My Thoughts on MSRP

[Timothyd]

I already have my toys so when I'm looking to acquire something I consider the value. Value to me is most important. I don't think the Maverick will tank in the future and it's utilitarian and practical.

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[Bry@n]

I think most wanted to buy at MSRP to put themselves in a good position while prices were going up. You could sell early and hedge to something else. Even profit a little. The market has changed and is changing quickly since November. Auction prices have changed, salvage auctions have started to change, dealer offers for trades are changing but the Maverick demand and lack of units has kept it hot. I don't see anything changing in the next 3-4 months.

 

[Maverstang]

You know why MSRP exists?

Because before the Monroney sticker was mandated in 1958, dealers would make "the list" price whatever they thought they could get away with.

I'm guessing that little old ladies got their pocketbooks cleaned out regularly. It's a starting point, people. I've paid MSRP and over MSRP when I had to, to get what I wanted.

Supply and demand, for better or worse, it makes capitalism work.

The Monroney sticker rule is a classic case of abusive practices in something so essential to the fabric of American life that it invites some kind of regulation. Most people must have a car to work and the auto industry is integral to the entire economy, so there is a public interest in preventing disruptive practices.

And it’s going to happen again… Abusive practices during the past couple of years has led to a new effort to ban “mandatory“ dealer junk fees. Look for new rules in the next year or so.

It’s still a free market, just one with some clearer boundary conditions that define the envelope in which the market can operate. Just about every US consumer market operates with some boundary conditions, including food labeling standards, insurance contract standards, heathcare disclosures, advertising standards, pharmaceutical purity,… it’s a long list and essential in a modern society.

 

[Old Ranchero]

I already have my toys so when I'm looking to acquire something I consider the value. Value to me is most important. I don't think the Maverick will tank in the future and it's utilitarian and practical.

I have my toys too and consider value highly, but not always to exclusion of everything else. In the case of vehicles, I'm usually researching about 1 year out before I might want to upgrade or add 1 to complement what we already have (was F-150 and 2 SUVs before my Maverick added). I had another consideration this time around: tech in the cabin. I'm probably odd like this, but LESS is better for me. The less functions and displays and gadgets the more interest I have. 1 issue related to this is new government mandates on reporting devices required in cars. Congress last year passed legislation requiring breathalyzers in all new vehicles in time for (I think) 2025 models.

Insurance companies love for you to have a tracking device recording and analyzing your driving to help set your rates, and Miles Driven modems are already required in some states (and more coming) to charge you taxes for highway funds to supplement and replace gas taxes as more and more Hybrids and BEVS hit the road and buy less gas. I chose the Maverick at this point in time to avoid most those intrusions that are on the way in addition to it complementing what we already have and it probably being my last truck purchase ever before I can't drive anymore.

 

[Waterick]

I have my toys too and consider value highly, but not always to exclusion of everything else. In the case of vehicles, I'm usually researching about 1 year out before I might want to upgrade or add 1 to complement what we already have (was F-150 and 2 SUVs before my Maverick added). I had another consideration this time around: tech in the cabin. I'm probably odd like this, but LESS is better for me. The less functions and displays and gadgets the more interest I have. 1 issue related to this is new government mandates on reporting devices required in cars. Congress last year passed legislation requiring breathalyzers in all new vehicles in time for (I think) 2025 models.

Insurance companies love for you to have a tracking device recording and analyzing your driving to help set your rates, and Miles Driven modems are already required in some states (and more coming) to charge you taxes for highway funds to supplement and replace gas taxes as more and more Hybrids and BEVS hit the road and buy less gas. I chose the Maverick at this point in time to avoid most those intrusions that are on the way in addition to it complementing what we already have and it probably being my last truck purchase ever before I can't drive anymore.

I too am concerned about intrusions into our privacy and fear the Maverick already lets too much personal info out. However, I am ready for my last dailey driver and will put up with the current privacy intrusions. If I get the Maverick I have on order, I'll be 98 by the time it's as old as my current DD (if I live that long). Haha!

 

[Hardening2753]

There always seems to be hot-button issues on the forum, one of which is paying over MSRP. While negotiating the purchase of a 2023 Maverick Hybrid XLT that someone had ordered and did not take, I got to thinking about MSRP and why people get so bent out of shape. Here are my simple and hopefully logical thoughts.

• What is MSRP? Manufacturers SUGGESTED Retail Price. It is not a set in stone price, just one suggested. Up until a couple of years ago, there were ads everywhere indicating $3K, $5K, even up to $10K off MSRP on certain vehicles, but not on all vehicles, the difference being the demand. BTW: Have you ever suggested your kids do a certain thing, and they do not follow your suggestion?
• It totally depends on what the market calls for. Have you noticed things discounted at various places? Most often, these are things that are slow sellers, so stores drop the price. Obviously, the Maverick is not a slow seller.
• As long as the supply and demand issue continues, we will see such things. There will probably come a day when you can buy Mavericks below MSRP, but that will come about when there are lots of them on dealer lots, which obviously is not now. As a side note, I never thought I would have to pay $125 an hour for an electrician, but that is going rate where I live based on supply and demand.
• My modus operandi is as follows – buy what you can afford, buy what you need if you can afford it, buy what you want if you can afford it and justify it.
• Make your own decision about what you are willing to pay, and do not criticize those who are willing. It is not your money; it is theirs.

No, I am not a dealer, do not work for a dealer and have no relatives that work for one. I am just a simple man, business owner who will be buying my 101st new vehicle this weekend (many for business and some for personal).

My insisting on MSRP is because I ordered it. If it was off the lot, it's different. But not only did I order it, I have been waiting months. So MSRP is a must

 

[Waterick]

My insisting on MSRP is because I ordered it. If it was off the lot, it's different. But not only did I order it, I have been waiting months. So MSRP is a must

I agree with you, but the current car buying climate has many dealers marking up any vehicle that's in demand even if they are ordered. No matter the wait. Lucky that mine is not one of them, I don't think I would have ordered otherwise.

 

[Sleeper 7]

If you over pay and the market gets fixed the values will drop quickly. Wont matter if you intend on keeping it long term but short term 3-4 years you will be upside down on your next purchase.

 

[JBryant]

My insisting on MSRP is because I ordered it. If it was off the lot, it's different. But not only did I order it, I have been waiting months. So MSRP is a must

Fully agreed if ordered. Dealer should honor the MSRP.

 

[Timothyd]

I have my toys too and consider value highly, but not always to exclusion of everything else. In the case of vehicles, I'm usually researching about 1 year out before I might want to upgrade or add 1 to complement what we already have (was F-150 and 2 SUVs before my Maverick added). I had another consideration this time around: tech in the cabin. I'm probably odd like this, but LESS is better for me. The less functions and displays and gadgets the more interest I have. 1 issue related to this is new government mandates on reporting devices required in cars. Congress last year passed legislation requiring breathalyzers in all new vehicles in time for (I think) 2025 models.

Insurance companies love for you to have a tracking device recording and analyzing your driving to help set your rates, and Miles Driven modems are already required in some states (and more coming) to charge you taxes for highway funds to supplement and replace gas taxes as more and more Hybrids and BEVS hit the road and buy less gas. I chose the Maverick at this point in time to avoid most those intrusions that are on the way in addition to it complementing what we already have and it probably being my last truck purchase ever before I can't drive anymore.

I understand. When I mentioned value I wasn't necessarily talking about money. And, you're right, simplicity is important. The nanny state has become intrusive. I've been driving for over 50 years and I have it down pretty well. While I appreciate cruise, heated seats (someday), a decent radio and some other things, a lot of the complexity is counterproductive.

 

[gwrace14651]

There always seems to be hot-button issues on the forum, one of which is paying over MSRP. While negotiating the purchase of a 2023 Maverick Hybrid XLT that someone had ordered and did not take, I got to thinking about MSRP and why people get so bent out of shape. Here are my simple and hopefully logical thoughts.

• What is MSRP? Manufacturers SUGGESTED Retail Price. It is not a set in stone price, just one suggested. Up until a couple of years ago, there were ads everywhere indicating $3K, $5K, even up to $10K off MSRP on certain vehicles, but not on all vehicles, the difference being the demand. BTW: Have you ever suggested your kids do a certain thing, and they do not follow your suggestion?
• It totally depends on what the market calls for. Have you noticed things discounted at various places? Most often, these are things that are slow sellers, so stores drop the price. Obviously, the Maverick is not a slow seller.
• As long as the supply and demand issue continues, we will see such things. There will probably come a day when you can buy Mavericks below MSRP, but that will come about when there are lots of them on dealer lots, which obviously is not now. As a side note, I never thought I would have to pay $125 an hour for an electrician, but that is going rate where I live based on supply and demand.
• My modus operandi is as follows – buy what you can afford, buy what you need if you can afford it, buy what you want if you can afford it and justify it.
• Make your own decision about what you are willing to pay, and do not criticize those who are willing. It is not your money; it is theirs.

No, I am not a dealer, do not work for a dealer and have no relatives that work for one. I am just a simple man, business owner who will be buying my 101st new vehicle this weekend (many for business and some for personal).

 

[gwrace14651]

I remember the days when we used to compete to see who could get the lowest below invoice pricing. What a long way we've come to justify the dealer markups.

 

[Flight Test]

I remember the days when we used to compete to see who could get the lowest below invoice pricing. What a long way we've come to justify the dealer markups.

That is so true...those were the good old days, which were not that long ago!

 

[rlhdweman]

Until a couple years ago, virtually nobody ever paid MSRP, it was always below, sometimes by alot, the last new vehicle I bought in 2004 was 3 grand below. Now we are suppose to pay more than MSRP?, I understand market price, but at a certain amount above MSRP, the vehicle simply isn't worth it. So is it worth it to get a bad deal on something you want vs not getting it? For people that money doesn't matter, yes, for people who are in desperate need of a vehicle, those get taken advantage of.

 

[CTYankee]

As a society, we don't allow profiteering on scarce commodities such as food, water, and gas. Why do we allow car dealerships to engage in profiteering when having a vehicle is so central to daily life? Capitalism is fine, but unchecked capitalism, not so much.

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