Thank you both for sharing your experiences with the IMBA program.
I stopped by a dealership this Saturday to test drive an OB. I am not going to buy a car for a few more weeks, but I asked the question about the VIP program, because I want to know if I will consider it as an option when I am going to shop. The salesman's answer was that it was 2% over invoice. That's really strange, going from -2% to +2%. That's no incentive at all.
At the same time, I do not know if I can trust that guy. So, I am curios if anybody else has any concrete information about the current IMBA VIP incentive.
Content from my program request follows and I got a .pdf via email about 2 days after I submitted the info.
If you do this program don't deal with anybody but the sales manager when you walk in the door. The sales manager should then make you a VIP to the extent of aligning you with a salesperson who knows what's up or is under their direct supervision.
In my area the VIP purchase is a good deal. With one firm owning both franchises prices are not as competitive unless you take the time to get a car 150 miles away.
Hi ____,
Thanks for your interest in our VIP Subaru program. If you have been a member of IMBA for 6 months consecutively you automatically qualify for a 2% below the dealer invoice price on any new Subaru model (with the exception of the WRX, BRZ and Crosstrek models). All you need to do is email me with your member information and the specific dealership that you’re going to use and I will then process your request to Subaru. Within 24 business hours Subaru will email you an authorization letter valid for 45 days and will forward an authorization to the specified dealership, as well.
Sincerely,
J____ H____
IMBA Member Services Coordinator