Originally posted by svtcarboy:
I realized the other two guys were dealers, but it seems like they're giving information on the edge of maximizing the position of the person they're advising, not giving a fair position all around.
I'm also a polite dealer's worst nightmare, just because I come up with arcane questions. I'm polite too, and not credit challanged, and not rushed to buy a car.
Also, compared to market context and blue book, I've never overpaid for a car. The SVT was a fair all around deal, and the Sentra was a raving bargain. Maybe they weren't so great in terms of auctions, but I don't consider those a fair assessment of the value of a car, as you're going back to the wholesale stage doing that, versus retail.
I just think you're trying to deal too sharply on this one to be fair to everyone.
On the contrary, I think this makes the "game" more fair. Dealers have access to this information. They can subscribe to any number of auction reports. (And yes, I beleive this is the best basis of a cars true value since it is what buyers are willing to pay, cash for a particular car.) Mannheim and others will let dealers subscribe to this information.
If it is a good enough price for them to buy my car based on that information, then it is good enough for me to base my purchasing decision on as well.
Information is power. Prior to the internet, information was bottled up. Now, information is flowing more freely and in near real time.
Terry and Bill simply want to see the car biz cleaned up. They are all for dealer profit since they both own dealerships, but they also want to see consumers get a fair shake.
Just because I have access and get advice from those who are on the inside doesn't make me an inconsiderate shopper, just an informed one.
I still claim this Chevy store is on crack, but they are doing what they are supposed to, maximize their profit.
I don't begrudge them of that.
I will be rather pissed if they sold it to a wholesaler or let it go at auction for less than I offered.
They would do that, just out of spite.
The last thing I said to them was, "Before you sell it at auction, offer it up for sale to me, to make a happy customer."
I'd shout it out to the world that I got a great deal at XYZ Chevy on my used car.
TB
