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NOT a concern at all. In Georgia you pay TVAT once whether it is in state, out of state, new, used, does not matter, no ad valorem tax ever again on that vehicle. Someone tells you otherwise it is BS.
Congrats on the purchase. Seems like you got a great deal on exactly the car you were looking for.
Now hopefully they don't add dat der tru-coat before you pick it up!! JK
LOL... well, I realize car sales people don't have much of a reputation--falling somewhere between lawyers and Catholic priests--but I believe I'm safe... LOL
I went in assuming one couldn't get as good a deal ordering a custom-built car versus buying one off the lot (and "settling" for not getting something exactly as you wanted it). Moving the cars on the lot, I thought, usually resulted in a better deal than ordering. So, maybe I'm wrong.
I also assumed--and I believe this to be correct--that there is more room for making a good deal on a high-priced vehicle than a base vehicle (think Honda Fit versus Honda Accord). So, I could have received 14% off MSRP on the GS (which I set out to buy in the first place) or a lesser discount on a Corvette that was closer to the base model. Ultimately, I changed my order again and my MSRP total came to $67K (instead of the original $70K). I received 12½% off that MSRP.
While I might have been able to argue for more of a discount, from what I had read here and from what I was seeing the big sellers offering as a discount, I thought 12½% off MSRP for a low-priced custom-build was a reasonable deal for both of us.
I didn't need to argue their admin fee as my military discount code reduces all admin charges to no more than $75 (as seen in the photo).
So, was it the best deal? Probably not Did I get raped? I don't think so. And remember, I believe there were some people who commented here that, perhaps, I was seeking too much of a discount... LOL. I guess there will be a wide range of opinions of what kind of deal I received.
Also, I visited 4 other dealerships. and emailed with a 5th:
Bellanmy Strickland in my county (small player) looked at my proposal, asked how I arrived at such numbers and never even made a counter offer.
Terry Cullen next county over (small player) looked at my proposal and returned the piece of paper to me and didn't even ask for my name (LOL)
Jim Ellis (medium to large player) looked at my numbers, asked how I had arrived at them, politely said they couldn't meet those numbers (but kept my information). Never heard from them.
Hendrick at Buford (large player). I met with them and they filled out a sheet offering a car on the lot to me for about 11% off MSRP. I left. I emailed them that I wanted to custom order and my discount off MSRP proposal. I never heard from them.
Emailed and talked with Nash Chevrolet in Lawrenceville. Corvette specialist asked for additional info and said he'd get back in touch with me after verifying my build. Never heard from him again.
So, by the time I had found someone willing to talk and work with my numbers and after having some people say I was requesting too much of a discount, I felt happy about being able to make a deal.
I ordered on Saturday (5 days ago) and I'm at 3000 now.
You can't negotiate for a deal like what you did by calling or sending out emails to a bunch of dealers. Why would they take you seriously when everyone does the same thing? It just wastes everyone's time. That's why they didn't call you back. They didn't do anything after hanging up the phone. You needed to pick a dealership then go visit in person and work a deal, not to just ask them how much will they take off. That's not negotiating. You need to make an effort in good faith that you will buy if you can agree on a price. Not just ask their best price and shop it with another dealer. They know that game.
Your approach was totally wrong, and as was said by others, you ended up with no better deal than anyone else would had gotten. It's too late now since you already bought your car, but believe me, you didn't get any deal worth bragging or talking about.
You can't negotiate for a deal like what you did by calling or sending out emails to a bunch of dealers. Why would they take you seriously when everyone does the same thing? It just wastes everyone's time. That's why they didn't call you back. They didn't do anything after hanging up the phone. You needed to pick a dealership then go visit in person and work a deal, not to just ask them how much will they take off. That's not negotiating. You need to make an effort in good faith that you will buy if you can agree on a price. Not just ask their best price and shop it with another dealer. They know that game.
Your approach was totally wrong, and as was said by others, you ended up with no better deal than anyone else would had gotten. It's too late now since you already bought your car, but believe me, you didn't get any deal worth bragging or talking about.
Enjoy your new Corvette.
Well, as I said, I visited 4 other dealerships in person. Perhaps I'm in error but when I approached them with an offer, to me that showed a serious interest in purchasing a car from them. That, AND driving to their location. And, again, from my point of view, telling them I was interested in in purchasing and making the first offer was supposed to be the first "round" of negotiating but no one even countered. They acted like it was a ridiculous discount off MSRP to even ask.
So, if my deal isn't worth talking about, then it--according to you--is just a "so-so" deal. If it was as bad as you hint at, then why didn't the other 4 dealerships I visited jump on it (if it was so juicy for the dealership)?
Not trying to be argumentative... trying to understand...
I would also like to understand why some think his deal is just ok. He was able to order exactly the car he wanted and get 12.5% off MSRP even if he did have to pay the admin fee in the end, which he didn't. The web retailer mentioned in this thread is advertising 11.7% off MSRP and there is at least a delivery fee added on.
Well, as I said, I visited 4 other dealerships in person. Perhaps I'm in error but when I approached them with an offer, to me that showed a serious interest in purchasing a car from them. That, AND driving to their location. And, again, from my point of view, telling them I was interested in in purchasing and making the first offer was supposed to be the first "round" of negotiating but no one even countered. They acted like it was a ridiculous discount off MSRP to even ask.
So, if my deal isn't worth talking about, then it--according to you--is just a "so-so" deal. If it was as bad as you hint at, then why didn't the other 4 dealerships I visited jump on it (if it was so juicy for the dealership)?
Not trying to be argumentative... trying to understand...
Thanks for your reply.
Sorry, when I read you never heard from them again, I took it that you called or emailed the dealers.
Walking in the door and handing them a written proposal isn't negotiating. You need to go in and create a rapport with the salesman. You go look at the car, take a test drive, then tell them what options you want. Depending if you are buying off the lot or putting in a special order will dictate your approach. You look at the sticker, then ask what they are asking for that specific car or one with the options you want. It's a dance, or like fencing . You move back and forth, thrust and parry while you break down their resistance in what you think each an option is worth on a particular model. Maybe you want a Z51, or maybe you will get a better deal on a Grand Sport. I love negotiating. I spend hours in the dealership until I get the car I want, at the price I researched. I wear them down until they give in, or just to get rid of me. I set aside 3-6 hours to achieve my goal. And it works every time. I try to tie up as much time of the salesman and his manager as I can. Time they could be using to sell a couple of cars to someone else. My last purchase for my wife's car, they brought in a seasoned relief salesman to help out the original salesman to talk me down. I test drove that car twice, then test drove a totally different car because I wanted them to know we can start negotiating all over again with a totally different car if my first choice was not available to buy. I never tell them at what price I will buy until we are deep into talking price. I never know how cheap I can get the car until we get there. If I give them a price, I may had been able to get it cheaper. Once we get close to my target price, I push them to get to that number. Sometimes they will offer to sell below my price! Then I try to get it lower.
Just like taking a woman out for a date. You go out and have a good time, then try to get her back to your place. Then you try to get her in the mood to want to spend the night. If you just hand her a written request for sex, or just ask if you can get some, she is just going to say no. That's why the salesman just looked at your proposal and asked where did you come up with your numbers. He didn't know you or had any reason to entertain your offer. That's why they blew you off and you never heard back from them. I chat and talk with the sales guy the entire time while being friendly It's a social interaction, but a business transaction.
This is how I negotiate for cars. I would never be able to get a deal by asking them to meet my price as soon as I walk in the door. Some salesmen don't want to deal at all, so i walk and try the next dealer. Sorry to type all this, but I wanted to show you the difference in negotiating, and what you seemed to have done. Your way was basically giving them an ultimatum by telling them what price you would pay, so they said no. Or you made a series of offers hoping they would counter you. If I was with you, I could have gotten you that car for at least $4000 less than you paid, and probably more.
Six pages of this. Lord knows we've all been there one way or another over the years. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, until you wind up hating each other. Then you bash the dealer for "BS Fees" and have a bunch of drama over that. I'm glad Slynky got his car for 12% off after fees. That's great. You'll love the car. Of course, another way of accomplishing the same thing is to call up Macmulkin (and several others), ask what the discount is for factory ordered cars, and when they say "12%" say "Deal." End of story.
Sorry, when I read you never heard from them again, I took it that you called or emailed the dealers.
Walking in the door and handing them a written proposal isn't negotiating. You need to go in and create a rapport with the salesman. You go look at the car, take a test drive, then tell them what options you want. Depending if you are buying off the lot or putting in a special order will dictate your approach. You look at the sticker, then ask what they are asking for that specific car or one with the options you want. It's a dance, or like fencing . You move back and forth, thrust and parry while you break down their resistance in what you think each an option is worth on a particular model. Maybe you want a Z51, or maybe you will get a better deal on a Grand Sport. I love negotiating. I spend hours in the dealership until I get the car I want, at the price I researched. I wear them down until they give in, or just to get rid of me. I set aside 3-6 hours to achieve my goal. And it works every time. I try to tie up as much time of the salesman and his manager as I can. Time they could be using to sell a couple of cars to someone else. My last purchase for my wife's car, they brought in a seasoned relief salesman to help out the original salesman to talk me down. I test drove that car twice, then test drove a totally different car because I wanted them to know we can start negotiating all over again with a totally different car if my first choice was not available to buy. I never tell them at what price I will buy until we are deep into talking price. I never know how cheap I can get the car until we get there. If I give them a price, I may had been able to get it cheaper. Once we get close to my target price, I push them to get to that number. Sometimes they will offer to sell below my price! Then I try to get it lower.
Just like taking a woman out for a date. You go out and have a good time, then try to get her back to your place. Then you try to get her in the mood to want to spend the night. If you just hand her a written request for sex, or just ask if you can get some, she is just going to say no. That's why the salesman just looked at your proposal and asked where did you come up with your numbers. He didn't know you or had any reason to entertain your offer. That's why they blew you off and you never heard back from them. I chat and talk with the sales guy the entire time while being friendly It's a social interaction, but a business transaction.
This is how I negotiate for cars. I would never be able to get a deal by asking them to meet my price as soon as I walk in the door. Some salesmen don't want to deal at all, so i walk and try the next dealer. Sorry to type all this, but I wanted to show you the difference in negotiating, and what you seemed to have done. Your way was basically giving them an ultimatum by telling them what price you would pay, so they said no. Or you made a series of offers hoping they would counter you. If I was with you, I could have gotten you that car for at least $4000 less than you paid, and probably more.
I understand it's a "game". Personally, I don't enjoy it. I don't enjoy it when the flunky salesperson says he needs to talk to a manager (when all he wants to do is let me "bake" for a while...sit...and try to get me tired so I'll give in). But, that's neither here nor there. Back to topic.
I gave the "quick" version so as to whittle down typing time. But since you've been typing so much, I might as well elaborate a little. I didn't just walk in and hand them a piece of paper. At Bellamy Strickland, I returned the salesperson's call and two days later, went to meet him. We chatted. I told him I needed to see the orange in person and that I was going to find one and go look at it because the photos online weren't the real thing. Two days later, I went back to him. I told him I had decided to order instead of settle for one off the lot. I liked LBR and EVERY car in metropolitan Atlanta that color had Kalahari interior. UGH. So, I wrote down what I was looking for (for the sales person's convenience because, I could just as easily told him in person what I was looking for and he (or she) would need to write it down instead. Apparently, you're saying "speaking" the deal I was looking to make is a better way to negotiate than handing some notes on the deal I wanted to make. Shrug...
Anyway, that's how I did it with Bellamy Strickland.
I drove to Buford (over 50 miles) and looked around the lot. Met Travis. Looked at all sorts of colors. Read some sticker detail. Travis even took me around to look at a used LBR convertible they had (with scratches and gouges in it) to see if I was interested. I wasn't. They wrote up an offer for me for a LBR (automatic that I didn't want and PDR that I didn't want) and offered it to me at about 11% off MSRP. Please note, it is apparently OK for him to hand ME a piece of paper... LOL So, I said I'd be in contact. Two days later, I emailed him that I'd like to custom order and that I was furnishing him with the price I was looking to pay. I did this rather than drive 50 miles one way again. I never heard from him.
So, in my opinion, I attempted to start negotiations and most dealerships refused...it doesn't make any difference (in my mind) whether I did in via voice or via voice/paper. But, Hendrck at Duluth sure didn't turn their nose up and no answer me.
Which brings me to my question that you never answered. You say you could have gotten that car for $4,000 less than I did. You DO realize that would mean you would need to negotiate about 18% off MSRP. That seems really hard to believe. But, on to the question you never answered. IF the deal sucked and IF a suck deal for me means a lot of profit for the dealership, then why was the only one who continued dialog with me Duluth Hendrick? Why didn't any of the other dealerships look at the stupid deal I was asking for and jump on it in a heartbeat--if it was so good for the dealership?
Six pages of this. Lord knows we've all been there one way or another over the years. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, until you wind up hating each other. Then you bash the dealer for "BS Fees" and have a bunch of drama over that. I'm glad Slynky got his car for 12% off after fees. That's great. You'll love the car. Of course, another way of accomplishing the same thing is to call up Macmulkin (and several others), ask what the discount is for factory ordered cars, and when they say "12%" say "Deal." End of story.
Six pages of this. Lord knows we've all been there one way or another over the years. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, until you wind up hating each other. Then you bash the dealer for "BS Fees" and have a bunch of drama over that. I'm glad Slynky got his car for 12% off after fees. That's great. You'll love the car. Of course, another way of accomplishing the same thing is to call up Macmulkin (and several others), ask what the discount is for factory ordered cars, and when they say "12%" say "Deal." End of story.
08-22-2018, 02:31 PM
I test drove that car twice, then test drove a totally different car because I wanted them to know we can start negotiating all over again with a totally different car if my first choice was not available to buy. I never tell them at what price I will buy until we are deep into talking price. I never know how cheap I can get the car until we get there. If I give them a price, I may had been able to get it cheaper. Once we get close to my target price, I push them to get to that number. Sometimes they will offer to sell below my price! Then I try to get it lower.
