What a Scam...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
It's a little known fact that before unionization of labor shipping in the U.S. was free. Tycoon philanthropists such at the Vanderbilt Family built and operated the railroads as a free public service. This is why they lived so modestly. Then working men ruined it for everyone.
I am in a non-unionized profession but I really have grown sick of unions being the whipping boy for every problem, both real and imagined. Problems are NEVER solved by going after the wrong cause but it is a common pursuit which is one reason we are so poor at problem solving. It is far more fun to express anger at targets rather than actually engaging in productive discussion and pursuits.
I would happily pay the museum fee and standard delivery charge but I am ordering a Z06 and it is too difficult with that scenario to have any reasonable idea of pickup month. If the $1,000 additional fee seems like such a big deal just audit your consumption behavior for a month and I am sure you will find over $80 of pure wasted and poor decision purchases in that month. Do away with those and in one year you will have saved enough for museum delivery without any loss of lifestyle quality and probably some gain if that $80 finding includes cigarettes, junk food, etc.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: McMurdo Station
I believe the flat delivery charge goes back to the early 1960's or a maybe even a little earlier, when the manufacturers were charging destination charge based on the actual cost of delivery to a dealer near you.
The further from the factory you got, the more the destination charge, pissing off some dealers when their customers could take a vacation to beautiful Detroit and come back with a car and vacation cheaper than they could buy it at a dealer in the farther reaches of the country.
We'd all like NCM delivery for free, but that's not the deal on the table.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
It is more expensive than it needs to be.. But the experience is worth doing at least once. They do prep the car nicely and make u feel special.. You have a person assigned to you all day.. So there are some actual costs on their behalf. But it is a bit pricey.. I had to pay extra to have my window sticker laminated.. They could have thrown it in as part of the package.. Overall a great experience..
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 2
From: Collingwood ON
Simple marketing strategy - always charge what the market will bear. NCM needs to cover their costs as does the guy in the big rig haullin' the C7s there.
As for delivery charges, sounds like an over all average shipping/destination amount has been determined and applied to all - whether your dealer is in Bowling Green KY or San Diego CA.
As for delivery charges, sounds like an over all average shipping/destination amount has been determined and applied to all - whether your dealer is in Bowling Green KY or San Diego CA.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
One thing that's never been made clear is what portion of the $990 actually goes to the museum. Invoice on the option is $871 so we know that the dealer makes $119 at M.S.R.P. I'd love to know what portion of the option charge actually goes to the museum.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 576
Likes: 3
When you do a european delivery for BMWs, you are actually given off about 7% from the sales price of the car. You end up saving significant amount of money. BMW's delivery far exceeds GM's, the museum and the overall experience in BMW's Welt building is simply stunning. You are also fed properly (the food alone would cost $200-300 in the U.S. it's extremely high quality).
On top of this, BMW has Performance Center Delivery option where you can optionally pick up your car from BMW's race track training center in North Carolina. This option also has 1 free day of M driving course (usually costs a ton of money), in addition to 1 night of hotel stay, free food again (night and the next day), and free transportation from hotel to the track. All of this is for free.
Now would it be nice to do European delivery AND Performance center delivery? It would right? Guess what, you can do them both, again FOR FREE.
Again, just providing another perspective to the people. GM's museum delivery is pretty much a rip off compared to what else is out there.
On top of this, BMW has Performance Center Delivery option where you can optionally pick up your car from BMW's race track training center in North Carolina. This option also has 1 free day of M driving course (usually costs a ton of money), in addition to 1 night of hotel stay, free food again (night and the next day), and free transportation from hotel to the track. All of this is for free.
Now would it be nice to do European delivery AND Performance center delivery? It would right? Guess what, you can do them both, again FOR FREE.
Again, just providing another perspective to the people. GM's museum delivery is pretty much a rip off compared to what else is out there.
Jukebox Graduate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 857
Likes: 3
From: Saint Louis MO
I, too, would love this information.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
When you do a european delivery for BMWs, you are actually given off about 7% from the sales price of the car. You end up saving significant amount of money. BMW's delivery far exceeds GM's, the museum and the overall experience in BMW's Welt building is simply stunning. You are also fed properly (the food alone would cost $200-300 in the U.S. it's extremely high quality).
On top of this, BMW has Performance Center Delivery option where you can optionally pick up your car from BMW's race track training center in North Carolina. This option also has 1 free day of M driving course (usually costs a ton of money), in addition to 1 night of hotel stay, free food again (night and the next day), and free transportation from hotel to the track. All of this is for free.
Now would it be nice to do European delivery AND Performance center delivery? It would right? Guess what, you can do them both, again FOR FREE.
Again, just providing another perspective to the people. GM's museum delivery is pretty much a rip off compared to what else is out there.
On top of this, BMW has Performance Center Delivery option where you can optionally pick up your car from BMW's race track training center in North Carolina. This option also has 1 free day of M driving course (usually costs a ton of money), in addition to 1 night of hotel stay, free food again (night and the next day), and free transportation from hotel to the track. All of this is for free.
Now would it be nice to do European delivery AND Performance center delivery? It would right? Guess what, you can do them both, again FOR FREE.
Again, just providing another perspective to the people. GM's museum delivery is pretty much a rip off compared to what else is out there.
Other than being the ones who collect the money, GM has nothing to do with Museum Delivery and what it includes. It's all driven by the National Corvette Museum, an independent organization with no direct ties to General Motors. There is no Corvette equivalent to other makers' European delivery programs.
Finally, anyone who thinks that BMW is giving anything away for nothing is sadly mistaken. Think about it.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 375
Likes: 8
From: Boise Idaho
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 374
Likes: 92
If you are choosing museum delivery you are making a donation to the NCM. If you don't want to donate then pick another delivery option.
The whole talk about the shipping charge being a union fault is beyond stupid. Unions don't negotiate charges for customers. They negotiate with management. The vilification of unions often goes to the extreme. If I had a dollar for every airline analyst explaining on TV that Southwest Airlines was so successful because they were non union I would be rich! Never mind the fact that they are actually the most heavily unionized airline in the country!!
The whole talk about the shipping charge being a union fault is beyond stupid. Unions don't negotiate charges for customers. They negotiate with management. The vilification of unions often goes to the extreme. If I had a dollar for every airline analyst explaining on TV that Southwest Airlines was so successful because they were non union I would be rich! Never mind the fact that they are actually the most heavily unionized airline in the country!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,009
Likes: 12,393
From: NE South Carolina
I don't get it.
You pay for flight to Kentucky, pay $990 for Museum Delivery, pay $995 for delivery, just to pick up your Vette directly at the factory?
& gets to pay sales tax in your home state also?
So came up with this scam? & why do we put up with it?
I understand the special significance of Museum delivery, but...
I'm somewhat OK for the $1000 delivery for Mercedes & BMW European delivery program, since they have to ship the car across the Atlantic, but at least they don't charge extra for Museum delivery to tour their factory.
Don't believe any other industry works this way!
Just my observation, all u Gov't Motors supporters flame away...
You pay for flight to Kentucky, pay $990 for Museum Delivery, pay $995 for delivery, just to pick up your Vette directly at the factory?
& gets to pay sales tax in your home state also?
So came up with this scam? & why do we put up with it?
I understand the special significance of Museum delivery, but...
I'm somewhat OK for the $1000 delivery for Mercedes & BMW European delivery program, since they have to ship the car across the Atlantic, but at least they don't charge extra for Museum delivery to tour their factory.
Don't believe any other industry works this way!
Just my observation, all u Gov't Motors supporters flame away...
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 4
Why I have to pay for it
Why i dont get is that if I go to local dealer and buy my Vette near my house at the dealer, why is destination charge my cost. I didnt ask to have that car shipped to local dealer. Dealership did. Dealer shipped it to them and they should be charged that fee but they manage to pass it to consumer because they can. (Just because it was that was for years doesn't mean it is ok). We accept it and they pass their cost to us. Until people start to complain about it we will be paying for it. Until then govt motors will pass the cost to us.
I guess next time I go to local dealer I can pay for the car and then they will ship the car to my house for free since I was charged destination fee. Right?
We accept it and they will keep giving it to us.
As far museum fee, that is experience one pays for and it is worth it if one chooses to do so.
I just can't stand destination fee SCAM in my opinion.
I guess next time I go to local dealer I can pay for the car and then they will ship the car to my house for free since I was charged destination fee. Right?
We accept it and they will keep giving it to us.
As far museum fee, that is experience one pays for and it is worth it if one chooses to do so.
I just can't stand destination fee SCAM in my opinion.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Personally, to to issues with our "Specialist," I was disappointed with our first delivery. That being said, based on other's experiences, and loving the Museum and plant tour, I've ordered it on my Z06.
Bottom line, if you don't want it or don't think it's fair, don't order it. There are plenty of us to keep Lori, Shane, and the rest of the staff busy.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Vonore TN
When you do a european delivery for BMWs, you are actually given off about 7% from the sales price of the car. You end up saving significant amount of money. BMW's delivery far exceeds GM's, the museum and the overall experience in BMW's Welt building is simply stunning. You are also fed properly (the food alone would cost $200-300 in the U.S. it's extremely high quality).
On top of this, BMW has Performance Center Delivery option where you can optionally pick up your car from BMW's race track training center in North Carolina. This option also has 1 free day of M driving course (usually costs a ton of money), in addition to 1 night of hotel stay, free food again (night and the next day), and free transportation from hotel to the track. All of this is for free.
Now would it be nice to do European delivery AND Performance center delivery? It would right? Guess what, you can do them both, again FOR FREE.
Again, just providing another perspective to the people. GM's museum delivery is pretty much a rip off compared to what else is out there.
On top of this, BMW has Performance Center Delivery option where you can optionally pick up your car from BMW's race track training center in North Carolina. This option also has 1 free day of M driving course (usually costs a ton of money), in addition to 1 night of hotel stay, free food again (night and the next day), and free transportation from hotel to the track. All of this is for free.
Now would it be nice to do European delivery AND Performance center delivery? It would right? Guess what, you can do them both, again FOR FREE.
Again, just providing another perspective to the people. GM's museum delivery is pretty much a rip off compared to what else is out there.
Judging by your avatar and you post I think maybe you are on the wrong site...BMW has a much nicer one with better food..
