No Chrome Bars?

[dipster]

Hey guys/gals-

I just got a call from my dealer (Issaquah Chevy) and he told me that they could not input the chrome tubes. That there is a 'hold' on this! Any of you that work for GM know anything about this! I know I can put them on after market but I'm being told they are not doing this right now!

Any information you can pass along would be greatly beneficial. I can get the running boards....

 

[ygmn]

Strangeeeeeeeeeee....
I wonder why they said that?

Have you tried calling another dealer to just see if you could buy them as an accessory?

 

[ShapeShifter]

I just got a call from my dealer (Issaquah Chevy) and he told me that they could not input the chrome tubes. ?That there is a 'hold' on this!

Mebbie there's a stock shortage?
A manufacturing problem?
Or a design problem that they're re-working?

I dunno.

Or possibly there was an error between the seat and the keyboard at the dealer's computer?

-- SS

 

[Skidd-au]

Mmmm to me "cannot input" into the computer means that it's a rework or product liability thing. Otherwise surely it would go in and be placed on backorder.

Your right... we need a GM employee.

 

[dmacker]

Try one of the club's GM sponsors to see if the can get them through the GM parts warehouse. There was a problem with the ford expedition tubes rusting and the ford dealers were repainting them. The part may just be on hold till the supplier corrects the problem.

 

[lithos]

I would be interested to know if it is a recall on the chrome tube bars, or if they ran out of stock for the moment, or just input error. I have the chrome tubes on my truck and if there is a problem with them I want to get it taken care of right away from GM.

I hope someone with more insight or insider knowledge will enlighten us on what is going on with the chrome tube steps.

 

[dipster]

Well, after getting sent from Customer Service to Marketing and trying to find out why they are NOT putting Chrome Steps on it seems no one seems to know! I was sent an email that said to get in touch with customer service (which I did) and then sent over to the marketing guy (he didn't know) but was trying to be helpful. Anyway the bottom line is NO-ONE seems to know why they are NOT putting them on the 03's!

Enough of the run around from GM so I called the dealer and put the order on hold for now! According to him what it says as 'options' do NOT always to be. In other words they aren't putting them on the 03's for now! Will that mean they will? Heck if I know......

If there's issues with them I wasn't able to find out anything! Maybe someone else will?

So for now my order is on hold unless I want the running boards! Who knows? I'll think about it and ask the wife her opinion then make a decision on it tommorrow and get the AV without the Chrome Steps. That's a bummer....but I can live with it! Just be happy to be able to 'play' with the AV like the rest of ya!

 

[ShapeShifter]

So for now my order is on hold unless I want the running boards! ?Who knows? ?I'll think about it and ask the wife her opinion then make a decision on it tommorrow and get the AV without the Chrome Steps.

Ok, I don't know the full story of the chrome bars, or the '03s. I have an '02 with the assist steps (running boards) so I may be off base here, but...

I know the running boards for the '02 are a dealer installed accessory. You can order them with the truck, but they come loose and it's up to the dealer to install them. They are also available after the fact to be installed by the dealer or the owner.

I'm pretty sure the chrome bars are the same for the '02. Probably they're the same story on the '03.

Wouldn't it be possible to order the truck without steps or bars, and then order the bars as an accessory? Get the truck, and when the bars are available, install them after the fact. You'd have to live without bars for the short term, but it wouldn't be permanent.

If you have a cooperative dealer, they may even be willing to include the price of the bars in the bill of sale. That way, you can finance the cost of them, and you also may be able to save a few bucks in the process. (Accessory parts are usually more expensive after the fact than when ordered as part of the truck.)

You should see if the dealer can do something along these lines. It's a win-win scenario: you get the truck sooner, and he makes the sale sooner!

Just a thought...

-- SS

 

[dipster]

Ok I forgot to mention that we are going to "Lease" and not buy! We are GM Employee's and the best deal for us is to lease every 3 years. We take exceptional care of our vehicles so we are getting rid of a Chevy 2000 Blazer for the Av. This is for us only but there may be other's that do this too! It works for us!

That is why I do NOT want after market Chrome Steps/Bars. Hope this clears this up? Leasing is not for everyone!

 

[johnnycap]

local dealer in PA has a '03 on the lot with chrome on the running boards

 

[ShapeShifter]

Ok I forgot to mention that we are going to "Lease" and not buy!That is why I do NOT want after market Chrome Steps/Bars. ?Hope this clears this up?

I understand what you're saying, and I relalize the implications of making modifications to a leased vehicle. But before you dismiss it, check into the possibilities with the dealer.

I'm not suggesting after-market. What I'm suggesting is that the factory GM chrome bars do not come installed from the factory -- they are most likely installed by the dealer. If you order the GM bars at the time you order the truck, and make it part of the original invoice, is there really any difference if they are installed (by the dealer) after you take delivery?

Since they probably arrive from the factory loose in the truck anyway, why hold up delivery of the truck because the bars are late? It's the same sort of idea as ordering several items from a store, where one of the items are backordered: you can delay the whole order, or ship what's available now and ship the rest when it becomes available.

Maybe I'm just thick, but I don't really see where the timing of installing a dealer installed accessory would have any effect on the residual value of a lease vehicle.

-- SS

 

[dipster]

I'm not suggesting after-market. What I'm suggesting is that the factory GM chrome bars do not come installed from the factory -- they are most likely installed by the dealer. If you order the GM bars at the time you order the truck, and make it part of the original invoice, is there really any difference if they are installed (by the dealer) after you take delivery?



Yes, you are correct they are a 'dealer' installed option! It doesn't come from the factory with them on. However, the dealer is saying that they will not be an option! Maybe they don't want to put them on? I really don't know! Maybe I'll cancel this order and go to another dealer. I don't get a real warm and fuzzy from this dealership! They all act kind of arrogant at times! I think they forget who is their 'meal ticket'.

I do want to thank all of you for your input though! It is so valuable to me. Thanks!!!

 

[ShapeShifter]

I don't get a real warm and fuzzy from this dealership! ?They all act kind of arrogant at times! ?I think they forget who is their 'meal ticket'.

You've gotta have a dealer you can work with, or things can turn into a real ordeal.

'nuff said.

Good luck, I hope you get the truck you really want, and you don't have to compromise.

-- SS

 

[dipster]

Ok I finally got the answer to this question! Why can't you order the chrome steel bars instead of running boards on the 03? You can but they are NO longer making the steel one's! They are now making Stainless Steel one's as rust has been a problem. I had to change dealers and cancel my order at one Chevy dealer as they were not giving me the information I wanted! Good Chevy in Renton worked 'with' me and even showed me on his computer screen what was going on. There is no pricing on the Stainless one's as of this time but we included them on the order I just made (again) today!

It sure helps to have someone willing to work with you and be and a**!! Anyway got the new AVY on order again! Everything on it BUT no DVD, Engine Block Heater and protection package! So, soon we should have our new 03 charcoal Avy with Leather butt warmers and stainless steps with XM Radio!

That's the latest on the Steps....

 

[ShapeShifter]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear you got things worked out. Having a dealer that will work with you makes all the difference in the world.

Congratulations, and I hope you get your truck soon!

-- SS