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Dealing with Dealers

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by EarthFriendly, Aug 28, 2007.

  1. EarthFriendly

    EarthFriendly New Member

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    I have posted a bit about my experience buying my Prius a bit on this forum. I want to emphasize that I am ecstatic about my car. I would have danced naked through the dealership to get a Prius (they are really in demand here), so I think I was particularly vulnerable.

    The dealership that I went through in Michigan required me to take the $990 dollar drive-train extended warranty. Whether it is a good idea or not is not really the issue here. It wasn't even negotiable. In fact, my sales rep didn't even tell me it was in there. I had to ask why the price was $1000 higher than what I was quoted four weeks ago when I put down my deposit. He said that his manager was requiring it on all of their hybrids (Prius, Camry and Highlander) because of the demand on the cars. They simply knew they would have buyers for the cars, regardless of whether or not they required the extended warranty. And I was one of those buyers. I had put a deposit on a model coming in that was everything that I wanted (Red Touring Pkg 4), and they are the only dealership within many miles that has any regular stock of Prius's (and by this I mean they have NO Prius's in the lot--all of them are sold by the time they get there--they get a decent allocation).

    I called Toyota Corporate, and they said that while they frown on policies like this, they have no direct control over dealer pricing and policy. They did start a case file on the dealership, but I am asking if anyone has any advice on what, if anything, to do from here. I am a very non-confrontational person by nature, so I hate the idea of doing something that involves getting mean with the dealership. At the same time, I feel like this is a pretty underhanded and unethical business practice, especilly considering I was told after the "Come and pick up your shiny new car!" call. Any advice would be appreciated.
     
    #1 EarthFriendly, Aug 28, 2007
  2. paulrubin

    paulrubin New Member

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    I have a contract for a particular car with specific pricing showing my deposit. If anything like that happens I'll walk away. They can demand any price they want but what's the point of signing paperwork unless both sides are held to it.
     
    #2 paulrubin, Aug 28, 2007
  3. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EarthFriendly @ Aug 28 2007, 08:48 PM) [snapback]503528[/snapback]</div>
    At least report them to your county or state consumer affairs office.
     
    #3 JimN, Aug 28, 2007
  4. Barcelona Red Lass

    Barcelona Red Lass Sips gas like fine wine!

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    I have to agree. Of course, I'm confrontational and willing to admit it, so it wouldn't have even been an issue for me. I went through 5 dealers here, with one doing the bait and switch thing (telling us they had what we wanted but when we got there to do paperwork they didn't have it after all.)

    I wanted exactly what I wanted, and if I was going to pay full price ($1000 below sticker-costco fleet price) I wanted everything exactly my way, or I was willing to wait or go somewhere else to get it.
     
    #4 Barcelona Red Lass, Aug 28, 2007
  5. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    There may be a 30 cancellation period on the contract. Consult Toyota Corporate and your State Attorney General. Would serve them right. And dealers wonder why we think they are the scum of the earth.
     
    #5 Doc Willie, Aug 28, 2007
  6. kohnen

    kohnen Grumpy, Cranky Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EarthFriendly @ Aug 28 2007, 07:48 PM) [snapback]503528[/snapback]</div>
    Here's the silver lining on this cloud:

    If the dealers are insisting that you pay "only" $990 for the extended warranty, then they know that it's a really good deal for them. That means that the hybrid Toyotas are pretty reliable.

    Sorry for you, but that's good news for those of us who don't want to buy an extended warranty and are willing to "take our chances."
     
    #6 kohnen, Aug 29, 2007
  7. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Aug 28 2007, 09:49 PM) [snapback]503550[/snapback]</div>
    99% of all car dealers give the other 1% a bad name.
     
    #7 JimN, Aug 29, 2007
  8. pgc100

    pgc100 Junior Member

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    The easiest way I have found to deal with this is file a complaint with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). It is not a law based complaint, but a consumer based complaint. Most places will settle to keep their record clean.

    Here is an intersting article I found when looking up their web address.

    http://www.bbb.com/alerts/article.asp?ID=791
     
    #8 pgc100, Aug 29, 2007
  9. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    People who just can't wait almost always pay more.

    Which dealer is this? If you had a signed agreement with them stating a lower price, then tell them you will complain to your state's attorney general's office unless they give you the agreed price. If it was a verbal agreement then you're probably stuck unless you can still cancel the purchase.

    Anyone considering buying a major product or service might take a look at Angie's List:
    http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/
    It collects and publishes reports from local consumers. It is subscriber (user) funded, not funded by member businesses.
     
    #9 richard schumacher, Aug 30, 2007
  10. onerpm

    onerpm New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Aug 29 2007, 09:50 PM) [snapback]504117[/snapback]</div>
    :lol:
     
    #10 onerpm, Aug 30, 2007
  11. Bear68

    Bear68 Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EarthFriendly @ Aug 28 2007, 08:48 PM) [snapback]503528[/snapback]</div>

    THAT CRAP SUCKS!!!! I HOPE THAT DEALER LOSES THEIR FRANCHISE!!! THEY OUGHTA BE MADE TO SELL YUGOS!!! OR ZILS!!! (Zil=Russian made P.O.S.) I am OUTRAGED!!!

    Some of the tactics that dealerships use are completely despicable. I can only hope that eventually, they will get what's coming to them and in spades.
     
    #11 Bear68, Aug 30, 2007
  12. paulrubin

    paulrubin New Member

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    What's to stop you from cancelling the warranty with Toyota financial afterwards? The whole thing sounds fishy.
     
    #12 paulrubin, Aug 30, 2007
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