Re: audi dealer thread

[Don Hoefer <hoefer@jaxom.eng.pko.dec.com>]

> > Seems that some audi dealers discount to quattro list members/mail order, 
such
> > as Carlson Audi, Clair Parts Express, and Langan audi... so it must be a
> > "suggested list price", and not a requirement.
> 
> Yes, that is exactly right. Since this is America, land of the free,
> home of the ridiculously brave, people can charge whatever they want.
> AoA can't force dealers to charge list price for parts any more than
> they can keep them from adding additional dealer markup to a New Beetle.
> It's up to the dealer to decide on the balance between integrity and
> greed (and you know where that usually heads).

I asked my dealer a long time ago what their markup was.  The parts guy
told me that it was 20 to 40% depending on the part.  Bear in mind that
there two prices, "retail", which is what individual buyers are supposed
to pay, and "wholesale", which is what shops and businesses pay.  He told
me that when they get parts from other dealers the other dealer is supposed
to sell it to them at wholesale so that they both get a markup.  However
some dealers sell it at retail or retail+ only.  He said that they will
often, but not always, eat the cost of getting those parts and not mark it up
further.

What was that saying?  No friends among thieves?

I also wonder if your dealer repair bill may be smaller if you wait for the
parts from the warehouse rather than demanding the car be ready today.

Don Hoefer
'82 Coupe

Massachusetts, USA