Why is discount now so taboo?

[WelshGas]

NO DISCOUNTS!!!

QUOTE:
"Retail Price Maintenance in the EU
PUBLISHED
OCT 12 2020

A classic price-fixing arrangement typically takes the form of a cartel, i.e. a price fixing arrangement between competitors. Price fixing is also prohibited for companies in a vertical relationship (active at different levels of the supply chain such as a manufacturer and a retailer).

In a vertical relationship, the practice is known as Retail Price Maintenance (‘RPM’). A manufacturer or supplier is prohibited from restricting the ability of a retailer to determine its own resale price, such as imposing minimum or fixed prices. The EU Vertical Restraints Block Exemption Regulation classifies such restriction as hardcore.

EU competition law prohibits both direct and indirect forms of RPM. Examples of indirect forms of RPM include: fixing margins, setting a maximum discount, requiring that retailers obtain the manufacturers' consent to revise their prices, intimidation, the use of price reporting and monitoring systems putting pressure on retailers to deter discounting, warnings and similar practices. Importantly, EU competition law does allow recommended and maximum resale prices (the latter act as a ceiling for prices, thereby benefit consumers).

There are two examples of recent enforcement action in relation to RMP. In July 2018, the Commission fined four consumer electronics companies €111 million in July 2018. The companies had allegedly restricted online retailers from deciding on the price of their products by using pricing algorithms. The Commission also fined a fashion manufacturer €40 million in December 2018, who, among other unfair practices, had restricted retailers to independently decide on the price of Guess products".

But, oh, we're not part of the EU any more!!

But all EU laws/regulations were written into UK Law , and very few, if any, have yet been re-written or repealed.

 

[two-saabs]

Hi everyone- A newby from Sheffield looking to take the plunge and order a new Ocean after many years of deliberation.

Just checking in with the group as I know it can be a very sensitive topic of ‘what is a reasonable dealer discount’, especially where members are now owners or deals in tow and no one wants to feel like they could have driven a better deal

I have spoken to a couple of dealers who all seem very cagey about ’Doing a Deal’.
Pre covid I would here never paid full price for a significant purchase and would have always expected the dealer to split the mark up with me. No problem and always obtained a mutually agreeable deal. However since COVID and protracted deliveries it seems like discount has become a dirty word. Appreciating that supply and demand is always a significant factor. Surely it’s not unreasonable to obtain a discount as the world adapts.

I see the site Autoebid is indicated potential 9% savings- sounds a tad ambitious however surely some where in the 5 to 8% range is workable.


I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has managed to agree ‘a deal’ on their order.
Looks like my spec build up totals £84k - ouch! There must still be some significant margin in that for the dealer. Let me know.

I also am being told 10 to 14 months on delivery. I guess we now just need to adapt to becoming very patient.

Andrew.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey bud, I’m in Switzerland so bit of a different market in some ways, but then same supplier and same high demand.

We got 2.5% discount from our local VW dealer, and was told there isn’t as much in a California as you’d expect (believe that or not, I chose to believe).

For me everything considered it was worth going for. Considering the great service we have been receiving, a very fair trade in price for the car we had, and the price protection.

I ordered in August 2021, received our Beach in June 2022, and it worked out better than I expected. The price went up 12% from now until then and we didn’t pay any extra, then the delay on the order meant we used our old car for 6 months longer adding 10,000 km more, which we didn’t get any less for.

So I was happy at the start, and even happier with everything now.

To keep the price at a point I was comfortable with, I didn’t go for 4wd or the top engine. I still added a chunk of good stuff to make it just how I wanted.

Last point ignore anything with the beach vs ocean discussion when it comes to price, it’s a different market in Switzerland, they cost about the same and you can add whatever you like to the Beach.

 

[couplands]

There seems to be a huge assumption that demand for Cali’s is inelastic. I wouldn’t necessarily assume this will be the case.

I think as/when a viable electric Cali appears, the diesel versions will start to tail off in demand. At least thats what I would buy if they ever become available.

 

[edzt]

Try Swansway at Liverpool and Preston, use dtd as leverage.

I tried that at Preston, good dealer but could only offer 3%, DtD won.
If its close, consider the pickup costs.
In my case a 590 mile round trip

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[Stoo24]

Happy to recommend Autoebid. Great communication, even with no comms coming from VW they at least kept chasing the dealer and gave reassurance that the order was in-hand. Van supplied via listers at Droitwich and all ok, including decent comms from them too. A long trip on 3 trains to collect but I’d have travelled further for the discount on offer. My local dealer wasn’t even interested in taking an order. I didn’t even get to the discount discussion. I see the merit in trying to support a local dealer but mine didn’t try. I had the comfort of owning a Sharan DSG with 50k trouble free miles and also my father is a retired mechanic with many good contacts so knew these motors were generally pretty reliable and if I have any warranty issues I’ll be going in armed with some knowledge. I only waited 8 months for my Coast and see one or two low mileage examples of same or lower spec on sale for £13k more than I paid.

 

[JoniF64]

I took delivery of my new Ocean on Friday after placing my order late September 21. I went through ‘Drive the Deal’ who were great in securing an 8% discount. Had to travel Eurovan in Crawley to collect, and again they (Ben) were spot on and even honoured the agreed initial price, despite all the price increase hype last year. I would definitely recommend using DTT and Eurovan. I’m loving my new bus, it’s just perfect, just wish I’d ordered two!

 

[66tim99]

I took delivery of my new Ocean on Friday after placing my order late September 21. I went through ‘Drive the Deal’ who were great in securing an 8% discount. Had to travel Eurovan in Crawley to collect, and again they (Ben) were spot on and even honoured the agreed initial price, despite all the price increase hype last year. I would definitely recommend using DTT and Eurovan. I’m loving my new bus, it’s just perfect, just wish I’d ordered two!

Congratulations!
Great to hear Ben is still delivering a good service.
To answer your last point - I said something similar when I went to pick up, and Ben told me in no uncertain terms that they would have cancelled one order, unless I could prove I was buying them for a business (rental I guess), to avoid people 'jumping the queue' and profiteering.

 

[Andrewdiverman101]

I got a good quote from DTD, and shopped it around a bit, Breeze Poole beat it, and have a good reputation, so went with them. Nearly 9% discount.

Thanks - Poole is a long way from me, but good to hear that people are still doing a deal.

 

[Andrewdiverman101]

As per Shuftie, DTD quoted just short of 9% in June '22 and Breeze matched. We ordered before the end of June on VW finance deal/2 services with Breeze, no dramas. Andrew, good luck in your search.

Thanks HONESTVIKING -Great to hear.

 

[couplands]

Thanks - Poole is a long way from me, but good to hear that people are still doing a deal.

I went with a (more) local dealer, hoping service would be better. However, hearing the great service given by Poole (and also SMG Tonbridge) I think I would have been better travelling from the Peak District...!

 

[JoniF64]

Congratulations!
Great to hear Ben is still delivering a good service.
To answer your last point - I said something similar when I went to pick up, and Ben told me in no uncertain terms that they would have cancelled one order, unless I could prove I was buying them for a business (rental I guess), to avoid people 'jumping the queue' and profiteering.

Thanks 66tim99: planning our first night away this weekend and then Cornwall and Goodwood revival in September. That's really encouraging that dealers are being responsible to stop profiteering, good hear.

 

[RobertBARKER1]

I have been told that the future sales strategy on vehicles sales will be no discount, like Testla and iPhones. Perhaps someone can confirm, can you get a discount off a Tesla?

with Tesla the price you see is what you pay (online ) . No bargaining at all. Volvo electric cars are the same now. Apparently all Volvo cars are going to that format!

 

[Applecross]

I have been told that the future sales strategy on vehicles sales will be no discount, like Testla and iPhones. Perhaps someone can confirm, can you get a discount off a Tesla?

I was told by Eurovans that orders for the ID Buzz will have no discounts, hence why the vehicle is not available via DtD.

 

[Stevemorris64]

Hi everyone- A newby from Sheffield looking to take the plunge and order a new Ocean after many years of deliberation.

Just checking in with the group as I know it can be a very sensitive topic of ‘what is a reasonable dealer discount’, especially where members are now owners or deals in tow and no one wants to feel like they could have driven a better deal

I have spoken to a couple of dealers who all seem very cagey about ’Doing a Deal’.
Pre covid I would here never paid full price for a significant purchase and would have always expected the dealer to split the mark up with me. No problem and always obtained a mutually agreeable deal. However since COVID and protracted deliveries it seems like discount has become a dirty word. Appreciating that supply and demand is always a significant factor. Surely it’s not unreasonable to obtain a discount as the world adapts.

I see the site Autoebid is indicated potential 9% savings- sounds a tad ambitious however surely some where in the 5 to 8% range is workable.


I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has managed to agree ‘a deal’ on their order.
Looks like my spec build up totals £84k - ouch! There must still be some significant margin in that for the dealer. Let me know.

I also am being told 10 to 14 months on delivery. I guess we now just need to adapt to becoming very patient.

Andrew.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I got a great discount going through drive the deal

 

[Jay586]

It's harder to get a discount on any car. For all the reasons described above.

The prices are all on the Internet, so dealers have far more information, as do customers.

Depends if you want to travel, I live in a rural area with an elderly demographic. Local dealers take advantage of that, whilst the main dealers (eg. Rybrook, particularly in their blurb) use dynamic pricing & advertise picking up the vehicle as a short break opportunity.

I didn't get a discount at all but I picked up a cancellation that had my preferred spec in a shorter wait time, so very happy.

 

[Parkinjm]

But all EU laws/regulations were written into UK Law , and very few, if any, have yet been re-written or repealed.

That’s certainly the case at the moment but both the wannabes are claiming that they’ll have a bonfire of the regulations. I suspect that consumer protection is unlikely to benefit from the fire.

 

[WelshGas]

That’s certainly the case at the moment but both the wannabes are claiming that they’ll have a bonfire of the regulations. I suspect that consumer protection is unlikely to benefit from the fire.

Maybe. Could be improved. Who knows? No one at the moment.

 

[Parkinjm]

Maybe. Could be improved. Who knows? No one at the moment.

No one knows, just don’t hold your breath!

 

[WelshGas]

No one knows, just don’t hold your breath!

So you don't expect the Consumer Protection regulations/Laws to change in the foreseeable future. I'll keep on breathing then.

 

[BlakeyA]

Hi everyone- A newby from Sheffield looking to take the plunge and order a new Ocean after many years of deliberation.

Just checking in with the group as I know it can be a very sensitive topic of ‘what is a reasonable dealer discount’, especially where members are now owners or deals in tow and no one wants to feel like they could have driven a better deal

I have spoken to a couple of dealers who all seem very cagey about ’Doing a Deal’.
Pre covid I would here never paid full price for a significant purchase and would have always expected the dealer to split the mark up with me. No problem and always obtained a mutually agreeable deal. However since COVID and protracted deliveries it seems like discount has become a dirty word. Appreciating that supply and demand is always a significant factor. Surely it’s not unreasonable to obtain a discount as the world adapts.

I see the site Autoebid is indicated potential 9% savings- sounds a tad ambitious however surely some where in the 5 to 8% range is workable.


I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has managed to agree ‘a deal’ on their order.
Looks like my spec build up totals £84k - ouch! There must still be some significant margin in that for the dealer. Let me know.

I also am being told 10 to 14 months on delivery. I guess we now just need to adapt to becoming very patient.

Andrew.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Speak to Matt Weller at SMG Tonbridge, he will tell you exactly what he can do, matched everyone for me ( bar £30 lol) . Completely up front and a massively popular guy to buy from….

 

[edocali]

We bought our California Ocean using drivethedeal (VW Eurovans). Excellent service.
More difficult to find a good VW commercial garage for services near us. Nearest decent one is Breeze Poole , 3 hrs drive away.
Recent bought my new 2022 t-roc through drive the deal. No VW garage could match the discount..

 

[PhilR]

It's harder to get a discount on any car. For all the reasons described above.

The prices are all on the Internet, so dealers have far more information, as do customers.

Depends if you want to travel, I live in a rural area with an elderly demographic. Local dealers take advantage of that, whilst the main dealers (eg. Rybrook, particularly in their blurb) use dynamic pricing & advertise picking up the vehicle as a short break opportunity.

I didn't get a discount at all but I picked up a cancellation that had my preferred spec in a shorter wait time, so very happy.

Yep. Been like that for a while now though. We originally ordered in September 2020 and discounts varied wildly from 0% to 10%. You just have to shop around, use brokers and be prepared to travel. Travelling not really an issue when you’re saving £1,000’s.
Agree that the wait for a new Cali isn’t ideal but worth it surely - the used prices are crazy compared to a new one with the (achievable) discount you’ll find.
Go for it as soon as you can would be my advice. We didn’t do that and regretted it. We’re finally looking at delivery around October but it’s been a long wait. We’ve had plenty of time to plan additions and upgrades though!

 

[Geoff York]

Hi everyone- A newby from Sheffield looking to take the plunge and order a new Ocean after many years of deliberation.

Just checking in with the group as I know it can be a very sensitive topic of ‘what is a reasonable dealer discount’, especially where members are now owners or deals in tow and no one wants to feel like they could have driven a better deal

I have spoken to a couple of dealers who all seem very cagey about ’Doing a Deal’.
Pre covid I would here never paid full price for a significant purchase and would have always expected the dealer to split the mark up with me. No problem and always obtained a mutually agreeable deal. However since COVID and protracted deliveries it seems like discount has become a dirty word. Appreciating that supply and demand is always a significant factor. Surely it’s not unreasonable to obtain a discount as the world adapts.

I see the site Autoebid is indicated potential 9% savings- sounds a tad ambitious however surely some where in the 5 to 8% range is workable.


I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has managed to agree ‘a deal’ on their order.
Looks like my spec build up totals £84k - ouch! There must still be some significant margin in that for the dealer. Let me know.

I also am being told 10 to 14 months on delivery. I guess we now just need to adapt to becoming very patient.

Andrew.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Drive the deal
Unbeatable for service and discounts
Just saved £9k on our new van
Nice people to deal with and super efficient
Partner neither very large vw commercial dealer group in the south see jcb group z( not the digger company)

 

[Parkinjm]

So you don't expect the Consumer Protection regulations/Laws to change in the foreseeable future. I'll keep on breathing then.

I’ll treat any utterances with the same credibility as gave to the promise 4 years ago that energy prices would fall after Brexit. NB 2021-22 U.K. + 212%, EU + 41%. Sorry if I appear skeptical.

 

[WelshGas]

I’ll treat any utterances with the same credibility as gave to the promise 4 years ago that energy prices would fall after Brexit. NB 2021-22 U.K. + 212%, EU + 41%. Sorry if I appear skeptical.

And since then all has been wonderful. Oh, I forgot 2 yrs of a worldwide pandemic and a war in Europe and various European countries dependent on Russian gas wondering how they will cope.
No one foresaw any of that 4 yrs ago. Or did you?