I'll post the reply, so we all know what makes them better!

Here's the text of my e-mail to CarOder.com.

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Hi,

I'm interested in using your service, but I can't help notice that the price on the car I want (a '99 Audi A4 1.8) is actually more than MSRP. Since these cars can currently be had for roughly 5% over invoice from most any dealer, I'm assuming you provide some added value to justify the extra cost. Could you please send me a summary of what your service provides that makes it more compelling than my local dealer?

I know e-commerce is the next big thing, and I want to be part of it sooner rather than later, so I look forward to your reply.

Thanks so much.

I was seriously considering buying a new car from them. I priced one last week and put it in my "virtual garage," but now I can do better dealing with the dealership directly.

It's very strange, if you ask me. First, they offer one of the best bargains on the Web, and then they turn around and commit highway robbery. What's going on?

StevenN '96 2.8 qm Emerald Green

I sent them a similar letter, in which I pointed out that many of the other vehicles that they sell were still priced at invoice. I also asked them why they were singling out Audi vehicles and pricing them ABOVE MSRP.

We need to keep the pressure on. Let them know that carorder.com now has a very bad name with Audi loyalists and that we will let our friends know not to use them as a broker.

Although carorder.com has the right to set prices, and (eventually) make a profit, it seems clear to me that they are trying to 'get rid' of us Audi fans because we are costing them too much money.

I'm going to go check the site.. have they changed their policy? I purposely ordered a stripped A4 w/ sport package so that they would have to order me a 2000. They have called me several times, keeping me abreast that they can't find the car as optioned (no surprise to me since I don't think I've ever seen one on a lot without lots of add ons).
I inquired about 2000 prices if they had to order one, and they told me I'm guaranteed '99 pricing even if the new prices go up.

I put a car in the virtual garage last week as well. They will actually honor that price for 7 days from the time you "parked" it there, so you may still be able to get the at invoice pricing.

They obviously do NOT want your business on an A4. It seemed odd to me at the time that they priced the A4's at invoice, yet the A6's and 8's were almost full retail. I don't think any one model is more or less in demand.

I'm near Rochester, NY and they are working with a Long Island (Anchor Audi) dealer on my car. They include transportation to my doorstep on this car. They'll spend @$2,000 to make this deal complete.
Now it will be interesting to see if they honor their deal with me at invoice. I'll post my successes (or failures)!

I can understand giving up on invoice pricing where they were having to pay dealers to get the cars delivered, but going to the other extreme is really weird.

I wonder if "traditional" dealers have decided to try to throw a monkey wrench into CarOrder's plans by refusing to sell them cars at a competitive price? Nothing like at "$2k over MSRP price" to stop that business from rolling in ;-)

Mitch
'99.5 A6Q

it seems like you guys aren't getting the point....

which is, carorder has a right to ask whatever they want for a car, and you have the right to take it, or leave it and shop around. sounds like a no brainer to me....