Surprising Nonchalance

[Quark]

Update: two have contacted me. Five have not replied. One of the two told me he’d call at 1 p.m., but didn’t get around to it until an hour and a half later
I don’t disagree with what anyone has said, but it’s a different experience than what I’ve had in over 40 years of buying cars…some of which were in high demand, others not so much. Usually…make that always…I’d find someone who understood that I was serious about buying. Looks like I‘ll have to adjust my expectations.

To be fair it isn't just the car salesmen what about the twitchy kid at Best Buy wanting to get back to texting and wants you to leave. I get the feeling everyone is calling it in.

 

[DarkHorizon]

It’s a weird time buying a car. Hard to find stock, hard to get any kind of deal, hard to order, etc.

As a buyer it is hard for me to pull the trigger on a car:

1. It is $4k higher MSRP than it was last year.

2. I will not get a deal and probably over pay.

3. It will all be for a car that I compromise on, wrong color, missing options, etc.

4. Plus I get to pay 5+% interest on the loan to top it off.

luckily the 4k higher price than last year is actually a cost decrease when you factor inflation.

 

[Banks22]

They said this in 21.... Yet, here we are...2 years later... With more expensive vehicles shipped incomplete and people still begging.....

I think the only vehicles being begged for are Tahoe’s/Yukon’s and HD diesels but that is slowing down fast because the price of those is getting out of control. Much worse economy now than 2 years ago, and honestly right before covid started as a small business owner the economy was about to boom in my opinion. I think by spring/summer you’ll be able to get GMS plus rebates on the 3 big rigs.

 

[UplevelDave]

This seems to be how things are now. I actually always enjoyed car shopping and part of the fun was feeling like a VIP even if it's all BS. This is the second biggest purchase besides your home, and salespeople used to treat it as such. I remember getting offered food, drinks, being told to take the vehicle home for the evening to see if I really like it, etc. You'd get a follow-up call from the dealership after purchase. Now everyone is clamoring to get in line for a decontented overpriced vehicle and waving their money at the dealership so they don't really have to act like they give a damn anymore.

 

[ColeBlooded]

This seems to be how things are now. I actually always enjoyed car shopping and part of the fun was feeling like a VIP even if it's all BS. This is the second biggest purchase besides your home, and salespeople used to treat it as such. I remember getting offered food, drinks, being told to take the vehicle home for the evening to see if I really like it, etc. You'd get a follow-up call from the dealership after purchase. Now everyone is clamoring to get in line for a decontented overpriced vehicle and waving their money at the dealership so they don't really have to act like they give a damn anymore.

When you weren't happy with the price, you walked out of the building and they followed you to your car to get you to come back in lol. Good times.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

This seems to be how things are now. I actually always enjoyed car shopping and part of the fun was feeling like a VIP even if it's all BS. This is the second biggest purchase besides your home, and salespeople used to treat it as such. I remember getting offered food, drinks, being told to take the vehicle home for the evening to see if I really like it, etc. You'd get a follow-up call from the dealership after purchase. Now everyone is clamoring to get in line for a decontented overpriced vehicle and waving their money at the dealership so they don't really have to act like they give a damn anymore.

This will change, and really fast...probably in like 5-6 months.
Then, the dealers who really took care of their customers will continue to have them, and those that lined their pockets w/ markups, etc will suffer...
My dealer was super cool through this whole process, didn't gouge me, and gets my service business.
They even did a follow up call after the sale, after each service visit, and still give me free drinks, coffee, etc while I wait.
But, they are in it for the long haul.

 

[Z15]

Its coming to this..

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Its coming to this..

Sure do miss Ron!

 

[Stbentoak]

This will change, and really fast...probably in like 5-6 months.
Then, the dealers who really took care of their customers will continue to have them, and those that lined their pockets w/ markups, etc will suffer...
My dealer was super cool through this whole process, didn't gouge me, and gets my service business.
They even did a follow up call after the sale, after each service visit, and still give me free drinks, coffee, etc while I wait.
But, they are in it for the long haul.

I don’t think so… they will throttle back the build rate to keep demand where they want it. Dealers have all admitted they have made way more money with less work with less vehicles on the lot. GM can throttle back overtime and save themselves some money in the process. There is a New World order in car buying, especially for desirable vehicles, and it isn’t going to be pick one from the 25 we have in stock anymore.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I don’t think so… they will throttle back the build rate to keep demand where they want it. Dealers have all admitted they have made way more money with less work with less vehicles on the lot. GM can throttle back overtime and save themselves some money in the process. There is a New World order in car buying, especially for desirable vehicles, and it isn’t going to be pick one from the 25 we have in stock anymore.

I agree w/ that, to a point...but when the demand gets more in line w/ supply, at least it won't be 40 week lead time anymore, will be more back to the 10-12 like it was before.