Kerbeck Experience
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 106
Likes: 7
Kerbeck Experience
I just tried to buy a car from Kerbeck but to no avail. I wanted a rough price quote for two Corvette trades and if they were not as I described Kerbeck could refuse to take them. No dice. I live in DC and they wanted me to drive the cars all the way to NJ, I thought this unreasonable. The first guy had a Britsh accent and was more interested in telling me how much he knew and his experience in the business instead of listening. The second guy was the sales manager and he was not much better. I will admit I have little simpathy for car salesmen, having been lied to and ripped off many times so I am a little short with them. However, I am a real customer with money in hand but I guess in this market they are making money hand over fist and can do things their way. I will look local for my Z06.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 309
Likes: 10
From: Jamestown RI
Sorry you had a bad experience with Kerbeck. Mine was the opposite. I bought my Z06 from them, got a good price and enjoyed the whole process. From all my research, they seem to have the best prices consistently and once you get up to the dealership, everything flows smoothly.
I'm from the DC area too and did my research for local guys and most dealers/salesmen had no clue about Z06s short of reciting the spec sheet.
FYI, the service manager at Alexandria Chevy is a Vette guy, so if you buy one local, you might consider them for service. Oh yeah, they had two Z's in the showroom last time I looked (Black and Gray)
I'm from the DC area too and did my research for local guys and most dealers/salesmen had no clue about Z06s short of reciting the spec sheet.
FYI, the service manager at Alexandria Chevy is a Vette guy, so if you buy one local, you might consider them for service. Oh yeah, they had two Z's in the showroom last time I looked (Black and Gray)
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Humble Texas
I had a bad experience with the as well. In January I called them first to purchase a Z06 after my C6 coupe was totalled. Told someone I believe was named Dave that I had money in hand and was ready to purchase. He gave me quotes for 2 vehicles that I felt were high. However, he was unwilling to budge. I ended up getting what I wanted somewhere else for around $4000 less. Ironically, from a dealer in NJ.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
I have not bought from Kerbeck but have done many deals over the phone. One thing that is almost never done is talk trade in value. It may seem resonable to you that they can give you a high and low figure but they dealer is at that point establishing a verbal agreement or expectation. If you misrepresent the car they are screwed regardless of you assurances.
When doing a phone or internet deal avoid a trade if all possible, sell it yourself. If you have to trade be honest about your car and use Kelley Blue Book or NADA and establish what the car may be worth. BTW very few cars are in excellent condition. Up front advise the dealer that you want to trade and make sure that is acceptable to them. Negotiate the price you will pay for the new car. When you are happy, make the trip and close the deal. If you have been honest you trade will probably come in at +-$1000 of your established price.
PS: In this economy the above does not true as much. It really comes down to existing inventory. A dealer may take the trade but if they don't really need it you will get low balled.
When doing a phone or internet deal avoid a trade if all possible, sell it yourself. If you have to trade be honest about your car and use Kelley Blue Book or NADA and establish what the car may be worth. BTW very few cars are in excellent condition. Up front advise the dealer that you want to trade and make sure that is acceptable to them. Negotiate the price you will pay for the new car. When you are happy, make the trip and close the deal. If you have been honest you trade will probably come in at +-$1000 of your established price.
PS: In this economy the above does not true as much. It really comes down to existing inventory. A dealer may take the trade but if they don't really need it you will get low balled.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
They know that if you go thru all the trouble of bringing the cars in for appraisal.. that they will have the advantage of making a deal since you went thru all the time and trouble, you will feel more compelled to take a lesser deal to be done with it..
They could give you a ballpark number over the phone.. but then you would say forget it and move on...
standard stuff..
They could give you a ballpark number over the phone.. but then you would say forget it and move on...
standard stuff..
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 672
Likes: 1
From: Sapulpa Oklahoma
I've never tried to do a trade in "remote" but would a dealer be interested in using a 3rd party appraiser of "their" choosing? Maybe any dealers lurking would comment?
The problem I see is that THEY don't want trades, they need to sell new product and not have to depend on yet another sale (used) to gain some more profit.
The problem I see is that THEY don't want trades, they need to sell new product and not have to depend on yet another sale (used) to gain some more profit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
Used car sales are up.. way up. The certified used car program is the strongest it's ever been.. Many looking for good used cars because of economic situation. According to the business analysts findings.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,067
Likes: 1
From: --- N.E., Pa.
............................. One thing that is almost never done is talk trade in value. It may seem resonable to you that they can give you a high and low figure but they dealer is at that point establishing a verbal agreement or expectation. If you misrepresent the car they are screwed regardless of you assurances.
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-- And, I've bought more than 1 or 2.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,515
Likes: 255
From: Rochester New York
It's difficult when you have a trade in not to see the car If you are looking for a good deal. A lot of people call to get info and trade locally they probably want to be more than a source of information.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,586
Likes: 1,697
From: Converse TX
Wow not used to hearing this from Kerbeck, I did get quotes from them when getting our 09 but they were not close on price so I did not even call them, and happy with the transaction we got from Wes at Reliable
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 163
From: Concord NC
I have not bought from Kerbeck but have done many deals over the phone. One thing that is almost never done is talk trade in value. It may seem resonable to you that they can give you a high and low figure but they dealer is at that point establishing a verbal agreement or expectation. If you misrepresent the car they are screwed regardless of you assurances.
The key is to take detailed pics of your car and be brutally honest in your description.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa