- Joined
- Oct 12, 2016
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- Westchester, NY
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- JLU Sahara
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- #46
They might not be in a hurry--particularly if they have JKs to still move.
Dealerships--and I say this matter of factly--not condescendingly--are seeking to "capture the market."
Perhaps an example of "capturing the market" is owed:
Nike comes out with their greatest design of basketball sneaker. It's a collaborative effort that the finest of the game's places are getting huge sums to endorse. It costs Nike, say, $74 dollars a pair to produce, and is introduced to the market at a suggested retail price of $332.
...and some buy it. They want it that bad, or they have the money, etc. Most don't. In time the sneaker comes down in price as newer models dethrone it. In a year it's at $157--still a handsome profit for Nike.
This model maximizes profit. The item isn't sold at one high price at which few buyers nibble, even though many people would buy it for less at what is still a substantial profit to Nike. Nor is it initially offered at $157, losing profit on all those who would have gone as high as $332 initially.
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The internet and the reduced cost of transportation in inflation adjusted dollars, particularly airline travel, have been paradigm shifters for the purpose of buying a new car. The internet makes competition among dealers far greater than the 1 hour driving distance of dealers our parents used, along with their telephone. It also allows people to do a lot of research on features, capabilities, and price before ever stepping into the showroom, where many salespeople have become glorified waiters and waitresses (no offense to them intended) for merely filling in the order form of the educated consumer.
Shopping around boils down to the cost savings of dealing with a dealer miles away, in terms of the cost of getting there, and driving home, and the time involved.
Of course this isn't the model for all of us. Some feel strongly about buying locally. Some feel strongly about relationships--nice salespeople--being educated by the salesperson. And that's all good. But such things come at a price.
Many of us here though know more than anyone at the dealership, where some salesperson who has been there 3 months, and will leave in 3 months, and can barely pick out a Wrangler from a Cherokee, presents a fool's paradise to those who feel that they are establishing a relationship with a dealer.
The internet has allowed the consumer the right to shop around for the best price in some parts too. It's bad enough that some gear must be purchased only from a dealer (who enjoys monopsonistic--a supplier of one) power over the consumer. Internet competition at least has helped to level the playing field by allowing me to buy the same part from a dealer in the middle of nowhere U.S., and including shipping, send it to me at much less cost that I'd incur visiting the local dealer.
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