Dodge News: Dealers Find A Way Around Dodge's Demon Deterrent

[William Maley]

It is a story we have all heard time and time again. A limited-run model is announced by an automaker and certain dealerships take advantage of this by marking up the price. Dodge had come up with a clever solution to prevent dealers from doing this with the upcoming Challenger SRT Demon by pushing their orders to the back of the line if they decide to mark up the price. But never underestimate dealers to find a way around this.

Automotive News reports that various dealers are using intermediaries on eBay to auction off the right to purchase one of their allocated Demons. Last week, eBay had auctions by intermediaries that represent dealers in Louisana, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The minimum bid to have the privilege of later paying sticker ranged $10,000 to $22,500. Completed auctions showed buyers were willing to pay $20,000 to $75,000 over sticker price. It should be noted that eBay doesn't indicate whether or not the transactions were carried out or not.

An intermediate that was contacted by Automotive News said that he had an outside relationship with the dealer and that "there will be somebody directly from the dealership contacting the winning bidder prior to any money being exchanged so that the deal is understood from both sides."

A source at FCA tells the publication the company is "monitoring" dealer actions, but there is little they can do about this.

Some dealers it should be noted are trying to reach a moral comprise of sorts. Bill Marsh Chrysler in Traverse City is auctioning off the right to buy their Demon to existing customers. The amount will be donated to four local charities. The Demon itself will be sold for $1 under the sticker price.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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[surreal1272]

And this why I will never buy another new car from a dealer, if I can help it. They are proven cheats who don't give two $h!s about the product. All they care about is a buck and then more bucks when they can screw over people. Tesla was right and dealers are obsolete in this day and age (no offense to anyone who works in the industry and is actually honest btw) and they are only hastening their demise with tactics like these. 

 

Sorry about that. Rant over.

[David]

52 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

And this why I will never buy another new car from a dealer, if I can help it. They are proven cheats who don't give two $h!s about the product. All they care about is a buck and then more bucks when they can screw over people. Tesla was right and dealers are obsolete in this day and age (no offense to anyone who works in the industry and is actually honest btw) and they are only hastening their demise with tactics like these. 

 

Sorry about that. Rant over.

No DO NOT be Sorry!

I totally agree, this BS is why Dealerships suck and I am very clear and direct when I go to help family, friends and my own kids buy auto's. No need to deceptive BS in today's auto buying.

ATTENTION DEALERSHIPS: You want Respect, You want Money, Then compete on Price, Service and Professionalism. Otherwise, let the dealerships fail and let the OEMs sell direct.

No reason to not have set clear pricing that Costco, Sams Club or the OEM can do.

[smk4565]

I agree about dealerships.  I wish the car maker could just sell factory direct.  We should be able to buy a car online for dealer invoice or for whatever price the manufacturer decides to charge.  Then the dealer would have to provide great service if someone can just buy it online.  It should be no different than any other retail product.

[FAPTurbo]

BUT IF DEALERSHIPS ARE GONE THEN WHO WILL HIRE THE PEOPLE WITH GED'S?!?!

[riviera74]

9 hours ago, smk4565 said:

I agree about dealerships.  I wish the car maker could just sell factory direct.  We should be able to buy a car online for dealer invoice or for whatever price the manufacturer decides to charge.  Then the dealer would have to provide great service if someone can just buy it online.  It should be no different than any other retail product.

Tell that to your state legislature.  They are the ones who wrote all those agency shop laws that protect dealers from manufacturers.

[daves87rs]

Still just sad....