We finally walked in a dealer last Sat and of course, was pointed to the long waiting list right at the door. Then I found out this online group full of information just this morning, wish we have researched earlier! I have called several dealers this morning and each of them requires a $ 500 deposit to wait several months (range from 2-9 months). However, one of the dealer sales told me that he has several coming up next month and they just wiped out their waiting list so I am likly to get one next month. He offers a #5 for $27014 plus tax. He asked me mail him a $500check and first faxed it first to hold my waiting list spot. He did say the deposit is refundable. My questions are: 1. is it possible? it seems too good to be true since other dealers told me no way I will have one next month by putting a deposit now. 2. is it safe to mail him the check addressed to the dealer company? the dealer is reputable I think, I saw someone bought one from them on this forum. Should we go there direcly to drop the deposit? 3. Did anyone get a written statement for the refundable deposit? Many thanks for your thoughts! -May
Personally, I would go to the dealership to drop off the deposit and get something in writing then and there. Of course, my dealership is pretty close to my house and I pass by there at least twice a day anyway.
Go in and sign because: 1. that assures the deposit is refundable 2. locks in the price (verbal over the phone is worth the paper it's written on) 3. locks in which make, model, package. Each dealer has a different volume of sales and this determines the amount of weight or "pull" they have at the dock for getting the cars. So this dealer may do a larger volume of business, and be able to get a higher priority to pick what he wants. I just signed for mine this morning. I got the three items above in writing. I then went to another dealer (who is closer to home) and tried to get the same car and price. He "claimed" it wasn't possible. His price was $1500 higher, and his time table was way out there. He does a smaller volume than the one I signed with. Unfortunately for me, I lost my cool with him over something, so now I probably shouldn't even go there for service, although he is quite a bit closer than the dealer where I am signed up for the car.
That sounds about as good as one can hope to do at the moment. Get the total out-the-door amount in writing when you pay the deposit.
Thanks, everyone! We decided to check the dealer out this Sat with all the information that we need to have in writing. Will do more homework on this site before we go I did fax a copy of my check that was addressed to their company to hold the waiting spot as the sale and I discussed this morning. He thinks it's very likely we will get one next month...still too good to be true (I tried not to sound too excited on the call) Hope it will worth the drive to the dealer this Sat. Will come back here to report. Happy Hunting, everyone!
