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The E-mail Techinique

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by 4chi, Aug 2, 2006.

  1. 4chi

    4chi New Member

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    After lurking here a bit, I've joined up.

    Wanting to get rid of an 02 Highlander for a Prius so we have only one family <strike>truckster</strike> guzzler in the family (don't ask what the wife is soon going to be driving).

    I sent out an email to several of the Colorado dealers that received good reviews here about 48 hours ago, just asking basic questions about wait for the package and color I want, pricing, and rough tradein value for my Highlander, but I've yet to receive a response.

    Is this typical?

    Anyone here use email exclusively to negotiate their purchase?

    I just feel more comfortable doing it by e-mail, but maybe I need to make some phone calls.

    Thanks for any insight into your experience.
     
    #1 4chi, Aug 2, 2006
  2. ttayloriii

    ttayloriii Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(4chi @ Aug 2 2006, 10:15 AM) [snapback]296280[/snapback]</div>
    I bought my 2006 in Texas, dealing first with e-mails and eventually by phone. It worked for me. I got responses in an hour or less in some cases and 2 days in others. I told each of the dealers what I wanted and that I had found it for $XXX, would they be interested in beating this price, or matching the price with a shorter delivery. Good luck.
     
    #2 ttayloriii, Aug 2, 2006
  3. withersea

    withersea DNF is better than DNS

    Joined:
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    Location:
    TN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I contacted 4 dealers (2 in TN and 2 in Southwest VA) by e-mail when I first began to look for a car. All four contacted me pretty quickly by phone and/or e-mail.
     
    #3 withersea, Aug 2, 2006
  4. randreed

    randreed Same as it ever was . . .

    Joined:
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    Location:
    West Milford, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(4chi @ Aug 2 2006, 11:15 AM) [snapback]296280[/snapback]</div>
    Yes - I e-mailed the dealership (Glen Toyota) to ask if they had any on the lot (which they did) and I negotiated trade in value (subject to inspection - and passed) through e-mail - later that day I walked in and drove out about an hour later. They had 3 on the lot - a Blue one that was sold, a Red#7, and a Silver#6 (which I took).

    I had already test driver my Father's Pirus I and II so I did not even bother the sales guy with a test drive. I told them up front that I wanted a no-hassle, quick easy deal and that's exactly what I got.
     
    #4 randreed, Aug 2, 2006
  5. grasshopper

    grasshopper Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(4chi @ Aug 2 2006, 11:15 AM) [snapback]296280[/snapback]</div>

    The secret to e-mail is mass quantities. I sent about 25 emails with all the info and received about 6 responses in about 2 days. Out of six only 2 were acceptable offers and the rest was on the phone.
     
    #5 grasshopper, Aug 2, 2006
  6. tacomel

    tacomel New Member

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    Both of the Prii we found were found by internet and e-mail, with the details wrapped up on the phone thereafter.

    Basically, what I did (on a Thursday night, for time reference) was go to toyota.com, enter Milwaukee and then Chicago into a dealer search, and get the list of hits. For each one that had an internet site, I clicked it. If it did not bring me to the internet site, or if there was no internet site listed, then I typed the dealer name into Google and found the site. I believe that all but one had a website, although a fair share of the links on toyota.com were out of date. Once at the dealer's website, I looked at the new inventory. If I saw one or more Prii that was to my liking, I used the inquiry form on the site and sent a message. The message was something to the effect of:

    "I am writing to see if the 2006 Prius, seaside pearl, #7 that is listed on your website, stock number xxxx, is actually available for sale, and when you are expecting delivery. Or, if you have any other incoming Prius within 2 weeks in { my colors and packages }."

    On Friday, I had received about 6 responses out of 20 dealers I e-mailed. And, I received one phone call (even though e-mail was the preferred contact method). The phone call was to explain that the car was a demo car, but they could definitely help me out in 6-9 months. Heh.

    Two of the responses were quality, indicating that the specific vehicle was not on the lot but was expected within a week. At that point, I was putting a deposit down on each via credit card, so I switched to telephone conversation with the salesmen.

    We took delivery of our new cars on Saturday and Tuesday (2 and 5 days after sending out my inquiries).
     
    #6 tacomel, Aug 3, 2006
  7. 4chi

    4chi New Member

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    Yeah, still no response from 4 dealers...weird.

    Here was the exact email I sent (yes, I have read other posts saying don't mention the trade up front, but I did anyway...i've found negotiating a bottom line "this is what I am willing to write you a check for" stategy to work for me in the past):

    Hello ____________:

    Based on my research on the internet and various Prius discussion boards, people are saying good things about buying a Prius from (your dealership).

    I am interested in an '06 Prius, package #5 or #6 in gray (or maybe black or silver).

    Can you answer the following questions:

    1. How long should I expect to wait? My goal is to get it before September 30 so as to get the full federal tax credit.

    2. Do you require a deposit? If so, refundable or non-refundable?

    3. Undestanding that this car is in demand, my research tells me I should be able to get one for just under MSRP in the Denver area. Is your pricing similar?

    4. Do you have any on the lot that I could come test drive? I sat in my neighbor's 05, but I would like to drive an 06 as well.

    5. I know it isn't easy to value a trade-in without seeing the car, but I will be trading in an 02 AWD Highlander Limited, not fully loaded but with most features, 30,000 miles and in good condition. Edmunds.com tells me this should be worth $19,400 as a trade-in (see edmunds info pasted in below my signature). Assuming I am accurate about the condition of the car, would you be able to meet this trade-in valuation?

    I'm emailing a couple of other dealers that Prius buyers have recommended with these same questions. Your response via email would be appreciated and I look forward to the opportunity to do business with you.
     
    #7 4chi, Aug 3, 2006
  8. B Rad

    B Rad New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(4chi @ Aug 3 2006, 04:50 PM) [snapback]297309[/snapback]</div>
     
    #8 B Rad, Aug 3, 2006
  9. 4chi

    4chi New Member

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    Well, I didn't work for me...never got one response so I started calling around.
     
    #9 4chi, Aug 8, 2006
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