Stopped by my local dealer yesterday to see what info they might have on the 09 Camaro. They said we don't have any info, no brochures (gee, Chevy mailed me one a couple of weeks ago), nothing, but we will be happy to take a $1,000 deposit and put you on a waiting list. Now why on earth would I place a deposit with a dealer that knows less about the upcoming Camaro than I do and may or may not ever be able to provide the model/equipment I want. As a longtime Chevy/GMC supporter (I purchased a new 67 Camaro RS, new 69 Z/28, numerous Chevys, Pontiacs, and GMCs over the years, and have currently three Chevys in the driveway), I was shocked, offended, and disappointed at what passes for customer service these days. I have no intention of making a deposit at this point and will wait until there is plenty of dealer availability before making a purchase. As I'm really interested in a Z/28 if they're available, I'd likely have to wait for a while anyway.
Clyde

 

From what I've read around here (and my own personal experience), that's the way most (all?) dealers are anyway.

 

The deposit thing has been happening for quite awhile now. A thousand dollar deposit is very steep in my opinion, not something I would ever hand over to a dealership.

 

That's pretty much how it's going to be at every dealer. Remember, they're not enthusiasts. They just want your money. It's like how fans of professional sport teams care more about the team winning then the actual players do. Same thing here. Anyone on here is going to know more about the 09 Camaro then the dealer, because we actually care about the car.

 

what dealer was it?

I know one that has been taking deposits for a year now......do they give it back or what...what if you can't get what you want.......bunch of crooks

 

I posted well over a year ago about someone that I know went to a dealership and asked if they were taking deposits on the new Camaro, just to see what they knew.

Their answer? In so many words...

"New Camaro? What new Camaro? Camaro Concept? Never heard of it. No idea what you are talking about. You want to leave a deposit on a car we had absolutely no prior knowledge of? SURE! We'll take your deposit. Write the check right now and we'll set it up. However, it is a non-returnable deposit and we will not be able to guarantee you any particular price. Sign here."

Clearly, they are not the only dealership doing that.

 

I actually Sell cars at a chevy dealership...

I was told not to take any deposits on a car we can't get yet.
some of us are not crooks.. just some

and we have not recieved any information that is not already on the internet.. I can normally read on the net and read about it before we know anything from the dealer.


-Matt

 

I see you are in Goochland, VA, the dealer I visited was Whitlow Chevy in Richmond.
Clyde

 

I know a few guys there.....I used to work at dominion back in the late 90's early 00's

 

I also emailed Chevrolet to let them know I was not happy about the situation. They did respond and apologized for the situation I encountered, I'm also enclosing part of their response as it may answer some questions on this forum.
"The all-new Camaro will begin with early production versions at the end of 2008 and will go on sale in the first quarter of 2009. The new Camaro will be almost identical to the concept, a thoroughly modern interpretation of the 1969 model, considered by many to be the best design of the car’s first generation. The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sport coupe will feature an independent rear suspension, and will be offered in a variety of models with the choice of manual and automatic transmissions and V-6 and V-8 engines."

Clyde

 

The local dealerships here will not take any kind of deposits until 6months before the cars are suppose to hit the show room floors.

At least the two I deal with.

We had a Fbody show just yesterday At one of the dealerships & alot of the people at the show were asking about the new camaro & they were told to go talk to me since I had more information about the camaro than the dealership. But they told everyone that NO ONE will take a deposit until sometime mid next year.

 

Most dealers in the Detroit area are taking deposits. My dealer took a $500 deposit on the convertible during the auto show in January. Other dealers are now up to $1000. I thought I read somewhere that GM had "approved" the dealers taking a deposit around March. My receipt clearly states that it is a fully refundable deposit, and they guaranteed me MSRP in writing after I told them of my concerns with the crap that has gone on with the Mustang GT500 being sold for rediculous prices on ebay etc (my local Ford dealer would'nt even give me a price on the GT500 they had on the showroom floor) My $500 would'nt have made much interest for two years anyhow....so big deal if I end up getting it back after two years with no interest. I'm getting $50 worth of enjoyment dreaming about having the car......

 

Just don't buy from those dealers...ever.
Also, many people are assuming that deposits give them priority. It doesn't. It also doesn't guarantee a price. So you may be placing a deposit on a car 10k over mspr that you won't see until everyone else has paid 11k over msrp.

Deposits don't help you at all. They do, however, help the dealer to make interest off of your money.

 

Did you even give any thought to this before you made this comment?

The deposits give people whatever they negotiated for them when they put them down. Nothing more, nothing less.

To go around spouting off that the deposits won't guarantee them this or that is just dumb. How you feel qualified to speak for every situation that someone has placed one is beyond me.

 

"The deposits give people whatever they negotiated for them when they put them down. Nothing more, nothing less."

That is a true statement, but I don't see where there is much to negotiate on at this point in time. We and the dealers know nothing for certain, options, models, availability are all still up in the air. You would likely need a lawyer to write a contract for the deposit to cover all of the possible scenarios that could/could not happen. And while I think that many dealers would negotiate in good faith, there are others that would not. I'm not about to place a deposit with ANY dealer that does not know more about what/when availability is than I do. I would want more assurance than what the dealer offered me, "give us a $1,000 deposit and we'll put you on a list" just doesn't cut it.
Clyde