What's really going on with Chevy Volt sales? What's really going on with Chevy Volt sales? — Autoblog Green
exactly. that's why there is really no such thing as price gouging. competition and capitalism. and if your the only game in town, that's just your good fortune, don't blow it!
Well, I presume you won't be buying a Toyota ever again because Toyota dealers gouge on Prius prices. And obviously Honda are ruled out because their dealers used to gouge when they had the most efficient offerings. Or you can accept the results of having a system where dealers are independent franchise holders with the ability to sell at any price they want and shop around until you find a dealer you are willing to deal with, even if it means traveling hundreds of miles.
I would like to one day, be able to order a car online from the manufacturer and receive delivery in my driveway. Car dealers are nothing but middle men. Here in Florida, destination is $815 for a Prius and the law says that dealers can charge up to $700.00 in dealers' fee, so they charge $698.50 in dealers'fee. Well, local dealers usually make campaign contributions to politicians, but does anybody know the answer to this question! "Why is it illegal for a car company to have their own stores and sell cars directly to the public?"
The "Out the Door" price in California includes the estimated DMV fees that also include the sales tax, the interest of the load, the car itself and the dealer's documentation fee at $50. One can goto the DMV website and calculate the DMV cost. When I did my calculation on the DMV fees at the DMV site, it was a few dollars more than what the dealer had charged me. A month later, I got a $20 check from the dealer for excess DMV charge. There are no hidden finance charges. It doesn't cost extra money to to get a loan. You only pay for the in interest incurred during the loan period. I got the 0% interest so my loan didn't cost me anything.
My understanding is because of regulations, car manufacturers can not sell directly to the public. For example, pre-ordering online means that I will have to buy thru a dealer who will receive the car. I don't know much else about it.
Talked to the general manager of the Toyota dealership where I have purchased several Toyota's over the years...including my last TWO Prius'. He told me under no uncertain terms was ANY Toyota dealership allowed to mark up a vehicle over sticker. They can add certain dealer installed options, but that NO dealer was allowed to charge over sticker price for the base price of the vehicle. If Toyota was to find out that a dealership was price gouging, Toyota would pull the plug on them. That was straight from the general manager's mouth. I paid sticker for my last two Prius', as I purchased them very early on in the model year (just after the release date). I knew what I was getting into, and no one twisted my arm or alluded to otherwise from the dealership. I was on the "waiting list" for both vehicles at the time and was told in advance that due to high demand "at that time" that the vehicle would not be discounted. However, and it's a big however...the dealership manipulated the price of my trade in to make it extremely advantageous for me to purchase the new vehicle. Just thought I would throw this out to all the Toyota price gouging accusers.
these are not simply allegations, it is happening all over the country. if what your gm is saying is true, than toyota is turning a blind eye.
Its always the fine print you have to look for with these guys. Note he mentioned "dealer installed options", some of these are ridiculously over priced and hard to filter out if you don't know what to look for, and of course if they just give you less for your trade in its effectively the same as charging more for the car.
Just order your car. It takes a few weeks longer, but you get what you want and then don't have to worry about those extra items.
Five years ago there wasn't a dealer in Los Angeles that wasn't adding at least $1500, and in some cases, $5000 over list for a stock 2005 Prius.
