Trying to buy AT4, but dealers won’t sell at GM employee price

MalibuLX3 · March 16, 2021

I’m in the market for a 2021 Sierra 1500 AT4 Duramax with a valid GM employee pin, but all of the dealers I’ve reached out to in California won’t honor the employee pricing. On top of that, some dealers here are adding on $5,000 for market adjustment and $3,000 for paint protection. Because of this, I’ve started to look at other dealers outside of California, but most that I’ve called either say they can’t sell it to someone out of state, or if they do, they can’t honor my valid employee pricing. I’ve considered seeing if a dealer would honor the price if I order the truck, but who knows what the rebates will be when it’s available, and I’m worried they might say one thing when they take my order, but change the deal when the truck is delivered. I’d like to buy now to take advantage of the current pricing, but I’m not willing to pass up employee pricing, and pay a market adjustment on top of it.

Any advice on what you would do would be greatly appreciated.

cNate · March 16, 2021

I’m in the market for a 2021 Sierra 1500 AT4 Duramax with a valid GM employee pin, but all of the dealers I’ve reached out to in California won’t honor the employee pricing. On top of that, some dealers here are adding on $5,000 for market adjustment and $3,000 for paint protection. Because of this, I’ve started to look at other dealers outside of California, but most that I’ve called either say they can’t sell it to someone out of state, or if they do, they can’t honor my valid employee pricing. I’ve considered seeing if a dealer would honor the price if I order the truck, but who knows what the rebates will be when it’s available, and I’m worried they might say one thing when they take my order, but change the deal when the truck is delivered. I’d like to buy now to take advantage of the current pricing, but I’m not willing to pass up employee pricing, and pay a market adjustment on top of it.

Any advice on what you would do would be greatly appreciated.

Contact GM Corporate. They have to honor the pricing and they can’t force BS paint protection plans on you. My buddy just used a GM Code at Motor City GMC in Bakersfield. No issue.

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Z71RAD88 · March 16, 2021

I live in CA as well and had similar experience with using the educator discount since my wife is a teacher. I ended up ordering a truck through a dealer 2 hours away who advertised on their website they do offer/honor the educator discount. I don’t know exactly what the program is called, but the dealer sent me a screen shot that caps the rebate for the month of March as the floor for when my truck arrives middle of May. So, right now the rebate on 2021 Silverados is $4250, if the rebate is lower than that come May, GM will cover the difference. I believe the order has to be placed before the 31st of this month. Maybe they’ll continue it in April as well?

Depending on how far you’re willing to drive, I’d me more than happy to share the contact information of the dealership and sales manager I’d dealing with.

Wormydog1724 · March 16, 2021

I'm betting there's a dealer in another state that will honor it and deliver the vehicle to you. Mine was delivered from another state from four hours away. Delivered to my door and drove my trade-in back. This dealership delivers all over the country, the delivery driver had just gotten back from Louisiana the earlier in the day.

I get people hate California but denying someone a buying opportunity just because they live there isn't cool.

econometrics · March 16, 2021

https://www.laurabuickgmc.com/

https://www.everettbgmc.com/

https://www.rivardbuickgmc.com/

All three a ways from you in CA, but all three will deal on new trucks, that's for sure. Do the math for yourself, and see if it is worth it to fly out and drive it back.

What could beat a long road trip in your new truck, anyway?

elcamino · March 16, 2021

Dealers are independent and they are not required to honor any discounts such as Employee, Supplier etc. They don't make as much money on those sales. Trucks are in big demand now and many dealers are greedy and won't deal. That's free enterprise.

Also parts shortages are causing production delays for many vehicles. The Camaro plant (also builds Cadillac's) shut down Monday till the end of month due to part shortages. The biggest part shortage involves semiconductors and it world-wide..

Edited March 16, 2021 by elcamino

MalibuLX3 · March 16, 2021

4 hours ago, Z71RAD88 said:

I live in CA as well and had similar experience with using the educator discount since my wife is a teacher. I ended up ordering a truck through a dealer 2 hours away who advertised on their website they do offer/honor the educator discount. I don’t know exactly what the program is called, but the dealer sent me a screen shot that caps the rebate for the month of March as the floor for when my truck arrives middle of May. So, right now the rebate on 2021 Silverados is $4250, if the rebate is lower than that come May, GM will cover the difference. I believe the order has to be placed before the 31st of this month. Maybe they’ll continue it in April as well?

Depending on how far you’re willing to drive, I’d me more than happy to share the contact information of the dealership and sales manager I’d dealing with.

I haven't heard of the program that you mention, but that sounds like something that would alleviate some of my fears of ordering. Can you send me the details on the dealership and sales manager you are working with?

Z71RAD88 · March 16, 2021

5 minutes ago, MalibuLX3 said:

I haven't heard of the program that you mention, but that sounds like something that would alleviate some of my fears of ordering. Can you send me the details on the dealership and sales manager you are working with?

Sure thing. I’ll shoot you a PM.

BIGDOGx · March 16, 2021

They are going to start cutting corners and eliminating some systems in these trucks that will decrease mpg by 1, that is how bad this chip issue has become.

Most dealers i expect are going to value their truck and suv supply much more so than any other year on record imo. Your best bet is a super high volume dealer, the local small ones are not going to give away their stock like normal years.

econometrics · March 16, 2021

27 minutes ago, BIGDOGx said:

They are going to start cutting corners and eliminating some systems in these trucks that will decrease mpg by 1, that is how bad this chip issue has become.

Most dealers i expect are going to value their truck and suv supply much more so than any other year on record imo. Your best bet is a super high volume dealer, the local small ones are not going to give away their stock like normal years.

Bingo.

BIGDOGx · March 16, 2021

Just now, econometrics said:

Bingo.

Especially the at-4 version, no dealer around me can keep them on the lots! It is by a far far margin Gm's most in demand version of the fullsize line, it's why they really should shelve the denalis and just make at-4's imo.

BlancoSilverado · March 16, 2021

I know that MYChevrolet in Salinas, CA will do that pricing for you. Also it is quite the way for you, but to save 8k I would make that drive.

elcamino · March 16, 2021

1 hour ago, BIGDOGx said:

Especially the at-4 version, no dealer around me can keep them on the lots! It is by a far far margin Gm's most in demand version of the fullsize line, it's why they really should shelve the denalis and just make at-4's imo.

Dealers have to earn every vehicle they get. Sell one AT4, earn another and so. Gone are the days when dealers could order anything they wanted. AT4's have been on constraint since last fall due to supplier issues. Local dealer sells every Denali this get within a few weeks.

gearheadesw · March 16, 2021

What a POS dealership, never, NEVER, give them your business, even after things go towards normal, they won't help you, don't help them.

BIGDOGx · March 16, 2021

32 minutes ago, elcamino said:

Dealers have to earn every vehicle they get. Sell one AT4, earn another and so. Gone are the days when dealers could order anything they wanted. AT4's have been on constraint since last fall due to supplier issues. Local dealer sells every Denali this get within a few weeks.

Yes and they sell every at-4 before it even touches their lots nowadays which is why they don't need denalis imo. That is just part content taking up resources that could go to something that sells like hot cakes. Denalis are not hard to find and locate around me sitting like a statue on dealer lots.