How about us guys in Canada? Our dollar has risen over 25% in the last year and we still have to pay way over what you guys pay at the dealer...it just does not make sense. I buy just about 100% of my parts in the US ; I would love to support the local guys but can't afford to! (besides that, our one and only local Porsche dealer here is one of the worse, don't get me started...).

Chers,

Mike

 

I learned the $hard$ way about the "local" dealer. Beautiful, new, dealership with "very attractive" employees, kind'a like the Nordstrom level of customer service. Always thought I was getting the "dealer list price" or whatever its called when I purchased parts there, less the 10% PCA "preferred customer" discount.
Priced brake pads with them; over $360. Called Sunset after following RL advice, price was more than $100 less! THAT'S A LOT OF BEER!
Talked to repair shops that have the same issues; i.e. they write estimates using the dealer list prices in their estimating software, and when they get the bill, its 10%-15% higher.
Obviously, our dealer has a serious "gouge" policy and the educated Porsche enthusiasts have learned to shop elsewhere when possible.

 

Yes, true. Another way they make it up is to move more parts. That's where the
internet sales come in.

 

volume does not always = profit.

I have worked for dealers that sold 150 cars per month, that were more profitable than those selling 800 cars per month. its about overhead.....keep expense down. sunset does well bringing in parts biz, but .................but.....the locals pay retail

I have also worked for a dealer that would just about beat any price on a new or used car, and then the buyer would pay the shipping...only thing that happens is......you LOOSE the service.....and help the dealer that did not get the sale. Service and parts, are the profit centers, so If a dealer is selling more cars out of there area, they are losing biz.......if I sell a car to a person that is 200 miles away, will I see them for service?...NO......will I ever see them for tires, brakes, etc..........NO......so what was gained?

Lets look at sunset....they sell all over the country for x 15% over...sure its found money, but....what about the locals?

Sorry all......I spent 20yrs in the retail auto biz, and for every story you have about the nasty car dealer, I have 100 about the customer, and believe me.... their are two sides to any bad dealer story.

 

Yesterday's quote from the local dealer for add-ons to my incoming TT:
Techart tailpipes $1749 installed
Sat radio not available as factory option $1625 (includes 5 hours labor)

 

Gee, how'd you know? Think across the big yellow bridge for better deals...

 

I think it would be interesting to know what percentage of the 993 owner population frequent Rennlist or sites like it...It's been said that the 993 board is the most active on Rennlist, but when you look at the people posting, it comes down to fewer than 100 of us doing most of the posting.

It may be that we Rennlisters have a skewed vision of the "Porsche world." Most who frequent this site do at least some of their own work and many do all but the most complicated. We keep each other informed regarding pricing of parts and where to buy them.

That's not necessarily the case with all Porsche owners and the result is an uninformed, if not unconcerned group of P-car owners out there paying a premium for parts and service. Consequently, the dealer network, and indy mechanic network for that matter, tend to charge what the market will bear (As they should...This is a free market economy, correct?).

Additionally, there are some tasks that, for me at least, are so odious that I'm willing to pay a dealer the going rate just to NOT have to do them myself...Changing the oil comes to mind...I have a dealer I trust that does this in about an hour and it's worth the price I pay not to have to spend half a day doing it and disposing of the waste. I suspect that to be the case for most of us, but it may not be.

The bottom line is that it's all a matter of one's perspective...One man's ripoff is another man's bargain.

Just MHO...

TMc

 

Perfect!
If I need a tooth pulled, I go to a dentist. I am sure I could yank my own tooth, cheaper, but I'll pay the dentist.

 

Really, a hundred stories of bad customers for every bad one bad dealer story?

Sounds like puffery to me.

Have you ever wondered why the paper work for purchasing a car is so complicated? Some of it is because the government has gotten involved because dealers have cheated customers. Dealers don't always lie and they do not always omit the truth or additional costs. You just have to ask. I just love it when they say that they do not know when they are going to get more o the model, they have to pay for them or finance either way it is a lot of money and they do not know when they need money to buy the ars? How long the flooring costs are going to run?

Service is still part of the "customer is stupid" school. My wife was treated like a moron by the writer. You want my business? treat me as a partner in maintaining the car, charge me a fair price, and don't change my license plate frames to the stealers.

Parts, be reasonable in the prices, not retail plus 20%.

When we bought the audi the stealer was good, but he knew we were in finance so we were not dicked around.

 

FGL

I agree with you (for rthe most part)

Phil

Your biased. Admit it. You use to work for a dealer...... Your opinion is watered at best.

 

My local BMW dealer is the same way. Ordered a ignition lock cylinder from the local dealer since it needed to be installed by a dealership to match the keys, parts order and service were separate transactions, paid for on separate invoices.

When I checked the part number w/ another BMW dealer w/ parts business online I found the prices were:

112.xx - price at my local dealer
85.xx - MSRP according to online dealer
66.xx - price if ordered through online dealer

A few months back I went to the local BMW dealer for Pentosin 11s and was charged $32 for a quart! On the invoice they said list price was over $40...yeah right! The local Porsche dealer charged $22 (IIRC) for 11s.

The next closest BMW dealer is about 75 mi. away, I would love to see another dealership come into the local area though I won't be buying another new BMW anytime soon.

 

Im one of those people who doesnt always shop on price. Availability, price, convienence, and meeting my expectations=value in my book.

Most companies cant survive on selling at 15% over cost. There is that wonderful thing called EBITA.

 

EBIDA...

 

I agree. But it's hard to swallow with some of the price differences i've seen. I don't always shop on price. But in the case of the brake handle. Don't need it right away so.....i'm sure Sunset will meet my expectation.

 

thanks