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Dude, where did all the dealerships go?

657 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 11:37 AM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires

What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Automotive News, Legislation


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#391 of 657
Re: It's just a product, not collector art. [mako1a] by euphonium
Apr 02, 2009 (7:57 am)
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Replying to: mako1a (Apr 02, 2009 7:49 am)

Sears tried selling cars that Wallymart way . They were rebadged Henry J's labeled Allstate. That idea failed then and would not survive today.
#393 of 657
Model years could be a problem by mako1a
Apr 02, 2009 (8:18 am)
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Manufacturers put model years on their own product essentially labeling them with an expiration date. Obviously some form of year is needed for value, insurance etc, but it also makes them devalue when not sold quickly. Just a thought...Kubota makes tractors, but doesn't put a model year on them until they sell. Sale date becomes model year.
#394 of 657
Re: It's just a product, not collector art. [euphonium] by nippononly
Apr 02, 2009 (8:36 am)
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Replying to: euphonium (Apr 02, 2009 7:57 am)

Isn't there a serious proposal on the table for WalMart to begin selling some Chinese car in a couple of years? They are trying to work out the details.
 
But do we want all dealerships to go away? They are the only vendors of CPO cars. They are the only providers of warranty work on new cars (not sure how the WalMart proposal for Chinese cars is going to work for warranty work - will they set up mechanics' shops at WalMart stores?). They are much more numerous than WalMart stores, so the number of different things they support in their communities is much higher, and the types more diverse. The dealership pay scale is much better, and full-time employment is much more prevalent than at WalMart, so dealerships provide better job opportunities for their communities too.
 
These are good businesses to have in general, even the corporate giants, and let's not forget what a high percentage are small family businesses. No way the average family is going to be able to find the capital to open up a WalMart.
 
Edit...since domestic-branded dealers are taking the brunt of this, let's make this real: you really think there is a potential in future for buying Fords, Chevys, and Dodges at department stores? I can't see these automakers going for this even if they lose a large portion of their dealer networks.
#395 of 657
Re: It's just a product, not collector art. [nippononly] by steve_ HOST
Apr 02, 2009 (8:51 am)
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Replying to: nippononly (Apr 02, 2009 8:36 am)

The way current state laws work, Wal-Mart would have to become an auto dealer in those states where it decided to sell cars. Some states require stand-alone facilities I think (easy enough to put up a portable building in the parking lot I suppose). And some Wal-Marts already have tire shops with lifts and mechanics. And there's likely a host of other laws and regulations in force to protect the status quo.
 
"Former New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister has temporarily closed most of his south Jackson car dealership to determine the future of the enterprise. And time is short.
 
"We are trying to work through and figure out what is the best solution for this whole process," McAllister said Wednesday at Deuce McAllister Nissan of Jackson.
 
Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp., the automaker's financing arm, filed a civil suit in February alleging Deuce McAllister Nissan owes nearly $7 million - with about $5.7 million listed as vehicles on the lot, court documents show. The dealership filed for bankruptcy in March to reorganize and halt Nissan's efforts to repossess the vehicles."
 
McAllister's dealership's future in doubt (ClarionLedger)
#396 of 657
Re: It's just a product, not collector art. [nippononly] by mako1a
Apr 02, 2009 (8:56 am)
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Replying to: nippononly (Apr 02, 2009 8:36 am)

Then I'll buy from private owners until that market dries up. After that I'll go to the local auto recovery (junk yard) and cobble up my own fordillac with toyolet trim. Sounds silly, but that is exactly how fed up I am with the present state of car dealers. I refuse to buy from a person whose job 1 is to make me overpay for a product in oversupply.
#397 of 657
Re: It's just a product, not collector art. [nippononly] by lemko
Apr 02, 2009 (9:04 am)
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Replying to: nippononly (Apr 02, 2009 8:36 am)

Wal~Mart mechanics and Chinese cars? Sounds like a recipe for disaster!!!
#398 of 657
Re: It's just a product, not collector art. [lemko] by mako1a
Apr 02, 2009 (9:28 am)
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Replying to: lemko (Apr 02, 2009 9:04 am)

A disaster is signing a contract to pay $30 k for a product worth maybe $15 k a block from where you picked it up.
 
Do you know how many people out there would love to sell their present vehicle but can't because they owe more than it's worth? Walking away from mortgages has become driving away from car payments (until repo man gets there).
 
Overpricing combined with super fast devaluation is the real disaster.
#399 of 657
Everybody's mileage... by plan_man
Apr 02, 2009 (9:45 am)
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seems to vary greatly!
 
I'm about to fill out the CSI for Livermore Audi, and frankly I'm going to give them pretty high marks. I gave Stoneridge Chrysler near top scores for each of the four purchases we made there back in the day too.
 
Brick and mortars aren't going away, and they won't be nationalized either. I can't see mfr's wanting to run that business either.
 
This is a shakeout. Buyers are more scarce and aren't interested in also-ran product right now. Those stands who had weak ledgers before are going close now, and possible ditto for those who had good finances prior but are saddled with less popular product now.
 
I really don't see this changing the process like a bolt of lightning or something. Americans routinely abandon real value for perceived bargain, hence the need to negotiate to feel better about their purchase. Years ago when I was a buyer for Macy's, we tried a highly supported move to bargain price Revereware. Basically we took our sale price and made it our everyday price. For the season (half-year) sales dropped 38 or 39% as I recall. So we went back to sale rotation where we marked them up 60 points and then sold them for 50% off 50% of the time. Major increases at the same price point, and you still had to wait for the sale events.
 
The average consumer isn't all that bright, but would like to think he is...

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