Dealership pricing/rebate question

[ZYouL8R]

Am I correct in thinking that rebates through the auto manufacturers do not come out of the pockets of the dealerships or affect their ability to discount a new car further? I'm looking at a new Tahoe and qualify for the GM military pricing and the Usaa rebate. Lets say a dealer is taking 3500 off msrp before any rebates. My military discount is not a rebate per se, it's a special price on a specific vehicle. In theory would the dealership make the same amount off me of they started at the military price then took their 3500 off? Does if affect the dealership at all whether we start at the military price or not? Since the military program is run by GM, it is somewhat transparent to the dealership correct?

For example:
Msrp: 50,000
Dealer price:46,500
Military program price:47,000

Would the dealership be willing to apply their 3500 to my military price?

[BlackGT]

Very doubtful!
Most, if not all dealers, won't budge any on the price with an "X" plan (special discounted price) in place.
BUT, it never hurts to ask.

[A_A_G]

I need to join the military.

[xplosiv]

Rebates apply no matter what plan you get. The rebates are offered by the manuf, as is the plan price. Basically if you do "x" plan you are buying the vehicle from the manuf. When I was looking at a new GT with ford "d" plan i was going to get d plan minus the available rebates.

[mk5.0]

A lot of dealers will give you a price better than X-plan.

[03mustangdude]

anyplan or discounter - rebates.

Start negotiating at invoice - rebates.

[CJ-95GT]

Larger dealerships are more willing to negotiate rebates or pricing without holdback. Find a good salesperson since it's their cut you're trying to cut out.

[dblack1]

I just shop bottom dollar, let them figure it out.

I never posted this, but josh at grapevine gave me a amazing price with no haggle whatsoever on my 14 f250 last year. I had been haggling with somewhat local to me dealer and he still beat it by almost a grand

[LANTIRN]

Who still goes to dealers? Pay cash on craigslist, fools!