Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
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Joined: Dec 1969
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From: Southern California (SoCal)
Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
It looks like Saturn has truly become part of GM 
http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/20/Auto...cing/index.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/20/Auto...cing/index.htm
Saturn: No-haggle doesn't mean no-hike
Saturn dealers are charging more than the sticker price for hot Sky roadster, newspaper says.
March 20, 2006: 1:34 PM EST
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Saturn still has a "no-haggle" pricing policy, but that doesn't mean the dealer has to charge sticker price. And some dealers are charging over sticker price for the new Saturn Sky sports car, according to a California newspaper.
Charging a premium over the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for a popular car, especially one that's in short supply, is a common practice at car dealerships of all kinds. But many Saturn customers had assumed that the General Motors brand's policy of "no-haggle pricing" meant that customers would always be charged the vehicle's sticker price.
Car manufacturers cannot legally require a retailer to charge any set price for a vehicle, however.
"Retailers are free to set their own prices, but we always highly encourage our retailers not to sell above the MSRP," said Jill Lajdziak in a company statement quoted in the Orange County Register story.
Saturn's no-haggle policy simply means that every customer coming into a given dealership gets the same price, a GM spokesman said in the story. It does not necessarily mean that every customer pays the sticker price.
In order to prevent price competition, General Motors does not allow different Saturn dealers to operate dealerships in the same general area, GM spokesman Brian Brockman told CNNMoney.com.
The general manager for Orange County, Calif.'s three Saturn dealerships declined to discuss pricing policy with the newspaper.
The Sky is based on the same vehicle architecture as the popular Pontiac Solstice sports car. The Solstice, the Sky and the Opel GT, which is very similar to the Sky but is sold only in Europe, are all built in the same factory in Wilmington, Del.
In the past, Saturn dealers had charged prices lower than the MSRP for slow-selling models, according to the story.
Saturn dealers are charging more than the sticker price for hot Sky roadster, newspaper says.
March 20, 2006: 1:34 PM EST
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Saturn still has a "no-haggle" pricing policy, but that doesn't mean the dealer has to charge sticker price. And some dealers are charging over sticker price for the new Saturn Sky sports car, according to a California newspaper.
Charging a premium over the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for a popular car, especially one that's in short supply, is a common practice at car dealerships of all kinds. But many Saturn customers had assumed that the General Motors brand's policy of "no-haggle pricing" meant that customers would always be charged the vehicle's sticker price.
Car manufacturers cannot legally require a retailer to charge any set price for a vehicle, however.
"Retailers are free to set their own prices, but we always highly encourage our retailers not to sell above the MSRP," said Jill Lajdziak in a company statement quoted in the Orange County Register story.
Saturn's no-haggle policy simply means that every customer coming into a given dealership gets the same price, a GM spokesman said in the story. It does not necessarily mean that every customer pays the sticker price.
In order to prevent price competition, General Motors does not allow different Saturn dealers to operate dealerships in the same general area, GM spokesman Brian Brockman told CNNMoney.com.
The general manager for Orange County, Calif.'s three Saturn dealerships declined to discuss pricing policy with the newspaper.
The Sky is based on the same vehicle architecture as the popular Pontiac Solstice sports car. The Solstice, the Sky and the Opel GT, which is very similar to the Sky but is sold only in Europe, are all built in the same factory in Wilmington, Del.
In the past, Saturn dealers had charged prices lower than the MSRP for slow-selling models, according to the story.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 1998
Posts: 4,320
From: Memphis
Re: Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
Those dealers are idiots - that's one of the attractive points of Saturn is the MSRP set prices. If you show people that you won't hesitate to raise prices on a hot model, then they're going to expect you to lower prices on a slow model.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Re: Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
Let's see how long it takes for Saturn's Customer Satisfaction scores to go into the tank...
It's the one thing the brand had going for it most of it's existance.... the customers trust the dealerships mainly because of set pricing.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,121
From: Houston
Re: Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
Originally Posted by Threxx
Those dealers are idiots - that's one of the attractive points of Saturn is the MSRP set prices. If you show people that you won't hesitate to raise prices on a hot model, then they're going to expect you to lower prices on a slow model.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 160
From: Minnesota
Re: Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
Just saw one last weekend at the twin cities auto show. They didnt impress me much. From what i saw they share a lot of things with the solstice, which i would much rather buy.
It marketing really: would u rather own a Pontiac or a Saturn? of course the pontiac because its not some cheap-o name
It marketing really: would u rather own a Pontiac or a Saturn? of course the pontiac because its not some cheap-o name
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,428
Re: Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
You know, I can complain as much as I want to help influence certain GM changes. And I do that alot. We "hate" GM because we love them. Dealers....No one likes dealers. I've heard of good dealers, like if you know someone that works there. But stuff like this makes me hope that these guys fail. They should, for ripping off the average joe, who was lulled into thinking he could have an American sports car for a great price. 
(but with this failure is the failure of GM)
(but with this failure is the failure of GM
)
Last edited by number77; Mar 20, 2006 at 04:11 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 757
Re: Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
Originally Posted by HAZ-Matt
Good. Now Saturn will die and all their money will go to Pontiac. Everything is falling into place...bwahaha
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 162
From: St. Louis, MO
Re: Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
If saturn does this it is going to turn bad just like the employee pricing thing did.
Like stated if your going to raise prices, now everyone will also expect you to lower prices on other models.
Suddenly the 'no haggle' thing goes out the window.
I can't believe GM doesn't have a contract in place that doesn't allow this, but the article says they don't.
I am sure however GM could 'suggest' to the dealers that they charge MSRP otherwise they may find they are unable to get more cars in a timely fashion.
Like stated if your going to raise prices, now everyone will also expect you to lower prices on other models.
Suddenly the 'no haggle' thing goes out the window.
I can't believe GM doesn't have a contract in place that doesn't allow this, but the article says they don't.
I am sure however GM could 'suggest' to the dealers that they charge MSRP otherwise they may find they are unable to get more cars in a timely fashion.
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,043
From: Shelbyville, IN
Re: Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
I've said for a long time GM should offer vehicles for MSRP over the Internet. That way if a dealer tries to jack you, say see ya and go online and order one. But unfortunately; not gonna happen for a long time with current franchise laws...
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,604
From: Milton, FL
Re: Saturn dealers charging more than MSRP on Sky
this has been known on saturnfans for quite awhile.
IIRC they've been reporting to GM dealers who charge more than MSRP and they have a list of dealers that promise to only charge MSRP for those who wish to purchase a SKY.
IIRC they've been reporting to GM dealers who charge more than MSRP and they have a list of dealers that promise to only charge MSRP for those who wish to purchase a SKY.