Since it is such a long time between initial order dates and delivery for 2021's, I am wondering how many buyers are placing (no risk) orders with multiple dealers, planning only to complete the first available allocation? Obviously, if it's a lot of buyers then being way back in line on a dealer's list may not be as bad as it seems.

 

 

I had 3 at one point. Things would change at one dealer for the worse or the better so I would ppace a deposit to try and maximize my chances of getting a car asap.

 

I haven't "placed an order" but I have a deposit at 2 dealers.

 

I have a deposit/order at 2 dealers. Which ever one comes up first with a C8 I'll take delivery from them, leave my deposit at the other, and ask them to keep me in line for a Z06. Then, down the road, when the Z06's are available I'll be ready to trade in my C8. My dealerships don't have a separate list for Z06's.....I can switch my choice.

 

I suspect this is pretty common.... with the big dealers, deposit is typically refundable until a firm order is placed.... they expect this.... if somebody backs out there are 5 in line to take their place. No big deal.

 

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Yep, a number of folks said they did that with the 2020 C8 orders. No real risk as the initial deposits were refundable in most cases. However makes you understand that some dealers took many more 1100 "Dealer Placed Orders" than they had allocations! They know there were both tire kickers and those with multiple deposits that will pull out when asked for a nonrefundable deposit! Can't blame them! It's not their first rodeo!

 

Define; "(no risk) orders??"

 

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Since I used the same (no risk) word in my post right above yours I'll answer for what I meant AND what many folks said they did when ordering 2020's. Most larger dealers were taking what I call, "Hold -A-Spot" orders with a $1000 refundable deposit. Terms were for whatever reason you can back out and get your money back. So they placed orders with perhaps a local dealer (or 2) with limited allocations and 1 or 2 large allocation dealers. The first one who said "We're getting ready to place a "Build Order" with GM and your priority will be based on when we get your 5% non refundable deposit. They decided if they wanted to go with that dealer and asked the other 2 or 3 for their money back. With current bank interest they lost little!

SIDEBAR
That is what I also did for my 2014 Z51 soon after the launch at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2013. Few dealers were offering that option at the time, including Kerbeck. I found a large dealer who was and I was #9 with the same $1000 refundable deposit and a written agreement at MSRP when neither they or I knew what that would be! Prices didn't come out until ~May 2013. I selected someone I trusted and only used one (same for my 2020 order.) That is one reason a lot of folks got the essentially useless Event Code 1100, "Dealer Placed Orders" for 2020's. Means nothing to GM as far as build priority. Dealers know there are tire kicker's and those placing orders with several dealers so place "Dealer Orders" and gave customers a nice looking order sheet! But some wrote more of those that they had allocations to order also knowing some would drop out!

That's also the issue with the recent opening of 2021 C8 "Dealer Placed Orders. Means nothing, not even a guaranty your in a priority list at the dealer! Means absolutely nothing regarding priority to GM, they don't keep track! As I was number #9 for my 2014 Z51, called the salesman in ~March 2013 and asked if I was still #9. He said, "Yep, you'll be #9 unless Jeff Gordon wants one then you'll be #10! Jeff was driving for Hendrick at the time and Hendrick in Cary NC was who was accepting "Hold-A-Spot" orders; most other Hendrick dealerships were not. Allocations are based on that particular Dealership not the ~50 Dealerships he owns!

 

Some do this. I doubt that it is a large percentage of all buyers. It helps you if those above you on the dealer list drop off for whatever reason.

 

I had two deposits/orders and the first one which went 3000 I took that car and asked for my deposit back from the other and I should be getting my car this week as its at the rail yard waiting to be trucked the couple dozen miles to my dealer.

 

this is exactly why knowing what # you are on a dealer list is useless.

 

Not totally useless, you know that whatever number you are on the dealers list is a “worst case” number. If any of those above you drop off for whatever reason, you get closer to the top and ordering your car. Not knowing the number of allocations your dealer has and where you are on his list puts you at the mercy of your salesperson. I’ve read here of people who were told by their small dealership salesperson that they would get a car only to find out later that given where they were on the list and how many allocations the dealer expected it was highly unlikely that they would get a 2020.

The most important thing I have learned, in the year I have been on this forum, is that when ordering a Corvette in a high demand year a thorough understanding of the order/allocation system is required to avoid disappointment.

 

That right there is funny. LOL

 

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Yep that is what he said! I recall, Jeff Gordon was sitting next to Rick Hendrick at the Barret Jackson car auction he won the bid for the 1st C7 for ~1.1 million!

It was certainly true then as I suspect now if any dealership with a brother or other family member who wants a 2021 C8 will move way up on their "priority list!" The one that would be more upsetting for those dealing with smaller dealers at MSRP is they may find they are SOL when someone offers a few thousand or more over MSRP! Best hope their allocation is big enough!

 

Wouldn't there be legal avenues of recourse in the event that happens? It's unconscionable to think that a dealer would let you wait more than a year for your order and then sell it to someone else especially after you have given $10k down. If a dealer would be willing to do that, why don't they cancel everyone's order and sell them all for profit beyond MSRP? What about public perception of the event? We have a local news channel that would pick up on something like that and broadcast it. Surely these guys care about their reputation.

 

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First, I'm not talking about a dealer taking a customer ordered car and selling it himself! GM is ONLY accepting orders from end user customers NOT from dealers even for their showroom. SEE SIDEBAR Below.

Second, what I am referring to is perfectly legal! The dealer controls his order priority list. Has nothing to do with GM or the "Order Placed By Dealership" Event Code 1100. A dealer can place all those they would like having nothing to do with allocations. Dealer's know some of the orders are tire kicker's and those who placed orders with several dealers and will take one and ask for a refund once they are told they need a non refundable deposit as they are getting close to placing a "Build Order." Can't blame the dealer for taking more than he can order since buyers are playing games with multiple order etc.

Third, to my knowledge a dealer has NO commitment but their integrity to hold to a order priority list! He doesn't share that list with GM. The Event Code 1100 means nothing to GM re what the final 3000 Event Code will be. I don't think it's right but especially with no down payment and therefor a buyer has no real commitment, what commitment do you expect from a Dealer?

SIDEBAR
Thought my experience ordering an early 2014 C7 from Hendrick in Cary NC was interesting. They were one of the few taking orders in February 2013 (in fact even Kerbeck was not. I put a refundable $1000 down and was #9. When my September 2013 C7 was delivered it was 3 days before I could pick it up. When my wife and I got to the dealership my car was in their showroom. There was a salesman who had no idea who we were showing the car to a prospective customer. When that customer asked if he could sit in the car the salesman said no that's a customer's car and I don't have access to the keys!

Recall the sales manager was unhappy that GM was not taking orders from dealer's, only orders for customers. He could not get a car for the showroom!