Mark,
I'll be totally honest with you.
*IF*, I was someone who was REALLY into elevators, and I always wanted to have the latest and greatest... and you were coming out with the XLX-29000 series, and we both knew it would be a hot seller, and you were willing to let me have first dibs on buying one, BUT, you didn't know the price and were only able to show me some pre-production models. Then you said I could place an order, but it would not be fulfilled for 6 months or more, but if I changed my mind, I could back out for no penalty... well then I would definitely place an order.
What makes the certificate program really unique (and different than the examples you cited) is that these cars are going to be HOT and hard to get for non-cert holders - I don't think most people get worked up about new elevators
.. at least I hope they don't.
The thing to remember is that Dodge is INCREASING their workload and the amount of paperwork they must process to make this happen. Not only did they not have to do this, but their lives would have been a LOT easier if they didn't do it. I can't think of any other car that was sold under this method - besides some Ferraris where you must be an owner to buy the new whatever. I think the fact that Dodge is doing this for us is awesome. I actually think the guys who are benefitting - those who will be using their cert - should chip in and send a few kegs of beer to the guys at Dodge who arranged this... it's the LEAST we could do!