Greedy BMW dealers

[eisenb11]

Sometimes I'm surprised with how much latitude manufacturers will give their dealers.

When I was originally shopping for my car, one dealer was insisting on $10k above MSRP. In the end, the best I could do was $1.2k under MSRP with another dealership.

Today, I hit another low when trying to buy a front sunshade.

The accessories catalog and BMWUSA.com has the part listed for $49. I go to the dealer to pick one up and they want $79 for the part.

I understand I live in a well-off area, but is it neccessary for these dealers to find every way possible to bend us over and pound us in the ass?

While BMW isn't directly responsible for this gouging, them letting the dealers get away with this crap still reflects poorly on BMW as a company.

Anyone else find that the BMW network loves to go above and beyond what's reasonable in order to stick it to you?

[hec325]

All dealers do this.

The Lexus dealership in BR can't fix anything, but they still charge us for the "service"

[SilverBeam]

Well if you could make 10K more on something, wouldn't you try?

[eisenb11]

Well if you could make 10K more on something, wouldn't you try?

The $10k premium with the E93 could be attributed to demand. Especially then as everyone had limited order slots.

But what about the sunshade? In So Cal, it's a pretty standard item. The dealers have zillions of them in the back room.

Charging $79 for something that's supposed to be $49 is gouging plain and simple.

Yes, I know that a business wants to maximize profits, but charging more than MSRP is pure greed and makes BMW look petty.

PS. Yes, I know the dealers are not BMW proper, but we're talking impressions here

[AzzMan]

The $10k premium with the E93 could be attributed to demand. Especially then as everyone had limited order slots.

But what about the sunshade? In So Cal, it's a pretty standard item. The dealers have zillions of them in the back room.

Charging $79 for something that's supposed to be $49 is gouging plain and simple.

Yes, I know that a business wants to maximize profits, but charging more than MSRP is pure greed and makes BMW look petty.

PS. Yes, I know the dealers are not BMW proper, but we're talking impressions here

If BMW let them charge $30 more for a cheap POS item that isn't THAT expensive to begin with, and you can afford it... well, did you buy it? If so, that says everything right there.

[eisenb11]

If BMW let them charge $30 more for a cheap POS item that isn't THAT expensive to begin with, and you can afford it... well, did you buy it? If so, that says everything right there.

Yeah, I did. The other option being to order it from a place that wasn't gouging and pay shipping, wait for the delivery, etc.

Didn't want to bother with all the trouble so I bent over.

I'm not saying that people won't pay it (obviously we will)... just that it makes BMW look bad to be pulling this crap.

The least they can do is not print the MSRP for accessories on their website and brochures. Then we'll be clueless, the dealers can charge whatever they want and people wouldn't get the impression that they're being greedy!:eyecrazy

[abradic]

Well, there lies the dilema. You pay a little more at the dealer, but then they have people to pay. They can eliminate them and hire a bunch of illegals and charge you the $49 price, but then we run into other problems. They can pay a decent wage to people in parts, but then they have to charge more to cover their costs. As a consumer, you have the option to order from the BMW catalog, but after taxes plus shipping, are you any cheaper than the dealer's price?

[eisenb11]

Well, there lies the dilema. You pay a little more at the dealer, but then they have people to pay. They can eliminate them and hire a bunch of illegals and charge you the $49 price, but then we run into other problems. They can pay a decent wage to people in parts, but then they have to charge more to cover their costs. As a consumer, you have the option to order from the BMW catalog, but after taxes plus shipping, are you any cheaper than the dealer's price?

This isn't really a fair observation because you're forgetting that the $49 is MSRP. The dealer isn't paying that. $49 = invoice + profit. $79 = invoice + profit + more profit.

If the dealer was paying $49 for the thing, I'd expect them to raise the price to cover their costs. MSRP is supposed to have all of this taken into account.

[gtmash]

The problem is the dealer does find people who pay up. Like you did.

[sjames]

Brick and mortar stores generally charge more than mail order or internet sites. There's no such thing as gouging unless there is a monopoly on something.

You paid more and you got something substantal out of the extra money you paid: convenience. If the dealer would have wanted $100 for the part, you might have ordered it from the catalog. Obviously it was worth $79 or you wouldn't have bought it. This is pretty simple stuff.

[eisenb11]

Brick and mortar stores generally charge more than mail order or internet sites. There's no such thing as gouging unless there is a monopoly on something.

Yes, but brick and morter stores charge MSRP or a lower than MSRP amount that generally isn't as low as mail order.

Remember folks, they're charging MORE than msrp. Hence why I think they're being greedy.


You paid more and you got something substantal out of the extra money you paid: convenience. If the dealer would have wanted $100 for the part, you might have ordered it from the catalog. Obviously it was worth $79 or you wouldn't have bought it. This is pretty simple stuff.

Just because I bought it doesn't mean it was worth it or that I don't feel that I got ripped off.

[neapolitan]

Well if you could make 10K more on something, wouldn't you try?

No, not really, because I'd be looking out for iteration / repeat business / avoiding terrible publicity. But, I guess I'm in a line of work that depends on that kind of stuff.

I had a most excellent relationship with my dealer and zero complaints, but the one (nearer by to my house) was a terrible experience. It is small stuff like this that gives one a bad impression. This farther away dealer is truly the winner, as when it comes time for my M5, I'll go back! :redspot

[sjames]

No, not really, because I'd be looking out for iteration / repeat business / avoiding terrible publicity. But, I guess I'm in a line of work that depends on that kind of stuff.

I had a most excellent relationship with my dealer and zero complaints, but the one (nearer by to my house) was a terrible experience. It is small stuff like this that gives one a bad impression. This farther away dealer is truly the winner, as when it comes time for my M5, I'll go back! :redspot

That's the great thing about a free market. If they're charging too much, they'll either go out of business or lower their prices.

If they're not charging too much, then people will buy the things that they're selling.

[Kevlar]

Everybody has to eat... if they charge you more, it means more money that can go towards other things whether is be dealership parts, somebody's salary or parties for the employees.

[Theodore]

By sunshade, do you mean the little accordian thing that goes in your front window? Aren't they ~$5 at Advance?

[rcem3]

I would complain directly to BMW. They are very serious when it comes to dealers and customer satisfactioin. You would not beleive the amount of phone calls that my friend gets to make sure that they are having a good experience with BMW. The dealership here will even pick up your car to get it serviced or give you a chauffer for no charge!

[burninator]

Now, lying about a diagnostic report and trying to charge you $2,100 for parts and labor that you DON'T NEED, that is being greedy. It is especially upsetting when your family has been purchasing cars from the dealer for over 10 years. You'd think that a BMW dealership would treat you with more respect than that, but they're all the same. There is no such thing as a perfect car dealership, but there are good ones, though they are few and far between. BTW, I completely agree with you that the MSRP is the MSRP for a reason, and it should cover the costs completely. Ufortunately BMW NA doesn't seem to care as much about how their dealers do business as they should.

[eisenb11]

It is small stuff like this that gives one a bad impression.

Ah, this perfectly frames what I've been trying to say.

[Treepusher]

No one likes to be taken advantage of, and you are right to be annoyed. But would the few days shipping time from buying online/Ebay really have been a terrible inconvenience?

Clearly you felt it was, and it was apparently worth the extra bux to you for instant gratification.

Did you at least get your BMW CCA discount?

[SilverBeam]

People also don't realize that prices at the dealership part's department are negotiable. They tried over charging me on something before, but I knew the real price so I called bull. That price came down so quickly. Just because it is the price they quote you doesn't mean it is the price you have to pay.

[eisenb11]

People also don't realize that prices at the dealership part's department are negotiable. They tried over charging me on something before, but I knew the real price so I called bull. That price came down so quickly. Just because it is the price they quote you doesn't mean it is the price you have to pay.

I called bull and stated that the price is the catalog was $49. Their response was that their price is whatever it says in their computer and they will not change it.

[eisenb11]

No one likes to be taken advantage of, and you are right to be annoyed. But would the few days shipping time from buying online/Ebay really have been a terrible inconvenience?

Clearly you felt it was, and it was apparently worth the extra bux to you for instant gratification.

Did you at least get your BMW CCA discount?

BMW CCA discount?!?! What's that?

Nah didn't want to bother with ebay, shipping, etc. While not heavy, the box is pretty large. Probably looking at $15 for UPS to send it over. Could use mail, but our mailman is from Hades.

[e24mpwr]

For many dealers, there is a surcharge for non-mechanical parts orders under $75. I can't recall quite the idea behind it, but I'm guessing it has something to do with cost of shipping, etc. Most often it is offset by BMW CCA discounts.

As a guy with a BMW parts business, it doesn't bother me as I'm not charging that and it helps me be competitive.

Paying over invoice for a car based on high demand seems like a poor start to a relationship...

[SilverBeam]

I called bull and stated that the price is the catalog was $49. Their response was that their price is whatever it says in their computer and they will not change it.

Ahhh I see, I had to show half a nip for them to lower the price. :stickoutt but seriously, maybe find another dealership?

[eisenb11]

Paying over invoice for a car based on high demand seems like a poor start to a relationship...

Aye, while it annoys me, I will bend over for the parts since the costs are relatively small.

As for the quoted comment, I think you mean paying over MSRP, right?

The $10k over MSRP thing was ridiculous and I took my business elsewhere. I believe that dealer quoted "Why should I sell you the car for MSRP or less than MSRP when someone else will pay $10k over?".

I've heard of MSRP+ deals for an E93 sitting right on the lot that you can drive away in, but that's pretty harsh for one that needs to be ordered. Those guys were in Riverside, I'm definately not talking to them again.

[eisenb11]

Ahhh I see, I had to show half a nip for them to lower the price. :stickoutt but seriously, maybe find another dealership?

LOL !!

Nah, see my post above about the $10k over MSRP guys.

The parts ripoff is just an annoyance. Not something I'd really fret over... puts a yucky taste in one's mouth, but not the end of the world! :D

Parts dept aside, I'm very happy with their car sales dept and service dept. Those guys have been awesome so far. I'm willing to let the parts dudes rape me as long as those two departments continue to be nice to me!

[e24mpwr]

Aye, while it annoys me, I will bend over for the parts since the costs are relatively small.

As for the quoted comment, I think you mean paying over MSRP, right?

True - I meant sticker/list.

[SilverBeam]

I know a few people who sell BMWs and when you get down to it, some of the cars do demand such a mark up becuase they are so popular, new, and there is low availability. It doesn't work very well if the buyer can go to another dealersip and save 12K, though. But the new Nissan GT-R is going to have a mark up of something like 30K when it comes out.

[Snork]

All of this makes me really glad that the parts people at my nearest dealer are all very nice and go out of their way to help me get whatever i want.

[exeye325]

I need a second key for my car and was prepared to pay the $200 bucks but when it was gonna be $253 I declined.

[eisenb11]

I know a few people who sell BMWs and when you get down to it, some of the cars do demand such a mark up becuase they are so popular, new, and there is low availability. It doesn't work very well if the buyer can go to another dealersip and save 12K, though.

Lol, yeah, that's what I thought was funny - asking for so much when you can buy it at any neighboring dealer for less.

Wonder how they ended up doing? People here are crazy, wouldn't be surprised if they still sold off their monthly allottment for MSRP + $10k.

[zaklikestuna]

dealer markup for the R8 in hawaii is 50k

[e24mpwr]

I know a few people who sell BMWs and when you get down to it, some of the cars do demand such a mark up becuase they are so popular, new, and there is low availability. It doesn't work very well if the buyer can go to another dealersip and save 12K, though. But the new Nissan GT-R is going to have a mark up of something like 30K when it comes out.

I'd do Euro delivery and blow the money that way before I'd ever pay a premium over sticker. I'd buy the car in whatever dealership in the US sold at list and drive home, too. (drove the M635 over 1700 miles home, and it was a blast!)

[first time]

Don't ever give in! Push the deal until they let you walk out. Never pay a premium. But, I'd dare say most BMW buyers don't really care about a few thousand bucks here and there. As for the parts department, call around or go internet. It's all about controlling their profit centers and parts have to justify the overhead.

A friend of mine from my home town owns a Ford dealership. Town size 10,000 folks, very rural. This dealership supports ten direct familys (owner related) and several employee familys. THe owners and their direct relations live very, very well on just this small dealership. Do not shed a tear for a car dealer! There is now such thing as a poor car dealer.

[TopasBlau46]

Supply and demand? If there is no demand, don't buy and obviously prices will fall - or they will sell out :)

[The_Stig]

dealer markup for the R8 in hawaii is 50k

The markup for everything in Hawaii is like $50k. I love visiting, but I hate that everything is so much pricier. I wouldn't be able to afford to live there:( The only way I could is if I rented my aunt and uncles basement in Manoa?

[Snork]

I'd do Euro delivery and blow the money that way before I'd ever pay a premium over sticker. I'd buy the car in whatever dealership in the US sold at list and drive home, too. (drove the M635 over 1700 miles home, and it was a blast!) I would walk 500 miles for your car too, but it's a bit of an exception. I don't understand how your guys dealers can overcharge you so much, all three of the dealers near me (natick, shrewsbury and alston) charge you almost exactly the price you'll see on realoem.com. I guess us new englanders are just spoiled for customer service.

[Treepusher]

...all three of the dealers near me (natick, shrewsbury and alston) charge you almost exactly the price you'll see on realoem.com. I guess us new englanders are just spoiled for customer service.

Yup. I've been using Norwell for quite some time---prices match the catalog, or darned close to it. Never had to show them a nip, either.

[nickdrivesm3]

None of you here have any idea what its like to work at a dealership. So those of you who think the dealer is greedy and "overpriced" should look for another make to buy from. I hear Toyota and Ford are fairly priced.

[eisenb11]

I don't understand how your guys dealers can overcharge you so much, all three of the dealers near me (natick, shrewsbury and alston) charge you almost exactly the price you'll see on realoem.com. I guess us new englanders are just spoiled for customer service.

Yep. I can't speak for other states, but I can speak for the CA. Over here in the LA area everyone tries to stick it to you for everything. Most businesses here are run by a bunch of greedy bastages.

Case and point. Piano movers. A local mover wanted $2k to move my piano. Ended up calling an out of town company who did it for $500.

Case and point. Moving company. When I bought my place and moved. A local home mover wanted $100+/hour. I ended up hiring another company for much less.

Not sure what the deal it is about this place, but everyone is always trying to stick it to you.

Check out this post:


None of you here have any idea what its like to work at a dealership. So those of you who think the dealer is greedy and "overpriced" should look for another make to buy from. I hear Toyota and Ford are fairly priced.

Typical arrogant SOB. If you call them on ripping you off they insult you with insinuations that you're poor or cheap.

[eisenb11]

None of you here have any idea what its like to work at a dealership. So those of you who think the dealer is greedy and "overpriced" should look for another make to buy from. I hear Toyota and Ford are fairly priced.

I guess I don't want to know what it's like working for a dealership if if turns people into arrogant little pricks like you.

Just because we don't like to be taken advantage of, is by no means any indication that we can't afford a BMW.

[neapolitan]

I guess I don't want to know what it's like working for a dealership if if turns people into arrogant little pricks like you.

Just because we don't like to be taken advantage of, is by no means any indication that we can't afford a BMW.

Yeah, I can very easily afford my BMW, but that doesn't mean I enjoy throwing money away or being ripped off. Don't bother replying to the dumb #$*#, just add him to your killfile and avoid his dealership. It must be annoying for him to work on BMWs all day and not be able to afford a decent one; just feel sorry for the little man, then move on.

[nickdrivesm3]

You guys are ripping on the very place that I make a living off of. Prices are set by BMW (NA & AG) and must be followed. Dealers must set certain prices to be able to maintain their facility, pay their employees, provide particular services, etc etc etc...No one at the dealership has direct control over pricing. Goodwill and internal charging are two exceptions that are only determined by management. These 2 exceptions will be used when they feel the customer is worth satisfying because they want to keep them happy.

This thread was obviously posted because the OP was so disturbed by the 30$ markup over the "internet specified" price. This just turned into a dealership bash thread which I feel obligated to defend.

For the record, I love my job and working with BMW. I am not annoyed with working on them everyday. Like I said, no one here knows what it is like to work at a dealership on a regular basis. If you did, you would understand my point of view and probably defend the dealership with me.

[eisenb11]

This thread was obviously posted because the OP was so disturbed by the 30$ markup over the "internet specified" price.

Ah, I see where you're getting at. Appears there's a misunderstanding.

The $30 markup (60% BTW) isn't over an internet price. It's over the price on BMWNA.com as well as in the printed BMW Accessories Catalog available on the catalog rack *inside* the parts store of the dealer.

Imagine going to the grocery store, picking up the weekly sales paper by the door, buying your food, then finding out at the cash register that everything you bought costs 60% more than listed in the flier.

The price is even cheaper online at a internet discount e-tailer, but I'm not talking about that. We're not talking internet pricing here, we're talking no-reason markups.

Editted to fix some sentence structure and clarify.

[nickdrivesm3]

Ah, I see where you're getting at. Appears there's a misunderstanding.

The $30 markup isn't over an internet price. It's over the price on BMWNA.com as well as in the BMW Accessories Catalog available on the catalog rack *inside* the parts store of the dealer.

The price is even cheaper online at a internet discount e-tailer, but I'm not talking about that.

We're not talking internet pricing here, we're talking no-reason markups.

I see, unfortunatly dealership markup is "allowed" to an extent. Did you show him the catalog with the stated price? It sounds like the parts guy wasn't about to ask his manager to price match the part in order to make you happy.

[eisenb11]

I see, unfortunatly dealership markup is "allowed" to an extent. Did you show him the catalog with the stated price? It sounds like the parts guy wasn't about to ask his manager to price match the part in order to make you happy.

Aye, I felt the 60% markup was a bit excessive.

But... in the end, the guy wasn't going to do anything and I didn't want to make a scene and it's not like $30 is the end of the world. It's just dissappointing.

[djmatty]

"Everyone has a mortgage to pay."

Forget what movie that's from. Oh well......it's just business. The local dealership overcharges so much that they've lost my business. It's much cheaper to buy parts from a dealer in NJ and have them shipped to me, and they arrive at my house the day after I order them.


Edit: It was Thank You For Smoking.

[MTLe34]

First of all, i would like to boast that on my side of the border, dealer markups would have you shit your pants... The EXACT SAME CAR down south is usually ~15-25% more... To give you a few examples, a new 328i has a difference of about 4 grand (on the website, they don't even hide it) Not toooo bad, right? remember, it's only a 33k car... Move up to a base M5? down south msrp is around 80-85, cross the border, it jumps to 115! That's a THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLAR DIFFERENCE ON AN EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLAR CAR!!!

it's not just BMW though, we in canada get fleeced by everyone, equally. a G35 coupe is ~10k more, a 911 is somewhere around ~45k more... Lmao, dodge just released, "new canadian pricing" which offers a savings of like 2 grand... such BS...

and to make matters worse... if we were to buy that M5 @ 115k, we'd get hit with our federal tax of 5%... bringing the total to 120 750. Then the provincial sales tax gets put on after, at 7.5%, bringin the total to a few hundred shy of 130K. this excludes actual dealer markup, and all the extras the dealer tacks on.

Looks like i'm stuck drivin my E34 for a few more years... lol

[djmatty]

Yeah, that's what I laugh at when I'm in Canada. PST and GST is worse than the 7% sales tax here in RI.

[MTLe34]

but the gov't was proud to report they dropped the gst from 6% to 5%... Gee, thanks.

[eisenb11]

MTLe34,

In the case that you're mentioning, it isn't BMW that's doing the fleecing, but you're own government isn't it?

I have relatives that live in Hong Kong, and I believe the tax on cars there is around 100%.

[MTLe34]

actually, we're getting fleeced from both ends... 14% sales tax is kinida brutal on the gov't side, but the dealer marks up from 30k for the same car in canada? Thats totally BMW's perrogative when setting the price...

[White94RX]

The price markup has to do with their parts matrix. All the parts in inventory are entered into the system. The cost of the part is entered. Then according to the matrix is how they come up with the price. BUT, as far as parts in the catalog, we'll change them to match the catalog price.

The Matrix has you...

[eisenb11]

actually, we're getting fleeced from both ends... 14% sales tax is kinida brutal on the gov't side, but the dealer marks up from 30k for the same car in canada? Thats totally BMW's perrogative when setting the price...


Ah, I see what you're saying. Car prices differing by country (not including tax differences).

Yeah, from that perspective, I believe the US generally is one of the lower cost places to get a ride.

[e24mpwr]

None of you here have any idea what its like to work at a dealership. So those of you who think the dealer is greedy and "overpriced" should look for another make to buy from. I hear Toyota and Ford are fairly priced.

I think I have a bit of an idea since I have several car buddies who work in either BMW parts departments or are technicians.

Every one of them are excellent folks, and have always been more than fair to me. Working in either of those areas isn't an easy job, and less likely to hear praise for good work than complaints from customers who sometimes have unrealistic expectations. I have a lot of respect for the knowledge and patience of those folks.

As far as charging more than list, I know the profit margin on parts and accessories ranges dramatically, and often the real estate a dealership sits on isn't exactly cheap.

At the end of the day, I can't criticize a dealership for charging list prices - it is the manufacturer published price and they aren't obligated to discount to anyone. If there are other costs generated by little/custom orders, I could probably live with a "Special Order Fee" or similar as long as I understood what it was for. But charging more than list on parts generically is tough to defend to me.

I understand supply and demand, so dealerships charging more than list are within their rights (I guess...). It just isn't something I'd appreciate much. I'd rather that they option the crap out of the car and charge full list. I'd certainly want *something* for a premium over list. I guess I'm too limited in my financial outlook to brush off an overcharge and patient enough to wait out pretty much any car to get the ability to pay list (or less).

We went through pretty much the same thing when Honda Odysseys were very hard to get. We found a local dealership who was "only" charging list and waited. We've been happy and loyal customers since.

Anyway, I apologize if anything I posted seem to characterize BMW dealerships as greedy. In my experience, they aren't. They are good businesses.

[nickdrivesm3]

I think I have a bit of an idea since I have several car buddies who work in either BMW parts departments or are technicians.

Every one of them are excellent folks, and have always been more than fair to me. Working in either of those areas isn't an easy job, and less likely to hear praise for good work than complaints from customers who sometimes have unrealistic expectations. I have a lot of respect for the knowledge and patience of those folks.

As far as charging more than list, I know the profit margin on parts and accessories ranges dramatically, and often the real estate a dealership sits on isn't exactly cheap.

At the end of the day, I can't criticize a dealership for charging list prices - it is the manufacturer published price and they aren't obligated to discount to anyone. If there are other costs generated by little/custom orders, I could probably live with a "Special Order Fee" or similar as long as I understood what it was for. But charging more than list on parts generically is tough to defend to me.

I understand supply and demand, so dealerships charging more than list are within their rights (I guess...). It just isn't something I'd appreciate much. I'd rather that they option the crap out of the car and charge full list. I'd certainly want *something* for a premium over list. I guess I'm too limited in my financial outlook to brush off an overcharge and patient enough to wait out pretty much any car to get the ability to pay list (or less).

We went through pretty much the same thing when Honda Odysseys were very hard to get. We found a local dealership who was "only" charging list and waited. We've been happy and loyal customers since.

Anyway, I apologize if anything I posted seem to characterize BMW dealerships as greedy. In my experience, they aren't. They are good businesses.

I'm glad you understand. There are a lot of people who don't and just jump on the bash wagon when it comes around. Those particular people are the ones that piss me off the most.

[jamesdc4]

Now, lying about a diagnostic report and trying to charge you $2,100 for parts and labor that you DON'T NEED, that is being greedy. It is especially upsetting when your family has been purchasing cars from the dealer for over 10 years. You'd think that a BMW dealership would treat you with more respect than that, but they're all the same. There is no such thing as a perfect car dealership, but there are good ones, though they are few and far between. BTW, I completely agree with you that the MSRP is the MSRP for a reason, and it should cover the costs completely. Ufortunately BMW NA doesn't seem to care as much about how their dealers do business as they should.
Sharpe BMW here in Grand Rapids treated me very well (I was there for a four wheel alignment). I had a nasty leak from the lower timing cover (that I was already aware of) and I told them what my indy quoted as well as the nice Mercedes loaner I always get. They matched my indy's price and loaned me a very nice black 08 325xi. I was surprised. :eek:

[HBpredhunter]

foolish thread.

dealers are privatly owned. plain and simple. complain to BMW all you want, that will acomplish nothing. they (the dealer) is a private company with its own policys, there for they have the freedom to do whatever they want (almost)

and you have the freedom to NOT buy there.

so instead of wasting you time complaining to us who ALL know the dealer is a crook, you could make your statement clearer buy telling the manager at the place who tried to sell you a 50 grand 328i that he is out of his mind, and tell everyone you know not to go to said dealer ship to buy
(you didnt mention a dealer name for us to avoid)

[lithium726]

I need a second key for my car and was prepared to pay the $200 bucks but when it was gonna be $253 I declined.

Go to a different dealer. The one in SA (hometown) wanted $250 for a key. My Lubbock dealer charged me $55 or something

[nickdrivesm3]

foolish thread.

dealers are privatly owned. plain and simple. complain to BMW all you want, that will acomplish nothing. they (the dealer) is a private company with its own policys, there for they have the freedom to do whatever they want (almost)

and you have the freedom to NOT buy there.

so instead of wasting you time complaining to us who ALL know the dealer is a crook, you could make your statement clearer buy telling the manager at the place who tried to sell you a 50 grand 328i that he is out of his mind, and tell everyone you know not to go to said dealer ship to buy
(you didnt mention a dealer name for us to avoid)

omg thank you for chiming in

[ted13b]

Just remember guys, in America, it is illegal for BMW to tell the dealers what to charge. Antitrust laws state that each business must set it's own pricing. BMW sets a suggested retail price, but each dealer sets it's own sale price. Calling BMW will do no good, because legally there is nothing they can do. This is America, shop somewhere else.