South Carolina Scouts! Your voice is heard: Direct sales bill gets a hearing on Wednesday!

[J Alynn]

Not that we needed more population growth, but Boeing coming to Charleston has been huge. Mercedes is here now and so is Volvo. Those alone are major economic boosters. When you add all the ancillary business like suppliers, support and services for employees, etc. the results are staggering. But, as a born and raised South Carolinian, I can say that it would be typical SC to build the amazing factory and not be able to sell to our citizens.

How many years did your antiquated laws require mixed drinks at a bar be made using mini bottles. Was amazed at the various laws of SC when my parents lived there. Complete missed opportunities

 

[LastDayScout]

How many years did your antiquated laws require mixed drinks at a bar be made using mini bottles. Was amazed at the various laws of SC when my parents lived there. Complete missed opportunities

We had that until the early 2000s if I remember correctly. Still had them in college so I could buy two shots and split it 3 ways, etc. No doubt, we’re a mess and have been for centuries!

 

[THil08]

Not that we needed more population growth, but Boeing coming to Charleston has been huge. Mercedes is here now and so is Volvo. Those alone are major economic boosters. When you add all the ancillary business like suppliers, support and services for employees, etc. the results are staggering. But, as a born and raised South Carolinian, I can say that it would be typical SC to build the amazing factory and not be able to sell to our citizens.

I hope Boeing has to sell through a dealership. If not thats messed up. Because i’m pretty sure they are DTC.

 

[eddiet1212]

I hope Boeing has to sell through a dealership. If not thats messed up. Because i’m pretty sure they are DTC.

Direct to crash?

 

[THil08]

Direct to crash?

Exactly. At this point they should be put on government closer and grounding all their planes until they fix the quality issues i think. Its pretty unsafe.

 

[eddiet1212]

We’re making great progress in reforming the antiquated South Carolina laws that ban direct-to-consumer auto sales. Your outreach is working. On Wednesday, February 12, the Business and Commerce Subcommittee will hold the first hearing on the South Carolina Consumer Freedom Act.

Hearing Video

 

[LastDayScout]

Direct to crash?

That’s a low blow…no pun intended.

 

[THil08]

Direct to crash?

That was a bit harsh to say lol

 

[eddiet1212]

That’s a low blow…no pun intended.

Sorry I have control issues... i could not resist.

To be fair.....There are about 38,000 daily flights on Boeing manufactured aircraft. Flying on a Boeing aircraft is safer than driving I-95

 

[bwdavis7]

This is why dealers are crying and want to sell Scouts...I have not verified the info in this thread but I don't doubt it for a minute.
I wish this would have been brought up in the hearing but Cody and those for the bill were playing nice. Bottom line is that dealers aren't to be trusted.

https://www.reddit.com/r/VWIDBuzz/comments/1h8cq00/my_dealer_is_asking_20k_markup_over_msrp

 

[bwdavis7]

From Autoevolution:

And sure enough, that's exactly what happened when the ID. Buzz started US sales in November. Media reports and social media posts confirmed that Volkswagen dealerships weren't shy about asking at least $20,000 over the MSRP. Not all dealers added markups, but many did, trying to milk customers in the face of a weak supply.

Instead of easing, the situation appeared to worsen in December, as many Volkswagen ID. Buzz EVs were sold at prices above $100K for the first time. These were 1st Edition examples with an MSRP of $72,668 and a $35,000 markup. Another example sold by Volkswagen Covina made the rounds recently, with a $25,000 markup mentioned on the price sticker. However, the dealer wasn't happy with only that and added another $3,400 for various unnecessary charges listed under "Dealer Added Items."

 

[J Alynn]

This is why dealers are crying and want to sell Scouts...I have not verified the info in this thread but I don't doubt it for a minute.
I wish this would have been brought up in the hearing but Cody and those for the bill were playing nice. Bottom line is that dealers aren't to be trusted.

https://www.reddit.com/r/VWIDBuzz/comments/1h8cq00/my_dealer_is_asking_20k_markup_over_msrp

Scumbags

 

[N Wilson]

Scumbags

But, they came and helped my daughter when her car broke down... blah, blah, blah...

 

[bwdavis7]

Scumbags

There's so many...
It doesn't take much to find the abuses of VW dealers. My last link on the subject:

2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz Markups Remain Ridiculous

While dealer markups have come down substantially over the past twelve months, it’s not uncommon to see brand-new models carrying price adjustments retailers believe some will pay just to be the first to one to park one in their driveway. Volkswagen’s I.D. Buzz banks heavily on nostalgia of the...

www.thetruthaboutcars.com

 

[bb00799]

Exactly. At this point they should be put on government closer and grounding all their planes until they fix the quality issues i think. Its pretty unsafe.

Which planes!? The 737? the 787?

 

[THil08]

Which planes!? The 737? the 787?

737 Max, 777, 787, and Starliner.

 

[Scoutsie]

I watched this hearing and was disgusted by every car dealer who testified (because the argument seemed to be “but I want to make MORE money, daddy” and the car dealer association guy who came from central casting for the role of “octopus who is a prick.”

These guys speaking against the bill with the nice suits and the gold rings never mentioned experiencing acute financial struggle. What hubris. Sell your other cars, whiners.

The stuff about community is BS, but I’m guessing that’s perhaps a guy who just got a campaign donation.

Sure, they didn’t get government handouts: they just overcharged their customers.

I really hope there are actual SC citizens in the ears of the state reps/senators/whoever makes the next move because this is such BS and I’m so angry for you, people of SC. What an amazing display of entitlement on the behalf of the car dealers. Car dealers don’t represent consumers or voters. What they do or don’t do for charity is immaterial in this argument: franchises don’t offer things to consumers that can’t be offered by manufacturers. I daresay they could be done better. Restricting car sales to franchised dealers is anti-capitalist, but not in a way that would make these guys the folk heroes of college kids. They’re being whiny, greedy babies and now they’re on the record and I hope people see this for what it is.

Also, that guy MJ was dope and I hope he’s featured on the Scout website at some point.

Edit: clarity-ish

 

[OleScout]

Thanks for posting this video. Cody, a remarkable job speaking on behalf of the SM group and representing the consumers as a whole. The second speaker had the opposite impression, he seemed to focus on how this would selfishly impact his dealer and the 150 employees of his dealership, not for the concern of the consumer. As mentioned, objecting the bill isn't asking to discontinue dealership sales, only to allow a direct approach. It was mentioned that complaints of dealership sales experiences have doubled from 2018 to 2024, if we're praying for making "good decisions" for the consumers, this should be a starting point. Seems that the Executive VP of SC Automobile Dealers Association is not aware of these complaints stating that "When we propose a bill it's to solve a problem, this is not a problem" and "it's being cloaked as a freedom of choice issue". I imagine pricing negotiation being a large part of these complaints, direct sales would allow reduced prices.

One argument for the dealer approach was that VW dealers do not have a pick-up truck in the market and allowing SM to sell through dealers would solve this issue. This doesn't sound like an SM issue, more of a VW issue. This argument didn't speak of support as a consumer as a whole. Tesla's rep was able to showcase how their approach has benefitted consumers with their direct sales approach. In addition, Tesla showcased that their direct approach hasn't impacted dealers in CA and FL. I haven't purchased a car directly but those that I have spoken to have, and would 100% prefer this approach. One argument was that the direct sales approach eliminates the dealership experience that includes reviewing the features of the car, not sure that I agree with the defense.. Hats off to the last gentleman, he unintentionally rebutted this as he spoke highly on his experiences owning an EV when it comes to purchasing, recalls, service, etc. The subcommittee's leading question on how dealerships support the community was presented as being biased in my eyes. Powerful speech by MJ as Scoutsie mentioned.

Eliminating direct sales is like having to go back to retail stores instead of ordering directly from a company's website. Consumers know exactly what they want, the issue isn't about where we sell it's what we sell, produce the right product and the consumers will choose.

 

[bb00799]

737 Max, 777, 787, and Starliner.

FYI we did shutdown some lines for most of 2024 lol and

787 Dreamliner is one of the safest planes on the planet (0 hull loss incidents) starliner isn’t a plane and is just over budget by a ton while still in development) shout out fixed-price contracts) and the 777 is one of the safest aircraft on the planet. The 737 Max is still in the family of some of the most flown and safest planes (737 - all gens)

What Are The World's Safest Aircraft?

The world's safest aircraft have been named in Boeing's Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents 1959 – 2023.

www.airlineratings.com

 

[Dana]

Thanks for posting this video. Cody, a remarkable job speaking on behalf of the SM group and representing the consumers as a whole. The second speaker had the opposite impression, he seemed to focus on how this would selfishly impact his dealer and the 150 employees of his dealership, not for the concern of the consumer. As mentioned, objecting the bill isn't asking to discontinue dealership sales, only to allow a direct approach. It was mentioned that complaints of dealership sales experiences have doubled from 2018 to 2024, if we're praying for making "good decisions" for the consumers, this should be a starting point. Seems that the Executive VP of SC Automobile Dealers Association is not aware of these complaints stating that "When we propose a bill it's to solve a problem, this is not a problem" and "it's being cloaked as a freedom of choice issue". I imagine pricing negotiation being a large part of these complaints, direct sales would allow reduced prices.

One argument for the dealer approach was that VW dealers do not have a pick-up truck in the market and allowing SM to sell through dealers would solve this issue. This doesn't sound like an SM issue, more of a VW issue. This argument didn't speak of support as a consumer as a whole. Tesla's rep was able to showcase how their approach has benefitted consumers with their direct sales approach. In addition, Tesla showcased that their direct approach hasn't impacted dealers in CA and FL. I haven't purchased a car directly but those that I have spoken to have, and would 100% prefer this approach. One argument was that the direct sales approach eliminates the dealership experience that includes reviewing the features of the car, not sure that I agree with the defense.. Hats off to the last gentleman, he unintentionally rebutted this as he spoke highly on his experiences owning an EV when it comes to purchasing, recalls, service, etc. The subcommittee's leading question on how dealerships support the community was presented as being biased in my eyes. Powerful speech by MJ as Scoutsie mentioned.

Eliminating direct sales is like having to go back to retail stores instead of ordering directly from a company's website. Consumers know exactly what they want, the issue isn't about where we sell it's what we sell, produce the right product and the consumers will choose.

For Tesla at least when you pick up your car a showroom rep shows you some basic features. There’s also some how to videos on your Tesla app. But folks post questions on forums or a local member will meet with the owner and help. But when well designed most features are intuitive.