Cement City for a not-to-exceed price of $15,000 each for two 2009 models.
The dealership will also lease one 2008 demonstration model for $100 per month until the 2009s are available.
"In the past American has honored their verbal quotes, but they chose not to this time," Toth said.
Council approved separate motions to approve the $100 monthly lease of the 2008 unit and purchase of two 2009 units not to exceed $30,000 total.
The council also approved a third motion to "remove American Harley Davidson and any affiliated stores of the same ownership from future purchase considerations."
City Manager John Hanifan expressed frustration with the situation.
"Ed (Toth) didn't add this, I did," Hanifan said.
"I have purchased about a billion dollars worth of stuff for governments over the past 15 years, and this is the first time a company of any size did not honor a verbal commitment — let alone to people who carry guns and wear badges."
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