Something I can't see happening in the U.S. 

"Svend" (svend) 01/01/2018 at 11:56 • Filed to: None

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Looking at pages on here about U.S. dealers marking up cars such as the new Stinger is crazy.

Dealers in the U.K. are considerably better behaved because they have to or lose their franchise.

But then there are companies doing many things such as Carwow.

I was looking at Carwow website. It’s a website where you can look up reviews on cars to help you choose what you want to buy.

Selector. Fuel type and gearbox, engine, trim, and colour.

Then follow the next two promts to add your name and e-mail (which is kept private), then sit and wait for dealers to compete for your custom.

Looking at quotes for a car the same as Piglet, got two responses so far.

The car should retail at £26,630 for colour and spec on the Skoda website.

I can see many U.S. dealers not liking something like this.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Svend 01/01/2018 at 12:14

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we have something like that in the states called truecar. though it doesnt work as well as it did a few years ago before dealers got their hooks in it

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Svend 01/01/2018 at 12:17

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Dealers here are in charge of a system that perpetuates a cycle of screwing people over constantly for as much as possible.

If there’s any opportunity to undercut them, they’ll kill it ASAP.

Ash78, voting early and often > Svend 01/01/2018 at 12:17

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On average, car prices are a lot cheaper here (above and beyond tax differences) because more is sold from dealer inventory — our buyers tend to be less picky and more price conscious. Dealers have lots of space and also have a lot more control over the supply chain. We get far fewer configuration options and almost nobody gets exactly what they want — just “close enough.”

On the flipside, you have the rare markup situation here. IMHO, there needs to be a lottery system and no crazy markups. I agree a single bad dealer can ruin a brand for someone. Forever.

XJDano > Svend 01/01/2018 at 12:17

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Yes it seems that here in U. S. You have to do all the leg work, and mentally beat up the sales man & manager for best price or whatever.

This seems like an automated Auto Match Tom where the work is actually done by the salesmen to make a sale.

I’ve never bought a new car, and only one from a used dealer associated with the new Volvo dealer.

Svend > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 01/01/2018 at 12:24

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The dealers have got it all their way, screw the customer, nobody will do anything.

Svend > winterlegacy, here 'till the end 01/01/2018 at 12:26

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That’s the thing. Here in the U.K. and Europe there are price gouging laws, customer laws, etc... that protect the customer from such things, the dealerships are also watched by car companies and could lose their dealer franchise over doing such things.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Svend 01/01/2018 at 12:28

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In the US, you just have to hope that a dealer prices a vehicle incorrectly, and as you just happen to be passing by with enough cash to drop on it, you can get it.

Or you find a reputable dealer that isn’t trying to rip people off constantly, which generally ends up only being used car dealerships with a well-established reputation already.

Svend > Ash78, voting early and often 01/01/2018 at 12:28

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Which is another reason why our main dealers don’t do it, as they could lose their franchise status and it go to someone else very easily.

Svend > XJDano 01/01/2018 at 12:32

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The car I specked above is the same as the car I currently have and got £1,000 off for staying with Skoda (customer loyalty programme) and then another £4,000 off without even asking. I asked but the saleswoman said, ‘well with the £1,000 loyalty and our discount, we’re giving up over £5,000 off’. I didn’t mention it again and walked out 30 minutes later a very happy person waiting for the car to be made.

Svend > winterlegacy, here 'till the end 01/01/2018 at 12:34

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There needs to be more regulation on U.S. car dealerships.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Svend 01/01/2018 at 12:41

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That’s not going to happen at the country-wide level, but state-wide regulations may be a bit better at enforcing them.

Spanfeller is a twat > Svend 01/01/2018 at 12:41

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Mexican cars usually retail for msrp; no markups, but then again, no discounts other than max 3% unless there’s a sales event. A month or so ago I saw a stinger GT beingsold for 745,000 pesos, list price is 784,000.

I think its illegal to mark up here (we’ve got an aggressive consumer protection office) so instead you wait on the list for ages.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Svend 01/01/2018 at 12:45

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What upsets me is that it’s not even a limited run or anything - just give it some time and you don’t have to pay stupid markups on what will be a mass-produced Kia.

I hate that dealers do this, but they probably do it because someone with more money than sense eventually comes along and buys it.

Chariotoflove > Svend 01/01/2018 at 12:48

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Wait, are you getting rid of Piglet?!

Svend > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/01/2018 at 12:52

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The thing is while dealerships are doing this, car companies are seeing their cars not selling (rather than look at why they aren’t selling) in as large a number as expected and that will also hurt the customer as the dealership sticks by their guns to make out as much money as they can from the cars they have already.

Complete shit show.

Svend > Chariotoflove 01/01/2018 at 12:56

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Not yet, another year. We’ll get one next March but place the order around November/December time as prices tend to go up in the January.

Looking at either a third Superb or maybe something SUV like the Karoq but likely the larger Kodiaq.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Svend 01/01/2018 at 12:56

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I’ve never heard of that site before, but I really like the idea! I’m seriously surprised something like that hasn’t taken off here as well!

Chariotoflove > Svend 01/01/2018 at 13:02

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But Piglet is so pretty.

I can see getting an suv only if you’re taking you detailing non-business on the road.

Svend > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/01/2018 at 13:04

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It’s something I would of thought Canada would of had.

Mercedes Streeter > Svend 01/01/2018 at 13:09

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Meanwhile in America:

“Salesman: Well we don’t have nearly anything close to what you’re looking for, but we have this vehicle that’s priced way above its sticker because of stupid dealer add-ons and you’ll have to haggle me or else you’re going to pay that price. And you’ll only be able to shave a couple grand off anyway because fuck you, that’s why.

Be prepared to spend 8 hours at the dealership and listen to myself and my manager lie to you throughout the whole transaction.

Oh and your credit better be top notch or else our bank will lock you into a ten year loan with an APR that’ll make a payday loan store blush.

Also, your trade is worth at least twice of what we’re giving you for it, even though we’re just going to send it to auction.”

Okay, I’m exaggerating...but car buying in America sucks. lol

Svend > Chariotoflove 01/01/2018 at 13:17

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She is but she’ll be three years old in March 2019.

She’ll go to a very appreciative owner.

Piglet takes up all of my stuff as it is.

It’s more refining what we need.

It needs to be easy to get into for my house bound mother and wheelchair needing step-father so it needs to take one wheel chair and occasionally two.

Svend > Mercedes Streeter 01/01/2018 at 13:21

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I hear too many scare stories about U.S. dealers that shouldn’t be an issue at all.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Svend 01/01/2018 at 13:32

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If we do have it, I’m not aware of it. Sounds like a market opportunity to me!

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Svend 01/01/2018 at 14:01

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I wonder if this is the kind of thing that could be fixed with “corporate” dealerships, i.e. in larger markets setup “dealers” that are basically corporate storefronts that sell vehicles essentially direct from the factory so that vehicles are sold at least no greater than MSRP? Traditional dealerships may not like it but they can polish a sack of knobs for all I care, at least it’ll keep pricing honest.

Svend > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/01/2018 at 14:19

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Most of our dealerships are private family run places with more and more becoming part of a larger group of dealerships.

Dealerships are highly regulated in regards to local authorities (customer standards), national authorities (customer standards and legal requirements) and companies themselves such as BMW, Toyota, etc... who maintain franchise statuses.

It’s in the best interest for the franchise to do what is required of them, they spend a lot of money for the privilege to the manufacturer and even their buildings have to be changed if corporate says so. If you ever visit franchise dealerships in the U.K. (not sure about Europe) you’ll notice a very similar appearance from exterior to interior and if they don’t comply, they could lose their franchise status. The car companies could also de-select the franchise from certain vehicles (such as Holdens sold only through certain Vauxhall franchised dealerships).

Chariotoflove > Svend 01/01/2018 at 14:20

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That makes sense. I have 29 years of wheel chair hauling experience, so I know what you mean.

Svend > Chariotoflove 01/01/2018 at 14:26

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My mother has fibromyalgia in her lower body and my step-father has lower back arthritis, painful joints, etc... he can’t walk more than a few metres without putting himself in a lot of pain so I’m restricted what I can get until I win the lottery and can afford a second car, the one I really want but to be honest the Superb is a fantastic car and can’t complain because she’s such a good all round car.

Chariotoflove > Svend 01/01/2018 at 14:30

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Wonder if you can still get one of the old cabs. I loved those cans.

Svend > Chariotoflove 01/01/2018 at 14:32

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? ‘cabs’ ‘cans’?

Chariotoflove > Svend 01/01/2018 at 14:34

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The London cabs I rode in. They handled my chair pretty well. They were like hollow cans with seats

average user > Svend 01/01/2018 at 14:37

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Car buying experiences in the US is why guys like Tom McParland and other car broker can make a living.

Svend > Chariotoflove 01/01/2018 at 14:44

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They are great for taxis but for an everyday car, my back couldn’t take it.

There are disability cars.

Such as the Renault Kangoo.

Peugeot 807.

Peugeot Expert.

But it shouldn’t come to that, hopefully.

Chariotoflove > Svend 01/01/2018 at 16:29

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I don’t doubt you.

I would never buy a car that is specifically designed to be a disability car. I don’t fault others who do, but I could never enjoy one.

Svend > Chariotoflove 01/01/2018 at 16:51

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That’s the way I see it.