Day 3 and dealer still can not secure a new car

[Bob CTS]

Went to the local Chevy dealer Saturday and worked a deal on a new Equinox, Silver Ice exterior color, Jet Black Interior, 1LT and 4cyl. They did not have one in inventory so they provide a VIN of one in south TN and say it will be transferred Monday, well get call Monday telling me that vehicle sold, and this was repeated again today on two others.

I find it hard to believe it is this hard but I am not in the business, hoping they come through and find one tomorrow. Patience is running thin now.

[thkauffman]

Tell 'em you need another thou off the price because of the hassle.

[Petew1971]

Went to the local Chevy dealer Saturday and worked a deal on a new Equinox, Silver Ice exterior color, Jet Black Interior, 1LT and 4cyl. They did not have one in inventory so they provide a VIN of one in south TN and say it will be transferred Monday, well get call Monday telling me that vehicle sold, and this was repeated again today on two others.

I find it hard to believe it is this hard but I am not in the business, hoping they come through and find one tomorrow. Patience is running thin now.

Look him square in the eyes and say ' penis ' then when he says "excuse me?" look him in the eyes again and say " penis "

[Skia]

I can believe it. You should try and get a dealer trade on some cars.

[Bob CTS]

Tell 'em you need another thou off the price because of the hassle.

yeppers, tomorrow I might stop in the dealer and inquire what is going on. The previous cars I purchased where all transfers and never had an issue. If they do not budge I want the personal protection package for nothing at least.

[Bob CTS]

Look him square in the eyes and say ' penis ' then when he says "excuse me?" look him in the eyes again and say " penis "

:lol:

[oyealiz]

Why not just call around and find where the vehicles are yourself?

I've had dealers try to sell me USED cars from other dealers' lots. They said they had this car, blah blah blah, and I could plainly see it at another dealer online, and NOT an affiliated dealer. They just said hundreds of $$$ more in price and figured they'd go get the vehicle, I suppose.

:willy:

[Uncle Pervey]

Yeah good luck on getting a dealer to trade cars with another one. When I bought my truck, the local guy said there was no way on Earth that he could get me what I wanted, in the color I wanted.
I drove 26 miles to another dealer and got what I wanted and saved $1200.00 too! :yesnod:

[Bob CTS]

Why not just call around and find where the vehicles are yourself?

I've had dealers try to sell me USED cars from other dealers' lots. They said they had this car, blah blah blah, and I could plainly see it at another dealer online, and NOT an affiliated dealer. They just said hundreds of $$$ more in price and figured they'd go get the vehicle, I suppose.

:willy:

I did today and none of the local dealers had one. I went out 50 miles.

[...Whitepower...]

4 cylinder..



Seriously?

[Bob CTS]

Yeah good luck on getting a dealer to trade cars with another one. When I bought my truck, the local guy said there was no way on Earth that he could get me what I wanted, in the color I wanted.
I drove 26 miles to another dealer and got what I wanted and saved $1200.00 too! :yesnod:

My previous three cars where all dealer trades with no issues, however that was some time ago, and there just is not alot of inventory of Equinox's sitting on the lot, they must be selling well.

[Bob CTS]

4 cylinder..



Seriously?

yep serious, and I am not the one driving it, for the SO. Wanted the V6 but she wanted the fuel economy.

[polarbear]

I can believe it. You should try and get a dealer trade on some cars.

Amen. BTDT, hundreds of times. Some dealers are easy, others can be the sales manager from hell. If it's a hot model (like it sounds like), and the selling dealer doesn't have one to trade (which it sounds like), this could be a difficult rabbit to pull out of a hat.

I don't know if the OP realizes there's nothing that sez the other dealer has to let go of that vehicle if he doesn't want to.

[polarbear]

Yeah good luck on getting a dealer to trade cars with another one. When I bought my truck, the local guy said there was no way on Earth that he could get me what I wanted, in the color I wanted.
I drove 26 miles to another dealer and got what I wanted and saved $1200.00 too! :yesnod:

I've played that game, but it usually ended differently. Not trading with another dealer because I know I've got the only one like it, eventually the local customer will find it, and they'll pay our price when they do.

[Joecooool]

Find the dealer he is getting the car from and call them direct. Make an offer $500 less than what you agreed on for your trouble.

[...Whitepower...]

yep serious, and I am not the one driving it, for the SO. Wanted the V6 but she wanted the fuel economy.

I hear you but has she driven it any length of time to realize how under powered it will be?

Tell her they don't have any 4 bangers available anywhere. Better yet tell her the 4 banger she drove was a concept car or some bullshit.

[Bob CTS]

I hear you but has she driven it any length of time to realize how under powered it will be?

Tell her they don't have any 4 bangers available anywhere. Better yet tell her the 4 banger she drove was a concept car or some bullshit.

Might be easier to pull off now they are having trouble finding the exact model. She drove it and really liked it.

[Bob CTS]

Amen. BTDT, hundreds of times. Some dealers are easy, others can be the sales manager from hell. If it's a hot model (like it sounds like), and the selling dealer doesn't have one to trade (which it sounds like), this could be a difficult rabbit to pull out of a hat.

I don't know if the OP realizes there's nothing that sez the other dealer has to let go of that vehicle if he doesn't want to.

I figured the dealer has the option to decline.

[Datawiz]

They ran your credit score. :leaving:

[C5Nate]

Selling well???

No, they are flying out the door:

Sales for February

Overall, Chevrolet's total sales grew 43 percent to 142,919 units. The Cruze compact had its best month since its launch last fall, with 18,556 sold. Sales of the Equinox crossover jumped 92 percent to 15,434.
Buick sales were up 73 percent from a year earlier to 15,807. Sales of the Lucerne sedan, which is being phased out after this year, leapt 98 percent to 2,574. The Regal sedan, launched last spring as an all-new, low-priced entry for Buick's lineup, had sales of 3,705.

Sales of Cadillacs rose 70 percent to 15,768 units.

Johnson boasted that GM sold 6,033 units of the Cadillac CTS family -- including the sedan, coupe and wagon -- last month, outpacing Ford's entire Lincoln division's sales of 5,948. CTS sales more than doubled from 2,690 a year earlier.

The GMC brand's 61 percent increase was buoyed by sales of the Sierra, up 86 percent, and the Terrain crossover, up 90 percent to 7,190.



Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110301/RETAIL01/110309975/1448#ixzz1G4HsE1IK


I'm not sure if their plant is affected by the Magna fire.

[high desert]

I did today and none of the local dealers had one. I went out 50 miles.

If you want this model car and you want to save money too, expand your search a few hundred miles. It can be well worth the drive. btdt

[Bob CTS]

They ran your credit score. :leaving:

There is no reason for them to run my credit. :dance:

[Bob CTS]

If you want this model car and you want to save money too, expand your search a few hundred miles. It can be well worth the drive. btdt

Will give them till lunch and then start making calls.

[Yerf Dog]

Will give them till lunch and then start making calls.

Your patience is admirable. :cheers:

Nothing worse that having money to spend and nobody will help you. :willy:

[Bucwheat]

Find the dealer he is getting the car from and call them direct. Make an offer $500 less than what you agreed on for your trouble.

I agree.

[Montehall]

Try getting an SLT2 Black Terrain, V6 AWD, with the brownstone interior.
When I was looking, there was ONE in the whole US.
I would have had a 7-month wait to get one ordered.

so I did the smart thing and bought a used BMW 745 with no warranty....
wait it out man.

[Bob CTS]

Your patience is admirable. :cheers:

Nothing worse that having money to spend and nobody will help you. :willy:

:cheers:

[C5SilverBullet]

High MPG cars are flying off the lot, so that doesn't surprise me. What would surprise me is if someone actually trades with them.

[polarbear]

High MPG cars are flying off the lot, so that doesn't surprise me. What would surprise me is if someone actually trades with them.

Back in '99, I bought a new 4 cyl Honda Accord EX and paid a relative premium for the 4-banger. Dealers were willing to deal much harder on V6's at that time. My thinking was, hell, if I didn't care about fuel mileage, I wouldn't be looking at an Accord in the first place.

Fast forward two years- I advertised the car and sold it in two days. Buyer said he'd been looking all over for a loaded 4 cyl Accord, but all he was finding was V6's. And yeah, I got all the money for it too.

Moral of the story- in compact/mid-sized cars, power (or lack of it) really isn't a big deal to the people that buy them. Fuel economy, on the other hand, is.

Sounds like not a lot has changed.

[Bob CTS]

Well after making a few calls to other dealers, things were not looking to good. The dealers are having a hard time keeping these models and inventory reports are very misleading.

I just got a call from the salesman that worked the deal and he stated that the roll-back just left their dealer with the transfer vehicle on its way to pick-up the vehicle that matched my preferences. I should be able to look it over late today. :dance:

[MrPeabody]

Back in '99, I bought a new 4 cyl Honda Accord EX and paid a relative premium for the 4-banger. Dealers were willing to deal much harder on V6's at that time. My thinking was, hell, if I didn't care about fuel mileage, I wouldn't be looking at an Accord in the first place.

Fast forward two years- I advertised the car and sold it in two days. Buyer said he'd been looking all over for a loaded 4 cyl Accord, but all he was finding was V6's. And yeah, I got all the money for it too.

Moral of the story- in compact/mid-sized cars, power (or lack of it) really isn't a big deal to the people that buy them. Fuel economy, on the other hand, is.

Sounds like not a lot has changed.

When I was selling used cars, during a gas price spike such as we're having now, you couldn't get a customer to even walk up to an economy car with a six cylinder. It's silly because the gas mileage is often only a couple mpg higher than the four cylinder, but the people literally would stop dead in their tracks and walk away from them.

[bsmith]

We have 5-6 new Equinox as company vehicles.
All are white, except one silver with a black interior.
I've only been in it once, but it had red stitching in the interior and I kind of liked it. :yesnod:

A guy hit a deer in a previous generation Equinox and it was totaled. Rather than wait for a white one, they took what was sitting on the lot.

[lander]

Two of them at my local Chevy dealer...been looking at them myself...tough to overlook 32MPG rating and a backseat that slides forward/backward 8"! (oops...first one is AWD, only 29MPG)

New, used, and pre-owned Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, cars, trucks, and SUVs for sale at Bradshaw Automotive Group in Greer (http://www.bradshawgreer.com/VehicleSearchResults?pageContext=VehicleSearch&search=new&bodyType=SUV&make=Chevrolet&model=Equinox&trim=All&stockOrVIN=&minPrice=15000&maxPrice=75000&minYear=2010&maxYear=2011)

[bsmith]

Two of them at my local Chevy dealer...been looking at them myself...tough to overlook 32MPG rating and a backseat that slides forward/backward 8"! (oops...first one is AWD, only 29MPG)

New, used, and pre-owned Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, cars, trucks, and SUVs for sale at Bradshaw Automotive Group in Greer (http://www.bradshawgreer.com/VehicleSearchResults?pageContext=VehicleSearch&search=new&bodyType=SUV&make=Chevrolet&model=Equinox&trim=All&stockOrVIN=&minPrice=15000&maxPrice=75000&minYear=2010&maxYear=2011)

Uh...

Did you even look at what he wants?
Two of those three are the wrong color.
The one that is the right color, is not the trim level he wants.

[lander]

Uh...

Did you even look at what he wants?
Two of those three are the wrong color.
The one that is the right color, is not the trim level he wants.

So you've never negotiated for a different model for a better price based upon availability?

Curious.

[lander]

Find Your Car: Listings Near null, null - AutoTrader.com (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?lastBeginningStartYear=2009&num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=new&distance=0&address=37901&marketZipError=false&make=CHEV&model=EQUINOX&make2=&start_year=2009&end_year=2012&min_price=&max_price=&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=4+Cylinder&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=WHITE&color2=&keywordsrep=049076084&keywordsfyc=__MUxU__&keywords_display=1LT&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=newonlysortbyprice_DESC&awsp=false&systime=&sownerid=69867&rdm=1299776741929)

Just so you don't go away mad. :D

[bsmith]

So you've never negotiated for a different model for a better price based upon availability?

Curious.

On a "hot" vehicle?
One the dealer would likely have to trade for?

I really doubt they are going to give him a 2LT with leather for the price of a 1LT with cloth.

[lander]

On a "hot" vehicle?
One the dealer would likely have to trade for?

I really doubt they are going to give him a 2LT with leather for the price of a 1LT with cloth.

Worst they can say is no...beats not asking and having been able to. :thumbs:

[NB2K]

Well the good news is big trucks and SUVs will be cheap again.

[bsmith]

Find Your Car: Listings Near null, null - AutoTrader.com (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?lastBeginningStartYear=2009&num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=new&distance=0&address=37901&marketZipError=false&make=CHEV&model=EQUINOX&make2=&start_year=2009&end_year=2012&min_price=&max_price=&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=4+Cylinder&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=WHITE&color2=&keywordsrep=049076084&keywordsfyc=__MUxU__&keywords_display=1LT&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=newonlysortbyprice_DESC&awsp=false&systime=&sownerid=69867&rdm=1299776741929)

Just so you don't go away mad. :D

That search is for white...
Proving that you did not pay attention. :rofl:

[lander]

That search is for white...
Proving that you did not pay attention. :rofl:

See..you didn't go away mad (a bit slow and lacking a sarcasm detector...but you'll get there with practice).

[Bob CTS]

There is no way in hell you are going to get a 2LT for 1LT pricing or even splitting the difference. After yesterdays eye opening experience these things are averaging 10-12 days on the lot before being sold. The price point, fuel economy and how the 1LT is equipped makes this vehicle popular. The 25,515 sticker adds the driver convenience package that provides, keyless start, 8 way power seat, rear back-up camera and auto tinting rearview mirror.

This vehicle has been both good and bad to dealers, selling like mad but many customers are getting frustrated because they cannot find the vehicle matching their requirements.

I am just glad the other dealer agreed to a transfer.

[Bob CTS]

Also local dealer only had one LTZ and LT2, both were the hideous blue color and that probably explains why they had those two. :leaving:

[khblair]

Also local dealer only had one LTZ and LT2, both were the hideous blue color and that probably explains why they had those two. :leaving:

Which dealership are you working with bob?

[lander]

There is no way in hell you are going to get a 2LT for 1LT pricing or even splitting the difference.

Especially if you don't try. :D

Here's what sucks...I think the exact car you're looking for is at a dealership about three miles from my house.

[Truck Guy]

Selling well???

No, they are flying out the door::iagree: The Equinox is VERY hot right now.

With dealers inventories being down from manufacturers production cuts, the economy also forced dealers to stock fewer vehicles (lowers their flooring costs) and adding that the vehicle is red hot right now all adds up to real problems finding what you want in stock.

As Polar_Bear said, good luck getting a dealer to trade if they only have two or three on the lot to begin with.

Ordering one is your best bet. Be patient and wait unless you need one right away.

[lander]

It has a few extra's compared to your shopping list (http://www.gmbuypower.com/ws/nvlWindowSticker.vs?make=ch&makeDescrip=Chevrolet&style=Fwd%20lt&makeId=001&vehicleModel=/images/gmbp/13001/vehicle/2011/med/2011208.gif&year=2011&sellingSource=13&subModel=&subModelId=208&BAC=114081&modelId=059&pvc=10008&mmc=1LH26&modelDesignator=1LH26&brand=Equinox&model=Equinox&type=1LT&typeDescrip=1LT&styleDescrip=Fwd%20lt&styleId=Fwd%20lt&partnerID=900001&userType=&tempUserType=&searchType=4&VIN=2GNALDEC1B1250867&nav=&iPi=5&fPi=5&dPath=FRDP&linksInCCT=true&zip=29388&dealerName=WOODRUFF%20CHEVROLET%20INC.&dealerURL=http://www.woodruffchevrolet.com/en_US/HomePage&distance=0.0&dealerStreet=6007%20HWY%20101&dealerCity=WOODRUFF&dealerRegionCode=SC&dealerPostalcode=29388-9706&dealerBpManagerName=michael%20clinkscales&dealerBpPhone=%28864%29%20476-8181&nameplateids=001%5E)...

[Bob CTS]

Which dealership are you working with bob?

West, Reeder and Beaty, the last is the one that gave the best deal.

[Bob CTS]

Especially if you don't try. :D

Here's what sucks...I think the exact car you're looking for is at a dealership about three miles from my house.

I tried, there was a Burgandy LT2 on the lot and I made an offer, they came back and it was not close, and to beat it all 45 minutes later a couple bought it.

[Bob CTS]

:iagree: The Equinox is VERY hot right now.

With dealers inventories being down from manufacturers production cuts, the economy also forced dealers to stock fewer vehicles (lowers their flooring costs) and adding that the vehicle is red hot right now all adds up to real problems finding what you want in stock.

As Polar_Bear said, good luck getting a dealer to trade if they only have two or three on the lot to begin with.

Ordering one is your best bet. Be patient and wait unless you need one right away.

The transfer is occuring as I type this, another dealer agreed to trade with them. As for odering I was going to do that but I am looking at losing $300 and $175 of GM card earnings in the next two months an order takes 6-8 weeks to get.

[oyealiz]

Fuel economy.

Gas Mileage of 2011 Chevrolet Equinox (http://fueleconomy.net/feg/bymodel/2011_Chevrolet_Equinox.shtml)

The least pricey 4 cyl looks like it gets about the gas mileage of my c6. :lol: I guess I'll stick with the economy car that I have. :D

[Millenium Vette]

Tell 'em you need another thou off the price because of the hassle.

Find the dealer he is getting the car from and call them direct. Make an offer $500 less than what you agreed on for your trouble.

If you want this model car and you want to save money too, expand your search a few hundred miles. It can be well worth the drive. btdt

So you've never negotiated for a different model for a better price based upon availability?

Curious.

:crazy:

There is no way in hell you are going to get a 2LT for 1LT pricing or even splitting the difference.

:iagree:

True for a couple of reasons, the first being the law of supply & demand. Why would a dealer discount heavily when there are more customers than cars. The second reason is there isn't the mark-up in it to discount them a ton. The factories have cut out the margins. If you don't believe it, check it out on Edmunds, they list the invoice price along with MSRP. Yes, I know there is the dealer holdback and some floorplan money also, but the last thing a dealer is going to do is dip into that on a hot selling unit. :cheers:

[Bob CTS]

:crazy:



:iagree:

True for a couple of reasons, the first being the law of supply & demand. Why would a dealer discount heavily when there are more customers than cars. The second reason is there isn't the mark-up in it to discount them a ton. The factories have cut out the margins. If you don't believe it, check it out on Edmunds, they list the invoice price along with MSRP. Yes, I know there is the dealer holdback and some floorplan money also, but the last thing a dealer is going to do is dip into that on a hot selling unit. :cheers:

:iagree:

I am glad that the local dealer went through the trouble to locate this vehicle, they could have easily said order one or pick one in stock. Just between Sat and yesterday there was only two still on the lot was the two blue ones, the others had sold including the new ones that were just delivered. I believe there were 6 on Saturday. Never have purchased a vehicle in such demand.

[bsmith]

See..you didn't go away mad (a bit slow and lacking a sarcasm detector...but you'll get there with practice).

Nothing wrong with my sarcasm detector.
You deleted your post with the search for a white car.

[lander]

Nothing wrong with my sarcasm detector.
You deleted your post with the search for a white car.

Really? Because I still see it...

http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/185994-post36.html

You don't?

[Millenium Vette]

:iagree:

I am glad that the local dealer went through the trouble to locate this vehicle, they could have easily said order one or pick one in stock. Just between Sat and yesterday there was only two still on the lot was the two blue ones, the others had sold including the new ones that were just delivered. I believe there were 6 on Saturday. Never have purchased a vehicle in such demand.

There are likely a couple of reasons they went through the trouble of finding a dealer trade unit for you. The first one would be that you have been reasonable and understand what they are up against in finding the right one. The other reason would be they care about earning and keeping a customer, many salespeople and managers will get lazy if they don't think they can easily find the right car for you.

:cheers:

[lander]

I tried, there was a Burgandy LT2 on the lot and I made an offer, they came back and it was not close, and to beat it all 45 minutes later a couple bought it.

:thumbs: I'm glad you give it a whirl at least. You are right though...they're not going to be doing a lot of dealing on these cars right now...butcha gotta try! :D

[Bob CTS]

:thumbs: I'm glad you give it a whirl at least. You are right though...they're not going to be doing a lot of dealing on these cars right now...butcha gotta try! :D

:cheers:

[Millenium Vette]

:thumbs: I'm glad you give it a whirl at least. You are right though...they're not going to be doing a lot of dealing on these cars right now...butcha gotta try! :D

:lol:

You'll never know if you don't at least ask...

[Bob CTS]

There are likely a couple of reasons they went through the trouble of finding a dealer trade unit for you. The first one would be that you have been reasonable and understand what they are up against in finding the right one. The other reason would be they care about earning and keeping a customer, many salespeople and managers will get lazy if they don't think they can easily find the right car for you.

:cheers:

I was real pleasant and the salesman was also real pleasant first one I have dealt with that was not pushy or trying to make you buy something you did not want to or thought they knew everything about the car. I was under the impression that they would have a car available at the first of the week but those vehicles kept falling through because of sales pending of were sold.

[bsmith]

Really? Because I still see it...

http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/185994-post36.html

You don't?

You posted two links to autotrader, one with white and one with silver selected as the color.
The one with silver is gone.

[Millenium Vette]

I was real pleasant and the salesman was also real pleasant first one I have dealt with that was not pushy or trying to make you buy something you did not want to or thought they knew everything about the car. I was under the impression that they would have a car available at the first of the week but those vehicles kept falling through because of sales pending of were sold.

Back when I was in the business, I sold plenty of cars by just being pleasant. I didn't push the customer, but also no serious potential customer ever left the lot without me asking for their business.

[C5Nate]

Well the good news is big trucks and SUVs will be cheap again.

Don’t bet on it.

There are lots of people out there that dumped their Tahoe’s, Suburban’s for eco-cars during the last artificial spike in gas prices that wish they hadn’t dumped them.

Pickups never really took the hit like the SUV’s did, at least not around here.

[lander]

You posted two links to autotrader, one with white and one with silver selected as the color.
The one with silver is gone.

Ahhh....no, that's not correct...for some reason it duped my post, so I deleted the 2nd one. Neither was for silver though..and besides, that's not what you said. :thumbs:

[lander]

I was real pleasant and the salesman was also real pleasant first one I have dealt with that was not pushy or trying to make you buy something you did not want to or thought they knew everything about the car. I was under the impression that they would have a car available at the first of the week but those vehicles kept falling through because of sales pending of were sold.

Went to Carmax a week or so ago so that we could try out all the different vehicles to see which ones we fit in, liked, etc. Unfortunately the Equinox was being transfered so they wouldn't let me test drive it but we did get to see how well we fit. The rear storage wasn't as much as the Ford Edge...but I liked the rest of the interior better than the Edge. I like the Edge styling better on the outside though.

Been trying to find a Flex to try out but they're commanding a premium right now as well it seems.

[NB2K]

Don’t bet on it.

There are lots of people out there that dumped their Tahoe’s, Suburban’s for eco-cars during the last artificial spike in gas prices that wish they hadn’t dumped them.

Pickups never really took the hit like the SUV’s did, at least not around here.

I don't know, Nate-people are pretty stupid.

I agree re: the pickups, for the most part. The posers will quit buying the 2500s and the F250s, though.