BigHat

Hi folks.

What into a discussion with someone today on extra dealer mark-up. We were lamenting the BMW dealers in CA that are really sticking it to people on the M5.

I have purchased MB cars that were very popular in S Cal and always got a sticker dealer. Might have had to wait, but didn't pay premium.

Can anyone confirm ( or refute) and possibly show proof that MBNA actively discourages added dealer mark-up?

Thanks,

mleskovar

This doesn't answer your question, but...a friend recently picked up his new M5 that he bought from a dealer in Kentucky and then had it shipped out to him. It was WAY cheaper than paying the CA markup.

ClayJ

I can confirm that MBUSA has not done much (if anything at all) to discourage dealer markup in the USA. My evidence or proof? My direct experience in shopping for and buying hundreds of MBZ's at dealerships across the country from 2000 to present -- that's a fair-enough sampling for my determination, whether you consider my experience to have been either a survey or an experiment, or both....
What happened with USA dealers in the pricing and the sales methods with the SLR I think was the epitomy of hypocrisy, and the latest posterchild for MBUSA's "we-don't-and-can't-control-dealer-markup" stance. 'Nuff said?

BigHat

Thanks. I so hoped to be able to single out the greedy ba*tard BMW dealers in S Cal. Looks like MB might be as bad. I have heard that Porsche does restrict allocations on dealers that get over MSRP with customers.

ClayJ

That is my understanding with Porsche as well....

McBear

I am just guessing that most of the dealers in SoCal have never had to deal with a very affluent coal mine owner from eastern Kentucky when told he had to pay a premium to be a customer. We tend not to take very well to that kind of treatment and the dealer knows that. The ripple effect throughout the community is quick and effective.

revstriker

MSRP = Manufactures Suggested Retail Price. The key point is "suggested".

Price on any car is always determined by supply and demand. If the MSRP on a car is $75K, but there are buyers who are willing to pay $80K, then $80K is the selling price of the car. This normally works in the other direction though.

Germancar1

Also, MBUSA has no control over what dealer charges. This is a dealership problem not a MB corporate one.

M