Most expensive xenons ever!!!!

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by motordavid

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M, that part I understand: have cars on the lot that Biff & Buffy think they want to buy/probably lease.

SG's point, and my rant is that one is hard pressed to pick off a few things one wants, (to order rather than buy off the freakin lot), without having to check several 'packages' that are full of stuff one may not want, but most of which contain 'stuff' that are way overpriced and simply gross margin propper uppers for the mfg.

I think it's a matter of corporate policy/principle. If individual customers start picking apart packages, then the whole point of developing a sales pricing plan is defeated. BMW NA does occasionally allow a special order and there is a process but this is only for options that are typically not offered (Individual Sound system, Piano black trim, etc...) and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

On every car, I'd always like to get things a la carte. On a 3er, I want the sport seats, suspension, and steering wheel but not the glitzy bodywork. I want 4-way electric lumbar but not electric seats. But ultimately BMW is in the business to make money, and if ordering policies are overridden frequently then suddenly you'll get oddball, cancelled orders on lots and messed up accounting.

[motordavid]

M,

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

I think it's a matter of corporate policy/principle. If individual customers start picking apart packages, then the whole point of developing a sales pricing plan is defeated.

Typical Big Co 1980s 'customer oriented' corp policy, and nothing to do with 'a sales plan', imo. It has to do primarily with BMW, et al, 'plan' to get customers to pay extra for items that are 'standard'/much lower cost on other brands, and is a gross margin % padder...

BMW NA does occasionally allow a special order and there is a process but this is only for options that are typically not offered (Individual Sound system, Piano black trim, etc...) and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

I knew that; not my point, and it doesn't really address the issue.

On every car, I'd always like to get things a la carte. On a 3er, I want the sport seats, suspension, and steering wheel but not the glitzy bodywork. I want 4-way electric lumbar but not electric seats. But ultimately BMW is in the business to make money, and if ordering policies are overridden frequently then suddenly you'll get oddball, cancelled orders on lots and messed up accounting.

Not suggesting BMW not 'make money', but as a ridiculous example of allowing 'customization', one can order a freakin Subway sandwich any way one wants. Back at the car buying ranch, a car purchase is the largest buy, next to a house, and a car is a rapidly depreciating 'asset' on top of that 'annual income' sized cost. "Ordering policies"?: I must have missed that onerous point, esp in regards to a $50-$100G buy, in Biz school or my 30 year career.

"Oddball, canceled orders", yes it could and does happen. "Messed up accounting", don't think so, and that's what good accounting and audit depts are for.

I am not really shopping for a new $50-$100 G car, of any brand. But as a consumer who might be, I take umbrage with BMW and other brands that force one to take a freakin 'package' full of overpriced stuff to get the item(s) that one wants in their dealer ordered new $80G car. I realize BMW does not care about my cares or rants. But, to couch a defense in your terms is akin to suggesting, "Our customer methods are great...well, they are no worse than anyone else's".
BR, mD