Salesperson Loyalty - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

M PHATIC · 3rd May 2001, 02:38

I bought my first new BMW last year (2000 Estoril Blue M Roadster). The salesperson from which I purchased the car is not only a client of mine, but my brother-in-laws second cousin. When I put down my deposit last month for an M5, I was told that I was 14th on "the list". I guess that equates to at least a 14 month wait. From perusing these threads, I understand that there are much shorter lists elsewhere. I was at the dealership today to ask "my" salesperson if there is anyway to purchase from another dealer with a shorter list, and still allow her to get the commision. She said NO. I am going to remain loyal to her, at the expense of a long wait. Any suggestions or comments are welcomed!

MKRocks · 3rd May 2001, 04:31

I got my Beast in 2 weeks after I called a broker at $6K over MSRP, which certainly beats the $20K over MSRP BMW of SF wanted.

If you want her to get the commission but want the Beast more quickly (and 14th on the wait list probably doesn't equal 14 months), perhaps you could estimate the commission, pay her directly, and get the Beast somewhere else. Though the total all in cost would be north of MSRP, the opportunity cost may offset the dollar delta and your conscience would be clear!

Kent_B · 3rd May 2001, 06:49

MKRocks,

Can you tell me about this broker you used? I'm beginning to get frustrated with my quest for an M5.

Please E-Mail me at kentsphone@yahoo.com

Thanks

Quote:

Originally posted by MKRocks:
I got my Beast in 2 weeks after I called a broker at $6K over MSRP, which certainly beats the $20K over MSRP BMW of SF wanted.

If you want her to get the commission but want the Beast more quickly (and 14th on the wait list probably doesn't equal 14 months), perhaps you could estimate the commission, pay her directly, and get the Beast somewhere else. Though the total all in cost would be north of MSRP, the opportunity cost may offset the dollar delta and your conscience would be clear!

Stallion M5 · 3rd May 2001, 07:16

I don't quite understand why anyone still would have to wait for an M5 these days. If you know where to look for (like myself) you should be able to locate one with the color of your choice and pay MSRP.

The only thing you need to add is the shipping cost which coast to coast with insurance should only cost $1,000.

Please don't support those ridiculous mark up games that dealers play. It's so ashamed that local dealerships are so greedy, I couldn't find any without paying $10,000 over. Do what I do, buy it from out of state, I don't have to pay sales tax..

just kidding. At least I don't have wait for 6 months or even 1 year for it.

By the way, if you need one right now.. please let me know. Any color you want, at MSRP... just give me a finder fee

much less than the mark up.

------------------
Adrian
01 M5 LeMans Blue - Silverstone/Extended Nappa Point/Heritage - Titanium Trim

brettcoon · 3rd May 2001, 07:45

I can understand wanting to be loyal to your dealer, but surely your dealer would understand why you don't want to wait. You should ask her how many M5's they move per month, which will give you a rough idea of the expected wait. A lot of people aren't ready to buy when their number comes up, or so I've heard, so that also makes 14 closer than you might think.

That said, loyalty should be two-sided. If the only thing she's offering is MSRP, and you can get that elsewhere, it doesn't seem like a fair deal to you.

As of this morning, Hassell BMW (1-516-223-6160) had a new M5 in stock at MSRP. I think it's Imola Red, dunno about the options. They're available if you want one soon, and you don't have to pay over sticker.

-Brett

firstbmw · 3rd May 2001, 15:10

M,
I have been thinking about this and keep coming back to the same conclusion. You say she is a client so if the shoe were on the other foot, would you expect her to wait 14 months for a product/service you had to offer that she could get somewhere else much sooner? Long term, if you are intend to buy more BMW's, from her, she really hasn't missed out on much plus her customer is happy..FWIW
Oh, side note. I am now "scheduled for production or in production" as of this am. HAPPY DAY!!

Matthias · 3rd May 2001, 15:23

Hi.

Just a question.
How long do you have to wait after your order? In germany I´ve waited 6 or 7 weeks i guess (don´t know exactly).

This is what I get :-) http://www.mb-1.de/Bilder/M5_1.jpg

Greetings
Matthias

[This message has been edited by Matthias (edited 03 May 2001).]

Stallion M5 · 3rd May 2001, 17:32

During my new car purchase experience at the dealers in the past, I only encountered 2 (two) sales associates who are sincerely nice, polite, professional and very knowledgable. The rest are just looking at us as $$$$$.

The salesperson will have nothing to lose to tell you to wait and buy from her but think about all the time that you will lose just because you want to be "loyal"?

Don't shoot yourself in the foot here, you gotta move on with your life and get what you can get, while you can.

That's my opinion...

------------------
Adrian
01 M5 LeMans Blue - Silverstone/Extended Nappa Point/Heritage - Titanium Trim

Fury · 3rd May 2001, 18:15

Call dealers yourself. I got my 01 M5, No wait at MSRP.. Good Luck.,F the salesperson

Scotty · 3rd May 2001, 19:35

M,
I admire your sense of "loyalty," but must agree with others here that in this case it really doesn't apply. It would be silly to expect you to go with #14 when other allocations can be had at MSRP with no wait. And consider this: definitely a long shot, but given your 1 car per month allocation estimate, your order would come at the end of the 2002 production run. What if that's the end of E39 M5's? Get pushed back a couple months (it happened to me) and you're out of a car entirely.
My vote is to take the business elsewhere. If the salesperson is the least bit rational, she'll understand.

Scott

Fury · 3rd May 2001, 22:55

Check this out: http://www.bmwm5.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/004286.html

greg · 3rd May 2001, 23:04

I think "salesperson loyalty" must be one of the great oxymorons of all time - right up there with

Jumbo Shrimp
Military Intelligence
and Microsoft Excel

blue max · 4th May 2001, 00:44

I say loyalty is for pets.

#14 on a waiting list for an '01 M5 is for people who don't know better. You can place an order today & have a car within 4-6 weeks.
Not to mention all the '01's sitting in showrooms due to cancelled orders.

Do you want the car now or not?

sounds like a salesperson right?

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[This message has been edited by blue max (edited 03 May 2001).]