This I am completely ok with. They are a business "regulated" somewhat by the manufacturer and laws around advertising and competition etc. Capitalism based around integrity, checks and balances and ethics should prevail...
Some dealers are overpricing such popular cars and trucks as the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevy Corvette Z06, but the automakers are cracking down.
www.caranddriver.com
This will end in manufacturers lobbing for regulations, citing dealers greeds, having the backing of the people and allowing them to sell direct to consumer a la Tesla. Dealers will be the ones hurt in the end from car flippers or price gougers. Until that happens, this will continue. All we are doing is giving more reasons for manufacturers to control the market. Good or bad, I'm not sure of that. There was a reason dealers existed and manufactures could not sell direct to consumers. In fact it was for this exact reason why it was created. As we progress down the path of unethical capitalism it will only hurt the consumer as we turn into a socialist / communist society not ran by government, but by corporations.
I have no issue if someone is willing to pay a price for a product. As a business that is regulated and has the ability of being penalized from the manufacturer or competition law, (like Pharma Bro) it is a risk they are aware of and are willing to make then go for it. Just like the flipper on that ad. He should face the risk of being banned from Porsche.
As for demanding best prices on trade-ins or for our work, there is generally an equilibrium / market to look at, that dictates price. A stable steady market is essential for growth, competition to strive and innovation to occur. When a market, either labour or equities, sees extreme imbalances it will affect some in extremely good ways and others not. This imbalance if continues or increases will reduce competition, which reduces innovation and fuels a lop sided market that turns into socialism by corporations.
Why is the z06 90K above MSRP? What is the rational for this number? Why doesn't chevy just prices the Z06 at 250K? I think it's because they want you to be price gauged so that there is enough ammunition to get rid of dealers and sell direct to the consumer. They are creating the narrative.
Stability pricing for steel, lumber, food, gas, medicine, microchips, energy etc. is essential to be able to carry out business. How can you build a factory if you don't know what the price will be 3 months down the road? It's not possible to operate in an economy that has massive price fluctuations in short periods of time. If you can't see this, you need to educate yourselves on economics outside of car flipping.