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Revenge of the Buyer

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by ThunderJon, Dec 8, 2005.

  1. ThunderJon

    ThunderJon New Member

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    OK. As of right now this is just a theory, but I was hoping to strike up a discussion on how we can "level" the playing field, being essentially 'gouged' for a Prius. Read the following and comment, has anyone done this, will they try?

    You: I'm here to pay for and pick up my 2006 Prius.

    Dealer: <WARRANTY_SPIEL>

    You: (firm) No. And I really can't afford the $2000 warranty and now I have 2 cars to insure (yada, yada).

    Dealer: Are you trading in a vehicle?

    You: Well, maybe my <YOUR OLDER CAR THAT WOULD BE HARD TO SELL> that I don't need anymore.

    Dealer: Let's have a mechanic look it over real quick (wait)

    Dealer: Ok we will give you $1500

    You: Well I think its worth quite a bit more than that...

    <some back and forth, hopefully you pry them up some>

    You: What if I buy the warranty, can I get a bit more for my trade-in?

    Dealer: Be right back, talk to manager.... Yea, we can give you an extra $700 on your trade-in.

    You: Great, I'll sign!
    --------------------------------------------------

    2 Weeks later.

    You: I'm canceling the warranty. I have until 3yr.36k mi to get it anyway. Period. (Get your $2k back).

    Bam!!! Dealer isn't screwed because they are selling so close to MSRP and made hella $$$ of sale, mats and especially your option package, so they should be ok. You got a bit of a better deal w/private sale hassle.
     
    #1 ThunderJon, Dec 8, 2005
  2. Kiloran

    Kiloran New Member

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    I guess you're not too concerned with the ethics of this. <_<
     
    #2 Kiloran, Dec 8, 2005
  3. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    If you want the best deal possible, don't combine any part of the transactions. The dealer will almost always win when you muddle everything together.
     
    #3 malorn, Dec 8, 2005
  4. koa

    koa Active Member

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    You: What if I buy the warranty, can I get a bit more for my trade-in?

    Since you didn't buy the warranty, the dealer might deduct that amount from the refund. They also might write up receipt showing you paid $1300. for the warranty for just that reason.

    Try it and let us know.
     
    #4 koa, Dec 8, 2005
  5. Mystery Squid

    Mystery Squid Junior Member

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    Would the dealer extend the same ethcial behavior?
     
    #5 Mystery Squid, Dec 8, 2005
  6. Jaguar88

    Jaguar88 Member

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    It probably is unethical if that's what you're thinking going in; however it's not really more unethical than the dealer giving you more for your trade-in if you buy the over priced extended warrenty.

    With the asymetric information between you and the dealer, the dealer should know to protect himself, so I doubt you could get away with it.
     
    #6 Jaguar88, Dec 8, 2005
  7. Kiloran

    Kiloran New Member

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    Are you saying we should base our own ethics on the presumed lack of scruples of others?
    Caveat emptor is one thing.
    Planning to screw a dealer by agreeing to a price/profit and then unilaterally changing the deal because you can get away with it is just plain low.
     
    #7 Kiloran, Dec 8, 2005
  8. ThunderJon

    ThunderJon New Member

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    To be clear, I am not going to try this. I like my dealer and am already getting pkg 7/8 for $700 below MSRP. Doc fees are $45.

    For those that have a dealer puttin the screws to them though it is an interesting proposition. Just not my thing B)
     
    #8 ThunderJon, Dec 8, 2005
  9. Kiloran

    Kiloran New Member

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    Glad to hear it.

    Tell us how you arranged for MSRP-$700.
     
    #9 Kiloran, Dec 8, 2005
  10. ThunderJon

    ThunderJon New Member

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    Sunnyvale, CA standard discount is $350 on high packages, they double it for Google employees.
     
    #10 ThunderJon, Dec 8, 2005
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