A Theory on ZL1 Initial Dealer Allocation

[IOMZL1]

Some dealers seem very informed about the ZL1 and others don't seem to know anything about it. Of the 5 dealers I've personally spoken with 3 were very informed, 1 seemed informed with the incorrect information (or was telling me incorrect information in order to rationalize dealer markup) and one knew nothing about the ZL1. The informed seem to get email updates from GM regarding dates and allocation which probably only go to the general manager of the dealership. Everyone I've talked to has either been the manager or has had to ask the manager for clarification. Others seem to have had similar experiences.

So - are the uninformed dealers just not asking their managers? Or are these uninformed dealerships not getting an allocation and have therefore been left 'out of the loop' entirely? Should be interesting to see how it plays out over the next month. I'm not sure what to think as it would be strange for GM to exclude dealers when it comes to being informed on such a car.

[Fleet1]

Originally Posted by IOMZL1

Some dealers seem very informed about the ZL1 and others don't seem to know anything about it. Of the 5 dealers I've personally spoken with 3 were very informed, 1 seemed informed with the incorrect information (or was telling me incorrect information in order to rationalize dealer markup) and one knew nothing about the ZL1. The informed seem to get email updates from GM regarding dates and allocation which probably only go to the general manager of the dealership. Everyone I've talked to has either been the manager or has had to ask the manager for clarification. Others seem to have had similar experiences.

So - are the uninformed dealers just not asking their managers? Or are these uninformed dealerships not getting an allocation and have therefore been left 'out of the loop' entirely? Should be interesting to see how it plays out over the next month. I'm not sure what to think as it would be strange for GM to exclude dealers when it comes to being informed on such a car.

Most information goes to the managers, however many of them do not understand how allocation works. That does not mean that the sales staff cannot be informed IF they wanted to be.

[MIKnam67]

Originally Posted by IOMZL1

Some dealers seem very informed about the ZL1 and others don't seem to know anything about it. Of the 5 dealers I've personally spoken with 3 were very informed, 1 seemed informed with the incorrect information (or was telling me incorrect information in order to rationalize dealer markup) and one knew nothing about the ZL1. The informed seem to get email updates from GM regarding dates and allocation which probably only go to the general manager of the dealership. Everyone I've talked to has either been the manager or has had to ask the manager for clarification. Others seem to have had similar experiences.

So - are the uninformed dealers just not asking their managers? Or are these uninformed dealerships not getting an allocation and have therefore been left 'out of the loop' entirely? Should be interesting to see how it plays out over the next month. I'm not sure what to think as it would be strange for GM to exclude dealers when it comes to being informed on such a car.

I am personal friend of a large Chev dealrship owner near you. I also talked yesterday with the dealer near me where I bought my present 2010 camaro. They don't know! They will be told in October if they get allocation and how many. I was told that they have been told not to sell the ZL1 below MSRP . I will get a ZL1 at MSRP (whatever MSRP might be)
I'm guessing $55+ at base price. THen will there be gas guzzler tax? (probably) Then sales tax. Then your going to have to check with your insurance company. It won't be an inexpensive car to buy for the average camaro person.

[TLSTWIN]

Originally Posted by MIKnam67

I was told that they have been told not to sell the ZL1 below MSRP . .

This isn't true (the fact that GM is telling him he can't). Fbodfather has stated here before that GM cannot dictate the price the dealership sells them at. If the Dealer wants to sell them at his cost, he can, GM would never know anyway. Just like GM can't keep the dealers from marking them up.

[MIKnam67]

Originally Posted by TLSTWIN

This isn't true (the fact that GM is telling him he can't). Fbodfather has stated here before that GM cannot dictate the price the dealership sells them at. If the Dealer wants to sell them at his cost, he can, GM would never know anyway. Just like GM can't keep the dealers from marking them up.

I am not disagreeing with you. I have seen many mesages on this site that people stated this car would be selling for over MSRP. I was trying to inform people that they won't have to pay over MSRP if they don't want to.
I'm not sure why you would say that a dealer can sell it at at his cost. I understand that.
So a dealer would sell the best Camaro made for his cost??????????????????????
Thanks for your input.

[TLSTWIN]

Originally Posted by MIKnam67

I am not disagreeing with you. I have seen many mesages on this site that people stated this car would be selling for over MSRP. I was trying to inform people that they won't have to pay over MSRP if they don't want to.
I'm not sure why you would say that a dealer can sell it at at his cost. I understand that.
So a dealer would sell the best Camaro made for his cost??????????????????????
Thanks for your input.

Ya, I think we are on the same page and we are not in disagreement.

I was just hate it when a dealer blames GM for their ability to sell a car below, at, or above MSRP..... Just be a man about it and say, this is a hot car, here is the price..... know what I mean

[IOMZL1]

Originally Posted by MIKnam67

I am personal friend of a large Chev dealrship owner near you. I also talked yesterday with the dealer near me where I bought my present 2010 camaro. They don't know! They will be told in October if they get allocation and how many. I was told that they have been told not to sell the ZL1 below MSRP . I will get a ZL1 at MSRP (whatever MSRP might be)
I'm guessing $55+ at base price. THen will there be gas guzzler tax? (probably) Then sales tax. Then your going to have to check with your insurance company. It won't be an inexpensive car to buy for the average camaro person.

I know they don't know allocation yet..... Its. Just. That. some of them don't know anything about the ZL1 at all! I swear I'd make a great salesman. Just understand what it is you are selling, people! I was just shown a plot of land and the realtor didn't even know where the property lines were - I had to tell him from only looking at a map!! And he used to own it!!! Gimme a break, people.

I'm just glad some dealers out there do their homework. They will win my business.

[TLSTWIN]

Originally Posted by IOMZL1

I know they don't know allocation yet..... Its. Just. That. some of them don't know anything about the ZL1 at all! I swear I'd make a great salesman. Just understand what it is you are selling, people! I was just shown a plot of land and the realtor didn't even know where the property lines were - I had to tell him from only looking at a map!! And he used to own it!!! Gimme a break, people.

I'm just glad some dealers out there do their homework. They will win my business.

Yep, I have thought the same thing many times.

[OLD_GOAT]

From what I know, GM can't dictate the selling price.

Since this is a Camaro site, what happened to the first few Camaro SS that were sold? I would think the 'market adjustment' was applied to most Camaro SS at most dealerships, but I'm not sure. If we can go back in time a couple of years, we might get an idea of allocation, market adjustment, etc.

Just know if you have to be the first kid on the block with the new toy, most likely you will pay a big premium for the pleasure. Just the nature of the beast, and the nature of supply and demand.

[oldfriend]

Offer and demand will always work , oh , and one can most of the time add greed to it ,and the result is more $$$$$$$

[OldJedi]

Originally Posted by oldfriend

Offer and demand will always work , oh , and one can most of the time add greed to it ,and the result is more $$$$$$$

Supply and Demand is part of business. Always has been and always will be, it is the nature of the beast and it keeps free enterprise flowing. But at least here in South Florida, Greed plays a much bigger part in car sales. Dealers here take 'Market Allocation' to a whole new level. If you live in SE South Florida I sincerely doubt you will be able to buy a ZL1 for MSRP without having a really good connection. I know I could not.

[OLD_GOAT]

Originally Posted by OldJedi

Supply and Demand is part of business. Always has been and always will be, it is the nature of the beast and it keeps free enterprise flowing. But at least here in South Florida, Greed plays a much bigger part in car sales. Dealers here take 'Market Allocation' to a whole new level. If you live in SE South Florida I sincerely doubt you will be able to buy a ZL1 for MSRP without having a really good connection. I know I could not.

Can't speak for S. Florida, but can speak for the Houston area. About 6 months ago, new Challenger SRT8's (not the new 392's) had 'market adjustment' stickers on the windshield for another $7,500.

A lot of places charge 100 bucks here, 300 bucks there for things like etched windows and some sort of undercoating, but at $60,000 that's nickel and dime.

I won't even pay for that stuff. I tell them I'll special order the car and have it built my way without the extra stuff.

But for every hard ass like myself, there are 10 guys that will buy the hottest car on the market no matter the markups. Me, I'll just patiently wait and save several thousand bucks on the car.

[1BADZL1]

Originally Posted by MIKnam67

I am not disagreeing with you. I have seen many mesages on this site that people stated this car would be selling for over MSRP. I was trying to inform people that they won't have to pay over MSRP if they don't want to.
I'm not sure why you would say that a dealer can sell it at at his cost. I understand that.
So a dealer would sell the best Camaro made for his cost??????????????????????
Thanks for your input.

Put simply
The dealer buys from GM. The dealer is GM's customer.
Therefore if the dealer wants to sell a vehicle at a loss, he can and still make money on a number of things not just the car that was sold at a loss.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by IOMZL1

Some dealers seem very informed about the ZL1 and others don't seem to know anything about it. Of the 5 dealers I've personally spoken with 3 were very informed, 1 seemed informed with the incorrect information (or was telling me incorrect information in order to rationalize dealer markup) and one knew nothing about the ZL1. The informed seem to get email updates from GM regarding dates and allocation which probably only go to the general manager of the dealership. Everyone I've talked to has either been the manager or has had to ask the manager for clarification. Others seem to have had similar experiences.

So - are the uninformed dealers just not asking their managers? Or are these uninformed dealerships not getting an allocation and have therefore been left 'out of the loop' entirely? Should be interesting to see how it plays out over the next month. I'm not sure what to think as it would be strange for GM to exclude dealers when it comes to being informed on such a car.

Well ... most dealers don't know anything because there isn't much to know. At the moment, they have barely any more information than we have. Most of the ones that are making claims about a ridiculous price or hugely limited availability are probably just trying to sell people a Corvette today rather than a ZL1 a few months from now. Remember, they're car salesmen at that particular dealership. They don't work for GM, and they aren't part of the group that determines MSRP, production volume, or dealership allocation.