Wow, bought 3 corvettes from Stingray and gotta say they really don't care whether you walk or not. Used to be a great dealer but now no more. One I looked like did not even have the grey Vin sticker or bowling green decal and they said no big deal. Time to avoid Stingray in Fl.

 

Contact Mike Furman at Criswell. He sells a lot of Corvettes to customers throughout the country. By far the easiest and best car buying experience I ever had.

 

Also MacMulkin in New Hampshire. Great deals and very easy process

 

And, Kerbeck's at Atlantic City.

 

In other words use one of the big forum dealers to get the best price and sales experience.

 

Ditto. Problem solved.

 

If they don't mind you walking, don't mind them not minding... Just move on to the next.

 

Just keep in mind that the big dealers contribute NOTHING to the economy of Punta Gorda. The don't employ your neighbors, pay your local school taxes, or do anything to contribute to your town. As you can tell, I am a BIG believer in shopping locally! Keep that in mind when you start complaining about the lack of things locally!

 

Kind of surprising as Stingray is a top 10 Corvette dealership. Must be doing something right to sell all those Corvettes.

 

That’s a worthy point.

 

It must be based on pure volume and buyers who don’t necessarily shop dealers. Based on the quote they gave me last year when shopping for my 2019 Z96/Z07, they never took my desire to order my car seriously. Instead they kept pushing me towards their existing overstock. OK, I get it, they have a business to run. However when I inquire about a M7 Z06 coupe with Z07 package, please don’t try to sell me a Grand Sport, A8 convertible because they have a “Managers Special” that day.

 

I couldn't agree more. It amazes me how enamored so many individuals on this site fawn over certain dealerships. I have found local dealers will work with you if you are reasonable, particularly if you have a trade. My most recent purchase (2019 Z06) price was equal to the "Big Boys". Support you local communities.

 

I'd love to. I really would! But when I see a $15K "local market adjustment" and the salesman acts put out if I question it, or if my inquiry on the possibility of ordering a car results is laugh and a statement of "We only get a couple of these in a year!" then I'm thinking "local" doesn't count for much and it surely is not a substitute for customer service. The fact is it is the Internet Age, and these local dealers had better get up to speed or get left in the dust. Sorry, but we don't buy cars like Grandad did.

 

I found the opposite where I am. They try to string you along and bend you over where I am. They balked at an A8 1LZ for 81k OTD that I was seeking and tried fking me with 85k lowest offer. Didn't bother haggling with me.

It wasn't until they found out I was getting employee plus 1400 that they wanted to match it and by that time they could get bent. Why should I have to get a better deal out of state for you to not try and make your nut on me for the quarter? Treat me like Criswell did from the get go and I will happily buy local. If not then go EABOD. I don't care if you are local or not.

 

My first out-of-state-purchase was my '14 Z51 in late 2013. I checked with EVERY local dealer to see if they could match (or beat) the deal I got ($3K off MSRP, which was unheard of in late 2013) for a factory ordered car.

My 2019 GS purchase , in Aug. 2018 was likewise a great deal (13% off sticker). Once again I checked with EVERY local dealer and not one would even try.

I get your point about buying locally but there's a point where you cut off your own nose, just to spite your face

 

That sums it up quite well.

People (well, those on this forum anyway) are likely to be a cut above the run-of-the-mill car buyer. Most of us have a good idea about what we want AND what we don't want. The sales reps who know what they are doing AND care about customers will earn our business. The ones who try to rake us over the coals or treat us like suckers will see us walking out and never coming back again.

 

The response from my local dealer 1.2 miles away was a total joke. Bunch of circus clowns. Hell no.
.

 

I have a VERY good relationship with my local dealer (8 minutes away), they have 2 certified 'vette techs that really know they're stuff. Had they met the price, I would have ZERO problem buying through them. And when I told 'em I was buying elsewhere, they understood. I did the courtesy delivery through them however.

(turns out they got to rebuild my motor under warranty for me anyway )

 

I guess I've just been lucky.

 

Sadly you are correct. I bought 2 Corvettes from Stingray (2015 and 2019). Six months ago, I would have told you they were the best dealership in the country and I have sent a lot of business their way in the last few years. A few weeks ago, I sent the Floor Manager (who I considered a trusted friend) an offer to trade in my 2019 1LT on 2019 ZO6 1LZ (and a follow-up) and he did not even bother to answer. The offer was reasonable. I went with the dealer discount they advertised on line as available to anybody and KBB trade value for my car. Don't know what has happened to the sales organization there but it is not good. I guess they are selling so many cars they don't really care about repeat customers. I also don't think they monitor this forum or give a damn about what forum members have to say about their dealership. May just go with a Hellcat. My local FCA dealer (that I have purchased 3 vehicles from) will really lean forward to make a deal. One thing is for sure, they will always respond to an offer.