The price gouging has started...
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
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2014 Audi S6, 2013 GL550, 2004 G500
The price gouging has started...
In the market for a new G, apparently the shortage of them has caused every CA dealer to slap an insane 20-30k premium on the sticker price in the past week or so. Would never pay a cent over sticker (but possibly a good arbitrage opportunity!?)
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Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Cape Cod
E450 wagon, C43 AMG Cpe, GLE AMG 63S
Good for you for refusing to play that game. Just spread the word about those price gouging stores. Who was it that said "there is a sucker born every minute"?
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A gaggle of MB's
Escondido has Black/Black that is coming out of VPC for delivery to them this week - no customer name on it in the Mercedes system.
If you want a G550 this week - on a unit like this one there are (3) steps to getting it - (1) I will pay MSRP - (2) I have a $5,000 credit card deposit right now - (3) I will finance with MBFS on delivery... kindof straight forward.
If a dealer doesn't take that deal on a unsold unit this week - then they are crazed..
If you want a G550 this week - on a unit like this one there are (3) steps to getting it - (1) I will pay MSRP - (2) I have a $5,000 credit card deposit right now - (3) I will finance with MBFS on delivery... kindof straight forward.
If a dealer doesn't take that deal on a unsold unit this week - then they are crazed..
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 112
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G-Class
Just in the last month or two, Keyes European sold 38 units of 2019 G550, well marked up. Just wait for G63, it is going to be much worse. There will always be people who are willing to pay more to have the newest toy parked on their driveway. Specially in Los Angeles.
Last edited by BenzCali; Dec 26, 2018 at 12:54 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 264
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From: Calabasas, CA
2018 G63 AMG x2, 2017 BMW M6
Keyes European (we have bought SO many from them), will always try and jack up the price when a desired new model launches (as will almost every So.Cal dealer). We paid over sticker ONE TIME and one time only; It was the launch of the all new 2001 SL500. We bought it from Calabasas Motorcars in Calabasas (now Mercedes-Benz of Calabasas). We will, A) Never buy from Calabasas again and B) Never pay over MSRP again!!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 380
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2014 ML63 2015 G550 2016 G550 & (2) 2019 G550s
Time value of money people. If you got the dough and you didn't get on a build slot list earlier, there is no reason not to pay a kicker to get what you want. Compared to other brands, these new Gwags are a bargain. Personally, I think MB underpriced them. Our new G550 is significantly better then our 2015 G550 that we will keep in Idaho (we're in WA).
Everything is relative. Some people would say "you're crazy to pay $50,000 for a vehicle to get you from point A to point B". Simply buying a new car will cost you 10% as you drive off the lot, so why not pay 10% more to get your vehicle.
Everything is relative. Some people would say "you're crazy to pay $50,000 for a vehicle to get you from point A to point B". Simply buying a new car will cost you 10% as you drive off the lot, so why not pay 10% more to get your vehicle.
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 380
Likes: 86
2014 ML63 2015 G550 2016 G550 & (2) 2019 G550s
Escondido has Black/Black that is coming out of VPC for delivery to them this week - no customer name on it in the Mercedes system.
If you want a G550 this week - on a unit like this one there are (3) steps to getting it - (1) I will pay MSRP - (2) I have a $5,000 credit card deposit right now - (3) I will finance with MBFS on delivery... kindof straight forward.
If a dealer doesn't take that deal on a unsold unit this week - then they are crazed..
If you want a G550 this week - on a unit like this one there are (3) steps to getting it - (1) I will pay MSRP - (2) I have a $5,000 credit card deposit right now - (3) I will finance with MBFS on delivery... kindof straight forward.
If a dealer doesn't take that deal on a unsold unit this week - then they are crazed..
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From: ToRonTo, OnTaRiO, Khanaadah
s550
yup
Time value of money people. If you got the dough and you didn't get on a build slot list earlier, there is no reason not to pay a kicker to get what you want. Compared to other brands, these new Gwags are a bargain. Personally, I think MB underpriced them. Our new G550 is significantly better then our 2015 G550 that we will keep in Idaho (we're in WA).
Everything is relative. Some people would say "you're crazy to pay $50,000 for a vehicle to get you from point A to point B". Simply buying a new car will cost you 10% as you drive off the lot, so why not pay 10% more to get your vehicle.
Everything is relative. Some people would say "you're crazy to pay $50,000 for a vehicle to get you from point A to point B". Simply buying a new car will cost you 10% as you drive off the lot, so why not pay 10% more to get your vehicle.
I don't blame the dealers one bit, and i don't blame anyone for paying a premium. What is a premium to most is peanuts to some.
The entire economics behind this supply and demand is hinged solely on one thing which is Willingness to Pay.
Someone will always pay a premium and not feel it or care about. Others won't simply cause of principles.
Different strokes for different folks.
Last edited by just1time; Dec 28, 2018 at 02:56 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 23
MB
Time value of money people. If you got the dough and you didn't get on a build slot list earlier, there is no reason not to pay a kicker to get what you want. Compared to other brands, these new Gwags are a bargain. Personally, I think MB underpriced them. Our new G550 is significantly better then our 2015 G550 that we will keep in Idaho (we're in WA).
Everything is relative. Some people would say "you're crazy to pay $50,000 for a vehicle to get you from point A to point B". Simply buying a new car will cost you 10% as you drive off the lot, so why not pay 10% more to get your vehicle.
Everything is relative. Some people would say "you're crazy to pay $50,000 for a vehicle to get you from point A to point B". Simply buying a new car will cost you 10% as you drive off the lot, so why not pay 10% more to get your vehicle.
1. It brings in people into the brand who aren’t actual enthusiasts and are just getting the G wagon because of the image it conveys in their minds. Dilutes the brand so to speak.
2. The folks on the message boards tend to be more value driven folks, who would happily pay $1000 for something that is 20% off over something that is $200 and not discounted at all. That’s why people come here and post and read (or lurk like me) because they’re trying to squeeze out the last bit of value and agonizing over this decision.
3. Paying over MSRP is just flaunting it. Sure there are some instances where paying over retail is justified - tickets to a sporting event, the latest gadget, etc - but when it comes to cars the imbalance is usually due to the manufacturer misallocating deliveries and such.
Junior Member
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MB
Just talked to a dealer in the SF Bay Area. They're asking $20k markup for a G550. I almost start laughing but held back out of respect for his "entrepreneurial" efforts. I told him I would pay sticker and would rather fly out of state and drive/ship it back than to pay over sticker. For $20k, I could fly on a private jet to another dealer, stay in the most luxurious suite at the local Springfield Suites, have the most delicious dinner at Sizzler and still have money left over for an 8-ball and some "companionship" for the evening. LOL.
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Joined: May 2018
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2014 ML63 2015 G550 2016 G550 & (2) 2019 G550s
eh don’t mean any disrespect, Sarlox, but I think the folks who post on here (or any enthusiast message forum) are more of the value oriented folks who don’t want to pay over msrp for a couple reasons:
1. It brings in people into the brand who aren’t actual enthusiasts and are just getting the G wagon because of the image it conveys in their minds. Dilutes the brand so to speak.
2. The folks on the message boards tend to be more value driven folks, who would happily pay $1000 for something that is 20% off over something that is $200 and not discounted at all. That’s why people come here and post and read (or lurk like me) because they’re trying to squeeze out the last bit of value and agonizing over this decision.
3. Paying over MSRP is just flaunting it. Sure there are some instances where paying over retail is justified - tickets to a sporting event, the latest gadget, etc - but when it comes to cars the imbalance is usually due to the manufacturer misallocating deliveries and such.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 380
Likes: 86
2014 ML63 2015 G550 2016 G550 & (2) 2019 G550s
Just talked to a dealer in the SF Bay Area. They're asking $20k markup for a G550. I almost start laughing but held back out of respect for his "entrepreneurial" efforts. I told him I would pay sticker and would rather fly out of state and drive/ship it back than to pay over sticker. For $20k, I could fly on a private jet to another dealer, stay in the most luxurious suite at the local Springfield Suites, have the most delicious dinner at Sizzler and still have money left over for an 8-ball and some "companionship" for the evening. LOL.
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MB
Sarlox,
Whats the verdict so far on your new G550? Any glaring issues or gremlins now that you've ben driving it for a while. I'd be interested to hear your impressions.
Member
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Tampa Florida
2017 AMG C63S Cabriolet
New G559
I have had the exhaust done and a tune as well as blacked out all of the chrome and added 22” wheels with nitro Tera grappler tires.
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 65
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MB
I now have about 800 miles on mine and absolutely love it. The only issue has been the windshield cracked and now has been fixed at a crazy cost of almost $3300.
I have had the exhaust done and a tune as well as blacked out all of the chrome and added 22” wheels with nitro Tera grappler tires.
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 243
Likes: 52
AMG GTR
I now have about 800 miles on mine and absolutely love it. The only issue has been the windshield cracked and now has been fixed at a crazy cost of almost $3300.
I have had the exhaust done and a tune as well as blacked out all of the chrome and added 22” wheels with nitro Tera grappler tires.
nice, what did you do to the exhaust ?
Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 159
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From: Florida
CLA 35 AMG 4matic 2022
Mercedes is being ridiculous
uyes they asking for 5k extra on 47k base model that's over 10% and it does not matter if your not asking for yours to be equipped with rare parts they are using it at a excuse, chip shortage chip shortage. Yet in reality the chips are available it's just mercedes has done an abysmal job of allocation of the correct standard chips and instead tried cutting corners. I will bbe talking to my attorney about certain things as people have been promised certain builds in writing without getting them sign additional warning something stating that could happen then where delivered vehicles and charged for parts not given. Some where later given credits other whee not. This is when they started posting credits for certain packages. Then they offset it because dealers are raising price 5k on top msrp. Regardless. I dunno how corporate allows themselves to do business with these dealers as this should not be happening. Most cases are legal but they have crossed line in several other cases and they need be held accountable
