Is this the new normal?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 206
From: Mooresville North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Is this the new normal?
I contacted a dealer (name withheld) and presented a window sticker of a C8 I want to order. I explained I am a legit buyer and will order immediately.
Here what transpired....the dealer said OK, order the car and we will determine the price upon delivery. His words..."we will not discuss pricing or "out the door" numbers until the car is here". Further, he said 'take a leap a faith and get the train rolling" If I don't like the price on delivery, "We will have plenty of buyers that will gladly do so".
OK, I get it. C8 are in short supply and the dealers are hard balling. I get it...but is arrogance any way to treat a 'hot customer'? No, I will not place an order with this dealer.
Is this the new normal? All I want to do is order a C8 with a firm number in hand. Gheesh!
Here what transpired....the dealer said OK, order the car and we will determine the price upon delivery. His words..."we will not discuss pricing or "out the door" numbers until the car is here". Further, he said 'take a leap a faith and get the train rolling" If I don't like the price on delivery, "We will have plenty of buyers that will gladly do so".
OK, I get it. C8 are in short supply and the dealers are hard balling. I get it...but is arrogance any way to treat a 'hot customer'? No, I will not place an order with this dealer.
Is this the new normal? All I want to do is order a C8 with a firm number in hand. Gheesh!
Popular Reply
Dec 23, 2022, 01:48 PM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1,592
From: Clermont, Florida
Order from one of the big dealers on this forum. Up front pricing and no games.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,455
Likes: 916
From: South East
Why are you withholding the name of the dealer? - post it, so others know to avoid them.
Assume this dealer is not one of the forum preferred ones that do MSRP, contact one of them and make it happen.
Assume this dealer is not one of the forum preferred ones that do MSRP, contact one of them and make it happen.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,987
Likes: 1,828
From: Western WI
Just move on to another dealer. Bad dealer behavior is not new or normal. There are straight shooting dealers out there selling for MSRP and will give you the OTD price up front before ordering. Mine did not even require a deposit of any kind.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,057
Likes: 667
From: Norcal
Similar situation but they were up front. When I ordered I put $10K down. MSRP. My model year changed once it was time to order so there were a few different options. The Z06 also was starting to take orders and I considered. They told me "If you order the Z06 we will just transfer your deposit and markup your Stingray $20K on the floor". Apparently I was an early orderer so I got mine at MSRP now they are marking up both the Stingray and the Z06
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,973
Likes: 6,773
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
MANY dealers have been such schmucks from the get-go. It has all depended on supply and demand for these jokers for years. Makes you want to bailout 'em out again if they ever need it. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 1,323
From: Melbourne Florida’s Barrier Islands
I got the same nonsense from the Chevy dealer in Melbourne Florida, TWICE. Actually two similar stories 6 months apart, but they used the words ‘about 5 grand or so’, what is that nonsense? No I don’t look homeless, yes I was driving a nice enough car (mid-size Benz), and yes I was polite enough.
So I just got on a few lists. When the car gets here they won’t even get my service work. EFF THEM.
So I just got on a few lists. When the car gets here they won’t even get my service work. EFF THEM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 535
Likes: 777
From: Davidson, NC
I'm a few miles south of you in Davidson and went through similar routines. In the end I ordered from MacMulkin, got MSRP pricing in writing with my deposit, then waited a year and got courtesy delivery in Winston-Salem. The whole process was flawless with no hiccups. And, I figure I saved about $1,000 per month for every month that I waited for the car vs. paying a huge up-front "Administrative" fee.
Alternatively, I hear that Hendrick City Chevrolet in Charlotte sells at MSRP but you will also have to wait a year for your car.
Alternatively, I hear that Hendrick City Chevrolet in Charlotte sells at MSRP but you will also have to wait a year for your car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,781
Likes: 3,105
Must be some places are very difficult to deal with dealers.
There are several smaller dealerships in my area that sell MSRP and have the usual 10 - 12 month wait time.
Everyone I know near me who wants a C8 has been able to get one at MSRP in less than a years time. I easily could have ordered a 23 after I took delivery of my 22 and have had it in 8 months but I didn’t want one.
I told my dealer I want a 2025 because I trade every third model year. He promised me his first 2025 allocation.
There are several smaller dealerships in my area that sell MSRP and have the usual 10 - 12 month wait time.
Everyone I know near me who wants a C8 has been able to get one at MSRP in less than a years time. I easily could have ordered a 23 after I took delivery of my 22 and have had it in 8 months but I didn’t want one.
I told my dealer I want a 2025 because I trade every third model year. He promised me his first 2025 allocation.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
How many times do we have to recommend on this forum to just get on MacMulkin or Chriswell's waiting list, purchase at MSRP (Chriswell + $500) and wait 10-14 months and you get treated with respect with no risk of any underhanded dealings or shenanigans?
The 'dealer did me wrong' whining is getting so old on this forum.
The 'dealer did me wrong' whining is getting so old on this forum.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 535
Likes: 777
From: Davidson, NC
Agree but I’m sure this dealer requires a deposit then if you don’t accept their price at delivery, they keep your deposit. Dealers that treat customers well sell 1,000 Corvettes. Dealers that don’t sell 10. I don’t know why this is so hard for them to understand.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 206
From: Mooresville North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
kevin....too bad ...C U
You are tired of hearing this...just stop looking....
Happy Hoildays...and best trolling in 2023....
QUOTE=Kevin A Jones;1606064278]How many times do we have to recommend on this forum to just get on MacMulkin or Chriswell's waiting list, purchase at MSRP (Chriswell + $500) and wait 10-14 months and you get treated with respect with no risk of any underhanded dealings or shenanigans?
The 'dealer did me wrong' whining is getting so old on this forum.[/QUOTE]
Happy Hoildays...and best trolling in 2023....
QUOTE=Kevin A Jones;1606064278]How many times do we have to recommend on this forum to just get on MacMulkin or Chriswell's waiting list, purchase at MSRP (Chriswell + $500) and wait 10-14 months and you get treated with respect with no risk of any underhanded dealings or shenanigans?
The 'dealer did me wrong' whining is getting so old on this forum.[/QUOTE]