Compare it to something like a new Sony Playstation. They make millions of them, but initially there are not enough to go around to meet demand.

 

Unfortunately Berger wants $1000 to be put on their "waiting list". I thought they were above such things but I guess not. Personally I'm not going to give anyone $1000 of my money for 2 years for nothing. I'd put it in the bank first. I'll wait till I can find one for Employee pricing.

 

Hey, just to add to this...

We will be back in the studio this Thursday for a Friday Podcast release (#52!). If you guys want to call in and add your verbal two bits on this subject (or any other subject), feel free to call the hotline and leave us a short message.

The number is 586-486-3182.

If we like the message we will include it in the Podcast and comment on it.

 

I'm "with" ChrisL on this topic.

Lets all take a breath and relax. There's no need for "flaming". We're all excited about the new Camaro, and while I'd love to have the 1st one available in my area, I, like Chris, plan on waiting.

I'm not going to put down a deposit for a waiting list, or pay a markup to have to first one. I'll enjoy visiting dealers to see the new Camaro, (if it's there long enough ), see all the options, etc., then make my decision on what I want for my Camaro after the initial rush slows down.

I don't think negatively of anyone who puts extra money down, etc. I'm too excited and happy for the Camaro's return.

And lets all remember what 'Camaro' means...comrade;friend;

 

Well, the people that pay are the reasons my mother-in-law is told that Pontiac G6 convertibles are "impossible to get" and therefore are marked up. Every time someone ponies up the cash, you're sending a message loud and clear to every dealership: "It's OK to gouge, please take my money!"

Same thing here, every time someone ponies up the $1000 just to be on the waiting list, you're making "SOP" for everyone else. This is one of those perception is reality things. It shouldn't be this way, but I do understand that it *IS*. However, that doesn't make it right or acceptable in any way, shape or form. Oh, and do any of you have it in writing that this is refundable. Almost all the "waiting lists" I've seen have been a NON-refundable deposit for the glory of even being on the waiting list.

Sorry, but I will call anyone a fool for doing so, and further, I will go as far to say that you're at least hurting the short-term sales of the 5th gen. No dealership will get any kind of upfront "waiting list" money from me, nor will I pay even $.01 over MSRP. If that means I can't get one in the first model year <gasp> then so be it. I'll pay MSRP for next year's model with more power and options than what you early birds are getting.

This will most likely get locked, but what do you guys expect. If you're going to do something foolish, expect to be called on it. Especially on the internet.

 

There's a big difference between paying money to a dealer for a spot on a list, and paying money to a dealer that is a deposit on a car AND reserves your place on a list.

 

I just got the email from Berger myself, actually. I was considering shopping with them for the new Camaro, but once their email mentioned a deposit for the privilige of being put on their mailing list, I lost interest in dealing with them. I may still call them at their provided number, but it would be only to tell them that I wont work with a dealership that requires a non-refundable $1000 deposit on a car that we know so little about yet.

[edit]
You know, I guess if Berger has some kind of contract as to what they would do when the car actually comes up for order, and applies the deposit to the purchase price, perhaps then I'd still work with them. Certainly they would have to agree to honor MSRP pricing and allow me to use the GMS employee discount if it's available.
[/edit]

 

OK. Rergarding my statement about "putting money down".

I DISAGREE with paying over sticker, paying a dealer mark-up, etc. I will never do it. I saw people pay over sticker for the Mustang GT, and now the local dealer has several on the lot, at sticker. I think it's wrong for dealers to mark-up vehicles, but they'll continue to do it becasue there'll always be someone willing to pay it.

I don't have a problem with someone paying a dealer to be put on a list, as long as that money go towards the purchase price of the vehicle. But paying extra, just to be on the list, nah, I don't agree with that.

 

It really surprises me to see so many people willing to put cash up just to be the first in line if nothing else. Everyone who buys the 5th gen is going to get the same basic car.

I will order mine down to the last option and I’m not going to pay over MSRP for it even if that means waiting a year. Like I’ve said a few times before, I’m going to be waiting for the vert anyway.

Actually, on Monday I went and talked to some people in the business school here at A&M about getting into the Land Economics and Real Estate Masters Program. So after another year and a half of school loans I may be waiting to 2011 or 2012 for my 5th gen.

 

[QUOTE=JasonD]Let's reel it in a bit, guys. We are all friends here.



QUOTE]

guionM can say or think whatever he wants....this is a free country!!! I'm picturing the bully from school, but that belongs in another discussion.

But since this is a free country, I chose to give my dealer the deposit. I plan on keeping this car for a long, long time and I want to have all the documentation that I can for it. And I don't want to buy off the lot after who knows how many people have "took it around the block". I want it my way. And I have everything in writing as far as the deposit goes.

Based on what I have read on here and other sites, everyone wants the biggest, baddest car they are gonna make. Well, they aren't going to make 100,000 of them, so, I am just trying to do what I can to make sure I can get the car I want.

Thanks 95 Z/28 LT1 for your entry. The money does weed out the 16-18 year olds that just go in and say "I want one, put me on the list". Eliminates the dealers frustrations with wannabes.

 

That's cool, and if you are willing to put up money up front and assume any risk (when it comes to dealerships, often there ARE risks with this sort of thing, while not always evident at first), more power to you. However when someone comes here asking what they should do, the kind of various answers that were posted should be expected.

There are a couple of ways that I look at this. The money is to ensure how serious the buyer is, correct? Well, if they have so many buyers that they need a list, why should they be concerned with this? When they cars start to get preferenced, the dealerships will pick up the phone and call the people on the list. When someone on the list can't follow through, all the dealer has to do is move to the next person on the list. There should be enough people ready to buy, right? I feel that in many cases, all the money is meant to do is lock the buyer into that deal in typical dealer fashoin. I am sure there are more sides to this, but that is just one thought I had.

Overall, I encourage everyone to be smart about this and don't let desire override your common sense.

 

Man, I sure don't want to get in the middle of this one. I can understand why someone thinks that it is not a great idea to put down money on a car that won't be made for a couple of years. That is a ways out for sure.

But I also know how a lot of dealers keep their 'lists' of who would like a car. Since it seems like we don't really know how many they'll make, what options they'll have, etc., I can see where one would want to ensure that they be given first chance to place that order in case certain options are extremely limited. I know that our dealer was taking deposits on the 50th Corvettes. I waited until 2002 to put a deposit on a 35th Camaro, and my dealer ended up not getting one. Yeah, I got the money back, but I didn't get the car. Sure, you can find them around now, and you'll probably find Camaros, even if they were all presold.

I noticed a lot of people that were 'in' on a limited edition Camaro for the enthusiasts on this board. I added my name to that thread because I'd love it. I would imagine that Chevrolet would be a lot more willing to do something like that if there were that many people that would be willing to put something down on it.

I haven't thought real hard about going up to my dealer and putting money down yet, but I'm sure I will check it out sometime in the next few months.

For all of the different sides to this thread, the best thing is that it looks like they are going to make the thing, and that is good whether you want to put money down now or not....