Dealerships are cesspools. The rise of dealership groups/corporate ownership and the sleazy tactics has been increasing since the bankruptcies of GM and Chrysler.

Market adjustments, dealer add ons like paint and fabric protection packages, VIN etching, pinstriping, nitrogen tire fills all dealer installed when the car goes to pre delivery. Having that garbage on unsold inventory isn’t going to happen, that would negate them dealer trading for a different vehicle.

I worked in Fixed Operations of car dealerships, that is what parts, service and body shop is called close to fifty years. In the 70’s GM decided they needed to be more customer oriented and implemented many programs in that aim. Any semblance of customer care went out the window in 2010.

Buying a car today, you see the sales consultant first. You then have to deal with the sales manager to get a price and then off to finance and insurance to get bent over the desk before your final price.

Used to be that when another dealers customer came into your store whether it be for service, parts or sales you would put your best foot forward to win that customer over. Seems that premise has been ignored anymore. Now it’s just hustle them and shove them out the door, I found that true with at least one local Jeep dealer that has since changed ownership.

Sad part, if these large dealer groups/chains fail the ones being hurt are the employees. The owners walk away with their Multiple homes and investments while the newly unemployed are wondering how they will pay their bills.

Glad I got out when I did.

We may be looking for a second car next year, depending on circumstances. We're currently a 1 car 1 motorcycle family, and only drive about 7000 miles per year.

I look forward to really good deals next summer on new cars!

God willin' and the gooberment stays out > the market should eventually sort this out.

I've noticed used truck prices are softening up. I just bought a 2004 Chevy Silverado crew cab Duramax with 204,000 miles on it for $6,500. It's an LT model so it's pretty loaded, plus it has a snow plow. I put another $4,500 into it to fixing it up (parts only, my free labor). I sold my other plow truck for $5,700, so my net-net is $5,300 out of pocket. I'll probably have it for the next 20 years. It's not my primary driver, I just use it for plowing my driveway, getting firewood, etc... I bought it from the original owner and he paid $49k in 2004.

In looking around, there are some people who are asking stupid money for their 20 year old trucks, but if you look long and hard enough you can find deals. My daily driver is a 2010 Tahoe with 150,000 miles on it. I might sell it next Spring and go back to a regular sedan as I have the Duramax if I need 4 wheel drive.

I see lots of 2007 - 2010 Chevy/GMC trucks in the ~$10k - $13k range. Not sure why anyone would spend ~$70k or more on a new truck. Out of curiosity a few weeks ago I checked how much a new Cummins would cost. The diesel option adds ~$9k to the price over a gasoline engine! I don't think you can touch a new Cummins 2500 for under $80k! Crazy.

ETA: Wow, I just checked a local dealer...Pretty much all of the Cummins 2500 trucks have $15k in rebates on them. The trucks that sticker for $80k are listed at $67k. Now, these are 2023 models, so they are already 1 model year old!

The vast majority of the 2024 2500 models are over $90k.

This is the car I had when I was in college. I bought it used with 70,000 miles and drove it another hundred thousand miles. I’ve had several good cars. This was a great car. I would buy it today in a heartbeat if I could find it.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/...0414@N06/9576783471/

quote:

Originally posted by chuck416:
This is the car I had when I was in college. I bought it used with 70,000 miles and drove it another hundred thousand miles. I’ve had several good cars. This was a great car. I would buy it today in a heartbeat if I could find it.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/...0414@N06/9576783471/

Those were GREAT cars!

I bought a 2019 F150 Platinum in Feb 2020 right before the covid hit. I called that same guy a few days ago (he was the GM of the dealership)to advise I was thinking of trading it for an SUV. He gave me the ridiculous value of my trade as "what a dealer can buy one for at auction" of $41K on what was about a $72K sticker price originally. Truck has about 21K miles on it and still looks perfect.

I told him that hurt my feelings!!

He followed with "...don't do anything right now, the car market is so screwed up that the consumer can't get a deal right now. Wait til March, the truck won't be any less in value and hopefully the market will settle by then."

He's a good guy and knows the know. I am waiting.

I just went through the painful car buying process. Fuck the dealers. They are scum. Next time I hope I can throw a car in my Amazon cart. Let service be handled by certified indys. The dealers aren't needed.

quote:

The dealers aren't needed.

I think the big Detroit three might agree with you. In order to compete with Tesla I think they would be happy to throw the dealers under the bus. Direct marketing seems like the future.

My 21 Tundra was 56k for the TRD Pro and I'll drive it as long as I can get up into it. At the prices of the new one's this is the last one I'll have.

I was starting to get a hankering for a Silverado LTZ 6.2 liter. It has subsided after reading all this, that paid for Tundra in the driveway looks just fine.

Hello, Scum here. They (retail sales) have went from MSRP plus on 1500 Silverado's to losing money to move them.

I do Fleet/Commercial and it has gotten really slow as well. Things should pick up for me next month with the last minute purchases for tax write offs



I suspect you will see some 0% financing really soon

quote:

Originally posted by shovelhead:
Dealerships are cesspools. The rise of dealership groups/corporate ownership and the sleazy tactics has been increasing since the bankruptcies of GM and Chrysler.

Market adjustments, dealer add ons like paint and fabric protection packages, VIN etching, pinstriping, nitrogen tire fills all dealer installed when the car goes to pre delivery. Having that garbage on unsold inventory isn’t going to happen, that would negate them dealer trading for a different vehicle.


Glad I got out when I did.

You ain't kidding Skippy......

Even going on with HD dealers, was at a parts company EOY event, that was one of the topics how Harley was pushing all these dealership upgrades and changes, some of which are pretty good they said, but it's hurting some smaller family dealerships.

They are seeing lots of corporate acquisitions of HD dealerships in to groups, this was happening a while back, but it slowed and is back on the scene since dealership profits over the past 3 years have exploded, and owners seek to cash out while it's hot.

Some Vehicle have gotten crazy price bumps and interest rates are not helping.
That being said, pre 2020, it was very normal for dealers to have a 90 day supply of vehicles on lot and inbound. Big dealers would have 500+ in stock, there were dealers in Florida with 2000 vehicles.
So I am not sure why YouTube people are freaking out because some dealers have couple hundred cars now.

quote:

Originally posted by scsigs:

That being said, pre 2020, it was very normal for dealers to have a 90 day supply of vehicles on lot and inbound. Big dealers would have 500+ in stock, there were dealers in Florida with 2000 vehicles.
So I am not sure why YouTube people are freaking out because some dealers have couple hundred cars now.

The difference between now and pre 2020 is the much higher interest rates the dealer pays on inventory

Many dealers typically don't buy the car outright from the manufacturer. They finance the vehicle in the hopes of being able to sell it to consumers with a slight markup for profit. The longer a car sits, the more money it costs the dealership in the form of interest on that car loan. Was at a Ford dealer the other day they still had a new $62.000+ 2022 Mustang in front.

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:


The difference between now and pre 2020 is the much higher interest rates the dealer pays on inventory

Many dealers typically don't buy the car outright from the manufacturer. They finance the vehicle in the hopes of being able to sell it to consumers with a slight markup for profit. The longer a car sits, the more money it costs the dealership in the form of interest on that car loan. Was at a Ford dealer the other day they still had a new $62.000+ 2022 Mustang in front.

aka Floorplan

here's a thought

make the cars we want, not the cars you want to design

simpler is better

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:

quote:

Originally posted by scsigs:

That being said, pre 2020, it was very normal for dealers to have a 90 day supply of vehicles on lot and inbound. Big dealers would have 500+ in stock, there were dealers in Florida with 2000 vehicles.
So I am not sure why YouTube people are freaking out because some dealers have couple hundred cars now.

The difference between now and pre 2020 is the much higher interest rates the dealer pays on inventory

Many dealers typically don't buy the car outright from the manufacturer. They finance the vehicle in the hopes of being able to sell it to consumers with a slight markup for profit. The longer a car sits, the more money it costs the dealership in the form of interest on that car loan. Was at a Ford dealer the other day they still had a new $62.000+ 2022 Mustang in front.

I said the rates are higher now, so they are higher for the wholesale and retail consumer.
As far as floor plan, franchise dealers don’t have to pay floorplan fee for 90 days.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

Originally posted by shovelhead:
Dealerships are cesspools. The rise of dealership groups/corporate ownership and the sleazy tactics has been increasing since the bankruptcies of GM and Chrysler.

Market adjustments, dealer add ons like paint and fabric protection packages, VIN etching, pinstriping, nitrogen tire fills all dealer installed when the car goes to pre delivery. Having that garbage on unsold inventory isn’t going to happen, that would negate them dealer trading for a different vehicle.


Glad I got out when I did.

You ain't kidding Skippy......

Even going on with HD dealers, was at a parts company EOY event, that was one of the topics how Harley was pushing all these dealership upgrades and changes, some of which are pretty good they said, but it's hurting some smaller family dealerships.

They are seeing lots of corporate acquisitions of HD dealerships in to groups, this was happening a while back, but it slowed and is back on the scene since dealership profits over the past 3 years have exploded, and owners seek to cash out while it's hot.

Besides 47 in new car dealerships I also worked part time in H-D from 99 to 22. The dealership I was at sold out to a dealer group and once they said “ We do not anticipate any changes here” I knew the writing was on the wall.

They’re doing the same tactics, sales staff doubling up on the prospect, price from the sales manager, then off to the F&I for another assault. Oh, can’t forget the tour where clothing, parts and service all have a crack at what money the hapless customer might have left. I don’t like those games either. Plus their “team building” exercises were an insult, I don’t participate in team cheers. Guess I’m just not “with it”, just old scooter trash here.

I intended it give it a year but within six months I knew it was it a matter of if but when I would leave. Think it was around ten months and I was gone.

I have a 2006 Tacoma with 140k miles and a Subaru Crosstrek with 40K. I dont plan on getting another car as I couldnt afford it if I wanted one. I dont need 12 airbags, five cameras and a dozen other dealer fees. Screw dealerships!