Smooth buy, beware of IMR & LMA fees

[Arch Stanton]

Purchase of my 2025 Silverado 1500 Trail Boss went fairly well and was overall pleased with the dealer. Truck was quickly assembled following order placement, but sadly took a long time ship, which means it was rotting in an open lot somewhere for ages - thanks Mary. Paid invoice price with no deposit, no negotiation necessary. Had a surprise though when dealer added fees of $300+ for "IMR" and $1000+ for "LMR". Apparently, these are real national and regional advertising fees that participating dealers pay to GM for advertising (IMR = In Market Retail, LMA = Local Marketing Assoc). Had never heard of anything like that being passed on to buyers as separate line items and would have walked on the truck had the dealer or Chevy/GM not kindly relented. Recommend buyers inquire about these fees and other 'surprises' prior to signing anything. - they always seem to come up with creative new ones. Also purchased the 'Platinum' extended warranty with the truck, but depending upon particulars it may be better to wait 'til your bumper to bumper is close to expiration. Even at invoice price, the total cost of the truck is crazy and hard to justify - hoping the 6.2L doesn't blow.

 

[GETGONE]

Sounds like a shady dealer. Never heard of those being added to any vehicle. I've only bought 3 new vehicles though and my 2021 Trail Boss was the last one.

 

[wolverine]

Sounds like the dealer tried taking you for a ride. One of many tactics to get you to fork over more money. Sadly, a lot of people don't push back...if those tactics didn't work, dealers wouldn't use them.

What's the build date on the door jamb of your truck?

 

[Jmzvet]

That's shady like when I ordered a 23 Yukon in 2022 during BS Covid from a dealer 1000 miles away since they weren't charging $5K over sticker like the local dealers were. I went to pick it up 4 months later and they added about $2K of dealer installed crap. It was either fly home w/o a new car for my wife or pay the ransom. Dennis Dillon GMC in Boise Idaho is a place that will never get a dime from me ever again .
Love the Duramax Yukon Denali just not the buying experience.

 

[Stormin08]

most of the lots around me, have an additional sticker with dealer add ons...usually totaling about 2500$
tint
paint protection
scratch repair
seat tear protection

the ceramic paint protection IS A COMPLETE WASTE, that is why they offer the service to be maintenance free, just run it back by and we re-do it
it is typically a wet applied ceramic sealant, lasting maybe 3 months....

 

[Jmzvet]

Agree but I ordered the vehicle with 3 options and them adding on worthless crap was complete BS.

 

[NCBob]

How about $300 for nitrogen-filled tires! I screamed a loud BS and told the dealer to take out the nitrogen and replace with air. Ended up not paying for the nitrogen.
On a positive note, I ordered an $1,100 three-panel metal tonneau to be dealer installed. Instead, they mistakenly installed a $1,600 metal roll up tonneau for the price of the tri-fold. Dealer said they’d eat the difference. Karma

 

[Stormin08]

i will say this, the compressor to do the nitrogen was a very costly piece 15 yrs ago

 

[NCBob]

i will say this, the compressor to do the nitrogen was a very costly piece 15 yrs ago

Who cares? 15 years ago, costly. Today, meaningless. I didn’t order it and don’t need it. Another way to gouge the buyer.

 

[Stormin08]

your opinion, i get it...but Nitrogen is more stable...thank you Ford, Firestone and the lengthy list of idiots who dont care to maintain their rides....

now we have additional systems that most seem to rely on now....I for 1, cannot stand the TPMS

 

[Ice Station Zebra]

In the Northeast, I think every dealer tries to get away with the the add-on regional advertising and marketing fees. They try and represent it as a part of their invoice cost. Just tell them No. I bought our 2025 at invoice price and went thru the same dance. Just get up and start walking out to take your business elsewhere and I guarantee you they'll make those fees disappear immediately.

 

[NCBob]

your opinion, i get it...but Nitrogen is more stable...thank you Ford, Firestone and the lengthy list of idiots who dont care to maintain their rides....

now we have additional systems that most seem to rely on now....I for 1, cannot stand the TPMS

I have no objection to nitrogen. I have issue with the dealer attempting a $300 charge without my permission.