AAA/Toyota Dealer clash over dealers refusal of Price Guarantee

OP is not so stupid to waste time and effort. I suggest *octane* waste his time arguing with the dealership, then he will have last time to post

 

I don't think the OP was backing in to the deal deceptively. I called a dealership to see for myself. I asked sales if they honor the AAA discount for 2011 Priuses and without an answer, they forwarded me directly to AAA. Now, if they know that they don't honor the discount, they should've answered me right then and there. My question to them was simple and direct. But instead they left it up to AAA, and THEN tell me that they don't honor it...I believe that I, too, just experienced fraud.

Thank god this wasn't for real.

 

The dealer was part of the buyers program and unless anybody can demonstrate a KNOWN exclusion of the Prius PRIOR to the attempted purchase, then you have no legs to stand on to justify his refusal to honor his agreement.

Reading the original posting, it is crystal clear that the dealer knew he wasn't honoring his agreement, AAA knew he wasn't honoring the agreement, and Toyota ultimately unilaterally withdrew the Prius. They weren't honoring the agreement and they began to make shit up as they went along.

If what you say is true, the dealership should have told him that the consumer violated the terms by not telling him up front... if there is any merit to that specious claim. For example, if I apply through Costco's program, a tracking number is generated, the dealer is identified, a point of contact is identified, and I must present at the dealership along with my membership card. If I don't do that, they don't have to honor the price.

It doesn't matter a hill of beans as the dealership knew that the sale could subject to some prior agreement. Unless of course it is standard practice to "prepare" for the customer when he comes in in an attempt to somehow trick the customer into paying more while giving the appearance of being part of an effective buyer's program.

Of course the customer was justified in believing the dealer wouldn't honor his agreement... because as we know many dealers are disreputable scum and he ultimately didn't honor the agreement. Further, neither the dealership, nor AAA ever tried to claim that the Prius was exempted from the agreement UNTIL a customer tried to exercise the agreement. Apparently, the decision was made then.

A good thing to do would be to let the world know that AAA will refuse to hold one of their advertisers to the terms of agreement and that the dealership will do anything in any situation he sees fit irrespective of the agreement.

That's blatant false advertising.

It's amazing the lengths people will go to defend price gougers and company's that won't honor agreements. It's a symptom and perhaps cause of why we are in huge decline as a nation. Lack of integrity.

 

I'm amazed at the people who are defending this dirtbag behavior. It speaks volumes as to whether you should ever do business with any of them.

 

What do you say about a person who wastes time responding to somebody he considers stupid? Hmmm, SageBrush?

 

Octane...just in closing, in most cases, I'm going to side against dealerships. Too many horror stories, too many high pressure scenarios...too sleazy.

I think it ridiculous that when it comes to a purchase that for a majority of people is either the biggest or second biggest purchase they make...we handle it in such a "Camel Trader" ....shell game...barter and bicker manner....

It just leads to avenues for the triumph of greed, worn out consumers, and a general distrust of ALL dealerships warranted or unwarranted....

It's just the specifics of this deal. But if your asking? Yeah, it would of been "nice" if the dealership would of sold the vehicle to the OP for the AAA price...and while not making as "much" profit as possible, I bet they still would of been making a profit.

I am sorry for the OP that he wasn't able to get the vehicle he wanted...at the price he wanted...

But if you go out car shopping...that scenario with different means often becomes the end....

The OP refused the deal as presented...and is free to continue to look to do better.

Unfortunately for anyone looking to purchase at the moment...probably not the best time to look for leveraging a deal.

 

My advice?

There is no reason whatsoever to turn over any benefit of having a Prius in terms of fuel savings to the dealership. Dealerships are sleezy by and large, but you don't have to be an idiot. Find another brand and car.

 

That dealer is a rip-off. Compare this;

New Toyota Prius at Hudson Toyota Serving Jersey City, NJ

to this;

New 2010 & 2011 Toyota Camry, Prius, Corolla, RAV4 or Venza For Sale in Sunnyvale & the Bay Area

Difference of at least $2000. ?????

 

Your experience and approach was different. From the genesis. Again READ the OP's post. He admits that he knows dealers are raising prices...he admits...that he was trying a different approach with this one dealer...

YOU...called the dealership to see for yourself....

The OP...was told by the dealership they had the vehicle he wanted and it was $25,000....

He then...without telling the dealership..went to AAA and tried to get their guarantee that he could purchase the vehicle at their price.

AAA does not sell vehicles.

Most of these services are set up to be used upfront. In other words you don't go to the dealership...with a deal on the table...THEN envoke the AAA deal or price.

All this could of easily been avoided if the OP would of simply told the dealership he intended to use AAA upfront. Then immediately the dealership could of said Yeah, or Nay....

It was trying to leverage the price in retrospect that failed.

I once tried to use the COSTCO program and had the salesman tell me we could...but he recommended against it...because he could offer me a BETTER price than the COSTCO price...

I have nothing against a consumer using a service, good friend, or trusted dealership...to try and get a good/great deal.

But in this case, bottom line, The Dealership always said...The Automobile IS $25,000 + .....the OP appeared at the dealership as if he was willing to pay this price and THEN sprung his "knowledge" of the AAA price and service on the dealership. Which wasn't willing to sell the vehicle at that price...and evidently neither legally or contractually obligated to do so...

Sorry...his "trick" didn't work. Nice try. Move on....

 

How is this fraud if the answer from both the dealer and AAA would be "no"? How could the dealer or AAA be held accountable for not honoring something that no longer exists?

 

The answer from AAA was yes.

 

You're actually trying to compare advertised deals between NJ and CA? How about shoes, lettuce, homes, etc...?

 

Really... guess I misread it. It appeared the dealer left it up to AAA to tell you the answer. My guess is they didn't want to waste their time. You didn't experience fraud. You were given bad information by AAA.

 

No...not ultimately.

From the Original Post:

AAA: This has never happened before. It seems that just recently due to the events in Japan, Toyota is taking the Prius off the guaranteed price plan. If it were just this one dealer we would force them to honor the agreement, but in this special circumstance the market has changed so significantly for the Prius becasue supplies have dried up that we are honoring all the Toyota dealerships requests to remove the Prius from the plan. We're very sorry.


And again, Read Diane Whitmires post...evidently the ability to immediately adapt to market conditions and remove or exclude a vehicle from a Pricing Services price? Is evidently something that just happens.

PS.

I do think AAA kind of dropped the ball. They should of never "guaranteed" the OP the price without first contacting the dealership and confirming that it was all possible.

If anybody "failed" it was AAA for making a guarantee that evidently they could not back up.

 

Uhhhh yea. Car prices don't vary that much between states. Anyways, I have a present just for you.

New 2011 Toyota Prius, Corolla, Camry, Rav4 or Sienna For Sale in Palo Alto, Sunnyvale & Bay Area

New 2010 & 2011 Toyota Camry, Prius, Corolla, RAV4 or Venza For Sale in Sunnyvale & the Bay Area

There you have it. 2 dealerships w/in 15 miles of each other, already a $1000 difference in price for a II, up to $3000 difference in price for a III. Can you say wow? Now let's see your riposte.

 

Now now boys....can't we all just get along?

 

Man, the bullheadedness of some people is beyond belief. The dealership, completely free of coercion PAID for AAA advertising service known as the AAA Buyer's Program. Part of his acceptance of AAA terms and conditions is that he sell a car with a certain markup or markdown over invoice price.

When requested by the original poster, he then REFUSED to do so even though he was contractually obligated to AND had essentially advertised his price as being that of AAA's formula. Not only did the dirtbag refuse to honor HIS contract with AAA, he also falsely advertised his price as a AAA participant conforming with their formula.

AAA didn't have the nads to kick him off the program (he's paying AAA for the service--is that a surprise?); thus, implicating AAA as a bunch of sleazebags too.

Is it too much to ask to live by your commitments even when it's inconvenient to do so?

 

I'm not buying the OP's story. Right now the Prius is still in the AAA program. It now carries this note: "This vehicle is in high demand. Contact your Certified Dealer for available inventory and guaranteed low price." The AAA price is now invoice + $500, which is $500 higher than last week.

IMO, if dealer A wouldn't honor their current AAA price I'd start the complaint process with the county's Consumer Affairs office & the state while sitting in their office.

On the other side, the dealer's BS fees aren't governed by the AAA deal. All the dealer has to do is increase their fees on the AAA priced sales to bring the total back to where they want it.

 

You really don't understand the original narrative, do you? I suppose this is why it is so difficult for you to understand the outrage.

AAA originally DID say that they would kick the dealership out. Ultimately, they said that TOYOTA removed the Prius from the program. This is according to the originating poster.

In any event, it is AFTER the fact that this gentleman tried to utilize the program.

 

There ya go, the are still claiming a guaranteed price.