How do you respond when asked?

Ya know....that's an interesting observation, because the same thing happens to me....and it's always uncomfortable when someone asks how much something costs....I think most people are just curious.....which reminded me....

I was gassing up the rig last weekend near Lake Eufala Ok. on my way to Dallas....and until you mentioned it, I never realized it....but at the pump station next to me was a 36' Eliminator, with twin 400 h.p. I/Os, and stainless outdrives, with the most awesome 6 or 7 color gelcoat job.....and as the owner was fueling his matching F450, I asked out of pure curiosity: "How much does an outfit like that cost"?....and he said: "If ya gotta ask........."

There are several responses I use depending on how the question is asked.

Q. Would you be offended if I asked how much a rig like that costs?
A. No.

Q. What did you pay for it?
A. Not nearly enough.

Q. What did it cost you?
A. An arm and a leg.

Q. How much is it worth?
A. Call or e-mail me and I'll send you an information packet.

The last answer is accompanied with one of our business cards.

If they seem really interested I will point them here, to Sidecar.com.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars

Nice to know that others share my concern on this topic and don't disagree that it might be considered impolite to ask what someone has paid.
I think too it depends on their level of genuine interest as compared to mild curiosity or small talk.
An exception might be when asked by a cop. This happened on Sunday as I was stopped twice and each cop wanted to know what it cost. I told them.
I also ride a recumbent bicycle which is also somewhat novel. When the same question comes up about cost (especially when it's the first question) I say it's cheaper than a triple by-pass. Silence then ensues.
Howard
Live well and thrive

I'm little uncomfortable about that question and I get it often. From this thread I guess it is pretty common. I usually say that I don't like to think about it or some sort of off-hand dodge. I rarely say straight out what I paid...in fact I don't think I've EVER admitted just how much I've got in a rig, not even to myself. Sometimes I say, "A person could get a similar rig for XXX" or "sidecars rigs are all over the place on cost".

I've owned several rigs now and I don't think I've ever paid too little. If I buy a rig at a low price, I end up spending more than the difference it would have cost to buy the same rig in prime condition. I've never made money on a sale, usually quite the opposite. That notwithstanding, I'm sure that there is a bargain rig out there somewhere. If you find it, you probably still won't be happy answering the "What does it cost" question.

At the bottom of all of this is the idea that someone MAY be interested in getting into sidecaring and wonders if the cost is reasonable. Maybe the right answer is, "Sidecars are like motorcycles, you can pay pretty much as little or as much as you want". Then follow it with, "No matter what you pay, it's great fun and you will probably enjoy your investment".

I think this goes beyond sidecars. I sometimes think people today only think of value in terms of money so they want to equate everything to a dollar value. I also think people used to have more manners and the prices of things weren't talked about like they are now (of course people used be private about a lot more things than they seem to be these days).

I usually avoid the question. The price only matters when you are buying or selling and I don't have any intention of doing either. Much like Mr. Olme I tend to give a ballpark price of what sidecars cost in case the person is interested in procuring one.

To be honest one of the things I hate most about having an older BMW is that when you saw "BMW" people think you have big piles of money at home you sleep on like Scrooge McDuck. Maybe I should find some old EMW emblems and swap them out. lol

m

It seems like a balancing act. We don't want to be rude in our reply and yet feel the question itself is somewhat rude.
I'm not sure that it applies beyond motorcycles to the same extent. Is the question asked as readily to owners of SUV's, motor homes, boats etc?
Howard

It doesn't really bother me I will usually tell them what I spent on the sidecar in question and then follow up with...........keep in mind...it only has one wheel and no motor.....;)

If I see that Eliminator at the gas pumps again I'm going to refrain from asking how much something like that costs.....I'm gonna ask him how many bikini clad honey's he can collect on a Saturday afternoon.

I use "Nunya"........Nunya *&%$#@!*&^%% business

I usually figure it's someone who has, at least once, considered owning one. Consequently, I usually say "You can put together a nice used one starting at about $2000." It amazes me how often people gasp and say something like, "I didn't think it would cost THAT much".

Al wrote:
>>At the bottom of all of this is the idea that someone MAY be interested in getting into sidecaring and wonders if the cost is reasonable. Maybe the right answer is, "Sidecars are like motorcycles, you can pay pretty much as little or as much as you want". Then follow it with, "No matter what you pay, it's great fun and you will probably enjoy your investment".<<

I usually come off with something like that and if the person seems to be interested in a sidecar maybe go into more conversation.
Costs ARE all over the place for sure. Used vs New....do th ework yourself or pay to have it done....all kinds of variables.
What we pay for something is the 'cost' but what that something is worth to us is the 'value'. The terms 'cost' and 'value' can be far from one another.

I just tell 'em. "Way more than I should have."

"A lot of patience: 16 years without rig and 11 years without any bike (because the Vespa didn't count)."

Here in Costa Rica this question comes mainly from people with relatively little education but a lot of envidia (jeallousy?). So I try to avoid answering. For people with interest I give the telefone number and direction of the importer who is an excellent person.
Sven

I simply tell them the "Dog House" cost 8K.

Then if they are still curious I tell them the bike pulling it was another 20K.

That usually ends the questions for most, other than discussion about the Heelers in the "Dog House".

However those that are actually interested will push on so I let them know which Dealer they can visit localy to check them out further and even have a Test Drive on one of the Demo's.

What is supprising is how many of the "Old Folks" continue to talk about the one they or one of their parents had back when.

Very few of the younger ones ever get beyond the "OMG, THAT MUCH!!!" phase.