I stopped by my dealership yesterday just to say "hi," as I wait for January allocations to drop on the 18th. Having placed my $1k deposit in October for a Z51/HTC, I am now first on the list and next at bat, barring any constraints.

To date, my order was little more than "paperware," sitting in a folder on someone's desk. ( Actually, my guy is tops! ) He spoke with the sales manager, and while I was there, suggested we sit down, go line-by-line and enter my order into "Workbench," even though the allocation hasn't opened up. His reason for doing this was to initiate price protection at MSRP for my order. What? Who does that? He was proactive in offering price protection before they even have an allocation?

Not only that, he told me specifically NOT to purchase the front grille screens. He said, "they don't cost us much, we'll just put them on for you at no charge."

The final straw was when I told him the only other potential change, was that before the order goes in, I'm considering ordering the ($295) personalized speaker plaque with my (deceased) father's name on it. It was riding with my dad, cooking rubber in his '56 Vette when I was about 6, that etched Corvette into my DNA. Despite all the Vettes he owned over the years, he was never able to purchase one new. ( I still have his '70 C3 ). ...so, for me buying my first new Vette is VERY personal. After hearing my story, the dealer entered the plaque into Workbench and said, don't worry, we'll take care of this one for you.

What planet am I on? I realize that in the context of a $105k car, these are small beans, but after all the ADMs and other horror stories I've heard, this small town dealership seems like a freakin unicorn! The entire staff, including the owner, have all been hands-on offering help or just good conversation. Not one time have they tried to upsell ( I do that myself ) and when I questioned about partial financing through GM or my bank, he said, "you'll probably get a better rate from your bank" (true) " Personally, I'd just go with that." What? Not waiting to feed me to the Kraken?...I mean, the F&I guy?

My point is, I've heard a lot about seeking out small dealerships vs. the big dogs, and perhaps I'm just starting to realize there's something to be said for small dealerships and old fashioned customer service.

Of course the skeptic in me said it's a LONG way from 1100 to launch control, so hopefully this post doesn't jinx it for me. Stay tuned!

 

On the many posts about bad dealership experiences, people ask the name of the dealership because they, understandably, don't want the same bad things to happen to them.

This may be a good opportunity to reward a dealership that's doing the right thing!

Of course, if you want to keep this "unicorn" for yourself, that's understandable too.

 

I was reluctant to drop the name, at least until I go to 3000 status and things started becoming more "real."

BUT, Walker Chevrolet in Nitro, West Virginia came highly recommended to me from some very trusted friends, especially following my visit to "another" dealership that offered quite the opposite experience.

My sales guy Anthony Wells is also a veteran, so we hit it off immediately, but as mentioned, the entire staff has been hella friendly to me since the moment I walked in.

 

I went through a small dealership with My factory order as in 2022, these cars were not available and I was put on a waiting list for an allocation.
I knew it would take awhile and I was right, it took me 14 months to get My 2023 NCM delivery.
The dealership did a great job, they are limited to what GM ultimately decides to allocate each and every month.
Production variables and parts shortages did come into play numerous times and some buyers also dropped off the waiting list for various reasons.
Eventually, I was notified and the process did indeed get underway, the last month was the hardest to wait and prepare for My car.
When I got My car home (I drove it 2800 miles) I brought it to the dealership and they detailed and prepped it with the protection plan details and I brought in pizzas for the staff to thank them all.
Many Chevrolet dealerships have some great staff and they are trying to make things right, these cars are very special and they all know this.
Anywhere you go, you will have exceptions and these days it is just the way it is.
I am glad I got mine through a local small town dealership and how everything worked out.
Z-51 Arctic White 2023 Coupe
Natural leather 2LT ,GT2 seats, carbon flash stripes, Z-06 style ACS Rockers,nose lift, NCM delivery installed My grill guards and a bra for the ride home.
Overall, I could not have been happier than doing the NCM delivery in Bowling Green Kentucky. All the folks I met there are passionate for these cars and it shows.
I would not change a thing, this car is awesome.

 

I have a similar relationship with my small town dealer. I think small dealers understand the importance of repeat customers and prize their reputation in the community.

 

I also used a small town dealer a few towns away. The dealer I was a customer of wasn't even a Corvette dealer but they were the same dealership as the one another few towns away so I actually placed my order with Autry Morlan in Sikeston. It was such a good experience dealing with them that I'm proud to tell the world. The Q9I wheels were on constraint so my salesman and the parts guy in Autry Morlan in Dexter found the wheels and got them for just a few dollars over their cost so I was pretty happy about that as well. They swapped the wheels during the PDI June 6th and shipped my OEM wheels to Dexter for me.

I just got my second oil change yesterday and they only charged me $12 labor to do the oil change... the oil was expensive at $17.72 per quart but I sure was surprised at the labor cost. Total with tax and disposal fees was $180.

JT

 

[QUOTE= I just got my second oil change yesterday and they only charged me $12 labor to do the oil change... the oil was expensive at $17.72 per quart but I sure was surprised at the labor cost. Total with tax and disposal fees was $180. JT[/QUOTE]

I always go for the bottom line, out-the-door price. Looks like the dealer overcharged for the oil and undercharged for the labor. $180 for a C8 oil change is in the ballpark.

 

Just after posting above I got the mail, and found a hand written ten line note from my dealership thanking me for my purchase. Nice little touch, didn't have to do that.

 

…dang sorry