Homework assignment.... Find out how your Chevrolet dealers are handling the Camaro.
04-06-2009, 01:35 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: The Golden State
Posts: 13,711
Homework assignment.... Find out how your Chevrolet dealers are handling the Camaro.
I'm going to ask each of you for a favor (or.. if like me, you're a fan of the movie "Fight Club"... I have a "Homework Assignment" for you).
Today I stopped by the Chevrolet dealer in Serremonte, just outside of San Francisco and had a conversation about the upcoming Camaro.
One of the things that came out is that the demand for the car outstripped production for at least the through the summer. Of course, along with this comes shortages.... and markups. He talked about how high the intrest in the car was. All this combined to lead this dealer he worked at putting a minimum markup of $5,000 on the V6 models, with the SS models much higher..... and people are putting deposits on them at this price.
....So many people, in fact, that most all the Camaros they have coming in are sold, and the few that aren't are going to be showroom traffic builders.... meaning a "You gotta be kidding" markup on the window.
What I've been getting, this dealer isn't alone.
Request/homework assignment:
I'd like anyone here who is able to, to visit a Chevrolet dealer and question them about getting a Camaro.
Ask them about how many they expect to get in and when.
Ask them do they expect any shortages, or do they plan on hanging on to any for display, or any restrictions on any potential buyers (ie: test driving them).
And, the biggie.... what type of markups do they anticipate.
It does appear that the Camaro will be the only draw in Chevrolet showrooms at the very least, until the Cruize gets in (even the sharp looking black Malibu with the aftermarket rims in the showroom of the dealer I went to even had a healthy sized rebate sign on the windshield). Although I'm hoping things won't get as bad as they tend to get with Pontiac dealers.
I think this subject would not only be of intrest to me personally, or to most people here on this site.... I think there are people at GM (perhaps even at Chevrolet) that might be intrested in this as well.
Keep it factual.
Today I stopped by the Chevrolet dealer in Serremonte, just outside of San Francisco and had a conversation about the upcoming Camaro.
One of the things that came out is that the demand for the car outstripped production for at least the through the summer. Of course, along with this comes shortages.... and markups. He talked about how high the intrest in the car was. All this combined to lead this dealer he worked at putting a minimum markup of $5,000 on the V6 models, with the SS models much higher..... and people are putting deposits on them at this price.
....So many people, in fact, that most all the Camaros they have coming in are sold, and the few that aren't are going to be showroom traffic builders.... meaning a "You gotta be kidding" markup on the window.
What I've been getting, this dealer isn't alone.
Request/homework assignment:
I'd like anyone here who is able to, to visit a Chevrolet dealer and question them about getting a Camaro.
Ask them about how many they expect to get in and when.
Ask them do they expect any shortages, or do they plan on hanging on to any for display, or any restrictions on any potential buyers (ie: test driving them).
And, the biggie.... what type of markups do they anticipate.
It does appear that the Camaro will be the only draw in Chevrolet showrooms at the very least, until the Cruize gets in (even the sharp looking black Malibu with the aftermarket rims in the showroom of the dealer I went to even had a healthy sized rebate sign on the windshield). Although I'm hoping things won't get as bad as they tend to get with Pontiac dealers.
I think this subject would not only be of intrest to me personally, or to most people here on this site.... I think there are people at GM (perhaps even at Chevrolet) that might be intrested in this as well.
Keep it factual.
Last edited by guionM; 04-06-2009 at 01:41 AM.
04-06-2009, 02:00 AM
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 554
For starters, Wood Wheaton Chevrolet in Prince George is charging MSRP. Of their initial allocation of 18, only 8 were spoken for the day before they had a yellow SS in the showroom I posted about. They're expecting the first cars to show up towards the middle or end of this month. I'm a 6 hour drive away from them so I can't find out much more information about them, but they're owned by a company that is responsible for most of the Chevy dealerships across BC and Alberta.
04-06-2009, 06:57 AM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Reston, Virginia
Posts: 1,372
I'm going to ask each of you for a favor (or.. if like me, you're a fan of the movie "Fight Club"... I have a "Homework Assignment" for you).
Today I stopped by the Chevrolet dealer in Serremonte, just outside of San Francisco and had a conversation about the upcoming Camaro.
One of the things that came out is that the demand for the car outstripped production for at least the through the summer. Of course, along with this comes shortages.... and markups. He talked about how high the intrest in the car was. All this combined to lead this dealer he worked at putting a minimum markup of $5,000 on the V6 models, with the SS models much higher..... and people are putting deposits on them at this price.
....So many people, in fact, that most all the Camaros they have coming in are sold, and the few that aren't are going to be showroom traffic builders.... meaning a "You gotta be kidding" markup on the window.
What I've been getting, this dealer isn't alone.
Request/homework assignment:
I'd like anyone here who is able to, to visit a Chevrolet dealer and question them about getting a Camaro.
Ask them about how many they expect to get in and when.
Ask them do they expect any shortages, or do they plan on hanging on to any for display, or any restrictions on any potential buyers (ie: test driving them).
And, the biggie.... what type of markups do they anticipate.
It does appear that the Camaro will be the only draw in Chevrolet showrooms at the very least, until the Cruize gets in (even the sharp looking black Malibu with the aftermarket rims in the showroom of the dealer I went to even had a healthy sized rebate sign on the windshield). Although I'm hoping things won't get as bad as they tend to get with Pontiac dealers.
I think this subject would not only be of intrest to me personally, or to most people here on this site.... I think there are people at GM (perhaps even at Chevrolet) that might be intrested in this as well.
Keep it factual.
Today I stopped by the Chevrolet dealer in Serremonte, just outside of San Francisco and had a conversation about the upcoming Camaro.
One of the things that came out is that the demand for the car outstripped production for at least the through the summer. Of course, along with this comes shortages.... and markups. He talked about how high the intrest in the car was. All this combined to lead this dealer he worked at putting a minimum markup of $5,000 on the V6 models, with the SS models much higher..... and people are putting deposits on them at this price.
....So many people, in fact, that most all the Camaros they have coming in are sold, and the few that aren't are going to be showroom traffic builders.... meaning a "You gotta be kidding" markup on the window.
What I've been getting, this dealer isn't alone.
Request/homework assignment:
I'd like anyone here who is able to, to visit a Chevrolet dealer and question them about getting a Camaro.
Ask them about how many they expect to get in and when.
Ask them do they expect any shortages, or do they plan on hanging on to any for display, or any restrictions on any potential buyers (ie: test driving them).
And, the biggie.... what type of markups do they anticipate.
It does appear that the Camaro will be the only draw in Chevrolet showrooms at the very least, until the Cruize gets in (even the sharp looking black Malibu with the aftermarket rims in the showroom of the dealer I went to even had a healthy sized rebate sign on the windshield). Although I'm hoping things won't get as bad as they tend to get with Pontiac dealers.
I think this subject would not only be of intrest to me personally, or to most people here on this site.... I think there are people at GM (perhaps even at Chevrolet) that might be intrested in this as well.
Keep it factual.
04-06-2009, 07:42 AM
#4
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Shelbyville, IN
Posts: 2,043
Shelbyville, IN.
I was there a few weeks ago and the salesman told me they should have some in by April 15, and that they were going to put on a $5k dealer markup.
I left.
I was there a few weeks ago and the salesman told me they should have some in by April 15, and that they were going to put on a $5k dealer markup.
I left.
04-06-2009, 10:20 AM
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Houston Area
Posts: 524
It's not uncommon. Before I ordered out of state, I talked to seven dealerships within about sixty miles. The question I asked was "will you honor supplier pricing if available". Of the seven, the answers were:
A: No. (tone implied MSRP was out of the question as well) [4]
B: We'll charge whatever the market will bear (or some such) [2]
C: (and this is my favorite) "The car is generating an incredible amount
of interest right now since it's going to have limited availability. At the moment, the car is commanding at least $10k markup."
There might have been more, but I laughed and said "good luck with that" and hung up on him. So, no...it's not uncommon, and I only see it getting worse.
A: No. (tone implied MSRP was out of the question as well) [4]
B: We'll charge whatever the market will bear (or some such) [2]
C: (and this is my favorite) "The car is generating an incredible amount
of interest right now since it's going to have limited availability. At the moment, the car is commanding at least $10k markup."
There might have been more, but I laughed and said "good luck with that" and hung up on him. So, no...it's not uncommon, and I only see it getting worse.
04-06-2009, 10:48 AM
#6
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Miami, FL, US
Posts: 1,512
from what I know... Kendall Chevrolet is asking about 2k to 5k over MSRP. They have no idea when they will get any in their showroom or if they are keeping any to show off. I will try to visit a few more chevy dealerships just for fun.
04-06-2009, 10:56 AM
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Sterling Heights, MI
Posts: 6,166
So far it looks like those who don't feel the extreme need to be the first in their neighborhoods to own one, will be well-rewarded for their patience. I give it a year or less before they're at (or below) MSRP. Personally, I wouldn't want a first year car if I was thinking about buying one anyway. Besides getting the kinks worked out, I'd want the stuff that's still to come, like the HUD.
04-06-2009, 11:52 AM
#8
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: The mitten state
Posts: 295
So far it looks like those who don't feel the extreme need to be the first in their neighborhoods to own one, will be well-rewarded for their patience. I give it a year or less before they're at (or below) MSRP. Personally, I wouldn't want a first year car if I was thinking about buying one anyway. Besides getting the kinks worked out, I'd want the stuff that's still to come, like the HUD.
I do however agree that I want to wait, one for the prices to come down, and two for the other options that might be added (cough cough HUD, Z28, any other speciality editions cough cough)!!!
04-06-2009, 12:05 PM
#9
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: The Golden State
Posts: 13,711
So far it looks like those who don't feel the extreme need to be the first in their neighborhoods to own one, will be well-rewarded for their patience. I give it a year or less before they're at (or below) MSRP. Personally, I wouldn't want a first year car if I was thinking about buying one anyway. Besides getting the kinks worked out, I'd want the stuff that's still to come, like the HUD.
But every dealer has a plan for a new model. Depending on intrest and availability, they will either use the new car to build up showroom volume, sell alot early on for as much as they can, use it to reward repeat or valued customers, etc.
Camaro is the most attention generated at a Chevy dealer in many, many years. I get a feeling that like Pontiac dealers, some are going overboard initially. The only way to know for sure is to find out what's going on in other parts of the country.
I'm sure many would want to have this information early on, so at the very least, there can be a memo sent to dealers cautioning on overpricing, or even better yet, make pricing a factor in future allocations.
Although the manufacturer can't dictate the price a dealer sells at, there's more than a few tools available to "encourage" them to sell at a reasonable price.
Then ther'e the sledgehammer of bankruptcy. That gives legal protection to the ability to shut down dealers that act in ways that hurt the company... that includes unreasonable markups.
But first...we need to see if there is a problem...
.... and that's the purpose of this thread.
04-06-2009, 12:43 PM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: The mitten state
Posts: 295
Even if the whole Bankruptcy issue does happen, it should only be a partial bankruptcy (I heard directly from a GM head quarters employee). Chevrolet and Cadillac will probably not even get touched, it will be Pontiac, GMC, Hummer, Saturn, Buick, etc. So I don't think they will be threatening to close any Chevrolet dealers anytime soon, so I don't think that issue will stop dealers from selling at markup. They might just go to a standard no hassel price line (just like Saturn has), which I don't understand why they don't have that at ALL GM dealers yet.
04-06-2009, 12:51 PM
#11
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 1,071
Wow these mark-ups make me sick.... GM need to get a hold of their dealers and tell them to stop. Mark-ups are such a huge turn off to other potential buyers in the near future. Sure the dealer gets the quick buck while its hot. But afterwards there were customers looking to buy a camaro... saw the markups, left, and bought a challenger or mustang.
I know my local dealer Art Moran Chevy in Clinton Township, Michigan. Doesn't do mark-ups unless its a reserve. So no huge mark-up when the car is at the showroom.
I know my local dealer Art Moran Chevy in Clinton Township, Michigan. Doesn't do mark-ups unless its a reserve. So no huge mark-up when the car is at the showroom.
04-06-2009, 01:08 PM
#12
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 3,034
So far it looks like those who don't feel the extreme need to be the first in their neighborhoods to own one, will be well-rewarded for their patience. I give it a year or less before they're at (or below) MSRP. Personally, I wouldn't want a first year car if I was thinking about buying one anyway. Besides getting the kinks worked out, I'd want the stuff that's still to come, like the HUD.
New model markups are like scalping tickets. It wouldn't happen if there weren't people out there paying for it. The sooner more people say no to markups, the sooner they'll come down. I personally can't imagine ever paying MSRP for a vehicle.
04-06-2009, 02:24 PM
#13
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Monroe Wisconsin
Posts: 186
my uncle threatened my dealer cuz hes plannin on buyin a vette from em n told em if u put a mark up on the car he was takin his buisness elsewhere but i dont think he was gonna anyways dealers can be greedy specially them dodge dealers n there challengers
04-06-2009, 02:47 PM
#14
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 123
Here are some emails I got from a few dealers here in the twin cities.
Hello Jason,
Thank you for your request. My name is Dion Kennedy, Internet Sales Manager for Friendly Chevrolet. I have been here over 16 years and we have been the number 1 Chevrolet dealership in Minnesota for 11 years in a row. The Camaro is going to look great and will be very sought after when they start showing up. We are not like most dealerships where they are putting an ADM on them, but we are selling them for msrp. We are scheduled for 19 Camaros and are taking orders on a first come, first serve basis. We only require a $1,000 non-refundable deposit to prevent anyone from ordering one that isn't serious about it. Just to let you know, none of our salespeople are paid on commission, so it's not like we are holding up the price so we get paid more money, but with GM expected to only build 9,000 total, they will be few and far between. I hope this answers some of your questions for you, is there anything else that I can help you with? Would you like to be one of the lucky 19 to get one? I would like to earn your business, just let me know how I can help. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to set up a visit.
Sincerely,
Dion Kennedy
Internet Manager
Friendly Chevrolet
7501 Hwy 65 NE.
Fridley, MN. 55432
Glad to hear about the no dealer markup. One correction thou, Chevy is not limiting production to just 9000 units. Per Cheryl and Bob Lutz they are hoping to sell up to 100,000 in the first year. If you would like to check out Camaroz28.com there is alot of info on there. The Mods of the site were part of the focus group from beginning to end.
I am waiting another year for the 2011 Convertible to be released. I am planning on a 1ss in Inferno Orange with black cloth interior. Black Top with black ralley stripes.
Thanks again
Jason,
I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to mislead you, I was just relaying the initial information that was given to us. We have ordered a few of the inferno orange coupes already, I'm sure those will be a hot car. Maybe I can earn your business on the convertible when the time comes.
Thank you,
Dion Kennedy
Internet Manager
Friendly Chevrolet
With order available on 10/13 I was wondering what your dealer allocation was for the new Camaro. Also, will you be selling these at MSRP, Below MSRP, or have an ADM on them.
Thanks,
Jason
Hi Jason,
Thanks for your interest in Chevy Camaro. As of now, we have been allocated 10 cars and have taken 8 orders leaving two spots available.
Our price will be MSRP without any ADM for over MSRP.
Would you like to place an order?
Give us call 952-435-8501
Thank you,
Dale Stinar
Grossman Chevrolet-Cadillac
Hello Jason,
Thank you for your request. My name is Dion Kennedy, Internet Sales Manager for Friendly Chevrolet. I have been here over 16 years and we have been the number 1 Chevrolet dealership in Minnesota for 11 years in a row. The Camaro is going to look great and will be very sought after when they start showing up. We are not like most dealerships where they are putting an ADM on them, but we are selling them for msrp. We are scheduled for 19 Camaros and are taking orders on a first come, first serve basis. We only require a $1,000 non-refundable deposit to prevent anyone from ordering one that isn't serious about it. Just to let you know, none of our salespeople are paid on commission, so it's not like we are holding up the price so we get paid more money, but with GM expected to only build 9,000 total, they will be few and far between. I hope this answers some of your questions for you, is there anything else that I can help you with? Would you like to be one of the lucky 19 to get one? I would like to earn your business, just let me know how I can help. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to set up a visit.
Sincerely,
Dion Kennedy
Internet Manager
Friendly Chevrolet
7501 Hwy 65 NE.
Fridley, MN. 55432
Glad to hear about the no dealer markup. One correction thou, Chevy is not limiting production to just 9000 units. Per Cheryl and Bob Lutz they are hoping to sell up to 100,000 in the first year. If you would like to check out Camaroz28.com there is alot of info on there. The Mods of the site were part of the focus group from beginning to end.
I am waiting another year for the 2011 Convertible to be released. I am planning on a 1ss in Inferno Orange with black cloth interior. Black Top with black ralley stripes.
Thanks again
Jason,
I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to mislead you, I was just relaying the initial information that was given to us. We have ordered a few of the inferno orange coupes already, I'm sure those will be a hot car. Maybe I can earn your business on the convertible when the time comes.
Thank you,
Dion Kennedy
Internet Manager
Friendly Chevrolet
With order available on 10/13 I was wondering what your dealer allocation was for the new Camaro. Also, will you be selling these at MSRP, Below MSRP, or have an ADM on them.
Thanks,
Jason
Hi Jason,
Thanks for your interest in Chevy Camaro. As of now, we have been allocated 10 cars and have taken 8 orders leaving two spots available.
Our price will be MSRP without any ADM for over MSRP.
Would you like to place an order?
Give us call 952-435-8501
Thank you,
Dale Stinar
Grossman Chevrolet-Cadillac
04-06-2009, 02:50 PM
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Cheektowaga, NY (Buffalo)
Posts: 578
Wow. You should've paid more attention in English class. Not dropping letters from words goes a long way to making a good impression on a message board.