4SallyPat

I went into 2 different So Cal Audi dealerships looking to get an European Delivery (Germany).

Both said they can offer better deals for their on lot and on transit cars.

But I said I would like to take a vacation in Europe and pick up the car for re delivery to my local dealer.

They insisted that I would get a better deal by buying from their inventory.

Both would not quote me a European delivery pricing...

Why ?

Are dealers not making enough profit on the sale and the back end (Trunk money) for a European Delivery ?

Are dealers' allocations / order numbers tied to European delivery ?

Compared to BMW, a European delivery means zero allocation impact and a free sale so they are more willing to make the sale.

Is Audi structured differently ?

alatsacto

I only dealt with three dealerships during the two years I was looking in to getting my new car. While I never got the sense of them trying to persuade me not to do European Delivery, I did get the sense that once I told them I was doing ED and I had been working with 1 dealership, the other dealerships had very little motivation to try to sell me on anything. I guess since the price is "basically" locked-in, then there's no real advantage for choosing one dealership over another. My dealership wouldn't budge off the 5% or even throw in some floor mats, they said they were locked in on that price. They said they had to work so much more for a ED sale than a normal sale, so I guess that is where maybe I could see why some dealerships would prefer you not to do ED.

Osicom

I didn't have this problem at my SoCal dealer. I negotiated for the car like I would normally, goal of $500 above invoice. Spoke directly to sales manager. After we agreed, I informed him I wanted to do Euro Delivery. He asked for a $1k deposit. I gladly obliged.

TIME89

Many of them had no clue what is ED.
I had the same issue with Audi Auto Gallery in Woodland Hills, CA

4SallyPat

Can I ask which So Cal Audi dealer knew how to do a Euro Delivery ?

I tried: Downtown LA and Penske West Covina - neither had any inclination to do a Euro Delivery..

Thanks for everyone's input!

4SallyPat

I guess a lot of Audi dealers don't know about Euro.

Does anyone know if the car I want (A4) takes away from their factory allocation ?

I know for sure, coming from BMW that almost all cars except for the M cars are outside their allocation which means a free sale that does not impact their on the lot inventory....

Osicom

Curiously it was at Penske Audi West Covina. It was a pleasant process for me overall. Sorry you had trouble.
The only thing I can see is that they have S4's on the lot and it's a niche car to say the least so they probably want to unload the ones they have on the lot.

One thing I would do is don't bring up ED first. Deal on the car like you would buy it for here, Ie custom order, etc. Then when it's finalized, tell them you want ED. And like prior posts, a lot of them don't know about the program much but Penske is familiar with it.

4SallyPat

Thanks Osicom !

Very helpful tips - I will pursue Walter's Audi in Riverside and see what happens.

Appreciate all of you !

TIME89

How far for you Thousand Oaks?
About a two years ago a had a pleasure to meat a salesman from Rusnak Audi - JAMES ANDERSON.
One of the best experience that I had with Audi salesmen. They guy was amazing in his knowledge of Audi history and current models. He sad that he knew about ED also.
I post his name here. Let me find out for you. Give him a call - no one ask you to drive all the way to Thousand Oaks.

My original post

JAMES ANDERSON
Brand Specialist
Phone: 805.267.5934
Email: janderson@rusnakautogroup.com

BILL AGOVINO
Sales Manager
Phone: 805.267.5988
Email: wagovino@rusnakautogroup.com

4SallyPat

Thanks for the referral - TO is about 90 minutes away.
Appreciate all the input everyone.

BTW: I got a call from the GM of West Covina Audi with an apology after I complained to Audi Customer Experience.
Audi does take issues such as dealers not knowing ED seriously....
Will definitely try them out since they are so close to where I live...