Carpet Floor Mats - Optional or Mandatory?

In dealing with one dealership, I found that carpet mats ($399) were installed at a stateside distribution center (along with tinting and the Toyoguard package). If the process wasn't preempted, the mats (et al) then came with the Prius c, and it was "too late" to do anything about it. Of course, as I expected, the distribution center couldn't be reached overnight (I turned this deal down).

The mats were optional, unless already installed at the distribution center, which made them mandatory.

 

My dealer refused to remove them from the car. I got a good enough deal that I opted not to complain about 200 bucks, but it is annoying. They're nice, but not 225 nice.

 

$400 for the basic carpet mats? That's beyond ridiculous. Everything is negotiable in the end of course. One dealership trying to screw you over? Move along to another who's more willing to work with you I'd say. Although I do understand that's more easily done in some areas of the country than others unfortunately...


ron

 

My all weather rubber mats including the hatch area were $190 on my car.

 

I'm happy to say that I got exactly the deal I wanted through another dealership.

 

They were a little irritated with me when I refused to pay for the mats when the car came in. I told them i will replace the mats anyway so i didnt want to pay for them. They took $225 off the price and I walked out paying MSRP for the Two.

 

You know now that you all have said that, my dealership quoted the price of the one I wanted found with the floor mats without asking me... She didn't mention that they were another couple hundred dollars just said that I would want those! I am not going to throw too much of a fit as long as they don't charge me extra to find and get the exact one I wanted to the dealership. But I am going to ask her how much extra this "option" is!

 

It's the conflicting art of the possible.

A "nice" dealership, intent in making the customer as happy as possible, COULD switch the mats and make your All-Weather vs. Carpeted..reality come true. Even if they had to initially eat the cost of the carpeted mats.

But it's probably easier, and more profitable for them to tell you it's absolutely impossible, and see if you are game for paying for what already exists.

Usually? Dealerships in the past with me have been pretty flexible about floor mats.

My last deal, The Salesman, told me they came standard, then later "oops, they weren't standard". After a little showmanship I got them thrown in for "free".

It seems to me, even if the mats were installed at the port, you should be able to get what you want in regards to this. Especially if you are just asking for a switch of "types".

 

Similar oddity. When I bought my v3, I ordered the cargo mat and the all weather floor mats. When the car was delivered, it had carpeted mats and a cargo mat installed and the all-weather mats and a second cargo mat in the back wrapped in plastic. When asked, the salesman said that apparently they were free since they didn't show up on any paperwork as being installed...

 

The mats on my C2 were on the invoice at $225. I told the salesman that I had no interest in the mats and would not pay for them. He did the "talk to my manager" bit, and the manager came by, dropped the invoice on the desk with the mats crossed out and said, "I will take $225 off but we keep the mats." Later, when I picked up the car after it had been preped, the salesman said "I snuck the mats in the car for you, be sure to remember me when you do your survey. Still not sure if it was a trick from the dealership to get a good rating or if the salesman was really trying to hook me up, either way I was happy and the good rating will come

 

Similar story for me, back when floor mats were $50...

I didn't want to pay for the mats, so the salesman said, "Are you going to let $50 come between you and this beautiful new car?", to which I replied, "Are you?"

He took the $50 off.

 

Out of the 4 dealerships we dealt with in our search, one was willing to remove the mats entirely, but then insisted he would have to charge us a $200 "relocation fee" to have the car brought up (supposedly) from Oregon. We passed on that deal.. ;-) One was willing to have the mats removed for a $225 savings. The other two (including the one we ultimately bought from) were not willing to remove the mats at all. It's all a matter of negotiation.

Oddly enough, I saw one Prius C II listing that seemed to float from dealership to dealership for a car that came it the no-mat MSRP of $20,660.

 

My c 2 came with no mats, and I had to wait a few days for some to come in so I could buy them. I should have talked to one of you who didn't want them!

BTW, my dealer only asked $130 for mine. This doesn't include a mat for the cargo area, which I didn't want.

 

I posted my story about floor mats to opt out of when I got my 06 at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...aler-tried-renege-agreement-2.html#post918705.

When I was a newbie here on Priuschat in late 05, it was basically virtually impossible to get a Prius w/o "optional" (extra cost) floor mats. I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing is still happening and if dealers have the flexibility that my salesman outlined.

 

I'm currently in negotiations now on a Prius One. I haven't received any kickback from the dealer yet but The Toyota website AND the local dealer website had this car listed at 19700. he then said that's without any carmats i can get them in but with the mats for 300 more. They are practically saying that the car doesn't have mats and it's being advertised on the web. THEREFORE I can't see how they would have any grounds to force me to buy mats. The all weather ones are for sell now for 92 dollars. i'm hoping this dealer is cool because I've gone through two already who were trying to force a 3 package on me or a 21,5000 dollar one package. I walked out of both of those deals.

 

They don't come with any mats at all but neither did my Saturn when I bought it new in 2008 and refused to pay the 150 dollars for them. I just went to a auto parts store and got some nice ones for like 30 dollars. I wasn't able to get out of the 225 dollars for these mats unfortunately because they were in the price that they quoted me but I ended up getting a couple hundred under MSRP so I guess they were free.. lol

 

For those who don't know...........In Australia there are only 2 packages to choose from. The Prius C and the I-Tech. Japan are only releasing 1200 C's "Down Under" for 2012. Because of the High sale Demand. The Prius C is our Entry level (except "we get the infotainment screen").Retails here for under $28,000 drive away!. The I-Tech is the top level that gives u the softex seats, (no heating) LED lights, alloys, Navigation, but no sunroof option! (or as u call it - "moonroof") Retails for under $34,000 drive away!. I struck a deal with my dealer for $26,500 so long as i got the Tinted windows and Floor Mats.
I'm Pleased to say that i got it!!

P.s You guys in the U.S are sooooo lucky to get 4 packages and for much cheaper prices. We pay so much stamp duty for cars here in Australia ...It's NOT FUNNY
to say that ALL vehicles available from any manufacturer here or imported , is overpriced? ...... - would be an UNDERSTATEMENT!.

Nevertheless...so glad the Prius C became available here. I picked mine up yesterday and am pleased to announce that i'm an official "proud owner" I LOVE IT TO BITS. best car ever! Will post pics soon as i can