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This has got to be a big competitive disadvantage, unless a lot of consumers cave at the dealership... or all the competitors pick up the same tactic. If you'r

This has got to be a big competitive disadvantage, unless a lot of consumers cave at the dealership... or all the competitors pick up the same tactic. If you're comparing a GM vehicle to its competitor, you will not see price parity, as this $1500 "option" will show up on inventory web sites as part of the price (it already does now). In general, I don't want companies to fail, but I certainly want to see this strategy fail horribly. The automotive industry is huge because U.S. infrastructure demands having a car, and also because everyone wants to buy "just the right car" for themselves. But these GM luxury brands might struggle with a big price hike like this.

reaperducer 4y ago
unless a lot of consumers cave at the dealership And, they will. It was explained to me by a advertising buyer at a big regional auto dealership chain that the reason that auto dealers try so hard to get you onto their lot first is that in the vast vast vast majority of cases, if someone shows up in person, they're going to buy one of your cars. It's just up to the salesperson to figure out which one. He said the very small percentage of people who go from lot to lot are the sort of people who aren't worth the effort, anyway. Which, coincidentally, sounds very much like how the tech industry dismisses "edge cases" and people who need customer service because they aren't efficient and don't "maximize shareholder value." A large part of selling cars is about the brand, the brand's social image, and what owning a car of a particular brand means to the owner. It's why there are so many brand-loyal car clubs. It's why you find debutantes who only want BMWs. It why you find Appalachian dirt farmer who say "I only buy Chevy." If someone wants a Cadillac, they'll pay the extra $1,500 and pretend it doesn't exist because it's just $25/month hidden in a five-year contract. Personally, I've owned all kinds of cars. More than once when considering a new car, my co-workers have offered their advice. No matter who it was, the advice was always rooted in the same kind of jingoistic tribalism that infects politics and is the basis of professional sports. My brand is better than someone else's brand. Facts be damned. Here's my wallet.
- BeFlatXIII 4y ago
  At least my parents and I are the kind of people who aren't worth a salesman's time. Means we can look around for longer without them bothering us.
- rdtsc 4y ago
  > He said the very small percentage of people who go from lot to lot are the sort of people who aren't worth the effort, anyway. But they still have to decide what type each particular person is. I usually play an ignorant buyer for a bit, make them think the sale is about to go through, then walk out unless they give me deal. Buying a car doesn’t happen often so when I do it, I don’t mind spending some time to get what I want. I don’t enjoy the process, it would be nice to just order it online, but since it’s not possible gotta play the game I guess.

reaperducer 4y ago

unless a lot of consumers cave at the dealership And, they will. It was explained to me by a advertising buyer at a big regional auto dealership chain that the reason that auto dealers try so hard to get you onto their lot first is that in the vast vast vast majority of cases, if someone shows up in person, they're going to buy one of your cars. It's just up to the salesperson to figure out which one. He said the very small percentage of people who go from lot to lot are the sort of people who aren't worth the effort, anyway. Which, coincidentally, sounds very much like how the tech industry dismisses "edge cases" and people who need customer service because they aren't efficient and don't "maximize shareholder value." A large part of selling cars is about the brand, the brand's social image, and what owning a car of a particular brand means to the owner. It's why there are so many brand-loyal car clubs. It's why you find debutantes who only want BMWs. It why you find Appalachian dirt farmer who say "I only buy Chevy." If someone wants a Cadillac, they'll pay the extra $1,500 and pretend it doesn't exist because it's just $25/month hidden in a five-year contract. Personally, I've owned all kinds of cars. More than once when considering a new car, my co-workers have offered their advice. No matter who it was, the advice was always rooted in the same kind of jingoistic tribalism that infects politics and is the basis of professional sports. My brand is better than someone else's brand. Facts be damned. Here's my wallet.

BeFlatXIII 4y ago
At least my parents and I are the kind of people who aren't worth a salesman's time. Means we can look around for longer without them bothering us.
rdtsc 4y ago
> He said the very small percentage of people who go from lot to lot are the sort of people who aren't worth the effort, anyway. But they still have to decide what type each particular person is. I usually play an ignorant buyer for a bit, make them think the sale is about to go through, then walk out unless they give me deal. Buying a car doesn’t happen often so when I do it, I don’t mind spending some time to get what I want. I don’t enjoy the process, it would be nice to just order it online, but since it’s not possible gotta play the game I guess.