Pulled the trigger today... UPDTE- CANCELLED ORDER

[brentmeister]

Dear Prius Chat Members;

After much research, preparation and consideration; I placed an order today for a 2008 Prius (package 2) with no port or dealer added options @ 300 over invoice. I will be driving about five hours from my home to pick up the vehicle, since the local dealers would only sell units with all the port and dealer added options at MSRP. I have two questions where assistance is needed.

1) I will need mats and would like to pre-order. Is there a consensus on the board about what mat to order for best fit and functionality? I would prefer a cloth or fabric mat compared to a rubber/vinyl product...

2) I would like to trade-up to a better tire at Discount Tire. Is there a consensus on the board inregard to the best riding/handling tire with low roll resistance that I should consider for the trade?

Any advice is greatly appreciated and I cannot wait to join the ranks of Prius Owners!!!

Thanks in advance-
Brent

[lonestarslp]

[quote=brentmeister @ Oct 10 2007, 09:58 PM) [snapback]523982[/snapback]</div>

Dear Prius Chat Members;

After much research, preparation and consideration; I placed an order today for a 2008 Prius (package 2) with no port or dealer added options] 300 over invoice. I will be driving about five hours from my home to pick up the vehicle, since the local dealers would only sell units with all the port and dealer added options at MSRP.
[/b]

I hope you don't mind my asking, but where did you get the car? I live in the DFW area too, and I am having the same issue with dealers.

[brentmeister]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lonestarslp @ Oct 10 2007, 10:04 PM) [snapback]523987[/snapback]</div>

I hope you don't mind my asking, but where did you get the car? I live in the DFW area too, and I am having the same issue with dealers.
[/b]

PM SENT

[brentmeister]

Very bad news folks... I got the 'numbers' today and upon close inspection, I found some things that made take pause for concern.

The invoice included $8 for a 'research charge'- the salesman tried to tell me this was to cover the customer satisfaction survey... You have got to be freaking kidding me...

There was another $12 fuel charge.... Odd.....

Then there was a $768 Advertising fee..... I don't even want to go here....

So the quoted price of $300 over invoice was really more like $1000 over invoice. I can beat that here in the DFW area. So I told him to shove it.

Then coincidentally, I was at the Texas State Fair today and stopped by the Toyota area in the car building. I just happened to meet the VP of customer relations Toyota USA region south and he was very interested in my story. I gave him a polite but firm ear full about the advertising fees, all the additional charges Gulf States Toyota puts on the vehicles at port and the extra-mile package rip-off's.... He was very understanding and very interested in my comments. He was already aware of the situation and he was concerned because Honda doesn't pull this shell game. He gave me the name of a fleet salesman at a local dealership that I am to call in the morning.... The game goes on.....

Thanks for listening. This is very frustrating...

[Rae Vynn]

You will be better off with a fleet salesman, or the internet salesman, over the guy "on the floor" at the local dealer.

This is all for the best. Seriously. You will be SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY with your new Prius!

[brentmeister]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ Oct 11 2007, 08:21 PM) [snapback]524346[/snapback]</div>

You will be better off with a fleet salesman, or the internet salesman, over the guy "on the floor" at the local dealer.

This is all for the best. Seriously. You will be SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY with your new Prius!
[/b]

I know that I will be happy, I have no doubt. What will ruin the buying experience is to get 'bait and switched' on the price I am going to pay. I know that these things cost money and that they are hot cars... But I just need to know that the price will be prior to closing the deal. If it is going to be invoice plus [x] that is fine - I'll get the best deal that I can and accept it. I don't want to agree on invoice plus [x] and then get to the finance guy and find out that it is actually invoice plus [x] plus about one thousand dollars in hidden charges.... That won't work with me.

This experience is bordering on depressing..l..

[jonjonbear]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brentmeister @ Oct 11 2007, 07:45 PM) [snapback]524332[/snapback]</div>

Very bad news folks... I got the 'numbers' today and upon close inspection, I found some things that made take pause for concern.

The invoice included $8 for a 'research charge'- the salesman tried to tell me this was to cover the customer satisfaction survey... You have got to be freaking kidding me...

There was another $12 fuel charge.... Odd.....

Then there was a $768 Advertising fee..... I don't even want to go here....

So the quoted price of $300 over invoice was really more like $1000 over invoice. I can beat that here in the DFW area. So I told him to shove it.

Then coincidentally, I was at the Texas State Fair today and stopped by the Toyota area in the car building. I just happened to meet the VP of customer relations Toyota USA region south and he was very interested in my story. I gave him a polite but firm ear full about the advertising fees, all the additional charges Gulf States Toyota puts on the vehicles at port and the extra-mile package rip-off's.... He was very understanding and very interested in my comments. He was already aware of the situation and he was concerned because Honda doesn't pull this shell game. He gave me the name of a fleet salesman at a local dealership that I am to call in the morning.... The game goes on.....

Thanks for listening. This is very frustrating...
[/b]

You know what else is a big rip off? Those "Eco-nomic savings" they make you think you are getting such a good deal on. When we ordered ours, we did the build your car online thing both ourselves and with the salesman. So we had a list of the prices of the packages. I told them no way on the extra mile ripoff stuff and that I didn't even want mats. Only upgrade other than package six was the XM radio..
After ordering the car we noticed on the Toyota website that it showed that the '08's also were to have the discounts so we called our salesman and he said ours should have a 1750.00 discount. COOL! We thought..Well turns out the window sticker price matched what we had in our hand, even with the 1750.00 discount..They had marked up the package six to make up for the difference. Really pissed me off..But what to do, down here in Austin if you don't want it the next person in ten minutes will..Even said we don't regret buying the car..On our second tank and getting 49.1 mpg as of this morning..Love it..
Just hate the "games they play" at the dealerships..Well, don't think it at the dealership level..The sticker came on the car..My guess is the problem is with the Gulf States region or maybe Toyota in General..Our sales guy was actually really nice..The car came equipped with mats even though we specifically said we didnt' want them so he got them for us for free..Not much but hey I will take em! They also let us do the paperwork days before the car got there so we could close the deal prior to Oct 1 to get the tax deal.



John

[patsparks]

I had 3 yards fighting for my money and discounting. Paid nearly $2000 under advertised price and that was drive away. All I paid over that was for the comprehensive insurance. They even filled it with petrol.
Note, I bought mine used.

[DeadPhish]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonjonbear @ Oct 12 2007, 09:16 AM) [snapback]524545[/snapback]</div>

You know what else is a big rip off? Those "Eco-nomic savings" they make you think you are getting such a good deal on. When we ordered ours, we did the build your car online thing both ourselves and with the salesman. So we had a list of the prices of the packages. I told them no way on the extra mile ripoff stuff and that I didn't even want mats. Only upgrade other than package six was the XM radio..
After ordering the car we noticed on the Toyota website that it showed that the '08's also were to have the discounts so we called our salesman and he said ours should have a 1750.00 discount. COOL! We thought..Well turns out the window sticker price matched what we had in our hand, even with the 1750.00 discount..They had marked up the package six to make up for the difference. Really pissed me off..But what to do, down here in Austin if you don't want it the next person in ten minutes will..Even said we don't regret buying the car..On our second tank and getting 49.1 mpg as of this morning..Love it..
Just hate the "games they play" at the dealerships..Well, don't think it at the dealership level..The sticker came on the car..My guess is the problem is with the Gulf States region or maybe Toyota in General..Our sales guy was actually really nice..The car came equipped with mats even though we specifically said we didnt' want them so he got them for us for free..Not much but hey I will take em! They also let us do the paperwork days before the car got there so we could close the deal prior to Oct 1 to get the tax deal.
John
[/b]

Well you're a little late to the party that's all. For thr first 3 years that the Prius was out the full MSRP was anywhere from $500 to $2000 higher than the current prices. This past May Toyota started their 'eco-nomic' price reduction program by reducing the prices on the sticker.

Unfortunately you misunderstood how the discount worked because it was not explained clearly when you took your test drive or your didn't ask the right questions while you were there. It's all very clearly stated on the sticker. Your current price is well below what the original buyer paid back in 04, 05 and 06.

[richard schumacher]

It's very easy to do all the negotiating by phone, email and fax. I initially contacted eight DFW dealers to get their ballpark prices and terms on my specific package, asked the three most reasonable to fax me their bids, asked the one I liked best to beat the best price and fax me the very contract I would be signing for the car, and only then went to the dealer to sign it. No fuss, no muss, no surprises. If they push dealer add-ons when you're on site, just smile and say "no" until they go away. You've got the money.

For this and other useful buying advice consult the Consumer Reports' April car-buying issue in your friendly neighborhood library or online.