1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

PriusChat Certified Dealer Program - Launch Announcement & Form

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Danny, Oct 24, 2011.

  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2003
    7,093
    2,100
    1,174
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    PriusChat is proud to announce partnerships with a select group of Toyota dealerships across the country to launch the PriusChat Certified Dealer Program. This program is launching with the Prius Plug-in to ensure a great price and buying experience for PriusChat members. PriusChat Certified Dealer Program | PriusChat The program consists of the following benefits for PriusChatters:
    • A $500 discount off of the 2012 Prius Plug-in MSRP, on both the Standard and the Advanced model.
    • A no-hassle purchase process where our Certified Dealer has agreed to not require add-ons or warranty programs.
    • Other optional dealer goodies.
    • Free PriusChat swag when you come to pick up your 2012 Prius Plug-in next Spring.
    • One year free PriusChat Premium membership.
    We are launching the program with 5 great Prius-focused dealerships:
    • Carson Toyota in Southern California
    • Putnam Toyota in the Bay Area
    • Magnussen's Toyota in the Sacramento area
    • Jim Coleman Toyota in the Washington, DC Metro area
    • Acton Toyota in Boston
    PriusChat Certified Dealer Program | PriusChat If you planned on purchasing your Prius Plug-in from one of these dealerships and have contacted them already, please go ahead and submit the lead form located at the link above anyway. This will allow PriusChat and our partner dealerships to better track your participation and make sure you get all of the benefits coming to you. If you are in the area of one of our partner dealers and were planning on ordering through a different dealership, I suggest you take a look at one of the dealerships above. These are dealerships committed to a great buying experience, a relationship with you as a Prius owner, and a relationship with the Prius community through PriusChat. If anyone has any questions about the program, please post them in this thread. If you are a dealer or a dealership that you are working with would like to participate, please use the Contact link in the bar above to email me.
     
    2 people like this.
  2. tofferr

    tofferr Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2011
    12
    5
    0
    Location:
    Downers Grove, Il
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I was hoping for something in Buffalo as I am from the Chicago area and planning on buying one and driving West. I assumed Buffalo would be a natural market for anyone in a similar situation.

    Thank you for the effort though. It gives us somewhere to start.
     
  3. crewdog

    crewdog Acting Ensign Prius Prime

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2009
    492
    388
    6
    Location:
    Woodstock, GA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Thanks for the program!

    Feels like some movement in the process helps out.
     
  4. 9G-man

    9G-man Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2005
    1,273
    194
    0
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Will these dealers charge a standard "Documentation Fee" or no fee at all? And what will that fee be ?

    I see the $500.00 discount getting recouped quite easily if that detail isn't hammered out.
     
  5. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2003
    7,093
    2,100
    1,174
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Because of the varying policies at different dealerships in different states, that's not a detail I even tried to nail down. The best I can say is that PriusChatters should negotiate anything they feel is negotiable and if any fees end up being excessive or unreasonable, post back here on the PC forums and we'll take a look at partnering with a different dealer.

    Still working on more dealers. I can tell you that Competition Toyota in New York and Toyota of San Luis Obispo said no to the program. So that should tell you what their goal is as far as pricing goes.
     
    1 person likes this.
  6. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    4,050
    727
    5
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    What is the PriusChat Premium membership and what kind of swag do you get?

    I feel like there still might be a disconnect between PriusChat and the dealer/salesperson. I've never had good luck working with dealers and discount programs (AAA discount, Costco, etc). They usually give me the "Wth" look and think I'm crazy. A lot of phone calls and a lot of deflection usually ensues.
     
  7. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2009
    1,311
    183
    2
    Location:
    Delawhere
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Is there a way for PCers to recommend a dealership for you to contact about a partnership? Since there's only 2 Toyota dealers in my area that I'm aware of, it might be a good to try to partner with one for us. They're both owned by the same people, but one is way more customer friendly than the other and both have their own sales goals.
     
  8. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,589
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Is it in a state other than Delaware? (Like Virginia or Maryland?) I only ask because Delaware is not a launch state... Toyota Prius Availability Map

    As for recommending the dealership, Danny had a different thread going on for some time where people were making recommendations. You could also try PM'ing him about the possibility.
     
  9. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2009
    1,311
    183
    2
    Location:
    Delawhere
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    The two closest are in DE. I didn't realize it was specific to the Plug-In rollout, just that it was being done initially together with that. I thought it was going to be a list of dealers, not specific to those for the initial launch of the Plug-In.

    I clearly missed the thread for recommendations. Oh well, I'm not actually in the market for the PIP, but was thinking of other members that might be in the area.
     
  10. essaunders

    essaunders Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2007
    195
    17
    0
    Location:
    NH
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    good question. In researching my next car purchase, I've seen doc fees between 270 and 399. They seem fairly consistant between deaelers of the same brand, though...
     
  11. moolman

    moolman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2005
    142
    16
    0
    I'm really torn here now. I live about 20 minutes from Magnussen's Toyota in Auburn but I know that Dianne from Carson is legit and will get the job done right.

    With the shadiness that can go on in car sales, call me skeptical even if priuschat certifies someone. I'm assuming that Danny called them only, I'll go in person this week and get a feel for the dealership and report back here. If anybody is in the Sac area, send me a PM, we can discuss what we know about this dealership and srategize..haha...
     
  12. moolman

    moolman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2005
    142
    16
    0
    Well, in California, the fees are a bit more predictable. Doc fee is $55 max by law and of course they all charge the max $55. Tire Fee of $1.75 per tire. Registration can be calculated on the CA DMV website, last time I bought a car it was spot on. My dealership charged me an extra $10 than the website and later I got a check from them refunding it, saying I overpaid the registration fees. And of course taxes depending on the tax rate in your area.
     
    1 person likes this.
  13. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,589
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five


    I have met Dianne in person and she is a wonderful person. I lived in Sacramento for 5 years and knowing how the trip down to her can be done in a day I'd buy from her in a heartbeat. Danny has done some work getting all this set up so I am sure you wouldn't have a problem going with a certified dealer as well but just to know I'm dealing with someone like Dianne would make the trip south worthwhile IMO.
     
    2 people like this.
  14. JPL

    JPL Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2011
    5
    0
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I'm new to PC, but from personal experience Acton Toyota of Acton Massachusetts is a fantastic dealer and excellent choice for a prius dealer!
     
  15. Zanrok

    Zanrok Casual Prius Lover

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2011
    176
    27
    0
    Location:
    Reno, NV
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    II
    First, thanks for getting this program going, very cool. :)

    But I gotta ask I know you mentioned this program will roll out for the Plug in Prius. What about us Pchatters who want to purchase the upcoming regular 2012 Prius? Will any of these dealers be willing to offer the same kind of promotion?
     
  16. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    4,050
    727
    5
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Dianne's job must be pretty cool. She hangs out on PriusChat all day and calls it work. Wait, that's what I do! :eek:
     
    1 person likes this.
  17. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,795
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I think this is absolutely a great idea, and a great program.

    But obviously for me? I'd like a dealership within the Pacific NW, preferably Oregon.

    And probably more importantly I'd like the Program to exist for all Hybrid purchases not just the Plug In Prius.

    I realize the framework of the specific deal might not be able to be transfered to each and every Prius offering...but I can dream can't I.
     
  18. moolman

    moolman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2005
    142
    16
    0
    I don't think this kind of program is needed for the regular Prius. There are people like Dianne, who you can contact about a regular Prius already. There's Costco, truecar, etc.

    The reason this kind of program is needed for the Plug In is because it is being special order and in short supply. Once the short supply is over, this program isn't needed anymore. I think most decent negotiators can get a good price on a car when supply isn't short.

    The dealer has going for it the fact that the vehicle is in short supply.

    You have going for it that you can order it from any dealer and the car isn't part of normal allocation for the dealer and they wouldn't have made the sale if you didn't pick them.

    This is a unique situation and once supply catches up, it's time for the consumer to start negotiating or if you not a good negotiator, plenty of options like I mentioned above where they give you fixed pricing.
     
    1 person likes this.
  19. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,604
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Same here. I think I have more time on PC from work, than some of my co-workers total tenure.
    ;)

    .
     
  20. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,795
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You can believe whatever you want about the "need" for a continued program. I'm just stating what I'd like to see the program evolve into. Believe me, I've considered traveling just to utilize the ethical skills of Dianne Whitmire.

    This program directly as presented offers some perks, a discount, but more importantly as Danny presents it- Prius Focused Dealerships.

    Call me selfish, but I always would want "more" not less. I'd hope to see a Prius Chat Certified Dealership "program" exist beyond the simple "launch" and beyond the initial support of the Plug In Prius itself.

    I realize I'm asking for a very daunting and perhaps challenging reality. Creating and maintaining a program that recommends dealerships across the country, and trying to ensure benefit to users as well as benefit to participating dealerships might be asking too much.

    But since we are just dreaming? I think as a consumer, dealerships that have perhaps commited to a baseline set of standards and guidelines when selling a Prius, and dealerships that are knowledgeable in regards to Hybrids and Prius (trust me this is big) would be a great benefit.

    I realize I'm perhaps asking a lot.

    I would ask Danny what is the "long term" plan for The Prius Chat Certified Dealership Program? Is it to be primarily and only a program that exists for the launch and early phase of Plug in Prius? Or do you expect the program to expand?
     
    1 person likes this.