Not a Happy Camper!

[San Diego SKY]

At the Saturn store where I work we will not be charging a premium, but the first cars to come out will come with a premium package. All the cars will be fully loaded and come with LoJack, paint sealants, window etch and an extended warranty. You won't pay extra money just for the priveladge to be one of the first owners, but you will have to purchase all of the extras.

[richmcc]

[quote=Angelqute1]Okay, so check it out....

I just called the GM at SOV and had a very pleasant converasation with him. And here's the bottom line...

As a result of the Pontiac Solstice being bought at the MSRP and resold at a much higer value, via EBAY, private sales, etc. It is true, the price that they are looking at (POSSIBLY) is $3,000 - $5,000 above MSRP. Again, GM is not reeping the benefits of the worth of the car. Especially if it's going for much more due to being a hot commodity. Is it fair? I think so. I mean I think it sucks, since I have absolutely NO PLANS to sell my car for a profit. So the people who did it with the Solstice, basically screwed us all. QUOTE]

Take a look on e-bay and WHO is selling the cars. They are Pontiace Dealers and noe of them look like they are going for much over the MSRP

[Angelqute1]

How could this guy have the VIN Number of the car on the lot, unless he bought the car. And if he did buy the car, then it couldn't be sold on ebay. Something's definitely not right with that story.

[MrJester]

Originally Posted by Turk

I don't believe that. What alignment did they do in the past if they were selling at MSRP for all saturns? Call another dealer! My dealer took $200 down for my deposit. I don't know where everyone thinks you have to put down $500?

The reason I say $500 is because my dealer asked for a $500 deposit. He also put "Sell at MSRP" in writing but told me I couldn't use the supplier discount offered by GM. I'll talk to the finance guy about the supplier discount when I'm at the table.

[reedred]

Originally Posted by Angelqute1

How could this guy have the VIN Number of the car on the lot, unless he bought the car. And if he did buy the car, then it couldn't be sold on ebay. Something's not right with that story completely.

The VIN gets assigned before the car is built. You can know the VIN of your Sky before you've completed the sale too if you ask. In fact, you'll need to so you can insure it.

[reedred]

Originally Posted by Turk

Wow - there is a pattern developing here. All southern california dealers!

And some in Florida. The two states where people should be most willing to tell them to go scratch since they can wait 6 months and drive with the top down all year long. Go figure.

[Angelqute1]

That's what I'm saying. If dude has the VIN Number (which you say is possible), and dude then sees the car with the same VIN number in the lot, how could the dealer sell it. And maybe it was dudes car and they just weren't ready to notify buyer..the whole story is fishy. And I've been on ebay since I read Rich's last post and I've calculated the following (I have several more to go through
Price BIDS Seller
26.5k 0 Pvt/TN
25,995 0 Pvt Dealer
22,895 10 Dealer/OH
22k or 28,440 BIN 6 Pvt Dealer/TX
21,601 9 Pvt/OH
21,600 or 29,995 7 Dealer/VA
21,301 or 26,000 10 Unknown/TN

So, from my observation thus far, it's a mixed bunch selling on ebay

[reedred]

I don't think its so fishy. We don't know when it happened. Solstices were going for a bit more a few months ago and a shady Pontiac dealer deciding to screw someone and hope they didn't notice isn't too hard for me to believe.

[SATN SKY]

Here's the deal. If a Saturn Dealer wants to make a quick $5 grand on a new SKY, he can put his name on the waiting list after all of ours, buy his at MSRP and have at it.

[RMFNSKY]

I was told by my salesperson that they (Saturn of Metro East) will not be marking up over MSRP. If they change that point I will buy something else. I want a Sky but I won't over MSRP period.

[Angelqute1]

Just out of curiosity, has everyone forgotten what MSRP stands for? You know, the acronym? Its:

MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE

not....

EISWYWP

"Etched in stone, what you will pay"

Business is business. And the funny part is, no one knows anything yet and we've turned this into a total issue. Really, over nothing. Really. Over nothing. Yet.

[usmc]

actually, people do know already. there are quite a few that have posted that they have been told by their dealer, and will be charging over MSRP, thats what started all the ranting.

and we all know what msrp means but we also know that saturn is supposed have a reputation of trust (unlike other dealers)

and I also know that I was told by more than one salesperson that msrp will be as high as they go, and I believe others were told the same and then the dealer switched tune this week. theres one thing to be told from the gitgo that they will or may upcharge but totally another to be told "you will pay msrp" and then they switch it.

doesn't sound like the saturn we've all known, but, well, you know

[eldeeko]

Originally Posted by Turk

Wow - there is a pattern developing here. All southern california dealers!

This isn't even my local Saturn Dealer who uses the same no haggle program.

(Pattern? I don' see no stinkin' pattern!)
January 2, 2006
Dear (Eldeeko):
Thank you for stopping by the Saturn display while at the Valencia Mall (California), Enclosed is the information you requested on the Saturn SKY and AURA. We hope this information helps you get to know Saturn and ultimately helps you decide the type of vehicle that's best for you. The essence of what makes a Saturn a Saturn is something that can only be experienced. It's offering a unique and refreshing sales and ownership philosophy. It's being with you today, tomorrow and down the road. It's about a no-hassle experience and no-haggle prices. It's about giving you 30 days to change your mind.* It's about making sure you love what you drive. In other words, it's about you.
As we celebrate our 15th Anniversary, we're proud of the company we've built and take pride in our growing lineup of cars and utility vehicles. For 2006, our refreshing and unique product portfolio features the refined ION sedan, the innovative ION quad coupe, the performance-tuned ION Red Line, the highly adaptable VUE, the street-savvy VUE Red Line and the seven-passenger RELAY. This robust lineup will be joined in spring 2006 by our first-ever two-seat SKY roadster, followed shortly by the AURA midsize sedan and the OUTLOOK midsize crossover utility vehicle. And we promise the security of standard OnStar® with a one-year Safe & Sound Service Plan** on every 2006 Saturn, We invite you to stop by and experience Saturn for yourself. If you need any additional information, please don't hesitate to contact your local Saturn retail facility, call us at 1-800-xxx-6000 or visit saturn.com. Once again, thank you for your interest in Saturn.

Best regards,
xxxxxxxx

[Skip]

You know that people get so worked up about msrp. I say that if the dealers want to get as much out of the Sky as they can it will just rain on their parade. I think it is much ado about nothing. When I go in and have my sit down with my dealer that is when the dickering will begin. I know about no hassle policy but hey I live to argue. You will notice I said live not love to argue. If the dealer won't give me what I want then I walk. I keep my blood pressure down and I will feel better. Ya see the Sky is not the limit for me. No item in this life means that much to me unless it is an A- lung in good condition. You can't drive a car if your dead. Skip....

[Angelqute1]

Just because they say it's a no-hassle and no-haggle experience, doesn't mean that they will be charging the MSRP though. You don't think that if all of the other dealerships are going to be marking up their prices, that they will not stay competitive in the marketplace? I don't think that's necessarily going to be the case. I'm just trying to be the devil's advocate. You know what they say, if you don't have expectations, you wont be disappointed. They may mark up the price $500 and they wont hassle you or haggle the rates with you. See what I mean? That's why I just say, wait and see. We've turned a mullhill into a mountain. There's no point at getting upset with the unknown.

[richmcc]

Originally Posted by skywatcher

It may not be adventagous for Saturn corp to have their image tainted in a market such as SoCal or L.A. in particular.
Loyal repeat buyers may take the hit as there is little choice, but the long term damage is done to the brand name
from opportunitic dealer actions.

Well I guess SOV thinks they are so big they can do whatever they want. I talked with the GM yesterday and what he told me was [paraphrasing] We are going to sell the Sky for much as we can, as long as we can. [/paraphrasing]

When I said this did not seem very Saturn like, he said " Well we never had a car like the Sky before" Which I interpret to: "We were customer oriented because nobody ever really liked our cars. Now that they do we don't need to really care about the customers. "

In regards to people being unhappy about the pricing, he said "Well I had a couple of call asking about the upcharge and both of them said they do not care they will pay it."

With customers telling him that, I don't think there is much chance they will decide to stick to MSRP.

As far as I am concerned Saturn is just another car company and SOV just another Galpin Dealer, I have lost all sense of loyalty to the company, since it is clear that they are not interested in treating us fairly.

I do really want the sky. However, I was at the LA Auto Show and there are lot of really hot looking cars that I could for the same price as the Sky. Which I would of never considered because they were not Saturns, now who knows.

SATURN SALES PEOPLE FIRST

[reedred]

Originally Posted by richmcc

another Galpin Dealer

I hate them people.

[usmc]

Originally Posted by Angelqute1

Just because they say it's a no-hassle and no-haggle experience, doesn't mean that they will be charging the MSRP though. You don't think that if all of the other dealerships are going to be marking up their prices, that they will not stay competitive in the marketplace? I don't think that's necessarily going to be the case. I'm just trying to be the devil's advocate. You know what they say, if you don't have expectations, you wont be disappointed. They may mark up the price $500 and they wont hassle you or haggle the rates with you. See what I mean? That's why I just say, wait and see. We've turned a mullhill into a mountain. There's no point at getting upset with the unknown.

expectations?? In most of these cases, and especially with the sol crowd, the expectation was set by the dealer. If I was told that msrp was going to be the price then thats what it better be. you make it sound like we should all just rollover to being lied to and ante up the 3-5k. this car will be a hot commodity for about 3-4 months, then the price will go the way of the solstice, back down to normal. I'm all for you buying one to be the only one in your neighborhood driving a sky if you can afford it. But I don't think most of us take lightly to getting scrwed and probably can't or don't want to give in to some of these unscrupulous dealers. It's like I said earlier, if they had told me upfront that they would be doing this, (I asked the day I put my deposit down and have asked many times since) then its on me to make the decision but switch it now that we are in the home stretch.....

and lastly, you keep talking like this isn't happening, "There's no point at getting upset with the unknown"
some people (not all, and will probably end up being a minority) are already posting that they have been told that they will pay an upcharge so I'm not sure I understand what the unknown or "wait and see" part is about.

ok, I'm done ranting about this... I promise I won't post anymore unless I become a victim of upcharging. If that happens, its on!

[sky_vue]

I have to admit that I really want one, but I'm not one to just hand over cash for nothing.. It would really make my blood boil if they ended pricing over.. I would walk away .. and wait it out.. till they get desperate ... yeah.. make em' beg for me to buy it.. that's it..

One can dream..

[richmcc]

Okay I took pill.

Actually I did some research in regards to Solstice overcharging and it helped.

First Myth - They are being sold on e-bay for $5,000 dollars over MSRP.

9 of the 35 Solstice auctions I am watching have ended. 6 ended not meeting the reserve (meaning they were not sold because nobody bid high enough. The 3 auctions that ended in sales all of them were very close to MSRP considering there options. Now there is no reason to believe that the other 26 Soltices are going to fare any better.

Second Myth - Dealers are getting 5,000 over the MSRP for their cars.

Not from what I can determine. They maybe marking them up that much, but it does not look like they can't keep them in the stock. The dealer down the road from me on Topanga Canyon has had a Solstice sitting on Display for over a week now and it hasn't gone anywhere. They are a really small dealer.

I went to locate a vehicle on Pontiacs Website and it showed me 25 vehicles distributed between seven different dealers. While I did not check out what type of Mark Up they are selling at, but with that type of supply it is quite likely that one could haggle down to MSRP.

The point of this, is that by what I am seeing, soltices are not selling as marked up vehicles and it appears to that supply is closing in on demand. At least in the LA area.

My feeling is that if Saturn Dealers do decide to mark up the Sky, it will be short lived. Especially since unlike the Solstice, the Sky does have a close competing product during it's initial release.(the Solstice, Miata is to ugly/boring to count as competition).

Unfortunately or maybe not, I am not ready to buy my Sky now anyways. So I am thinking by the time I do, they will be more reasonably priced.

By the way the Sales Manager at Saturn of the Valley, said that I can have my named pushed back on the list until I am ready to buy. So to others that have deposits there, if you do not want to pay the mark up they might impose, you can (if you are willing) to tell them you want to be bumped back in case the price goes down.

If three or four of us do this, it may make them think about their pricing!

If anybody thinks I am deluding myself or my facts are not accurate please let me know!