Hello,

I'm new to the forum. Can anyone recommend a dealer in Washington DC selling at MSRP?

Thanks

KOONS OF TYSONS CORNER, INC.
2000 CHAIN BRIDGE RD
VIENNA, VA
Phone: (703) 356-0400
Fax: (703) 442-5763

I have my Volt on Order at Ourisman Chevrolet in Bowie, MD. So far, MSRP, good com and responsive to questions.
16610 Governor Bridge Road
BOWIE, MD 20716
SALES (301) 850-2505

CRISWELL CHEVROLET, INC.
503 QUINCE ORCHARD RD
GAITHERSBURG, MD

Contact
Phone: (301) 948-0880
Fax: (301) 921-9806

Criswell Chevy.

I would stay away from Koons. When I spoken to them they wouldn't guarantee MSRP and and the deposit they wanted was non refundable.

I have a refundable deposit with Koons, and they told me in writing it is MSRP. Maybe different stories from different sales people...

I would stay away from Koons. When I spoken to them they wouldn't guarantee MSRP and and the deposit they wanted was non refundable.


I have a refundable deposit with Koons, and they told me in writing it is MSRP. Maybe different stories from different sales people...

That's interesting.

Koons of Tysons Corner is the dealer closest to me, so they were who I first contacted. They told me "we are currently not selling the Volt at MSRP" but couldn't tell me how much over MSRP it would be. At first I was given the impression that the deposit would be non-refundable (Who in his/her right mind would agree to that combination of terms??) but I do have an email from Koons in my inbox that says the $1000 deposit is refundable.

This was fairly early in the game: June 29th. They may have changed their tune since then. In the meantime I went with a dealer way down in Alexandria.

FWIW there's another Koons Chevrolet north of Baltimore, about which I know nothing. Here's a list of the 27 Chevrolet dealers (http://www.chevyfirst.com/ContactUs.aspx) in metro DC.

This was fairly early in the game: June 29th. They may have changed their tune since then.

From what I heard, a lot of dealers early on said they were going to charge over MSRP. A lot of end customers complained (loudly), and GM confirmed they had no power to control what the dealers charged once they had the cars.

And, rather quietly, a lot of dealers then changed their policies to straight MSRP. So yes, things appeared to change mid-game there. My guess (a pure speculation) is that GM reminded their dealers they weren't *required* to sell them cars... Whatever, a lot of dealers went to charging MSRP.

Criswell Chevy.

I would stay away from Koons. When I spoken to them they wouldn't guarantee MSRP and and the deposit they wanted was non refundable.
I would be careful not to black-ball any particular dealer.
The scenario is very dynamic with many sales managers and/or dealer principles (owners) flip-flopping on early statements of demanding a buyer premium. Check with your dealer for clarification and if it makes you feel more comfortable feel free to request an MSRP statement in your deposit advice/offer to purchase.
GL
WopOnTour

I live very close to Koons, but my overall experience with them has not been good. I placed an order with Sport Chevrolet in Silver Spring because of the excellent service they gave me with respect to a ZR1 problem. But I doubt whether they have any 2011 allocation left.

I did contact them fairly early, around June, so they may have changed their tune. I have a nasty email thread with one of their salespeople which really turned me off to the dealership. I guess that's all it takes when you have a lot of other options around you.

I spoke with a half dozen volt dealers in the DC area. Everyone I spoke to was professional and courteous. Some were more knowledgeable than others. My dealings with the dealers have been great so far, I hopw it continues. My guess is that you got someone on a bad day who doesn't know about this website. I've prepared myself by getting info from Lyle's site and it's a powerful position to be in when you know more than the dealer.

a lot of dealers early on said they were going to charge over MSRP. A lot of end customers complained (loudly)... and, rather quietly, a lot of dealers then changed their policies to straight MSRP.

It may also be that the demand was not as strong as initially indicated. I hope that was not the case, but we should be honest that it may have been. Once shipments begin, I'm hoping for long waiting lists at dealerships, that push GM to up production, just like the '04 Prius did. But that remains to be seen.

All of us early adopters who have already placed orders will be Volt ambassadors, spreading the word. I know I'll be giving a lot of test drives in my car. I hope I can win some curious people over into buyers.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have narrowed down my search but they want $1000 non refundable deposit. Is it normal for deposit to be non refundable?

BTW, there are many dealers in DC area attempting to charge over MSRP. One dealer offered me their first Volt projected to arrive in January for $3K over MSRP. A couple other dealers quoted MSRP + $2K.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have narrowed down my search but they want $1000 non refundable deposit. Is it normal for deposit to be non refundable?


It probably depends on how hungry the dealer is. If they're ordering a car to your specifications and are using a reasonably current allocation slot then non-refundable makes some sense. Not so for a car that won't be actually allocated for several weeks. I would want something in return. Offer refundable until status changes from 1100 to 2000, then locked as an example.


BTW, there are many dealers in DC area attempting to charge over MSRP. One dealer offered me their first Volt projected to arrive in January for $3K over MSRP. A couple other dealers quoted MSRP + $2K.

Likewise depends on how hungry the dealer is, and how hungry you are. If you visit the dealer in person, I would give a cold stare, then get up and head for the door without saying a word as soon as a price over MSRP is mentioned. Odds are they won't let you reach the door before offering MSRP.

However, if the dealer has used their early allocations on spec cars, they can probably sell them at over MSRP within a day or two after they hit the lot, given the buzz and ratcheting up of the advertising. So it kind of depends on whether you want the first Volt to roll off the truck or are ordering one to your specifications for delivery in February or later.

By the way, here in California they never do this, but it's not uncommon for me to see cars from the East Coast with dealer-applied riveted metal nameplates or very permanent stickers on the rear deck. I would want it in writing that they not do this. Obviously anything easily removable like a license plate frame is cool, but permanent free dealer advertising looks pretty tacky at least to me.

Is it normal for deposit to be non refundable?

I've spoken with a LOT of dealers in MI, VA, MD, and NY. All of them said deposits were refundable. I would continue looking till I found a refundable deposit if I was you.

it's not uncommon for me to see cars from the East Coast with dealer-applied riveted metal nameplates or very permanent stickers on the rear deck.

It doesn't seem to be as common as it once was, but it still happens. Also some dealers use sticker-like things.

I haven't talked to my dealer about this yet, but I'm strongly hoping I can get my Volt in an unbranded state.

I have narrowed down my search but they want $1000 non refundable deposit. Is it normal for deposit to be non refundable?

All 4 of the dealers I spoke with in San Diego wanted a non-refundable deposit, refundable only on dealer failure to perform. It's so if they order your car specified *your* way, and when it gets there you say "Oh, right. No - I don't want it." Well, in that case it sure seems fair to me it's non-refundable!

... it's not uncommon for me to see cars from the East Coast with dealer-applied riveted metal nameplates or very permanent stickers on the rear deck. I would want it in writing that they not do this. Obviously anything easily removable like a license plate frame is cool, but permanent free dealer advertising looks pretty tacky at least to me.

Funny, just today I sent a fax to my dealer raising a few minor issues surrounding delivery, and one of them was "no dealer graphics".

I agree with most here that asking for a non-refundable deposit is far, especially once the order advances past 2000 or so.

I placed my order yesterday with Ourisman Chevrolet of Bowie. I sent email inquiries to multiple dealers in DC and Ourisman was the only dealer to respond offering MSRP and well as stating they still had allocations. Other dealers either didn't respond, were selling at 2k-3k over MSRP, or sent response back asking me to call.

The overall transaction so far has exceeded my expectations.

12/09/2010 - (1100) Order Placed at Dealership Order passed GM edit tables but dealers has not received allocation to place order
12/09/2010 - (1102) Order Entered via Web

Ourisman told me they have 2 allocations left in case anyone is still looking.

I placed my order yesterday with Ourisman Chevrolet of Bowie. I sent email inquiries to multiple dealers in DC and Ourisman was the only dealer to respond offering MSRP and well as stating they still had allocations. Other dealers either didn't respond, were selling at 2k-3k over MSRP, or sent response back asking me to call.

The overall transaction so far has exceeded my expectations.

12/09/2010 - (1100) Order Placed at Dealership Order passed GM edit tables but dealers has not received allocation to place order
12/09/2010 - (1102) Order Entered via Web

Ourisman told me they have 2 allocations left in case anyone is still looking.

I have my Volt on order with Ourisman. I will visit tomorrow to meet with a Volt specialist and they've promised me a test drive!! I'm glad your experience mirrors mine with Ourisman. Test Drives noon to 3pm.

I visited Ourisman Chevrolet in Bowie today and got to take several test drives. All the time I was driving the Volt it was very quiet inside, and in my head all I heard was Family Guy's Peter Griffin: "This is FREAKIN' SWEEEET!!!"
This is the first time I saw the Volt in person. Some impressions:
1) The Volt is at times both larger yet smaller than I had envisioned.
2) The Volt has a small front end, not much room under the hood for ICE, inverter, transmission, generator and E-motor. Great engineering in that packaging!
3) low ground clearance
4) Plenty of room in the hatchback and the cloth cover is a nice touch.
5) White Ceramic center stack is very nice. Being a newbie, I could find buttons quicker than with the charcoal version.
6) I was not disappointed in the least; in fact, I was thrilled to have made the decision to buy months ago.
7) Veridian Joule looks a lot like Silver Ice. Joule is a nice color, but I'm not sold on size of the upcharge.
8) On board charger was plugged in to 110 outlet. With a depleted battery, the center stack display said that charging would be complete by 11pm. (Was 1pm at the time)
9) The Volt is peppier than expected, with the low CG, it handles GREAT!
10) My wife looked HOT when seated in the driver's seat. My time with the Volt may be limited.

612610613611609

Looking forward to delivery of VIN#63!!

Plenty of room in the hatchback and the cloth cover is a nice touch.

Note that that's an LPO option -- "W2D Rear Cargo Net". As an LPO option it should be purchasable from your dealer upon delivery. I'll probably buy it, along with one or more of the other LPO options.

EDIT: thanks Barry for the clarification below

Monica, the Volt Specialist, explained that the cloth cover was standard; it's more of a cargo cover than anything functional. There are however, two options. 1) a cargo net and 2) a cargo partition available in either cloth or leather. Both are LPO options. I didn't see these today, but posts on the accessories pages have better details.

Note that that's an LPO option -- "W2D Rear Cargo Net". As an LPO option it should be purchasable from your dealer upon delivery. I'll probably buy it, along with one or more of the other LPO options.

EDIT: thanks Barry for the clarification below

Barry is correct. Also note that LPOs can be ordered when the vehicle is ordered. My Volt order includes the cargo net, the car cover, and the rear seat storage barrier. However, my order is at 1100 (dealer has no allocation), and is likely to stay there until about February.

BTW, the initial ordering workbook said RWJ was a vehicle cover with front-window shade, so I didn't order SFJ front window shade. The dealer's online ordering screen said RWJ was a vehicle cover. When it comes in, if it doesn't have the window shade, I may order the window shade as an accessory for $99.