This article is part of the GM Authority Mailbag series, where the GM Authority Crew features and replies to your questions, comments, and observations.
The following comes to us from GM Authority reader William:
I have an issue that’s gnaw’n at me. We all know that there were approximately 900 dealerships chosen to sell the new 2014 Corvette. However, we as the ordering public don’t know who they are. Any dealership can claim they were one of the chosen ones. How can we distinguish from those whom have received their letters, vs. the hopefuls who are trying to convince GM that they should get a waiver to be one of the first selected dealerships by showing them they have collected x deposits, as well as those who are just looking to boost their operating cash, knowing full well that it might be a year before they can make good on the deliveries.? I’ve heard that this happened when the Camaro was introduced. I placed a deposit at one dealership, but when I asked them for a placement number on their list, they would not give me an answer, not the internet sales manager nor the floor manager.
GM should publish a list of those dealerships who have received their letters and possibly the number of cars they will receive during the first 6 months or so. I’ve called their customer service number as well as written a letter to GM. Customer service said they didn’t know who got the letters, and I haven’t heard anything from the letter I wrote.
That’s a good point, William. As far as we know, there isn’t a list — anywhere — of the dealers that have been provisioned C7 allocation — turning the 2014 Corvette buying process into somewhat of a guessing game for the consumer.
But perhaps the even bigger question here is that of “why?”. Why did GM orchestrate the C7 launch in such a way so that customers have to jump through hoops, trying to figure out which dealers will have the C7, which won’t and which might? Will the car really be in such short supply and in such high demand?
This article is part of the GM Authority Mailbag series, where the GM Authority Crew features and replies to your questions, comments, and observations.
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Comments
Someone high up at GM/Chevrolet marketing thought this was a good idea. Ditto all the stupid Volt requirements.
Its not. Its dumb. But nobody there wants to tell the corner office person who thought it up. Yesmen in charge is bad.
Most dealerships that are strong Vette sellers its fairly obvious, they have allot of vettes on site… However it comes down to dealer honesty, if your dealer isnt being honest thats a problem, should not be so complicated though…
It’s written on the damn sign …
I have no problem with larger dealers getting their Vettes before smaller dealers.I do have a problem when GM says your local dealer can,t get one.
I would image I would be lucky to be able to purchase a car within 200 miles of my location.
My local dealer who gives me great prices and service should be able to get me a car that I want in a reasonable time period.That should be within 3 months of my order date.
I have bought over 13 new vettes starting with a new 1966 vert.Owned 3 new Z-06,s all bought locally.In some cases it did take several calls to the Corvette factory but it was done.
I can will get a new Shelby locally if GM will not come through.Very sad but it could happen.
you would really step over to the dark side after 13 vettes?????
Where is the issue?
Generally the dealers are going to be the larger dealers in that regional area. If you live in a farm town with a dealer that sells 80% trucks I would think you may want to avoid that one.
Anyone who really knows how to buy Vettes are now often working the web as you can use larger dealer vs. larger dealer to buy your car and save a lot of money. Heck I did that on my HHR SS a few years ago and bought It while at work via E mail and working at the same time. Got almost $6K off sticker vs. other dealers that would only see me $3k. Funny thing was the cheapest ended up being the largest dealer near me in the end.
The only ones here that hate this are the small dealers that get the 1-3 Vettes sold a year that like the mark up on the few they sell. They often do not have the staff to deal with the issues that could happen to the cars leading to a unhappy customer for GM.
The fact is GM and Chevy to the point still has too many dealers. If the government had stayed out of this they would have less dealers doing a better job of selling product and making more money per unit. If you do not belive that then compare the number of Toyota dealers vs. Chevy in any large metro market. Also you might note all those little town dealers are seldom if ever a Toyota dealer.
It is harsh but it is a competitive world out there and the whole point is to make money and serve the customer not make friends with dealers. Everyone has a stake here and they all need to hold up their ends. Those who don’t need to be eliminated.
Supply(mark-ups/holdbacks/dealer profits) & Damm Man! That’s how the General Rolls. Bank Rolls that is!!!
I saw a list of the top 50 dealers in the country and their final sales figures and their allocation numbers. Go to and become a member of corvette forum all the dealers on the forum have allocatiion and best prices. Dealers must have equipment, and trained personell to work on the new c7. This training and equipment had to be done by a certain date to qualify for allocation. You can go in the service dept and ask to speak to the Corvette tech if he has not had training or they don’t have equipment they don’t have allocation.
Doug
Doug — do you think the solutions you outlined (going to a forum to check allocation, going to a service department to see if a tech is certified/trained) are overall good solutions for the end-user?
They’re cumbersome and defy the all-about-convenience of today’s car buyers. They’re not good solutions.
William’s point is that Chevy needs to show a list of the 900 dealers — somewhere (probably at chevy.com/corvette), not make the customer jump through hoops to find out information. On top of that, none of this would have been an issue if all dealers were given allocation.
What is the name of this forum with the 50 dealers you speak of Doug so I can check it out; you just mentioned joining a Corvette forum. Finding dealers with allocations shouldn’t have to be so hard. Of course, we would like to place our order with a dealer who has the least amount of orders so we can get it sooner. I read that GM predict orders will out number the supply for the first six months. I contacted two dealerships, one said at the time of inquiry they had 17 orders, so I sent them a deposit, then I called back to get my placement number, no response after several inquires (a big name dealer on the east coast with racing heritage and a slew of dealerships throughout the south). At the other dearlership I was confirmed for number 99 out of 145 they expect to get. I also read that the production capacity has increased from around 8 per hour to 18 per hour. Wih that in mind, identifying dealers with low orders is paramount.
I think the “why” GM did this is probably due to the fact that many dealerships are simply unqualified to professionally and adequately represent and “sell” the Corvette and the new technology that will be used on the car. I am sure that many enthusiasts have had conversations with sales people who did not know as much about the car as they did. I just picked up a new Corvette convertible and you would not believe the unqualified sales people I spoke to during my search for the car I wanted. I have said for years that unqualified dealers and sales people have done far more to hurt the Corvette than help it.
Easy for me, I’ll let the 2014 set at the dealers who get them and order a 15 from my dealer of choice when they become available. I am not in a hurry to own the first one, or first model year. Besides I want to see the new Z06 first….
Yes it would be nice to have all dealers sell c7’s but a lot of small dealers don’t buy the special tools to work on the cars are give techs time for training.
Those that are screaming to get allocation are the ones if you buy it from them will not service the car. These dealers want the money only no service at all. In Atlanta they have one tech out of all the dealers that I trust with my z06. Yes some of the others may have a good tech but they are to busy trying to knockdown that is get paid for not doing the job or some other scam. Retired GM had tech tell me my repair was not covered by warranty and was billing me for it yeah right stupid know who you are talking to first.Oh this guy went on to open his own shop taking in cars to repair and knowing that the work was under warranty would take it to chev dealer for repair and bill his customer yeah i’ve seen it all.
Doug
That is exactly the point I was making. There are far too many unqualified dealers, sales people and techs which ultimately hurt Chevrolet. I think these dealers should be penalized and not allowed to see the car. Understand I know there are many really good, qualified and caring dealers, sales people and certified techs that car about the customer and thoroughly know the car. But overall they are in the minority and why should GM allow these dealers to reap any benefit from the car?
To answer your question yes I think a list to let buyers know who they can order from would be great. Does that mean you want to walk in any where and buy a c7 and pay over list price. You are still going to have to shop around list or no list. If a dealer cannot supply you with order # in a few weeks he’s blowning smoke thats one way of knowing. You can save enough from the dealers i mentioned to ship or do museum delivery.
Doug
This is another way government motors is getting rid of profitable dealers who do not support the direction of the once great company. Between the facility upgrades and the politics of getting cars customers want most good GM dealers are fed up. Many are for sale and most who survive are heavily in debt to the new administration. Their are no young buyers in their showrooms except for kids who want to see the corvette. Now they cant get vette s. I’d never buy another GM car and I was a dealer for decades for them. I have several vette s in my collection. No more. I’d take a shelby from my local dealer and tell Chevy they lost a lot more than a good dealer. They lost a generation of GM lovers.
It’s a game. When the 03 anniversary editions came out, dealers were limited and guess what? They were all asking $10-$15 k over sticker for the cars, which were supposed to be in such short supply…I had my order bumped back twice and finally got it in December, ’02 and by then t hings had leveled out and I got it for $5k below sticker. Think of all those guys who over paid and what trade in they got when upgrading in..talk about an upside down market. Think the artificial shortage is t o keep prices at or above MSRP which we all know is notoriouslyi high…think about it! they are in business to sell cars, so why limit the opport unity to sell them?
The address for the web site is corvetteforum.com look under the c7 section or under c6 general. Someone asked who the number one dealer is for corvettes and a list of top 50 dealers was put up. If I know the area you live I have a copy of this list. Also look at dealer sponsers for forum they are in the top 50. Some have priceing better than others remember buyer beware. Max Price ruined his self with jacking people up after taking their money for z06s and then raising prices over list.
Doug
Oh to answer your question if he has 145 allocation he is one of the larger dealers Kerbeck sold 627 vetts he’s #1 #2 sold 282 vetts he’s in NH.
Doug
A lot of great comments here.Keep in mind I would not buy from my local dealer if he was not straight with me and did not have great service.If I had a warranty problem with my car I would not want to have to take it to a dealer many miles away,no doubt need a ride home because dealer didn,t have the part,have to put many many miles on the car just to get something fixed.
Keep in mind some Corvette owns don,t live in a big city or close to a big dealer.We also have supported GM for many years and do desire being able to buy a new Vette. close to home even it we can,t get one in the irst few months.
I happen to have bought over 7 new GM products in the last 3 years frm local dealers.GM hello.
Think about it – Chevrolet is allowing the top 900 dealers to have and sell the new C7. The number 50 Corvette dealer sold 37 Corvettes during all of the 2012 year. What does that mean for those dealers around #900 – that they sold one or two? I think those complaining about this, IMO, just want a place where they can go see one – not buy one! (Maybe you are the exception llliceman) In fact I’d venture a guess that many of the dealers not getting an allocation probably did not sell even one Corvette in the last year or two.
In my opinion if there is a downside to this it is the fact that the Corvette is perhaps the best example of a “brand enhancer” which means the positive impact the Corvette has on the other models. We all know the story of the guy who goes into the dealership to see the Corvette, he inspects it and looks at it and then buys the Spark. Someone once said that many Chevrolet customers buy cars thinking they all got a little piece of the Corvette. So from that standpoint GM is not taking advantage of the Corvette’s brand enhancement abilities which would produce benefits helping sell other products. But as far as I can see that is the only reason GM might want to reconsider.
One of my questions I ask is whether or not they will markup the prices. The two I’ve contacted indicated they will not via email (keeping it in case they try to flip on me). One dealer indicated customer will get a pick from their delivered autos (I guess they will equip them the way the want their stock to look like) with an option to custom order when your name comes up which will take an additional 6-7 weeks. The other dealer indicated their orders will be based on all custom orders; you will be notified when your order number comes up..
It kind of seems like GM’s plan is to take the introduction of the new car, which should be exciting for the public, and turn it into something that is frustrating and really sucks for the potential customers. Maybe GM doesn’t realize that they are in danger of pissing people off and there are a lot of other sports cars out there to buy instead. I hope this debacle doesn’t end up hurting GM’s public image and bite them in the ass.
The top 50 vette dealers goes from 627 sold to 32 sold so the 850 or so dealers only sell less than 32 corvette per year. Do you think they will get a return on their investment on equipment and training. This is why so many dealer don’t or can’t work on vetts properly.
z51vett
There is some anger and frustration among those who like to order new Corvettes from their local dealer, which is understandable. The problem is, that type of customer is so small in number now that it’s difficult to justify? In recent years, new Corvettes have been selling about 1000 cars per month, that’s it. It’s not like it used to be? The dealers who go after the business and stock Corvettes are the ones who get the sales. For 2013 there are 7 different “versions” of the car, so how many do you need on your lot to really have any sort of selection? 12? 15? more? Many dealers simply aren’t in a position to make that kind of commitment. Yes, there are dealer trades, but remember this is Corvette, not a work truck.
This is the problem.Alot of people are like myself who buy a lot of new GM products.I know I don,t and will not drive a lot of miles to buy my vette.If GM thinks that fine.I will drive a few miles to buy a Viper of Shelby.
I don,t mind that my dealer has to order mine to my specs.I don,t mind if I don,t get one of the first ones,I don,t mind if I have to only drive a few miles to get service that I don,t have a problem with,and I don,t mind when I walk in I am NOT a number.
I will buy my vehicle wherever the price is best, and that includes on line, but I really would like to be able to have it serviced close to me rather than having to drive 100 miles. If they don’t have the equipment or training to work on them, they won’t and that is where it becomes a huge inconvenience. Not talking about routine maintenance, but if something goes wrong under warranty that they are not trained for…well then, what???
Any dealership that sells Corvettes should have at least one qualified mechanic that can do everything needed correctly with precision. It’s okay if they are cross trained to work on other GM vehicles. I don’t know about you guys, but if I am on the road and my Vette starts to act up and I see a Chevrolet dealership, I expect them to be able to work on my vehicle correctly. I shouldn’t have to contemplate going through another source to determine whether or not they are qualified to work on my car. My feeling: “If you can’t fix em, don’t sell em.”
Agreed.Even my smaller dealership will have proper training and tools.
For me it doesn’t matter because there is no way I am getting rid of my 900hp Z06 for a 450hp new style corvette. I’ll be waiting patiently for the new Z06 to make its entry and in the meantime I’ll tame any new daring Stingray that dares to cross my path and send them (maybe you) home with your tail between your legs.
Actually, if you go to the Corvette Stingray page on Chevrolet’s website and scroll (or arrow) down to the “Strength in Numbers” page there is a “View Authorized Dealers” link. Clicking it brings up a map where you can input a zip code and find dealers that are taking deposits.
So is GM going to cover UNDER WARRANTY having your C7 flat-bedded to one of the 900 dealers who are qualified to work on it IF you have a major problem …… ???????????????????????
William, Doug McSwain is right. You’ve got to do your homework on virtually anything you buy. Visit Corvette Forum.com or Stingray.com and check out the chatter that’s going on. They have a list of the Shaker’s and Mover’s in the country who are on the top of the list of allocated dealerships, most of which are back east and in the mid-west. Example, Kerbeck’s in Atlantic City and Mike Furman at Criswell Chevrolet in Maryland. I’m on a list for the 2015 Z06 with Mike at Crisswell’s. For the 2015 model year it’s all speculation and guess work at this point, but I’m sure you wouldn’t have any problems finding a 2014 on the lot at any of these dealerships. Why would a dealership who’s focus on moving Cobalt’s and truck’s even be in a position to provide you with a C7 Corvette? And we all know how much we can rely on the word of some of the sales staff at those dealerships. I’m out in California and many of the dealerships out here have very limited numbers of the C7 and those that do add between $20,000. to $30,000. above MSRP, which to me is absolutely obscene and extremely insulting. So, William, do your homework and you’ll be driving a new C7 Corvette before you know it.
If a person were to order a new 2021 corvette how long would it be before he seen it?