Is this a deal?

[Pope]

Does anyone believe the email below constitutes an agreement? If so, to what extent? The reason I ask is that I struck this deal with an internet manager on 5/23. However, I have received only one call since this time and he was asking whether I wanted to take a Base #5 on the lot for a higher amount. I said no and would prefer to wait. He did ask for a deposit when we struck the deal, which I put down on my credit card. However, the charge was never applied, which I noticed on my bill. Advise....

@#$%,

Just wanted to shoot you an email letting you know that we have preferenced your Prius. It is a Touring model with XM and Package #3 and thats it. We can do the $26,000+ttl. However, if there is any
increase in the 09 model the price may fluctuate very little. I dont think this will be an issue with yours, but who
knows how popular these will become. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at anytime.

Thanks,
!@#$%

[sorka]

No. It's not a deal because they were not specific about the price.

First, you should have an out the door quote that includes all fees. Secondly, they should specify that if there's an increase in Toyota's published MSRP price for '09, that the price will go up by that exact amount + sales tax amount for the increase.

Most honest dealers will simply set your price now and leave it that way even if there's a price increase.

The whole comment about how popular these things might become is just a door they're leaving open to reprice it at their whim to whatever they want.

[Godiva]

Nope.

And they didn't charge your card.

I think you would be advised to widen your search to other dealers as you could wait forever for a call from this guy.

[miketorse]

A lot of dealers don't charge a deposit on credit cards, but just put a hold on the credit card account for the amount of the deposit. That is a little easier than doing a credit later when the buyer wants to finance 100%.

[kazots]

I wonder if you can get a good deal for a Prius at this time. Maybe after a year or 2010 the prices will be more competitive. Anything you buy now will be a sellers market.

[Pope]

I also thought the "popular" comment was strange. I hope he still pulls through, but I am thinking you guys are right. I may have to wait for the 2010s, which may be a good thing. Maybe not, if the prices are much higher and it negates the cost in fuel savings. At least I have a 4 banger accord in the meantime! By hypermiling I am getting an avg of 31mpg city!

[kazots]

Price is important, but most of the people I know that bought the Prius had the environment in their decision.