MB dealer: agent model

[crystalmethod]

I'm thinking about an A45, either new from stock or pre-owned. Would probably be a cash buy

The dealer I visited told me about the MB agent model. I was told that stock cars are priced online with no scope for negotiation, which means I'd get the same price no matter which dealer I bought from

And that for pre-owned it's like most other marques ie talk with different dealers / dealer groups, and there's scope to negotiate a deal

Is that about right? Or is there more to it?

He also said that for factory orders the price is list, and they then apply whatever discounts and incentives are applicable when the car's due for imminent delivery which seemed very odd

Thanks for whatever context anyone can share. Appreciate it

[Wills2]

Yep dealer no longer sells you a new car, they work of a fee structure for facilitating it, MB decides what price they will offer.

[Panamax]

You'll get no movement from the advertised price unless you can send them a link to a similar car for sale elsewhere at a better price. But if you could find one of those you'd probably be buying that one instead.

They claim to review the used market on a regular basis to ensure their "fixed price" is a sensible one.

[TarquinMX5]

They introduced this scheme several years ago and, in my experience, it hasn't gone down well with many previous MB-customers. There was talk originally of no discounts at all but I see that some models are advertised with a 'saving', presumably when they're overstocked.

I haven't bought anything from them recently, so don't have personal experience of it in practice.

[crystalmethod]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate it

Very useful. It was all explained to me in a very convoluted way which raised my suspicions