Your thoughts
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 88
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Your thoughts
I know I'm going to get beat up on this one but I have to express and also want to hear your feelings on it. I fully understand Chevys reward program. The dealers that sell more, get more. Understood. But a newbie walking into a dealer, ordering a corvette, and taking their word that they will have their car within the time frame is not too much to ask for. I understand that not all car dealers are honest, but doesn't anyone out there believe that chevy should be somewhat responsible to police their dealers. Let's face it, they are,the dealerships, their reps. I am also all about spending my money at my local businesses. I guess I feel if chevy is going to give most of their allocations to a hand few of dealers that maybe they should consider not allowing the others to even sell corvettes. I am not blaming the smaller dealerships for trying to make a buck. But they are almost forced into lying to try a make a sale. Lets face it, if they tell you that maybe you'll see your car in 8 months or so, no one would buy from them. Curious on your thoughts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 214
From: Sarasota Florida
The small, local dealers here were upfront about their allocations and about constraints. Unfortunately, I can understand a small dealer trying to capture a sale by being less than honest. That being said, if a dealer was selling a few C6s a year, I would stay away from them because they don't really know Corvettes. A lot of people in this part of Florida went to a big volume dealer outside of Tampa that always had at least 50 new Corvettes on their lot. As to whether GM can regulate dealer behavior, it is hard to say how far they can go. The Porsche dealer, where we got our 911 said Porsche is very involved in what a dealer does, particularly in regard to customers.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 450
Likes: 4
From: Springfield PA
I feel your pain as I went thru the same thing. The facts are the facts, if you want your car in a timely manner go large forum dealer. Chevy does not care what we think and to be honest my local dealer sucked during the whole time. They actually asked me to stop up with the car when I get it. Do yourself a favor and cancel your order, get it with a dealer that can get your car, and get back to your life. It drained my mind waiting for the answer each week which was always a no, for three months straight. I went to Kerbeck and dealt with Amoni, even with the price increase I would do it again as I walked on a tax credit that was worth about the same. Like my dad would say **** or get off the pot.
Eric
Eric
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
I feel your pain as I went thru the same thing. The facts are the facts, if you want your car in a timely manner go large forum dealer. Chevy does not care what we think and to be honest my local dealer sucked during the whole time. They actually asked me to stop up with the car when I get it. Do yourself a favor and cancel your order, get it with a dealer that can get your car, and get back to your life. It drained my mind waiting for the answer each week which was always a no, for three months straight. I went to Kerbeck and dealt with Amoni, even with the price increase I would do it again as I walked on a tax credit that was worth about the same. Like my dad would say **** or get off the pot.
Eric
Eric
Pretty much sums up my feelings too. I started with my favorite GM dealer 3 miles away. He was honest, couldn't do it. I tried several other locals to no avail. I got impatient and started thinking large. 7 weeks later I drove a C7 home from MacMulkin.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 199
From: Grand Rapids area MI and Palm Coast, FL
I had put $3000 down in 2012 and written a contract with my local dealer, who sold me my 2006, to get their first C7. They were up front with me in January and again in April that they would not get a C7 until late in 2013. I wanted to do business with them again for that is where I get my Corvettes serviced. But, by July I was tired of waiting and discovered Rick Conti at Coughlin.
I ordered my car through Rick in late July and took Natl Corvette Museum delivery on Oct 11. On Oct 14 I took my new C7 to my local dealership and while I gave my salesman there a test drive they prepared the check to return my deposit. In retrospect they were honest with me throughout the process. They couldn't have been nicer.
They will continue to get my service business.
I ordered my car through Rick in late July and took Natl Corvette Museum delivery on Oct 11. On Oct 14 I took my new C7 to my local dealership and while I gave my salesman there a test drive they prepared the check to return my deposit. In retrospect they were honest with me throughout the process. They couldn't have been nicer.
They will continue to get my service business.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,474
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
The small, local dealers here were upfront about their allocations and about constraints. Unfortunately, I can understand a small dealer trying to capture a sale by being less than honest. That being said, if a dealer was selling a few C6s a year, I would stay away from them because they don't really know Corvettes. A lot of people in this part of Florida went to a big volume dealer outside of Tampa that always had at least 50 new Corvettes on their lot. As to whether GM can regulate dealer behavior, it is hard to say how far they can go. The Porsche dealer, where we got our 911 said Porsche is very involved in what a dealer does, particularly in regard to customers.
Nah, I was a Porsche rep for 6 years (Ohio, DC, 84-90) and they have no more say over their dealers than chev does. Try and cut back a dealers flow of cars and you're on the stand. Dealers are independent businessmen protected by strong state lobby organizations....no, it's not right, but it is the way it is....if they want to lie, they can do it.
I agree with above, stop trying to change the dealer who's an idiot, just walk with your money to one that can get you a car NOW.
Last edited by Glen e; Mar 12, 2014 at 08:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
If you want to buy local, do some research and find a dealer near you that sells alot of Corvettes. Source this information from local clubs, or just make calls, or check inventory on the web sites. This will tell you about their dedication to the Corvette and thus their ability to get one for you in a reasonable time frame.
On a note, in the numerous threads on this topic, it seems to me that alot of the dealers mentioned were still within the time frame they quoted the customer. It's just that the customer was tired of the wait, which is understandable. If this is your case, then simply order from one of the specialists on this forum and take courtesy delivery from your favorite local dealer. Especially if you are repeat customer, they should be happy to help you and accept your support by servicing your Corvette and they will be right there to sell you your next one.
On a note, in the numerous threads on this topic, it seems to me that alot of the dealers mentioned were still within the time frame they quoted the customer. It's just that the customer was tired of the wait, which is understandable. If this is your case, then simply order from one of the specialists on this forum and take courtesy delivery from your favorite local dealer. Especially if you are repeat customer, they should be happy to help you and accept your support by servicing your Corvette and they will be right there to sell you your next one.
AIR FORCE VETERAN
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,223
Likes: 441
From: Pennsylvania
If you want to buy local, do some research and find a dealer near you that sells alot of Corvettes. Source this information from local clubs, or just make calls, or check inventory on the web sites. This will tell you about their dedication to the Corvette and thus their ability to get one for you in a reasonable time frame.
On a note, in the numerous threads on this topic, it seems to me that alot of the dealers mentioned were still within the time frame they quoted the customer. It's just that the customer was tired of the wait, which is understandable. If this is your case, then simply order from one of the specialists on this forum and take courtesy delivery from your favorite local dealer. Especially if you are repeat customer, they should be happy to help you and accept your support by servicing your Corvette and they will be right there to sell you your next one.
On a note, in the numerous threads on this topic, it seems to me that alot of the dealers mentioned were still within the time frame they quoted the customer. It's just that the customer was tired of the wait, which is understandable. If this is your case, then simply order from one of the specialists on this forum and take courtesy delivery from your favorite local dealer. Especially if you are repeat customer, they should be happy to help you and accept your support by servicing your Corvette and they will be right there to sell you your next one.
Very good advise
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 427
Likes: 116
From: Coral Gables Florida
The small, local dealers here were upfront about their allocations and about constraints. Unfortunately, I can understand a small dealer trying to capture a sale by being less than honest. That being said, if a dealer was selling a few C6s a year, I would stay away from them because they don't really know Corvettes. A lot of people in this part of Florida went to a big volume dealer outside of Tampa that always had at least 50 new Corvettes on their lot. As to whether GM can regulate dealer behavior, it is hard to say how far they can go. The Porsche dealer, where we got our 911 said Porsche is very involved in what a dealer does, particularly in regard to customers.
http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...NEWS/130919830
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: Orange County CA
I approached 5 local dealers back in 2013 and asked them to be specific about number of allocations for the year and numbers on the waiting list (thanks to the input from members of this forum).
4 of them came back with answers, 1 tried to muddy the water. Unfortunately the 4 that did typically came back with "we have 8 allocations and already have 20 on the list, but we can dd you and you would be in line for a car someone chooses not to buy'. Given the length of their buyer list they weren't trying too hard to add me to it either though one kindly offered to sell me a C6 2013 GS at $3k below MSRP.
I appreciated their honesty, but it did make my ultimate decision to go with a forum dealer easier.
Had I not asked the question and gone with a local dealer, I likely would be posting frustration at the system and also be looking to be Vette-less until the 2015 production year. It is what it is, but stress can be saved by being informed.
My free membership to this site has paid for itself many times over
4 of them came back with answers, 1 tried to muddy the water. Unfortunately the 4 that did typically came back with "we have 8 allocations and already have 20 on the list, but we can dd you and you would be in line for a car someone chooses not to buy'. Given the length of their buyer list they weren't trying too hard to add me to it either though one kindly offered to sell me a C6 2013 GS at $3k below MSRP.
I appreciated their honesty, but it did make my ultimate decision to go with a forum dealer easier.
Had I not asked the question and gone with a local dealer, I likely would be posting frustration at the system and also be looking to be Vette-less until the 2015 production year. It is what it is, but stress can be saved by being informed.
My free membership to this site has paid for itself many times over
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
Dealers are independent businessmen. What they do and say is on them. It is very hard for GM to control them both ethically and legally. State laws highly favor the local dealer in this regard. Work with someone you can trust to get the deal done.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 920
Likes: 81
From: Frankfort Kentucky
The smart local dealers sponsor the local Corvette Clubs. It's good business for them and the club. Check with your local clubs about the dealers in the area if you aren't already a member.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
I waited four months at my local dealer, couldn't get allocation, then I canceled. I went allocation shopping, the car was secondary. My new dealer showed me his allocation, I then placed my order that was tied to this allocation. My order was picked up at the next consensus, my TPW is April 31. Times have changed. If everything goes forward without a hitch, my ordering process conseption through delivery will be five months.