Vote: Cert Program a success?

[Viperfreak2]

It's almost over. After all, the 2004's will be rolling off the Conner Ave floor and into ANY stealership that wants one. The questions are: Was the certificate program a success? Was it worth the effort? What lessons did DC (and the Viper Club) learn? What about all the 'floaters'? (cars that were sold from under the cert holders nose, Ebay cars etc.) Did it drive up prices, or down? DC deserves a report card. My vote? I didn't get a 2003. My 5K deposit was sent back (thanks) because I signed up WAY before the cert program. When I got the cert, I found out I was about last on the "list". Yellow was my first choice anyway. Rated on 1-10? 7

 

[CajunViper]

Was the certificate program a success?
< Yes, I got my car on the 26th of Dec. 2002. Merry Christmas to me. >


Was it worth the effort?
< Yes. >


What lessons did DC (and the Viper Club) learn?
< Don't think there was a lesson to be learned. >


What about all the 'floaters'? (cars that were sold from under the cert holders nose, Ebay cars etc.)
< That was cert holders that tried to make a quick buck or get something for nothing. Less than 5% of cars sold. >


Did it drive up prices, or down?
< The cert program did not drive up the prices; it was the cert holders trying to make a quick buck that may have driven up the prices. Greed. >


All in all it worked like it was supposed to. You can't please all the people all the time. The dealers that tried to go back on their initial deal are well known now and will suffer. I don't know the final outcome, but would predict the less than 5% had a problems. I think Dodge should be applauded for pulling this off. No other car company in the world would even think of doing something like this let alone pulling it off. I got my car with no hassle and no problems what so ever. And it is a great car. Just my opinion I could be wrong.

WOOOO! HOOOO! For Dodge.

Dean

 

[Wayne Finch]

The only real negative would be from DC's point of view. As the car is styled a lot differently, there seems to be a large number of potential new buyers (i.e. never previously owned a Viper) that really have no chance at buying this car.

Probably worked against the interests of those dealers trying to gouge customers. No tears here.

Created a glut of RT10's and GTS's on the market lowering resale prices as most SRT buyers had a previous Viper - some kept both, but lots sold. My guess is that in the first year, somewhere around 700-1000 Vipers are being resold that may not have been if new Viper was sold to a wider audience.

 

[Russ Oasis]

My vote is exactly with CajunViper / Dean. I feel as he does.

 

[McGuireV10]

The only real negative would be from DC's point of view. As the car is styled a lot differently, there seems to be a large number of potential new buyers (i.e. never previously owned a Viper) that really have no chance at buying this car.

Not to mention a large number of existing owners who currently own a Viper, who will now only buy from the used market. (Just guessing from being around here a couple years now, but it does seem that repeat-buyers make up a larger segment of Viper sales than is probably usually the case with a car model.)

 

[ViperJohn]

I think DC had the right idea to prevent price gouging and "reward" previous viper owners. However, the dealerships began auctioning some of the cars and selling essentially new cars as used. This was a huge turn off for me. I struggle with the concept of paying MSRP, let alone a mark up.

It seems that this program worked for most people.

 

[C O D Y]

YESSSSS!!! Thank you DC.

 

[GR8_ASP]

I would say overall yes. This was a win-win though. I am pretty sure I would not have purchased a 2003 without the certificate incentive. I do not know what value it provided but the combination of perceived value and exclusivity was a deciding factor.

On the negative side I am aware of many people who sold their car (locally) who never intended to keep it for themselves. Any future program should prevent such pofiteering, possibly like Mercedes can't sell within x months ... I was really not enthused that other owners I know were profiting directly only because they had a current Viper, while future owners were getting stiffed for the same reason.

 

[FASTRNU]

It certainly was successful at keeping many non Viper owners from getting one. I'll give it a 10 on that!

Come on 2004!

 

[Viperfreak2]

So, the lessons DC should have learned are:
1) It was a great idea, so let's do it again (SRT coupe)
2) Add a 'can't re-sale' clause for 6 months? or
3) Have the Viper club members set the rules?
*) Offer yellow the first year? (self motivated)

 

[VOI9 ASP]

Not everyone sold their second SRT-10 for a profit. I resold my second SRT-10 at a loss but made another non-cert holder / VCA member that couldn't order one very happy. Just seeing the look on his face when he drove off was worth it. I'm keeping my other SRT-10. Love the car. Thanks again DC for rewarding the loyal Viper lovers that purchase your product.