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How do I use certificate..?

C

chevy04

Full Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2003
Messages
146
Location
Southwest Louisiana
Hi All:

I have a certificate now and need the advice of those that have used these. I am ready to go to the dealership as soon as I find out what to do.

The certificate reads as follows:

GM Family First Authorization

Authorization Number - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Relationship: Prospect
Expiration Date: xx/xx/xx

Could someone please tell me what I need to say or do now. I am afraid I will hand it to the salesman and he won't know what it is or say ask me what it is for. Could someone explain what I can do with this certificate and it's value to my buying power. I will be trading a truck for a truck. Is there a fixed value to the certificate or is there other special features the certifate holds. I hate to act dumb on this but I have never used one before and am greatful for the person getting it for me.
 
Just find the car you want or the dealership you want to buy from and tell them that you have a GM in the Driveway Certificate/Number that makes you eligible for GM Supplier Pricing on the new car you want (means you don't have to haggle at all, you just get a set price that's already discounted below invoice).

It's very, very simple, and in our case, the saleslady just said "okay" and gave us that price instantly. No haggling, no questions. She actually didn't even see my email printout with the number on it, but knew I had it.

Don't worry, it's a very easy thing to do/use! ;D
 
I'm not sure, I've never dealt with this but you might be able to hustle your sales man down to the lowest price, THEN you wipp it out, he can't refuse it, cause the certificate is coming direct from the manufacture, that has nothing to do with him.
my$0.02
Dave
 
The certificate will give you a price of 4.5% over GM employee prices. It also will waive all dealer garbage fees, administrative, advertising etc. Depending on the vehicle you choose and the options it has you could pay a few hundered over or under invoice. I just went through the process and that was what I found as far as pricing goes. If you can haggle your way to a below invoice price, the certificate may or may not help you. Somewhere on one of these forums there is a link and password to get on and see the GM employeee prices. If you can find it, just copy the AV stuff and you can get a good idea at what your cost would be on an AV with the options you want.
Also you get all rebate, and GM card earnings. The real key is to make sure you don't get screwed on your trade-in. Go to a number of dealers and whoever offers the best trade-in allowance use them. If they don't have the AV you want on their lot they can locate one for you.(thats what my dealer did). To make the transaction even smoother and eliminate any landmines have financing prearranged at your local bank or credit union and don't let the dealer try to sell you an extended warranty. If you want one there is a link on another forum for a GM dealer out of Pennsylvania that will sell you one at a few hundred less than most GM dealers and you can get the new car rate as long as your AV is less than one year old and has less than 12K miles.
GOOD LUCK on your purchase.
 
Hi All:

Here is what I found out today. I went to my dealer and they didn't know anything. They looked at the paper but were confused. In the dealership I was ta which is the largest we have in SW Louisiana nobody had ever seen a certificate.

Well the salesman keeps figuring numbers and I keep asking why are you doing this. The certificate will tell you the price and then we deduct the goodies. The salesman does not have a clue and I asked to see the sales manager. The sales manager comes in and he doesn't know either but says we will sale it cheaper than anyone.

This clown act goes on for hours and I sai hey look I got to go check something and I will be right back. I go over to a GMAC office and ask the office manager for his advice on the certificate and what is what. he tells me the place on the invoice that says GMS is my sales price and to take the rebates and bonus's from there. Seems simple to me. He also said to sign the certificate if I buy. I told him what was going on and he asked if I minded if he looked up the deal. I said go ahead.

The manager finds the deal and tells me it is off by $2400. He shows me the price and shows me the deductions and what my final price is. He also says what my interest rate will be which is 0%. I loved it. He gave me his business card and said if I had any problems to tell them to call him.

I go back over to the dealership and show them what I was shown and they have a fit. They told me I was all wrong and the interest was wrong also. I said look I have this man's number and he said to call him if I have any problems. They look at it and then look at each other and excuse there selfs. After about 10 minutes the come back not happy but say I am right and it was an honest mistake. They were instructed different from GM. What a crock.

Well I got my truck and a very good deal so thanks to my friend out there for helping me. It was a lot of trouble but dealerships are pretty much the same around here and I had already been through the lesson once and wasn't going to teach another. It really is easier for these people to just follow the certificate guidelines and the deal will be done in 10 minutes. Well thanks for the help for getting a certificate from my buddy out there and all the advice this morning. I hope the story helps someone.

Chevy04
 
I can't believe that you were the first one to present one of these to them. But, dealers do not have to accept the "GM in the Driveway" certificate. They can dishonor it. But as it's an easy sale for you, it's also an easy sale for them.
 
Every dealership has a so-called Finance Manager that will receive info on the rebates and any discount program going on. I am glad you found someone that would help you and give you the information for a confrontation with the dealership. Enjoy your vehicle.
 
I actually got mine for the actual GM Employee price. Don't know if they made a mistake or not. When I made the intital deal, they gave me the supplier price, then the salesman called me back the next day, (they had to locate my new one) and said it was going to be less than they thought! Anyway, I wound up with approximately $10,000 off the sticker with the rebates and Certificate! >:D :B:
 
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