No floormats? Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

Unfortunately, that is pretty much standard procedure on most cars these days, to make the floor mats an extra option. Usually cost-conscious buyers end up just buying generic mats elsewhere. The $200 mats are an option for those that "have to have" the "official" floor mats.

 

I'm with you. I feel I deserve something thrown in with a large purchase...ESPECIALLY after you being so damn loyal to a dealership. You don't see that often at all!! Did you tell them why you think you should get the mats thrown in free of charge since you're one of the few loyal customers and if it would be worth losing your business after this car?

But congrats on getting the steering wheel and glove compartment thrown in! I got seat belts!

 

All I would say is that floor mats being an extra is and has been common for new cars now. Often before you actually purchase, in the negotiation phase, you can often leverage the throw in of floor mats but them not being automatically included is common.

I remember when Floor Mats were more often automatically included with the price of the car but really either way your paying for them. Since some people like the choice of getting carpeted, or Rubber all weather, it's all the same to me. With car purchase most often your not really getting anything for free. If all cars came with floor mats, they'ed just tack that onto MSRP. Now at least you have choice to purchase or buy aftermarket plus in a lot of situations you can negotiate the throw in. Probably the most diplomatic thing I could say, is I think both parties are being cheap. The auto industry because they have lowered the bar and no longer commonly include floor mats and you because you expect them to give you something for free.

Also my personal opinion is I think the Real Floormats that are made to fit are worth the expense. I've almost never been able to find a generic aftermarket that didn't slip at least some, which can be a safety issue. The perfect fit and the security of the mat being hooked to the floor is worth it to me.

 

I personally think it's cheap on the part of the auto industry. We're talking FLOOR MATS! The cost for them to produce these has got to be negligible. It's one of those things that annoys people to be charged extra, so why do that? It would add much more (goodwill) to the customer experience than the cost to the dealer, IMHO.

 

I beleve the carpetted floor mats are in the $225-$250 range as an option so doubtful they would throw them in. When I bought my GMC Z71 back in '01 I tried but they refused to throw in the better floor mats and that was a $34,000 truck. I decided to let them keep their mats and I hit up AutoZone and purchased my own mats.

For the Prius I'd look into the Weathertech mats or liners. I killed my stock Prius mats after the first year and the Weathertechs have been worth every penny.

 

Is this a Toyota only thing? I also find it ridiculous to have to pay extra for floormats and this is the first time I'm experiencing such hassle but it is also my first Toyota. I have never had this problem before with Honda, Hyundai, Dodge, or VW.

 

I've never bought a new car where floor mats were included from the manufacturer for free. As far as I'm concerned, they've always been a bargaining chip that a salesman can "throw in for free" if you bargain hard, or if the car doesn't sell well.

Considering that the Prius 2010 is a new generation, just came out, and has waiting lists in some places, the odds of you getting free floor mats (or even sub-list price) are not good.

 

Actually, for Toyota dealers, charging for the floor mats is pretty pathetic, considering they think their car is worth MSRP and nothing less, with many charging way over that, thats pretty bad, a $50 set of floor mats would make at least a token jester to a customer that they appreciate their business.

 

When I bought my Saab 900 in 1998, all the floor mats (front and rear) were in the car. I did not pay extra (well at least not as a separate line item on the invoice). As we know ALL costs get thrown in to the mix. The mats have held up well and I still have the original ones, now 11 yrs later.

 

If Honda threw in the floormats gratis it's because your dealer decided to give them to you. They have been charging extra for them for years. Our dealer gives them to us for free because we're repeat customers.

 

I've purchase five Toyota's and two Honda's and have never paid for floormats as a single line item charge! I know I have paid something, but never an up front. The last time, I purchased an accord, I wouldn't go for the extra charge and they backed off.

Might be very different this time when I negotiate for a 2010 Prius at the end of the year or early next year?

 

Lots of people want cheap Walmart floormats, or even nice rubber mats. Getting them as a standard item would be a waste. Since though most of the Toyota Regions require you to take them then they should be provided in the base cost. As for rubber mats, I always close my deal with a free set. Dickering over the Prius price is a lot different than other cars selling at a discount. On other cars I would never see a dealer walk away at the last minute from a deal if paying for the mats was all the far apart we were on price. If the dealer gets stuck with mats coming in from the Port they may not want them or be willing to discount. However, with a $2000 + holdback markup, still the mats should not be a deal buster to the dealer.

 

Well the $200 does also include a very large cargo mat making it more than most mats for sedans.

 

Ever car I've ever bought for myself or family (1984 - Honda, 1989 - Dodge, 1992 - Toyota, 1994 - GMC, 1996 - Mazda, 2000 - Ford, 2001 - Mercedes-Benz, 2004 - Pontiac, 2006 - Mazda, 2007 - Mazda, 2008 - Smart, 2009 - Prius) has NEVER included floor mats. Sometimes I've gotten them thrown in, other times I've paid, other times I've bought them aftermarket (my preferred approach).

 

In my experience, it depends on the manufacturer, and what model you buy. And honestly, I don't think it really matters, since, as they say in economics 101, there's no such thing as a free lunch--you're paying one way or the other. A few examples from my experience:

Porsches--mats are extra
BMW (2000 740i)--mats extra (sales guy threw them in)
BMW (2005 545i)--mats included
Mercedes E55 AMG--mats included

 

Wow, things must be different here in Canada. When I picked up my 2010 last Friday I got free carpeted Prius floor mats plus a set of all-weather Prius mats for no charge.

 

The 2010 carpeted mats are $200 and the all-weather are $199 from the dealer.

But in the PriusChat Shop, the all weathers are $89.99.

So if I bought from the dealer, where does the extra $110 go? The dealer's pocket?