In a surprising turn of events, new car buyers are now paying less of a premium than they were just a year ago. However, the average sale price is still a whopping 8.8% above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, or MSRP. What gives?
According to car sales expert, Bob Bobson, it’s all part of the car dealership’s grand strategy to trick customers into paying more than they should. “It’s really quite genius,” Bobson explained. “We tell the customers they’re getting a great deal because they’re paying less than last year’s premium, but then we jack up the sale price so high they’re still paying way more than they need to. It’s like a magic trick, but instead of rabbits, we’re pulling money out of their wallets.”
But who are these car buyers willing to pay such a high price for a new ride? Enter the Jones family: Mr. Jones, his wife Mrs. Jones, and their dog, Tank. The Joneses are known in the car buying world for their willingness to pay top dollar for the latest and greatest models.
“I don’t care about MSRP or premiums or any of that nonsense,” Mr. Jones said. “I just want to make sure my neighbors know I have the newest car on the block.”
Mrs. Jones added, “And we need to make sure Tank is comfortable in the backseat. He’s a big boy, you know.”
While the Joneses and other car buyers may be willing to pay more for the latest and greatest models, some experts are calling for a change in the industry. “It’s time for car dealerships to stop playing these games,” said consumer advocate Jane Doe. “Customers deserve to pay a fair price for a new car, not some inflated, made-up number that only benefits the dealership.”
In the meantime, the Joneses will continue to drive off the lot in their brand new cars, completely unaware of just how much they overpaid. Tank, on the other hand, will just be happy to have a spacious backseat to stretch out in.
