investorsc

My new GL is expected in on Tuesday. I went to the USAA site and got my certificate for the $3000 discount for a 2015 model. There have been other posts related to USAA discounts stating that the Certificate amount is a minimum discount, and that how the options are heaped on, the discount can actually be greater. Our new GL550 is coming in with a $103,000 sticker as fairly loaded over the base price for a GL550.

Is there really an additional discount for such a build. I just wanted to understand before we go to paper signing. I called USAA today, and the girl was helpful but knew nothing for certain. The base certificate came with a vehicle quote for a 90K GL.

Any input or ideas are welcome.

THANKS!

Bruce

JimBarnhart

The USAA discount is fixed and is in addition to your best negotiated price.

aeggroup

+1...

investorsc

The reason I asked is that I read the following in the USAA discount post a little further down the page (Although I understand it was a 2013 post)....
As an update, the girl at USAA gave me a 2.49% interest rate for 72 month financing, and then helped me get a discount certificate that would reduce my rate further by 0.5% (YES- Not .25 but a full half percent) putting me at 1.99% for 72 months!

What rates are you seeing from the dealer on 72 Month financing?

Thanks again,

BRUCE

300SE1993

The dealer will have a guide to use. It will be "X amount over invoice less rebate" or "x amount below MSRP less rebate". The dealer doesn't "have to" give you the guidelines discount, but the dealer where I have purchased 3 new cars always does. The price you get on the USAA.com should be right on the money. I mocked one up on the site with MSRP 103,465 and it came back 99,729. You may be able to do better than that.

spoole100

I was going the USAA route at 2.25% / 72 month - 0.5% discount, but the dealer matched it at 1.75% for 72 months through BoA.


Your payment to USAA will be calculated at the 2.49% rate, but you will pay it off "faster" because your total loan payments will be calculated at the discount 1.99% rate. Kind of hoopty which is why I went with the dealer financing instead of USAA.

nszzya

I compared the 2015 GL prices through USAA (which includes a $2500 discount) vs Costco and they were very close (Costco $300 more). The instructions for the USAA program mention obtaining a control number and presenting to the dealer at the time of purchase. My thought is to use the Costco price as a starting point and try to negotiate a better price - possibly not even mentioning the Costco program since I've heard that it is very possible to do better than Costco with some haggling. After the price is negotiated, I would present the USAA discount. Anybody try this or think it would work?

43221B

Don't pay too much attention to what the USAA discount price is because sometimes it's not very good. Go to Edmunds.com and option out your car.

http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz...s/?legacy=true

Look at what they say the AVERAGE selling price is in your area. Go to the dealer and start below the Edmunds true market value price and work your way up. Toward the end of negotiations, mention that the Edmunds price is very accurate and it is only the average price paid. Agree to the price and then whip out that USAA discount certificate!

nszzya

Thanks for that. The Edmunds info is very helpful. When I obtained the USAA certificate, it listed my closest dealer as the only location where the certificate was valid. I hope USAA will allow me to change dealers if I don't want to do business with the default dealer. Anyone know?

fabbrisd1

Yes - the certificate/control # is valid at any MB dealer - the dealer listed has been emailed by USAA that you did pull a certificate

nszzya

I just wonder if the dealer knowing I have a certificate puts me at a negotiating disadvantage despite them not being affected by the USAA discount.

43221B

I negotiated the price and then told the dealership I had a certificate. They checked the USAA price and it was worse than the negotiated price. I said of course that I wanted the price I had negotiated plus the USAA certificate discount. Deal done, no questions asked.

Mike450

I'm seeing the 3/3-3/31 incentive for GL is $2k.
GLK is $2,500

8%-9% off msrp of $90k, including USAA discount, is a doable deal. It's a legit $2k in their pocket. I settled on my "fair" price and didn't care how I got it. They actually brought the USAA incentive to my attention.

nszzya

Great! Glad to know it's feasible. Thanks.

nszzya

I stand corrected on the incentive. Thank you!

luv2sleep

As someone said, the USAA discount is like cash to the dealership. However, the dealership does not get 100% of that discount. My best advice is to negotiate a price without mentioning the USAA discount. Just make sure that you have the certificate.
Not all dealerships will honor the USAA discount/certificate. Edmunds.com is a pretty good website to figure out the TMV (true marked value) but take it with a grain of salt. I've always beat the TMV. You just have to shop around and be firm with internet sales department. End of August is the best time to buy a MB from my experience. Happy hunting!

nszzya

Thanks for sharing your experience. Very encouraging!

nszzya

So it looks like I'll have to build the car to order. I can negotiate the price now, but I'm not sure what paperwork I should ask for to lock the price in. Any help with this would be appreciated. I would present the USAA certificate when I take delivery.

fabbrisd1

Please understand technically USAA/fleet discounts, and any Mercedes incentives - are based on the month of delivery - and by the 2nd/3rd working day of the month they are finalized for that month.

Ordering a 2015 now - you can reasonably assume USAA discount will be at least what it is this month - maybe a hair more the month of delivery - that part is transparent since it can be confirmed with USAA (ie the Certificate) on delivery.

Have fun - keep the beat !

nszzya

My main concerns are having the USAA certificate accepted and when to present it for a build to order car.

I'd like to have a signed by the dealer purchase order agreement to document the negotiated price prior to placing a deposit and having the dealer order the car. Since the USAA certificate is based on the month of delivery, I can't use one now. Also, the USAA website says that the certificate is good only for in stock vehicles. So, if I wait to present it until delivery (which isn't going to be this month), the vehicle will then be in stock and therefore acceptable for use. Will the dealer simply rewrite the purchase order agreement to reflect the USAA savings?

43221B

Negotiate your deal and reach an agreement. Then tell your salesperson you are a USAA member and will be providing them with a certificate for your fleet discount at time of purchase. When your vehicle arrives, print off the certificate and bring it to the dealership. You get the USAA discount that is available at the time of delivery, not at the time you order your vehicle.

JimBarnhart

Exactly this.

If you are nervous, then write on the sales agreement something like: "Customer will be credited the then current USAA discount at time of delivery" It's documented now, but the amount won't be decided until delivery.