Nathan,

The dealer, like most retail businesses, receive a price list from the manufacturer that shows their cost and SUGGESTED list price. They are free to charge what ever they want, and many apply a pricing matrix that adjusts the sale price according to its dollar value and rate of turn over. Most businesses don't want any item in inventory unless they can sell at least 4 or 5 of them per year. They are also more likely to charge a higher percentage markup on items costing uder $100.00, then they would for those that cost more.

Mark in AK  - w/ too many years in the parts business

----- Original Message -----
From: Dart 330 <dart330@HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Friday, August 20, 2004 6:29 pm
Subject: Re: dealer cost on coolant

> I am talking about the gallon jugs of Autobahn coolant. I have 
> purchased it
> for less than $15 at a dealer. I am just curious if anybody knows 
> the lowest
> price a dealer will sell it with a little haggling? I have been 
> told the
> computer shows a range of prices they can charge, but I do not 
> know this for
> a fact.
> 
> Nathan
> 
> >The part number for the "blue stuff" is ZVW 237 104.
> >
> >I sell the 1.5 liter Pentosin bottles for $6.65 over the counter. 
> Expect
> >to
> >pay a bit more than that from the dealer, about $8 or $9.
> >
> >The dealer may offer the VW Autobahn brand in a one gallon 
> container.  In
> >that case, you should expect to pay about $15 to $18.
> 
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