Paying MSRP…Foolish?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
Your money, your choice. If I had in excess of say, 10 million net worth, I might make buying choices with less regard for getting the best price I could. Since I don't I'll be buying my C7 this winter for the best deal I can manage. In your situation I wouldn't place much value on the local dealers goodwill as a result of buying from them. They make a lot of money on service so for them to be less accommodating servicing a car you bought elsewhere wouldn't be a wise financial strategy. As far as convenience you could order from any dealer in the country and have a courtesy delivery to your local dealer for $300-$600. I'd get the best price I could from checking with the big dealers and give the local dealer a chance to match it, or at the least come very close.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 1,295
From: SouthEast PA
Unmodified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Patience finally paid off getting exactly my trades value plus $2k at a local Dealer and the additional Pa State Sales tax saving in excess of $2k.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 13
For me it's simple math, I calculate what the car will cost me buying from the least expensive dealer, factor in the travel or shipping costs then use that total cost as a yardstick for what I will pay locally. If the local dealer gets within $500 of the cost of doing business elsewhere they got my business, it's that simple.
Last edited by mjw930; Oct 19, 2014 at 09:34 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8,244
Likes: 850
From: Hamilton Square NJ, Ocean City N. J. Key Biscayne Fla.
Of course not. Its always better to pay MSRP rather than getting a 5K+ discount with a little research. 
Actually, I think the question is rather foolish.
Actually, I think the question is rather foolish.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,860
Likes: 85
From: Graniteville South Carolina
If I have to pay sticker for a car, it will remain where it is.
No reason to be paying msrp on these cars at this point. I don't care if you're a gazillionaire. Get the savings and donate the extra money to a good cause. Screw buying local if that's not where the deals are.
No reason to be paying msrp on these cars at this point. I don't care if you're a gazillionaire. Get the savings and donate the extra money to a good cause. Screw buying local if that's not where the deals are.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I would argue that if you saved $6000 plus by not paying MSRP you could afford to make some grey market repairs if need be or afford a few hours of a lawyer's time if necessary. Plus for the vast majority of buyers they won't have such problems. I don't begrudge a dealer from making a profit and I don't begrudge a buyer from paying a premium for something they really want. To me, the Corvette is not worth MSRP and I would not pay sticker price for it, especially for the higher optioned models, but if someone else is willing to then that's why capitalism works. Similarly if a dealer is only willing to keep a car on the lot for a short period of time so they can make money on volume they're going to make just as much, in fact probably much more, than the dealer who will keep the car on the lot for a longer period of time so that he can make more profit on that 1 car, but that's their choice.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
I would take the chance of getting a good reliable car and buy from a forum sponsor and save as much as possible.
BUT get all maintenance done by the local dealer. ALL of it. Throw them a few accessory install bones and it becomes "their car"
Remember not many Corvette buyers are aware of forums and know about Supplier pricing. All three local dealers know this and price accordingly ....at or....above MSRP.
$7000 is a lot of "extra" money to pay for local dealer "peace of mind" and there is no guarantee they will even take responsibility and the car could be hung up for months waiting for a resolution anyway
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Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Even Z51 cars are available under MSRP. However this is now and more units unsold are sitting on dealer's lots. A year ago wasn't the case, demand was way more than supply, dealers commanded and got MSPR and more. Now we have the ZO6, try getting one of the first under MSRP. Local dealers are now matching the deals of the larger Corvette dealers and there really is no reason to purchase hundreds of miles away.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,832
Likes: 1,682
From: Rochester New York
A year ago....MSRP was the norm! Now it is not! There are discounts out there and some hefty ones. Why pay more than you have to? I would not pay MSRP at this stage of the game!
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I recently purchased a 2015 C7 from Kerbeck of NJ. The purchase was the easiest deal I ever had on a new vehicle and on top of it, they discounted the Corvette by $4326 off window sticker. I flew into Philadelphia and they had a car pick me up and transported me to the dealership. I drove the car home and it got 30.7 MPG, the trip was well worth it. The local dealer here were hiding their 2015's from the public and only showed the 2014's in the showroom. The local dealer is arrogant and when I asked about the price they wanted $5000 over window sticker. Travel to Kerbeck , it's worth it. I ended up paying less then the window with taxes and title included.
Casey Miles
Casey Miles
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
Unless money is not an issue, I think you are foolish paying MSRP. As far as getting a relationship with a local dealer, I would think that they would want your work and your positive service grade. Plus a nice tip with a" take good care of my car" goes a long way if it is that important for you to establish a relationship a dealer's service area.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
Likes: 16
From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
I get the sense from Forum contributors that those who pay MSRP for their 2015 Stingray (non-Z51) are a bit foolish.
At the risk of being embarrassed by saying I'm paying MSRP ($62,275) for my Silver/Black, 2LT, A8, with some minor RPOs, are there not a great many out there who are also paying or paid MSRP?
I considered buying from Criswell among others where I would have saved a few thousand $…and I came close.
And then I thought about a flight, a winter drive across country, and wanting to have a sound relationship with a local dealer--so I went local with a dealer who is Corvette savvy and anything but arrogant.
Am I really that foolish?
At the risk of being embarrassed by saying I'm paying MSRP ($62,275) for my Silver/Black, 2LT, A8, with some minor RPOs, are there not a great many out there who are also paying or paid MSRP?
I considered buying from Criswell among others where I would have saved a few thousand $…and I came close.
And then I thought about a flight, a winter drive across country, and wanting to have a sound relationship with a local dealer--so I went local with a dealer who is Corvette savvy and anything but arrogant.
Am I really that foolish?
Well, at MSRP your local dealer is making a very substantial profit off your purchase. Even a local dealer has plenty of room to provide you with a multi-thousand dollar discount on a new C7, and still earn a good profit. Dealers drool over MSRP customers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,756
Likes: 173
From: Ventura CA
Even Z51 cars are available under MSRP. However this is now and more units unsold are sitting on dealer's lots. A year ago wasn't the case, demand was way more than supply, dealers commanded and got MSPR and more. Now we have the ZO6, try getting one of the first under MSRP. Local dealers are now matching the deals of the larger Corvette dealers and there really is no reason to purchase hundreds of miles away.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Its your $$$
First off...Congrats on your new Vette...
Second...Its your $$$...do what you do
Third...These cars are not commanding MSRP anymore ( Beside the Z06)...The Vette is on its second year....and the supply for the Vette is definitely more than the demand....All my dealership around me are discounting
That being said...Most people that I spoke too are getting thousands off with or without the Z51 package...and most people are getting GM Supplier discounts or Credit Union discounts ( as most dealer are accepting them)
Check out Kerbeck...Fire Sale
In regards to your local dealer, they should be willing to at least give you 5%-10% off MSRP ...TRUST ME...The owner of the dealership is making $$$ off you....Plus it helps with their quota of the month by selling the car....
Just show them the Kerbeck ad...Get the discounts and use the extra cash on aftermarket Exhaust and maybe Rims...
W
Second...Its your $$$...do what you do
Third...These cars are not commanding MSRP anymore ( Beside the Z06)...The Vette is on its second year....and the supply for the Vette is definitely more than the demand....All my dealership around me are discounting
That being said...Most people that I spoke too are getting thousands off with or without the Z51 package...and most people are getting GM Supplier discounts or Credit Union discounts ( as most dealer are accepting them)
Check out Kerbeck...Fire Sale
In regards to your local dealer, they should be willing to at least give you 5%-10% off MSRP ...TRUST ME...The owner of the dealership is making $$$ off you....Plus it helps with their quota of the month by selling the car....
Just show them the Kerbeck ad...Get the discounts and use the extra cash on aftermarket Exhaust and maybe Rims...
W
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,206
Likes: 1,139
From: Santa Rosa Beach FL
Wikipedia says...
"Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price can be misleading bc this MSRP is extremely high compared to actual wholesale cost, opening the market to 'deep discounter' who are able to sell products substantially below the MSRP while still making a profit.
The discount stores benefit from exorbitant MSRP's bc the discount offered increases the perceived value to customers"
MSRP in general terms...not GM specific I might add
The discount stores benefit from exorbitant MSRP's bc the discount offered increases the perceived value to customers"
MSRP in general terms...not GM specific I might add
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,206
Likes: 1,139
From: Santa Rosa Beach FL
The "Yo-Yo sales trap"
I don't think for a minute our forum dealers partake in this practice. But your local dealer may vary.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,577
Likes: 1,696
From: South Carolina
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,163
Likes: 4,619
I get the sense from Forum contributors that those who pay MSRP for their 2015 Stingray (non-Z51) are a bit foolish.
At the risk of being embarrassed by saying I'm paying MSRP ($62,275) for my Silver/Black, 2LT, A8, with some minor RPOs, are there not a great many out there who are also paying or paid MSRP?
I considered buying from Criswell among others where I would have saved a few thousand $…and I came close.
And then I thought about a flight, a winter drive across country, and wanting to have a sound relationship with a local dealer--so I went local with a dealer who is Corvette savvy and anything but arrogant.
Am I really that foolish?
At the risk of being embarrassed by saying I'm paying MSRP ($62,275) for my Silver/Black, 2LT, A8, with some minor RPOs, are there not a great many out there who are also paying or paid MSRP?
I considered buying from Criswell among others where I would have saved a few thousand $…and I came close.
And then I thought about a flight, a winter drive across country, and wanting to have a sound relationship with a local dealer--so I went local with a dealer who is Corvette savvy and anything but arrogant.
Am I really that foolish?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 18
From: Scottsdale, AZ
yes....paying 6k+ extra when you can order exactly what you want and have it delivered to your local dealer (courtesy delivery) is beyond me. But it's your money and your welcome to give more of it to your dealer.