I really hate this...

[CanadaCraig]

Hi Guys!!

Click on THIS to read the story.

Offering $1,000 'bonuses' to people who trade in their 'leased' Camry's, Accords, Altimas and Fusions is one thing. But to offer rebates of up to $4,000 on certain 2007 models, including the Chrysler 300C sedan, the Dodge Magnum wagon, Charger sedan, minivans and the Dodge Ram pickup - is something else.

I would NEVER offer REBATES. I think it tarnishes the image of your product. There is no way a Chrysler 300C - Chrysler's FLAGSHIP vehicle - should be tossed into a Walmart bargain-bin as a way to sell the car. [Same is true for the Magnum and Charger] Instead - offer a better warranty and/or a 'free' NAVIGATION system. [People like the word 'free'] And/or offer 'free' courtesy cars and free oil changes for the life of the warranty. But STOP thinking that by reducing the PRICE that somehow people [in the long run] are going to respect what you sell.

What do YOU think?!

Craig!!

[Super T]

I think even with employee pricing they didn't move nearly as many units as they wanted to. Those of us on this website love these cars. Many others would rather drive something that gets a billion miles a gallon at the sacrifice of style and comfort. They're just gettin desperate. I think a freebie would be cooler, but you hit the nail on the head with the Walmart bit... people want it cheap and easy, and rebates fit the bill.

[TehKing]

If you can't sell the car at full price, you have to do something. A sale with a smaller profit margin is still way better than no sale at all.

[pir8magnum]

I would bet that those incentives for the 300 don't include the hemi versions.

I had heard through many dealers I spoke with, and the available price-drops between 2005 and 2006 seem to bear this out, that DC was resisting big price drops in the form of rebates because they were worried that it was devaluing/depreciating their product too quickly (I agree).

I was shopping for a Magnum in late 2005 and there were definitely bigger incentives then there have been this year. One dealer I went to was able to cut something like $7500 off sticker for the R/T I was looking at (in 2005). There was nothing like that when I went shopping for new this year (though now might be a different story).

Unfortunately though, rebates are a big incentive that gets buyers off the fence. Nothing says 'time to buy' like big rebates. Personally I thought that whole "30 day return policy" promo they had earlier in the year was incredibly stupid, and I can't see why anyone would think that would be an incentive. No one wants to have to return a car. The whole process of buying a car in the first place is incredibly frustrating and time consuming. Most people do their homework ahead of time these days, hit forums like this beforehand and get a pretty good idea about what they want and how much they should expect to pay before they head to the dealership (if they're smart). A 30 day return policy (that no doubt has a ton of conditions and gotchas) wouldn't get me in a dealership. Its like "Oh boy! After all this trouble of finding and buying the car, I've decided I don't like a few things about it, so Im going to return it and have to start the whole process over again! Yippeee!"

To me though, it seems like DC is missing the mark if they're trying to get people off of Hondas and Toyotas. Part of the reason those cars are such big sellers is that they have a solid reputation for being trouble-free vehicles, and they appeal to those buyers who want their cars to be appliances and not an extension of their personality. It seems to me if DC is serious about taking away market share from Honda and Toyota, they can't do it on price. The Koreans will always beat them at that game, and soon the Chinese will be competing in that arena (they're already building engines for GM).

If they want to get serious about competing with those companies, they need to reassure the buying public that their product is not garbage and that the dealer networks will stand by them. They need to bring back the 7/70 warranty. My wifes KIA has a 10/100 warranty! (with roadside assistance) And yes, I know thats a limited powertrain warranty, but even still, if its not a big deal to offer 10/100 limited powertrain warranty, why isn't DC doing it?

Anyway, thats my 2 cents. If DC really wants to pull people out of Toyotas and Hondas, get serious about quality and back it up with an excellent warranty.

Hi Guys!!

Click on THIS to read the story.

Offering $1,000 'bonuses' to people who trade in their 'leased' Camry's, Accords, Altimas and Fusions is one thing. But to offer rebates of up to $4,000 on certain 2007 models, including the Chrysler 300C sedan, the Dodge Magnum wagon, Charger sedan, minivans and the Dodge Ram pickup - is something else.

I would NEVER offer REBATES. I think it tarnishes the image of your product. There is no way a Chrysler 300C - Chrysler's FLAGSHIP vehicle - should be tossed into a Walmart bargain-bin as a way to sell the car. [Same is true for the Magnum and Charger] Instead - offer a better warranty and/or a 'free' NAVIGATION system. [People like the word 'free'] And/or offer 'free' courtesy cars and free oil changes for the life of the warranty. But STOP thinking that by reducing the PRICE that somehow people [in the long run] are going to respect what you sell.

What do YOU think?!

Craig!!

[mattready]

i saw a report on msnbc about how the big 3 have 7 months of surplus vehicles....thats why they are dumping HUGE discounts and rebates. if you are thinking of getting a new vehicle, now's the time!

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

Hi Guys!!

Click on THIS to read the story.

Offering $1,000 'bonuses' to people who trade in their 'leased' Camry's, Accords, Altimas and Fusions is one thing. But to offer rebates of up to $4,000 on certain 2007 models, including the Chrysler 300C sedan, the Dodge Magnum wagon, Charger sedan, minivans and the Dodge Ram pickup - is something else.

I would NEVER offer REBATES. I think it tarnishes the image of your product. There is no way a Chrysler 300C - Chrysler's FLAGSHIP vehicle - should be tossed into a Walmart bargain-bin as a way to sell the car. [Same is true for the Magnum and Charger] Instead - offer a better warranty and/or a 'free' NAVIGATION system. [People like the word 'free'] And/or offer 'free' courtesy cars and free oil changes for the life of the warranty. But STOP thinking that by reducing the PRICE that somehow people [in the long run] are going to respect what you sell.

What do YOU think?!

Craig!!

I agree, because in most cases "rebates" aren't "rebates" they up the price of the car the amount of the rebate to offset the discount (yeah sure they add dealer crap to it, but not nearly the value of the rebate).

I hate it too, some department stores pull the same crap, they offer you 25%, 30%, even 50% discounts... BS they up the price of the discounted item then offer a discount that puts the price back to the original price.

I worked in enough retail outlets in High School and College to know the game...

Offering "free" upgrades will never happen cause then the bottom line profit disapppears....