🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <920626.1347875937@lacan.postmodern.com> mcb@lacan.postmodern.com (Michael C. Berch) writes:

>In the referenced article, mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers) writes:

>> In the referenced article mcb@lacan.postmodern.com (Michael C. Berch) writes:

>> >In the referenced article, mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers) writes:

>> See above.  The bid specifically states that it applies to *any* vehicle
>> matching the stated make and model.  They cannot set you up for a
>> bait-and-switch.  (Remember that CB is run by professional consumerists,
>> and that they most assuredly anticipated such games when they designed
>> their program.

>Understood, but this seems to defy a bit of market logic, which is
>that different colors (and cosmetic packages) of the same make/model
>go for rather different prices, and it would be odd for a dealer to
>quote a flat price for customer's choice.  (Presumably it would have
>built into it a cushion for "adverse selection" of the desirable
>units.)

The dealer probably pads his bid a bit to cover the fact that any
given customer isn't likely to buy the least desirably car on the lot.
Nonetheless, given how competitive car selling is, my guess is that 
they're going to make as good a deal as they can.

>> I guess I haven't explained the program very well.  There is no "deal
>> to make" with the dealer.  That's what the bid is, and it's signed and 
>> binding for a fixed period of time.  Once you get the paperwork, 
>> there is NO more room for discussion of price.  The only way the dealer
>> is gonna get more money from you is through:
>> 
>> o  financing (CB gives a page of advice on this)
>> o  extended service contracts (ditto)
>> o  accessories (ditto)
>> 
>> This is the beauty of the program:  the dealer is forced into 
>> making a bona fide and binding offer to you.  None of the "if I
>> could do this, would you buy today?" crap.

>OK, if it really is a binding offer they hand you.  Can I take the
>paper, pick out a car on the lot that meets the specs, fill in the VIN,
>and sign the offer and give them a check and ask for the keys?  (Allowing
>for the offer to be transcribed onto a standard purchase contract,
>number-for-number.)


That's what I did.  If another dealer doesn't give you the same
satisfaction, you choose another from the list of bidders and forward
the name of the errant dealer to CB.

>> Another thought:  while I can't prove it, I suspect that some 
>> brokers don't really push the dealer to get the best price for
>> you, since the dealers are almost business partners rather than
>> friendly adversaries.  CB is totally on your side.

>I am sure that's true, meaning only that you have to shop around for
>brokers just as you would for dealers; however, it is much easier to
>get straight quotes from brokers' agents than from car salespeople. 

Judging from some of this newsgroup's responsess, this isn't all that
true.  In any event, I have only one sample point with CB, but it was
-- 
Michael Zimmers                                    |  Home:  408 996 1984
SoftHelp                                           |  Work:  408 996 1965
Software Solutions for Open Systems                |  Data:  408 996 1974