vertrkr

Short story: I got 6% off MSRP in the East Bay Area of California.

Long story: Looking for a 2014 GL350 I emailed my 6 closest dealers letting them know I was putting my order out to bid to all 6 of them. Of course none issued a quote on the first email wanting me to come in first but I sent another email saying I won't come in until a get a quote. All responded and 4 said MSRP, 1 said $3000 off and the last at 4% off. A day later, having Easter brunch with my parents, my dad and I talked Mercedes for most of brunch. After brunch, when walking away, a guy next to us approached me and said he over heard us talking and he was a broker. I took his number and thought about it for a week not knowing if he's, at the worst, scamming me or a little happen stance bit of luck. I called him a week later saying I was interested and he agreed to call around and offer me his best offer. He came back a few days later with a 6% off total including dealer accessories (wheels and chrome fins) and a $400 fee. So, meeting him saved me $1,360 after his fee. Not a huge savings but certainly worth the 10 minutes I put into it. I also have a USAA discount to apply what ever that will be next October. Now I just have to wait 6 months. At least I'll get the highly sought after heated/cooled cup holders :-)

patyoung

Thanks for the information. I am finding myself in the same situation. I have been interested in the car for a little while and I think I am ready to place an order for the 2014. My local dealer mentioned something about the USAA discount as well. Do you expect whatever discount that is to be above and beyond the 6% off of MSRP (so you might get like 7-10% off for example)?

I haven't really started negotiations yet, but its pretty clear there aren't going to be great discounts, but something like 6% off would probably work for me.

vertrkr

From what I've learned so far it sounds like you can't apply the USAA discount on top of a negotiated price. It's one or the other. There's nothing that says the dealer can't accept both but appears none do since they are selling like hot cakes.

patyoung

Thanks - I guess that is to be expected.

Flyingman

I've been on the raw end of a 2013 GL350BT order since March. Order was apparently never accepted by the factory so now (over a month later) dealer is offering me the same build in a 2014 at same price as the 2013.

Price is MSRP plus whatever incentive/discounts are available through USAA at time of delivery. On the 2013 it was around $3,600 off MSRP, so close to about 5% or so. I doubt the 2014 will be as good so early in the MY.

I was told a bunch of 2013 GL350 orders were not accepted by the factory for this particular dealer (Autonation), one of the largest in the nation.

Still have time on my side, so we'll wait and see how this works out.

There aren't many sitting around on show room floors.

sam9187

That's the game dealers play. The orders were never accepted by the factory as they never had an allocation but most know this info and still are not forthcoming.

vertrkr

I wish there was a way to know if your dealer had an allocation. I of course asked and was assured they had some but I'd expect nothing less knowing they'd most likely lose my business if they said sorry we don't have any allocations yet.

JasonMayes

I feel you on both sides. It's hard to find out and us dealers wish we had more..

fabbrisd1

Well... actually there are 1st production 14 GL350BT dealer allocations/PO's - but without production dates or retail assigned ... "most" rollover from dealer MY13 PO's rescheduled.

Again, I don't expect any dealer delivery on 14 GL350BT'a until early October..

Anh1

just want to give some info. back in christmas, MB of Arlington, VA gave me $5,000 off for GL450. so if anyone is looking for GL, maybe you guys should ask them? i just asking around 4 dealers and none of them could match up with this. other dealers even said no discount at all.

patyoung

My local dealer said he has a 2014 coming in July and that "everybody" is paying MSRP. Not sure I can believe either of those things. He then went further to tell me that if I was all about price then this one isn't for me. Needless to say, even if I end up paying MSRP, I won't be buying it from them.

JasonMayes

^^ a 2014 GL350 coming in July? Nope.

They might have a build date of 1st or 2nd decade of July, but their info isn't correct.

As far as our region, most people pay close to MSRP, maybe $1000-1500 off. 350's are just hard to keep in stock.

JimBarnhart

The market demand for GL350's is different than GL450's, so discounts are hard to come by. The new dealer in my town sold their GL350's at MSRP. If you quality for USAA or other fleet discounts you can get them honored, and some have gotten a few percent off, but it's a seller's market on the bluetec.

Also, any dealer telling you they'll have a 2014 diesel in July is wishful thinking. Our sources from the production plant are predicting much later.

bimbocoles

If that helps, I got $1000 off MSRP on a 2013 GL450 and financed at 0% APR (paid $40.000 in cash though). According to my dealer that equated to approx. $5000 saving total.

fabbrisd1

It's kindof ironic - timing wise - since MB right now is re-reviewing upcoming dealer allocations for Fall 2014 GL350's - and those dealers, some particularly in SCal and NCal who "unfortunately" had about 8 GL350's get re-shipped offshore to Asia are going to have to pay a penalty either in severely reduced allocation or outright cash penalties - you wouldn't believe the pressure from MB at the moment key on GL350's and GL550's - since the market has really exploded in China and private China buyers are more than willing to pay 40% China duty and 20% fee's to US brokers to get '13 GL350's and GL550's - it's the go-to luxury SUV in China right now... also snapping up anything in '13 GL350/GL550 that might come up anywhere in the US pre-owned..

Anh1

i seen a lot of people buying GL with MSRP actually. even worst with GL350. buyers really loving the diesel engine.
@fabbrisd1: yes, all the MB dealer now are making sure that buyers won't ship out vehicle, they say dealers got fined from MB. more likely, if you are asian (like me) and paying in cash, and looking for a highly loaded vehicle, dealer will assume you are exporter. I had really hard time to find GL450 back in christmas. so i decided to get a range rover.

vertrkr

That stinks, hope my dealer in Pleasanton isn't one of them, would suck if I lost my slot. This must drive dealers nuts having to play detective profiling customers.

fabbrisd1

Anh - so you know all GL's were very-very tight last Holiday - demand was much higher than supply - for prospective buyers at that time who earnestly wanted to see/drive a GL before purchase - was very frustrating particularly at that time - since enough buyers were willing to commit before delivery it zapped up all the incoming - so you know times continue to be very tight - a little better - so "most" can at least see/test drive a GL somewhere in their market area - and make a decision about a pre-order/custom-build.

Keep the faith !
-

Flyingman

Did some more searching online and on Auto Trader was able to locate (11) New 2013 GL350 BT within a 300 mile radius. I placed quieries on a few as they never provide the full specs/colors/options on the website. Looks like some new units are rolling in to the dealers, some listings say just arrived or soon to arrive.

I haven't given up the search, meanwhile my SA tries to get a PO# from the factory.

JimBarnhart

Good luck! Just a word of warning on the inventory. I hope you find what you need, but I ordered mine. When it left the factory, it showed up in inventory on-line, even though it was already sold. You might find out that many of those are automated posts for vehicles that are already sold.

Flyingman

Jim,

You've been there! I found eleven (11) units and contacted about five (5) dealers to confirm the colors and options. All came back with "I'm sorry but that unit is sold already, but we can order one." Apparently their computerized system shows all units as inventory until such time as buyer takes delivery, so they were all already spoken for. I spoke with one dealer who said he wouldn't even negotiate with me over the phone or by email, I had to come in because they want to be sure I wasn't a shipper. And that I would have to provide evidence of where the money is coming from, etc.....

He told me he had a GL550 that a lady had ordered, waited 4 months for, but then refused to provide evidence of her money source, etc... so she walked out. That was available today, but I didn't want a GL550.

In the end I reconfirmed with my original SA that indeed my order is placed and I'm first in line for a 2014 GL350 with a built date in late July, hopefully an Aug/Sep delivery.

I'll cool my jets and wait this out. Damdest thing I've ever seen.

fabbrisd1

Yes - dealer systems are automated/linked to post inventory on their websites - and many dealers systems have aux automation to post to external sites such as autotrader, etc... with the annual new vehicle volume I think most can comprehend those systems are tools, and not intended to be misleading as such.

For private buyers - non-fleet (incl AMA, ABA) and non-USAA - on GLK350 due to very limited production overall it's MSRP - for delivery most dealers might agree to a "courtesy discount" which can take several forms.

All-cash-equivalent does setup additional triggers with MB - and frankly rightfully so at the moment on GL's - from recent experience where MB was sincere in increasing diligence on the part of US dealers to prevent transshipping - and transshipping causes problems with MB international brand building in key intl areas - and in spite of the early Spring push, as intl demand increased, unfortunately transshipped # increased in GL's as well.

Right now - on GL550's/GL350's a dealer either has 3rd-decade June/1st-decade July "open and changeable" allocation that is unsold or not.

On 2014 GL550's either a dealer has unassigned and "unpriced" July/early Aug 2014 allocation or not -that would be for release date retail delivery 1st-week-Sept/likely .

On 2014 GL350's a dealer knows now if they do or do not have a very limited unassigned/unpriced "1st production 2-decade" or not.

At this moment on either GL - either a dealer does - or they do not - and the dealer knows what they do or do not have - it's that simple.

Keep the beat !

Flyingman

I did get one hit from a Florida Dealer who had a 2013 GL350BT in stock. It was Black with Black Leather, Premium 2 package, and some other stuff.

I thanked him but passed as we really don't want Black interior and are excited about getting Panorama Sunroof, etc...

Worth the wait????

BlownV8

Black interior is the best one to have. It doesn't show stains or wear and tear like the lighter colors.

sam9187

+1