Today's dealership experience

[SevenBizzos]

Specifics (brand, model, etc.) aren't relevant here. More like standard practice - new vehicle.

I saw a vehicle "internet" priced at $39,800 today and it's one I was actually considering. I went to the dealership today, did the look around and drive, and their IPO was $47,500. My response was "start with that ($39,800) price and we'll go from there". I got a huge lecture about that price being based on 10 or so "rebates" (I'd refer to them as hypothetical) applied. We talked for 20 more minutes and their "final offer" was $44,700. I left, but not before the owner came out and gave me his own two cents about I won't ever get that price, what they did/pricing was standard protocol, and "lots of people qualify for all those rebates".

My question is - is it standard business to online price vehicles that you'd never even come close to selling them for? If that's SOP, then that's what it is. Kind of a weird way to do things if you ask me (but you didn't).

 

[bubbatime]

Is their small print in the ad describing the terms? If it's advertised for a certain price, and they are no terms, I'd threaten to go to the state attorney general, local media, and all other consumer protection agencies, if they did not sell the car for the advertised price.... so was their terms in the ad or not?

 

[SatinSilver]

Have a good Toyo dealer here in Cleveland if you're willing to drive. Family has bought many cars from them over the years. Usually getting online quotes from area dealers helps reduce the games they like to play.

 

[Oildudeny]

Never had that issue before. However I went to lease cars with a set monthly payment and drove off paying less than my budget without money out of pocket just rolling taxes tags and fees into the payment.

 

[Onetor]

Bummer! I would contact Attorney General's Office, Dept Consumer Affairs, FTC. Bait Switch Advertising is illegal. Find the vehicle you want according to VIN and price CONUS, via internet.

 

[Chris142]

We were car shopping last weekend. Dealer had a car for $36k and would not go any lower than $27k+ taxes...

Found the exact same car on their sire for $20,995 otd.

 

[dishdude]

The last few times I've negotiated before going to the dealer, it makes things a lot less painful. I had one or two refuse and try to get me in the door for a number, I simply moved on to the next dealer.

 

[Nick1994]

It depends on the slime ball dealer. Some of them do all kinds of tactics.

A couple years ago I wanted to buy a 2011 Sonata, was listed for about $7,500 online at Camelback Kia. Went in there and they wanted to add on mandatory "reconditioning fees" (they actually hadn't worked on the car yet, it had just been traded in), paint sealant, tint, and all sorts of other add ones that made the car over $11k before tax was involved.

I walked in with a check to buy it in full and walked out.

 

[sloinker]

I know that manufacturers offer discounts along with the local dealer that vary. Real estate agent? Farm Bureau member? Active military? are some of the few additional discounts that can be applied depending on dealership. I bought a minivan a few years ago that published the MSRP, out the door with incentives and discounts and as low as with further discounts. All posted on their website. I payed the discount price but did not belong or qualify for the further discounts. I knew going in what the cost was and their weren't any negotiations or upselling. I believe that this model may apply to other dealerships around the country. I used this one:


https://www.dennisdillonchryslerjeepdodge.com/new-vehicles/#action=im_ajax_call&perform=get_results&make%5B%5D=RAM&page=1

 

[mrsilv04]

Yes, to get that price, you must qualify for:

Veteran rebate
Previous owner loyalty rebate
Prior lease holder rebate
Farm Bureau rebate
Emergency responder rebate
Kumquat grower rebate
Government employee rebate
Credit score in the top 1% rebate
Low credit score rebate (unfortunately, this one is real... Fiat Chrysler offers it)
Manufacturer affiliation rebate

But most people qualify for all of those, right?

 

[javacontour]

Seems pretty common.

Ads that say price includes all applicable rebates, buyer may not qualify for all described rebates or something similar.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/busi...c41964_story.html?utm_term=.3b0414358344

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/pre...lts-two-automobile-dealers-deceptive-ads

There are example ads on the RHS of the FTC link.

Originally Posted by SevenBizzos
Specifics (brand, model, etc.) aren't relevant here. More like standard practice - new vehicle.

I saw a vehicle "internet" priced at $39,800 today and it's one I was actually considering. I went to the dealership today, did the look around and drive, and their IPO was $47,500. My response was "start with that ($39,800) price and we'll go from there". I got a huge lecture about that price being based on 10 or so "rebates" (I'd refer to them as hypothetical) applied. We talked for 20 more minutes and their "final offer" was $44,700. I left, but not before the owner came out and gave me his own two cents about I won't ever get that price, what they did/pricing was standard protocol, and "lots of people qualify for all those rebates".

My question is - is it standard business to online price vehicles that you'd never even come close to selling them for? If that's SOP, then that's what it is. Kind of a weird way to do things if you ask me (but you didn't).

 

[JeffKeryk]

We bought 2 cars this year, both from Putnam Lexus in Redwood City, CA (part of Silicon Valley....).
In Feb we bought a 2018 RX450h.
It was early in the model year so I knew discounting was gonna be tough.
Quite a few 2017's left over.

There are numerous Lexus dealerships in the Bay Area.
I simply sent emails and made phone calls to all the dealers telling them what I wanted, and that I was gonna talk to everyone.
Anyways, Putnam offered 10% off, which was the best deal by maybe $300 as I recall.

Walked in, test drove the car knowing I was gonna buy it for wifey.
Came back a few months later and bought a Certified 2013 GS350 F Sport.
Easy peasey.

If a dealer does not perform based on our understanding, I walk.
Also, dealing with a salesman makes things tough.
Gotta get to the decision maker.

 

[SevenBizzos]

Thanks to everyone. I cut and pasted the "fine print" "includes rebates available to everyone, additional rebates and incentives are available such as Military, Farm Bureau, First Time Buyer, Certificate Holders, American Quarter Horse Association, Business, College Grad, Mobility, First Responders may save you hundreds to thousands more. Please inquire and our staff will be glad to explain. Prices are plus tax, title, license, destination, and documentation fee." So, yeah, all of those. Standard operation.

 

[sopususer]

If you ever happen to stumble across an actual dealer that treats its customers with respect and is up front with everything, buy from them and continue to buy from them. One of the reasons I continue to drive Subaru products is due to Jim Armstrong Subaru in Hickory NC. Buying from them is a no stress, easy affair; no games, no back-and forth. Last vehicle I bought from them was over the phone. Occasionally I'll cross check them on price and quickly realize how good they are. There are lots of good dealers out there; trick is finding them.

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted by SevenBizzos
I left, but not before the owner came out and gave me his own two cents about I won't ever get that price, what they did/pricing was standard protocol, and "lots of people qualify for all those rebates".


Are sales slow for them that the owner gets involved as a last-ditch attempt to salvage a sale ? I'd also say that "lots of people" do NOT qualify or meet all of those requirements but they're not so far-fetched that someone might.

 

[Zee09]

Originally Posted by sopususer
If you ever happen to stumble across an actual dealer that treats its customers with respect and is up front with everything, buy from them and continue to buy from them. One of the reasons I continue to drive Subaru products is due to Jim Armstrong Subaru in Hickory NC. Buying from them is a no stress, easy affair; no games, no back-and forth. Last vehicle I bought from them was over the phone. Occasionally I'll cross check them on price and quickly realize how good they are. There are lots of good dealers out there; trick is finding them.



OMG! I guess you know my buddy Mike Abernathy......

 

[dareo]

The new 2018 car haggling goes like this:

Hi, i'd like to buy this [truck] and i'l pay [full asking price]. Dealer says okay lets get you financed. "i have my own loan/cash." Dealer adds 1000-2000 dollars. Final price ends up being thousands of dollars over full asking price plus tax. Take it or the next idiot behind you will.

That's how i've seen deals go for anything in demand.

 

[demarpaint]

I won't comment about the brand, the price, or where, but I went through this a few weeks ago with my son. A new car deal which seemed too good to be true. When the salesman tried the switch I told him point blank it wouldn't work. After some bickering, quite a bit in fact we took the car at the advertised price, just added tax and tags. We did our homework before shopping, and knew if we got the advertised price with no mystery fees we did very good. Knowing how these dealers operate from being in car sales helped, a lot.

 

[AZjeff]

There are a few no BS dealerships out there. When my daughter was buying her '15 CX-5 she lived in Irvine, Ca. and emailed the 5 or 6 Mazda dealers within 15 miles with her specs and that she was going to buy immediately. One dealer gave her an OTD price that was quite a bit less than the others, most wanted her to come in. When she went in to buy the car she watched it come off the truck and while they were doing the paperwork it was PDI'd . She even found out she qualified for the LA car show discount for an additional $500 off!! Apparently she forgot she visited the Mazda display and signed something (not!). Tuttle-Click Mazda in Irvine.

Even though we live 100 miles from Phoenix the dealers around here insist on playing the game.

 

[fdcg27]

This is how the retail car selling game has always been played.
The way around it is to email various dealers for pricing and have them reply in writing.
Bought a few new cars that way and there were no surprises.
If you walk into a new car showroom with no more than an advertised price that may assume that you qualify for many discounts and rebates, then you can expect to be unpleasantly surprised.
If you can find a good dealership that doesn't play games, then you'll know where to buy your new cars in the future.
There are good and honest dealers out there. A little online research will help you to find them.
Any dealer offering internet pricing from whom you get a reply that you should come in and discuss your needs is inviting you to a game you don't want to play.