How to buy a Prius the hard way

flashsolutions · 12-15-2007, 10:08 PM

While looking at some property in Ocala, our host couple introduced us to the Prius.

I had not heard of the car but was impressed by it as the host couple explained how it worked.

After getting back home, we later decided against moving to Ocala, but we did decide to buy a new Prius. Funny how things work out.

So anyway, I went to my local dealership and was shown a Prius by the salesman.

I fly R/C airplanes and cart them around in my Toyota Tacoma with a topper, so I needed to know if my planes would fit in the Prius. I unloaded a 58" wing from my truck and placed it in the back of the Prius with room to spare. I was sold!

I went home and discussed it with my wife and we made an appointment for her to test drive the car the next day.

When we arrived were informed the car had been sold an hour before we arrived. The salesman I had spoken to was not even there and I ended up dealing with someone else who obviously had no interest in helping us. We were told we would be put on a waiting list and there was no telling when we might expect to find the car with the options we wanted.

What happened to the days when the salemen were all over you trying to make a sale the minute you drove into the lot...

I ended up calling all over the state, then all over the country trying to find the vehicle of my color and option choice.

Turns out many of the dealers were asking up to $3000 over MSRP to get the car I wanted.

I finally found a dealer in St. Louis (Ackerman Toyota) that said they would get my car for me and they only charged $94 for dealer prep at MSRP price. There were none of the add on things like AAA ect that some dealers tacked on just to jack up the price, so I was pleased with the deal.

I found I could buy airline tickets for me and my wife for $170, so we decided to buy the car and fly there to pick it up.

Well from there it went down hill. After the vehicle finally arrived in Washington and got the Sirrus Radio installed in it, it was to be shipped by train to St. Louis.

Just as we were about to go out the door to catch our plane, we got a call saying the vehicle was not on the lot as indicated on the website. It seems a train derailment had occured and while our vehicle was not involved, there as a delay none the less.

Forefiting our tickets, we made new reservations for the following week at twice the price of the original tickets. The dealer agreed to pick up the cost of the new tickets so all we were out was another weeks wait.

Just as the second week approached, so did an ice storm which was heading for St. Louis.

I decided it was just not going to work out for us. Christmas is fast approaching, the weather is horrible and I decide I don't want to drive 1000 miles in rain, sleet, ice, or snow so we hired an auto transport company to pick up the car and deliver it to us at a cost of $600. The airline tickets were non-refundable but we got a credit which can be used for up to a year.

The net result was we finally got our new Prius delivered today, nearly 6 weeks after we set out to purchase it.

I hope it will be worth the effort we went thru to get it!

JimN · 12-16-2007, 01:07 AM

Congratulations on the car, you'll love it. Now at least put a clear bra on it to help prevent the chips & scratches that are in your future.

patsparks · 12-16-2007, 03:05 AM

Well done and yes it will be. Not all dealers are uninterested in their customers, some go the extra mile even when you're miles away.

**efusco** · 12-16-2007, 03:09 AM

Ackerman Toyota...I'll try to remember that. I'm in Southwest Missouri and had good service from the local dealer...but the salesman I trusted left there so I'd want to keep my options open should I need another Toyota.

flashsolutions · 12-16-2007, 03:34 PM

I think I forgot to mention the salesmans name at Ackerman Toyota. Shame on me. His name is Ray Trout, like the fish and their phone number is (314) 351-3000. I should also mention that Ray was off the day my Prius was to be picked up but he had left instructions for Todd who knew all the details when I called to arrange pickup.

This is the kind of dealership that makes the buying experience so much more enjoyable. They are doing things right

Quote:

Originally Posted by efusco

Ackerman Toyota...I'll try to remember that. I'm in Southwest Missouri and had good service from the local dealer...but the salesman I trusted left there so I'd want to keep my options open should I need another Toyota.

flashsolutions · 12-16-2007, 03:36 PM

Ahhh yes! I was looking for one but haven't found one as yet. Can you direct me to a good place to buy one....

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimN

Congratulations on the car, you'll love it. Now at least put a clear bra on it to help prevent the chips & scratches that are in your future.

12-15-2007, 10:08 PM	#1
flashsolutions Flashsolutions Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 30 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	How to buy a Prius the hard way While looking at some property in Ocala, our host couple introduced us to the Prius. I had not heard of the car but was impressed by it as the host couple explained how it worked. After getting back home, we later decided against moving to Ocala, but we did decide to buy a new Prius. Funny how things work out. So anyway, I went to my local dealership and was shown a Prius by the salesman. I fly R/C airplanes and cart them around in my Toyota Tacoma with a topper, so I needed to know if my planes would fit in the Prius. I unloaded a 58" wing from my truck and placed it in the back of the Prius with room to spare. I was sold! I went home and discussed it with my wife and we made an appointment for her to test drive the car the next day. When we arrived were informed the car had been sold an hour before we arrived. The salesman I had spoken to was not even there and I ended up dealing with someone else who obviously had no interest in helping us. We were told we would be put on a waiting list and there was no telling when we might expect to find the car with the options we wanted. What happened to the days when the salemen were all over you trying to make a sale the minute you drove into the lot... I ended up calling all over the state, then all over the country trying to find the vehicle of my color and option choice. Turns out many of the dealers were asking up to $3000 over MSRP to get the car I wanted. I finally found a dealer in St. Louis (Ackerman Toyota) that said they would get my car for me and they only charged $94 for dealer prep at MSRP price. There were none of the add on things like AAA ect that some dealers tacked on just to jack up the price, so I was pleased with the deal. I found I could buy airline tickets for me and my wife for $170, so we decided to buy the car and fly there to pick it up. Well from there it went down hill. After the vehicle finally arrived in Washington and got the Sirrus Radio installed in it, it was to be shipped by train to St. Louis. Just as we were about to go out the door to catch our plane, we got a call saying the vehicle was not on the lot as indicated on the website. It seems a train derailment had occured and while our vehicle was not involved, there as a delay none the less. Forefiting our tickets, we made new reservations for the following week at twice the price of the original tickets. The dealer agreed to pick up the cost of the new tickets so all we were out was another weeks wait. Just as the second week approached, so did an ice storm which was heading for St. Louis. I decided it was just not going to work out for us. Christmas is fast approaching, the weather is horrible and I decide I don't want to drive 1000 miles in rain, sleet, ice, or snow so we hired an auto transport company to pick up the car and deliver it to us at a cost of $600. The airline tickets were non-refundable but we got a credit which can be used for up to a year. The net result was we finally got our new Prius delivered today, nearly 6 weeks after we set out to purchase it. I hope it will be worth the effort we went thru to get it!

12-16-2007, 01:07 AM	#2
JimN Certified Prius Advisor Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,199 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Congratulations on the car, you'll love it. Now at least put a clear bra on it to help prevent the chips & scratches that are in your future.

12-16-2007, 03:05 AM	#3
patsparks Uneducated bird-brain Aussie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 4,924 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 17	Well done and yes it will be. Not all dealers are uninterested in their customers, some go the extra mile even when you're miles away.

12-16-2007, 03:09 AM	#4
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,254 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	Ackerman Toyota...I'll try to remember that. I'm in Southwest Missouri and had good service from the local dealer...but the salesman I trusted left there so I'd want to keep my options open should I need another Toyota.