[2510]

Went to my dealer this afternoon to check when I can order - last time we spoke was when they officially announced the HP rating and this is the update:

1) Since the HP announcement 8 people have come in and put their names on the list behind me
2) The owner showed me the e-mail from Dodge that orders will be able to be place the 16th or 17th of August
3) I am still first on list
4) Now the biggy - originally he said MSRP would be honored as it was by the previous owner in 2008. Since 8 people have come in he said that if he is allocated only (1) car I would have to pay over MSRP. We had a civil conversation where we both acknowledged the others points and it came down to even if he is only
allocated (1) for early production but will be allocated more in 2015 I would pay MSRP. If he is allocated at least (3) for early production I will pay MSRP. If he is allocated less than (3) for all of 2015 we would negotiate the amount over MSRP and consideration would be given to my loyalty as a customer and that I locked my slot in May. Those after me I can not speak for and I feel they will pay what he asks.
5) The amount he would charge over MSRP would be based on conversations he will have with the other dealers in the area - most notably Redman in PA and Baker in Princeton NJ.

So, I stand pretty much the same as before and I think or should I say I hope he is allocated (3) cars for 2015 and I should be OK otherwise I have to make a decision. Either way at the minimum my slot is safe and it will be my choice.

 

[HemiDave1399]

I think your dealer just earned a spot on the price gougers thread...............

 

[2510]

I think your dealer just earned a spot on the price gougers thread...............

Really can't argue that point. It seems that everyone in my area will fall on that list, but from a truly narcissistic angle I might end up OK. Unfortunately I do not think many if any will act definitely, I think it will all come down to production numbers. Also unfortunate there are plenty of non-Mopar, non-enthusiasts that have money and look at $70-$75K like its nothing and will buy it - then they will trade in 6 months because they can't "handle" the car and we'll pick at those bones.

 

[cliffw]

How will you validate his "real" allocation? This is someone that is already going back on his initial "word" to honor the MSRP conversation you had with him...

 

[2510]

How will you validate his "real" allocation? This is someone that is already going back on his initial "word" to honor the MSRP conversation you had with him...

He actually volunteered this before I could ask - he will let me look at his information as I looked at his e-mails today. I'm not naïve but at least he offered. I also know the finance manager real well and for what it is worth he'll let me know also - but ultimately you are correct.

All I can add is the conversation seemed genuine and as I stated above he acknowledged where I was coming from and I for now believe he's coming from the right place. Don't get me wrong I am not happy with it but I need to work it if I can.

 

[cliffw]

He actually volunteered this before I could ask - he will let me look at his information as I looked at his e-mails today. I'm not naïve but at least he offered. I also know the finance manager real well and for what it is worth he'll let me know also - but ultimately you are correct.

All I can add is the conversation seemed genuine and as I stated above he acknowledged where I was coming from and I for now believe he's coming from the right place. Don't get me wrong I am not happy with it but I need to work it if I can.

I agree...I may be in the same situation with my dealer. I was initially told they have "never" sold above MSRP. Now, they are saying they have to wait for "pricing from headquarters".

I can afford the Hellcat at MSRP...but I'm not willing to pay "List price +" for any car. We'll find out soon!

 

[Rush-2112]

Also unfortunate there are plenty of non-Mopar, non-enthusiasts that have money and look at $70-$75K like its nothing and will buy it - then they will trade in 6 months because they can't "handle" the car and we'll pick at those bones.

Yea, totally agree. I'll have to wait a couple years anyway.

 

[Toxic11]

Not paying a cent over MSRP... I won't try to beat them up... But I am not going to
get screwed either... So they either honor MSRP or I will be calling Dodge to report the
dealership. We'll see what happens after that. My dealer said they were not going to
gouge and they are large so I would expect they may get 3 allocations.


I know one thing.. I am not going to play games.. If they dick me around I'll go buy
a new Vette....

 

[Challengers426]

Not paying a cent over MSRP... I won't try to beat them up... But I am not going to
get screwed either... So they either honor MSRP or I will be calling Dodge to report the
dealership. We'll see what happens after that. My dealer said they were not going to
gouge and they are large so I would expect they may get 3 allocations.


I know one thing.. I am not going to play games.. If they dick me around I'll go buy
a new Vette....

Dodge could care a less if they charge over MSRP, it's up to the dealer. If they limit production alot of people will be paying over MSRP? Dealers quote numbers to people before they know how much demand there will be for it, they should have known once they said 707HP the demand would be huge. The Hellcat will have much bigger demand than expected due to the fact that a lot of people that don't normally buy challengers will want one.

 

[Toxic11]

Dodge could care a less if they charge over MSRP, it's up to the dealer. If they limit production alot of people will be paying over MSRP? Dealers quote numbers to people before they know how much demand there will be for it, they should have known once they said 707HP the demand would be huge. The Hellcat will have much bigger demand than expected due to the fact that a lot of people that don't normally buy challengers will want one.

Did you miss the part where SRT said they don't want Dealers gouging and if they are, to report them so that
they can adjust their SRT allocations for next year, accordingly?

 

[Challengers426]

Did you miss the part where SRT said they don't want Dealers gouging and if they are, to report them so that
they can adjust their SRT allocations for next year, accordingly?

Means nothing and there will be Alot of reporting going on. Did you see the list of dealers charging over.

 

[Toxic11]

Means nothing and there will be Alot of reporting going on. Did you see the list of dealers charging over.

I'm sure there will be! And hopefully next year they will get nothing..

Gouging makes the Brand look bad.. I think the Manufacturer should have every right to limit or eliminate it.

 

[nyca]

There is nothing they can do to these dealers. Nothing. Look at the bright side - at least this practice will not kill the entire model offering. For example, Pontiac dealers - killed the Solstice roadster with this practice. All of the initial enthusiasm for the car built up in internet forums - was destroyed when every single dealer started with the gouging on it. I was one of the people who just walked away and never looked back. The dealers were crazy of course, because this wasn't a limited production car, the factory was cranking them out. But still, they blew off all the initial customers with the markup pricing, GM did nothing, and you see that in short order this model was wiped out (the elimination of the entire Pontiac brand aside). But since the Hellcat is a niche car within the model range, they can get away with it.

 

[Sash]

Why do you have to be the first one to have one,? Let's the dust come down,than walk in and you will get car for a fair price....

 

[MizzouRT]

In the video below, RG responds to a question about dealer markup at launch turning people away from the new Viper. There was a $25K fee to be a Viper dealer, and the caller indicated that many dealers were trying to get that all back on the first car. The caller felt many buyers were turned off by the dealer markups, looked elsewhere then never came back. RG agreed that dealer markups hurt the Viper launch, and thought that "dealers had learned their lesson". RG said the highest markup on a Viper was $100K. Three dealers, who never sell over MSRP, have accounted for about one third of all Vipers sold.

Skip ahead to the 53:48 for the question about dealer markups hurting the Viper launch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnX1texmbqg

 

[2510]

Means nothing and there will be Alot of reporting going on. Did you see the list of dealers charging over.

426 is right - I told the dealer people would be reporting to Dodge of this practice and he basically said who cares they will do nothing. This is his first Dodge/Jeep dealership and he said other brands say the same and do nothing. The manufacturers profess this for our sake but leave the "business decision" to the owners - just the reality I feel.

 

[Toxic11]

Well, like Mizzou posted when RG was asked about the gouging on the Viper. If these
Stealerships want to gouge they certainly can try. They will also choke on the cars and
that's the way it has to work I guess. like RG said, 1/3rd of the Viper sales came from
Volume Dealers who sold at or below MSRP.

I am giving my local dealer the first shot... But if they screw the pooch I will get one
elsewhere.

 

[slideways]

And I guess the manufacturer bears no responsibility for charging "There was a $25K fee to be a Viper dealer" the 25K to be a Viper dealer, or only allocating a few to some dealers? It starts at the top.

 

[Justintime2]

Do not pay a cent over MSRP, this same situation repeats itself each time something special comes out, with those who over paid either admitting to, or living quietly with, the notion that they were taken for the wrong sort of ride. They will be available used or new with plenty of discounts before long, be patient...

 

[GC Ron]

When the GNX came out a dealer here marked it up $15 grand. Sat for months.