Dealer Jerk-Around or Honest Mistake?

Infidel · 01-25-2006, 02:21 PM

Well, the big day came and I got the call from the dealer that our 06 Driftwood pkg 3 was in. I just went there, and the salesman intercepted me in the parking lot with the Bad News/Good News approach.

Good news was yes our Driftwood 06 was there; Bad News, it came as a pkg 7 instead of the 3 we specifically ordered last Oct. Supposedly they misread the hand-written order form, disregarded the package 03(code HF) instructions, and fixated on the 06 part of "do not deliver before Jan 06. And then pkg 06 of the 2005's became pkg 7 of the 2006 model year, so they said.

I offered to split the $4000 difference to settle "their mistake". They said they didn't have that much wiggle room. After my wife called in and blistered the sales managers ears, they committed to discounting $600 off the straight MSRP deal.

Sooo, have any of you had a similar experience where your option pkg got bumped up "accidentally"? Just wondering if this is a systematic Toyota ploy to increase revenue, since they can sell the car by just waiting another day or two to a walk-in customer.

What would you do- consider that $600 off a straight MSRP deal was good, or hope that they can find a swap with another dealer in the region for a pkg 3??

Decisions, Decisions...!

Infidel

SomervillePrius · 01-25-2006, 02:31 PM

I dunno... it could be a dealer mistake but if it was (and after having you wait that long) I think $600 of MSRP is not a good deal. I would ask for more (at least 1000) or a swap.

You also need to remember why you went for a package #3. Do you really want the stuff from a package #7? It is quite a bit of extra money

jdjeep98 · 01-25-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Infidel@Jan 25 2006, 02:21 PM
Well, the big day came and I got the call from the dealer that our 06 Driftwood pkg 3 was in. I just went there, and the salesman intercepted me in the parking lot with the Bad News/Good News approach.

Good news was yes our Driftwood 06 was there; Bad News, it came as a pkg 7 instead of the 3 we specifically ordered last Oct. Supposedly they misread the hand-written order form, disregarded the package 03(code HF) instructions, and fixated on the 06 part of "do not deliver before Jan 06. And then pkg 06 of the 2005's became pkg 7 of the 2006 model year, so they said.

I offered to split the $4000 difference to settle "their mistake". They said they didn't have that much wiggle room. After my wife called in and blistered the sales managers ears, they committed to discounting $600 off the straight MSRP deal.

Sooo, have any of you had a similar experience where your option pkg got bumped up "accidentally"? Just wondering if this is a systematic Toyota ploy to increase revenue, since they can sell the car by just waiting another day or two to a walk-in customer.

What would you do- consider that $600 off a straight MSRP deal was good, or hope that they can find a swap with another dealer in the region for a pkg 3??

Decisions, Decisions...!

Infidel

[snapback]197225[/snapback]

Sounds like a load of hooey to me (from the salesman, I mean...).

In the end, though, it depends on how much you want the Prius now vs. how much of a hit your budget can take...

AlphaTeam · 01-25-2006, 02:36 PM

I think you will be happy with the #7.

Here is the deal. The dealers get what they get. There are no real "orders" per se. They take a look at what is coming and look at the list and try to match as closely as they can. So while it might have been a mistake of sloppy handwriting and they thought you wanted a 7 and not a 3, but they would have gotten the #7 either way. They can not say "Toyota order center, Tom Smith is next on the list send an 06 Driftwood #3 for him".

mikepaul · 01-25-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Infidel@Jan 25 2006, 02:21 PM
What would you do- consider that $600 off a straight MSRP deal was good, or hope that they can find a swap with another dealer in the region for a pkg 3??

[snapback]197225[/snapback]

It'd depend on how I felt a few days after getting the car. And if I had a copy of the order form they 'misread'. And if another dealer was close enough where I could live without the one I was about to report to the Better Business Bureau and anyone else I could think of.

But again, it'd depend on how I felt...

FBear · 01-25-2006, 02:39 PM

As allocations are drying up I would grab the car. I know you have allot of goodies that you didn't ask for or want but you will definitely enjoy the car. When I picked up mine in Oct 2004, you didn't have a choice of package. The dealer got allocated cars and you took what was closest to the package you wanted or passed until the dealer received more cars. Have fun if you decide to take it!!!!

AlphaTeam · 01-25-2006, 02:44 PM

I think the $600 off is a good deal. They don't have to sell it to you at all. They can sell it to the next guy who will pay it. And I'm sure there are many. I love my #7 and would not be happy with less. I like the gadgets though.

They will eventually get the package you want, but do you want to wait that long? What is the wait worth to you?

I think it is an honest mistake. It is not like they could not sell it if you didn't want it. I'm sure you are not last on the list. And even if you are it will be gone in days of it being on the lot.

DaveSheremata · 01-25-2006, 03:37 PM

I'm pretty sure they were scamming you. As someone above ^^^ said, the dealers just get to pick from regional allocations.

Quote:

Originally posted by AlphaTeam@Jan 25 2006, 02:44 PM
I think the $600 off is a good deal. They don't have to sell it to you at all. They can sell it to the next guy who will pay it. And I'm sure there are many....

[snapback]197243[/snapback]

#7 is the only other package I'd get besides #8 - it's nice to konw that the goodies will help resale value a lot too, as there isn't much once can do with aftermarket stuff on this car to get the same features (Bluetooth, voice, nav, mp3!)

If you can, you might want to haggle with the finance guy and see what kind of rate he can give you compared to other financing - this is where I did really well with my purchase, coming down .65 percent from the loan I'd already lined up...

Good luck with the choice!

Dave

kjdunlap · 01-25-2006, 03:58 PM

You only have to take a look at Kiloran's spreadsheet to fingure out how much "Wiggle Room" the dealer has. http://priuschat.com/2005-Model-Year-Prius...tor-t12132.html

If it's an real mistake the dealer should give you more than $600 off.
How about the dealar tradeing with another Toyota dealer that has package #3 in Driftwood.

kjdunlap · 01-25-2006, 03:59 PM

You only have to take a look at Kiloran's spreadsheet to fingure out how much "Wiggle Room" the dealer has. http://priuschat.com/200

01-25-2006, 02:21 PM	#1
Infidel Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 20 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Well, the big day came and I got the call from the dealer that our 06 Driftwood pkg 3 was in. I just went there, and the salesman intercepted me in the parking lot with the Bad News/Good News approach. Good news was yes our Driftwood 06 was there; Bad News, it came as a pkg 7 instead of the 3 we specifically ordered last Oct. Supposedly they misread the hand-written order form, disregarded the package 03(code HF) instructions, and fixated on the 06 part of "do not deliver before Jan 06. And then pkg 06 of the 2005's became pkg 7 of the 2006 model year, so they said. I offered to split the $4000 difference to settle "their mistake". They said they didn't have that much wiggle room. After my wife called in and blistered the sales managers ears, they committed to discounting $600 off the straight MSRP deal. Sooo, have any of you had a similar experience where your option pkg got bumped up "accidentally"? Just wondering if this is a systematic Toyota ploy to increase revenue, since they can sell the car by just waiting another day or two to a walk-in customer. What would you do- consider that $600 off a straight MSRP deal was good, or hope that they can find a swap with another dealer in the region for a pkg 3?? Decisions, Decisions...! Infidel __________________ "Alas, the lure of the Prii's song....Who among us can resist?" 2006 Driftwood pkg 7 - 1/25/06, Steady 52/53 Mpg avg on daily commute Modsashmat, Solargard tint, Hexomat cargo liner, BT Tech plate planned

01-25-2006, 02:36 PM	#4
AlphaTeam Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 640 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I think you will be happy with the #7. Here is the deal. The dealers get what they get. There are no real "orders" per se. They take a look at what is coming and look at the list and try to match as closely as they can. So while it might have been a mistake of sloppy handwriting and they thought you wanted a 7 and not a 3, but they would have gotten the #7 either way. They can not say "Toyota order center, Tom Smith is next on the list send an 06 Driftwood #3 for him". __________________ 2006 Classic Silver Metallic with Package 7 12-9-05

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01-25-2006, 02:31 PM	#2
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I dunno... it could be a dealer mistake but if it was (and after having you wait that long) I think $600 of MSRP is not a good deal. I would ask for more (at least 1000) or a swap. You also need to remember why you went for a package #3. Do you really want the stuff from a package #7? It is quite a bit of extra money

01-25-2006, 02:39 PM	#6
FBear Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maplewood, NJ Posts: 301 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	As allocations are drying up I would grab the car. I know you have allot of goodies that you didn't ask for or want but you will definitely enjoy the car. When I picked up mine in Oct 2004, you didn't have a choice of package. The dealer got allocated cars and you took what was closest to the package you wanted or passed until the dealer received more cars. Have fun if you decide to take it!!!!

01-25-2006, 02:44 PM	#7
AlphaTeam Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 640 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I think the $600 off is a good deal. They don't have to sell it to you at all. They can sell it to the next guy who will pay it. And I'm sure there are many. I love my #7 and would not be happy with less. I like the gadgets though. They will eventually get the package you want, but do you want to wait that long? What is the wait worth to you? I think it is an honest mistake. It is not like they could not sell it if you didn't want it. I'm sure you are not last on the list. And even if you are it will be gone in days of it being on the lot.

01-25-2006, 03:58 PM	#9
kjdunlap Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 15 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	You only have to take a look at Kiloran's spreadsheet to fingure out how much "Wiggle Room" the dealer has. http://priuschat.com/2005-Model-Year-Prius...tor-t12132.html If it's an real mistake the dealer should give you more than $600 off. How about the dealar tradeing with another Toyota dealer that has package #3 in Driftwood.

01-25-2006, 03:59 PM	#10
kjdunlap Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 15 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	You only have to take a look at Kiloran's spreadsheet to fingure out how much "Wiggle Room" the dealer has. http://priuschat.com/200