Group buy (total = 6) for SF bay area? Anyone considering buying the Prius PHV in the SF bay area? We could get together and negotiate a group deal with the dealership. This was met with considerable success when it was done with the Nissan LEAF (5% off MSRP). Final Update: In view of time constraints, group is now closed. Update: here's a summary of the order process 1) Sign up for priority registration form Toyota website (window is already closed) 2) Some time in 10/2011 (?), you will be asked to order online -- you need to choose color, trims, accessories etc. 3) Submit the order to a dealer, who will give you a price quote. 4) Place a $500 deposit with dealer to confirm the order within 96 hours. Deposit is refundable if you change your mind about buying later. To get a deal, we need to pre-negotiate the price with the dealer BEFORE step 2 happens. Dealerships would be encouraged to have a group deal if the group is large enough.
I'm in the same boat as Priuslovers; that is I'm on a dealer's list here on the central coast. But if the discount is better and the timing worked out, I'd be good. My 'roots' are in the Bay Area so that's not a problem. But I suppose you might need more of a definite answer in order to have any decent leverage with a dealership. I'm looking forward to more info about the 'preferred dealer list' as well.
Can anyone explain what is meant by the "dealer's list"? Do you get preferential pricing? Or order priority? If it is order priority, I thought the "order" priority is just from the online registration system? I am guessing it is quite different from the Nissan Leaf ordering system?
Well, I just meant that I've chosen the local Toy dealer as my 'preferred' dealer and in my case in particular, they have a $500 deposit that I gave them years ago to give me 'first dibs' when a PIP came in. When I signed up for the on-line program, they wanted me to designate my 'Preferred Dealer'. I gave them the name of the local dealership, although we bought our '10 from a different dealership a few towns away.
Count me in as well. In the "Certified Dealers" thread, Conorearly mentioned that Andrey Kamenetsky from Putnam Toyota in Burlingame had given him a good deal on his current Prius and that he promised "no hidden costs" for the PHV. I'll check with him and see if he's open to the idea. I also don't know if Danny has gotten anywhere with a "Certified Dealer" in the Bay area. Dan
I talked to one dealership in the bay area. They said they were considering to offer some sort of charging station as a incentive for buying from them. Other than that, the person didn't want to comment on the price. I have not mentioned about a possible group deal. But I think if we can get 10 or more, there would be some dealerships who would be willing to provide better incentives. It might help to look at the smaller / slightly out-of-the way dealerships because it is them who can gain the most from such a group deal.
Re: Group buy (total = 6) for SF bay area? Hi Greenleaf! I would also like to be considered for the Bay Area discount program if any is offered. I pre-registered awhile ago and am waiting on next steps like everyone else. I called a couple of dealerships in the Bay Area and some dealerships had asked me to put $500 down and others said they would get back to me but never did. I'm wondering if different dealerships rack up the prices that's listed on the Toyota website and how you determine which dealership is a good one to work with. This will be my first time buying a Prius and going through this process so any update would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Group buy I am interested in the group buy as well. I remember the process over at the Leaf forums and think that doing a group interest/buy would be a good way to go. -mark
Just an update on Putnam. I left a voicemail on Thursday around noon and then called back again last night and spoke directly to the Sales Manager. He was busy with a couple of other customers and indicated he would call me back. Didn't hear back from him last night. I will try again today. It sounds like a number of the posters have talked to various dealers around the Bay already. If people could post on their good and bad impressions, maybe we can narrow the list down.
Here's a summary of the order process 1) Sign up for priority registration from Toyota website (window is already closed) 2) Some time in 10/2011 (?), you will be asked to order online -- you need to choose color, trims, accessories etc. 3) Submit the order to a dealer, who will give you a price quote. 4) Place a $500 deposit with dealer to confirm the order within 96 hours. Deposit is refundable if you change your mind about buying later. To get a deal, we need to pre-negotiate the price with the dealer BEFORE step 2 happens. Dealerships would be encouraged to have strike a deal if the group is large enough. Does anyone think that it would be a good idea to start a Google group or Yahoo group to collect the names and emails of interested buyers? This list will be provided to the dealership when necessary. The reason for this is that we don't want to post our contact information posted out in the open in this thread. BTW, having a Google group was how we negotiated the group deal for Nissan Leaf.
Just got off the phone with Andrey Kamenetsky from Putnam Toyota. He told me that he will commit to selling the cars at MSRP and will not add any costs to final price due to un-approved dealer-installed options. He told me that he made this promise to a number of other individuals and would provide the same deal to everyone. He didn't have a solid understanding of what was included in the price on the Toyota website and whether it included destination charges or not. He also believed that the ordering process could be handled entirely electronic. Agree to a final price in an email, provide a credit card number for the deposit and it's done.
Hi all, My name is Steve Fang, I am an Internet Manager you're local Toyota dealer =) Regards to the group purchase, I probably discount the car for you even if you don't buy it in groups tell you the truth... but if you like, feel free to ask me anything anytime.
I decided to go ahead and create the Google group: (link deleted) If we have a large enough group, we can probably negotiate a better price with the dealerships. From prior experience with the Nissan Leaf, some dealerships are more comfortable to offer a better deal if the list is kept private. Please PM me if you have private questions about the group.