Should I Cancel My Order

[usmcjlp]

I live near a major metro area. All my local dealers either have long waiting lists or are selling well above MSRP. I placed an order with a dealer who told me he had allocation remaining. I have been sitting at 1100 for about 3 months. I know others have been waiting much longer.

The reason I ask is that I recently went on a business trip to a rural area. On a whim, I went by the chevy dealership. They had 3 camaros on the lot! Two were already sold, but the third wasn't. It was a 2SS, orange with the orange interior, sunroof, gfx and stripes. The gfx and stripes had not been installed yet. The car only had 34 miles on it. They actually let me drive it!

In my area, I have yet to see a Camaro on the road. Most dealers won't let you sit in a vehicle, much less drive it. This dealership told me they had delivered 17 already. They showed me a customer's car in their body shop that was getting the GFX installed. It had already been supercharged, full headers, exhaust, tune, and painted stripes. During my week in this small town, I saw over a dozen Camaros on the road.

When I spoke to the small town dealer he said he could get me a car in 8 weeks. My local dealer has been telling me for weeks that I am next in line.

Should I cancel my local order and order from this dealer in a small town about 7 hours away? It seems from my brief time there, that they have much more availability. Does anyone know if certain areas are getting more vehicles?

Also I am seeing TPWs as late as end of August on this forum. Does that mean if my order were picked up next week it would be a September TPW?

[R1Ecko]

Why not just have an order at both? Your not obligated to purchase either car so go with whichever comes in first. I'm sure the other dealer would love to have one on the lot regardless. And yes some areas recieve more but only because the dealerships there earn more cars through their sales volume.

[Mark A Collier Sr]

MSRP, Less? I want the car I ordered. If you can live with whatever the dealer has on the lot... no one can make that call but you. I will tell you that if I found a camaro like I ordered for less, I would get it. Otherwise I would wait for the one I ordered and be the only driver!

[usmcjlp]

You misunderstand. I would not buy the car on the lot. I would place an order for the exact vehicle I wanted. Price is msrp minus USAA discount. I would be required to give a deposit of $1000. The test drive was awesome by the way.

My concern is that my local dealer is stringing me along. Would I get the vehicle faster by changing dealerships? That's the real question. Plus the small town dealership had a much better attitude than my local guy.

[67 Convertible]

The problem is that you've been at 1100 for 3 months, which means your dealer hasn't been completely truthful with you. He may have allocations coming, but it's obvious that he doesn't have allocation for your order yet. It may be next week, or you may be waiting another 3 months for the allocation for your order. Your dealer knows exactly when he will get allocation for your order......ask him when, and to be upfront and honest with you, then make your decision from that information. If he had allocation for you on the day you ordered, you would have been at 3000 within 10 days or so, and had your Camaro by now.

[usmcjlp]

That's what I thought and why I think I should change dealers. I just wanted to get other members thoughts.

[dieautobot]

i completely feel your pain. i've been going over and over the same discussion in my head. i often thought it would be "snarky, unfair, or a jerk" to have several car orders floating around town, just so i wouldn't get held up by an allocation issue. as long as your deposit is refundible, make the dealers work for you. no harm no foul. the winning dealer gets your money and another camaro allocation, and the losing dealer gets another camaro coming in from your order. win/win

but i agree, nothing is like ordering the car you wanted. i've been kicking myself for not jumping on a camaro that was available, but not what i ordered. i have since decided to be patient and give my dealer a chance. i've only been waiting about 8 weeks.

[Camaromom3]

I sat at 1100 for about 8 wks, my allocation must have come up because I moved to 3000 on 7-23.

I'd ask the dealer you ordered from exactly when he'll get your allocation, then you can kinda judge from there when the car will come in.

[Mark A Collier Sr]

Originally Posted by usmcjlp

You misunderstand. I would not buy the car on the lot. I would place an order for the exact vehicle I wanted. Price is msrp minus USAA discount. I would be required to give a deposit of $1000. The test drive was awesome by the way.

My concern is that my local dealer is stringing me along. Would I get the vehicle faster by changing dealerships? That's the real question. Plus the small town dealership had a much better attitude than my local guy.

Marine, (Retired Army here)

If the dealer near you is stringing you along, you can go to the public affairs office or JAG to form a complaint. Make sure you let them (dealer) know you are willing to take it to the next level before you go. If they are near a base... they NEED your business and do not want to be on the prohibited list that the local command puts out. Talk to your Sr NonComs... they will help!
You can bet that if they are stringing you along... stuff will happen!

[usmcjlp]

My fear is that my order may be picked up next week if I keep my current order and I would start the process all over by switching.

But my local dealer has sold some over msrp. I wonder if my order keeps sliding because others are willing to pay more.

[Mark A Collier Sr]

Oh.. join my military Camaro club. You can see it on my page.
There are alot of CSM, 1SG and LOTs of other ranks willing to help out to!

[usmcjlp]

Originally Posted by Mark A Collier Sr

Marine, (Retired Army here)

If the dealer near you is stringing you along, you can go to the public affairs office or JAG to form a complaint. Make sure you let them (dealer) know you are willing to take it to the next level before you go. If they are near a base... they NEED your business and do not want to be on the prohibited list that the local command puts out. Talk to your Sr NonComs... they will help!
You can bet that if they are stringing you along... stuff will happen!

Thank you for the concern. The dealer hasn't done anything illegal. He has honored the price and terms of the deal. He just hasn't gotten the vehicle yet. If they change terms when the vehicle comes in I'll raise a stink. I'm the one that is impatient to get the vehicle.

[WayneE]

Originally Posted by usmcjlp

My fear is that my order may be picked up next week if I keep my current order and I would start the process all over by switching.

But my local dealer has sold some over msrp. I wonder if my order keeps sliding because others are willing to pay more.

Don't overpay for the car. It won't be long that cars will be in dealer's inventory and selling for LESS THAN MSRP. Here are some of the cheapest cars across the auctions so far:

V6:

07/14/09 FAAO Regular $27,700 394 Below RED 6G A No

V8:

07/23/09 W PALM Regular $38,600 300 Below Red 8CY A Yes
07/01/09 KC Regular $37,000 86 Below RED 8G 6 No

[Bleueyes3334]

Originally Posted by Mark A Collier Sr

Marine, (Retired Army here)

If the dealer near you is stringing you along, you can go to the public affairs office or JAG to form a complaint. Make sure you let them (dealer) know you are willing to take it to the next level before you go. If they are near a base... they NEED your business and do not want to be on the prohibited list that the local command puts out. Talk to your Sr NonComs... they will help!
You can bet that if they are stringing you along... stuff will happen!

I agree with that, but first go to the dealership and ask to speak with the General manager. Be nice, but firm. If you don't get the answers you want, then go with the other dealership. The 'Good Attitude Dealerships" that I have seen / heard of, are members of this forum and have more information to share abotu ordering, tracking and so on...

My car was sitting in SC for a couple of days so I went in and spoke with the General Manager, he picked up the phone, made a call and WHALLA...my car was there that afternoon.