BMW wipes out dealerships in Europe

[Westside Guy]

I also am "old school" and want the human touch.

You can usually tell within the first 5 minutes whether or not your salesperson is a jerk. Luckily I have a fabulous one at my Ft. Lauderdale dealership who always gives me a 110% effort and has saved me money, I know he's working on my behalf!

[RM7]

99.9% of people do not want to deal with sales people and put up with their bullshit.

Yes, they need a place to get the car fixed. That's it. It doesn't need to sell cars.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by ScullyD

When have you negotiated in the past 5-10 years for anything thats actually worth what its list price says? Cars worth buying have always gone for MSRP. Cars that get $10k discounts are actually worth even less than that $10k discount in the end.

The model of getting a discount on a car is gone, but hopefully that also leads to more products that people want to pay for/own as opposed to things dealers discount cause no one really wants.

There's always someone that claims they got a car for $10 with some Shakey's Pizza coupons because they negotiated. If the dealer/manufacturer can't move the cars, they will discount them. They will offer the rebates and discounts to attract sales. Supply and demand.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by RM7

99.9% of people do not want to deal with sales people and put up with their bullshit.

Yes, they need a place to get the car fixed. That's it. It doesn't need to sell cars.

I must be part of that .1%!

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by cheveux

What do you think?
Will this at least translate into lower prices?

Riiiiight. Just like moving G87 production to Mexico will result in lower M2 pricing. We all know that ain't happening (for other reasons as well of course). This is all about saving money and boosting profits - not for saving money for the end customer.

[nerdogray]

We'll be able to just hit up RetailMeNot and get promo codes for discounts when we check out. Codes like "steering wheel included at no additional charge" or "fourth wheel included when you get first three at regular price."

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by RM7

There's always someone that claims they got a car for $10 with some Shakey's Pizza coupons because they negotiated. If the dealer/manufacturer can't move the cars, they will discount them. They will offer the rebates and discounts to attract sales. Supply and demand.

If you tell someone you paid $140k for a car at MSRP, they will gasp even though the car is worth $180k on the secondary market.

Those are the same people that will be like "I got a car that MSRP was $65k but I only paid $55k, I am so smart". Even though that car is now worth like $45k when they left the lot.

[eliphil]

lets see if BMW gives us back the middle man discount or they get greedy and pocket it. I like going to a showroom and taking a test drive but if I can save thousands something to think about

[Mavus]

probably similar to Benz

https://www.slashgear.com/880356/the...-to-buy-a-car/

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

100% agree. The Tesla sales model does not scale to an operating vehicle fleet the size that the legacy domestic and foreign manufacturers have in the USA. Dealership are critical to the logistics of supporting the tens of millions of cars each manufacturer has on the roads.

It can and will be done just as easily by corporate owned shops.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Riiiiight. Just like moving G87 production to Mexico will result in lower M2 pricing. We all know that ain't happening (for other reasons as well of course). This is all about saving money and boosting profits - not for saving money for the end customer.

Probably won't save money, but will improve your experience. No more games, fees hidden until the last minute, fighting with F&I guy about bullshit add-ons, etc. Consistency will improve.

[itrocks4u]

I have yet to meet a sales rep who is knowledgeable enough to tell me more about the car than what I can find via Google search ams these forums.

Ordering online, with all sorts of options and being able to track it is all one needs.

[cheveux]

And when we have a used car to trade in when buying a new car? Who will give a used car valuation? How will this process work?

[M8Bimmer]

Originally Posted by cheveux

And when we have a used car to trade in when buying a new car? Who will give a used car valuation? How will this process work?

It will be like some companies do now. Just offer you the basic value sight unseen. I'm sure that will work in their favor as well right?
Let's face it what company(s) ever scue the benefits or saving towards the customer?
It's usually based on a grab for them with less for you.

[admg]

50/50 on this most of the local dealers are owned by terrible groups and anything that hurts them money is a good thing. Harry fairbairn are untrustworthy and owned by Arnold Clark so they can lost. Eastern... sales people in there are awful, too used to shifting 116d's and treating their customers like shit, wouldn't mind them losing out either. That all said sometimes it is better the devil you know...

[Germanauto]

the dealership sales model can go to hell. id only feel bad for the 5% of salesmen who aren't pricks.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

the dealership sales model can go to hell. id only feel bad for the 5% of salesmen who aren't pricks.

Thanks for your sentiment!

Random math would conclude there must be maybe 500, or more, of us out there.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by cheveux

And when we have a used car to trade in when buying a new car? Who will give a used car valuation? How will this process work?

The same way it works now. Except they won't be trying to screw you on both ends, just one. Think Carvana, CarMax, etc.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by cheveux

And when we have a used car to trade in when buying a new car? Who will give a used car valuation? How will this process work?

like trading in iphone

[ZL9M2]

Great news. I've always said.... just add a "purchase" button to the online configuration tool already in place.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by chris719

Probably won't save money, but will improve your experience. No more games, fees hidden until the last minute, fighting with F&I guy about bullshit add-ons, etc. Consistency will improve.

Eliminating the F&I criminal is definitely a HUGELY positive step. One screen with various stuff offered - extended maintenance/warranty with clear pricing, other accessory stuff - don't check the boxes, and you don't have to spend 20 minutes telling the F&I criminal in 27 different ways that you aren't buying his f'ing "desert protection package" for $2500.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Eliminating the F&I criminal is definitely a HUGELY positive step. One screen with various stuff offered - extended maintenance/warranty with clear pricing, other accessory stuff - don't check the boxes, and you don't have to spend 20 minutes telling the F&I criminal in 27 different ways that you aren't buying his f'ing "desert protection package" for $2500.