After lurking here a bit, I've joined up. Wanting to get rid of an 02 Highlander for a Prius so we have only one family <strike>truckster</strike> guzzler in the family (don't ask what the wife is soon going to be driving). I sent out an email to several of the Colorado dealers that received good reviews here about 48 hours ago, just asking basic questions about wait for the package and color I want, pricing, and rough tradein value for my Highlander, but I've yet to receive a response. Is this typical? Anyone here use email exclusively to negotiate their purchase? I just feel more comfortable doing it by e-mail, but maybe I need to make some phone calls. Thanks for any insight into your experience.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(4chi @ Aug 2 2006, 10:15 AM) [snapback]296280[/snapback]</div> I bought my 2006 in Texas, dealing first with e-mails and eventually by phone. It worked for me. I got responses in an hour or less in some cases and 2 days in others. I told each of the dealers what I wanted and that I had found it for $XXX, would they be interested in beating this price, or matching the price with a shorter delivery. Good luck.
I contacted 4 dealers (2 in TN and 2 in Southwest VA) by e-mail when I first began to look for a car. All four contacted me pretty quickly by phone and/or e-mail.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(4chi @ Aug 2 2006, 11:15 AM) [snapback]296280[/snapback]</div> Yes - I e-mailed the dealership (Glen Toyota) to ask if they had any on the lot (which they did) and I negotiated trade in value (subject to inspection - and passed) through e-mail - later that day I walked in and drove out about an hour later. They had 3 on the lot - a Blue one that was sold, a Red#7, and a Silver#6 (which I took). I had already test driver my Father's Pirus I and II so I did not even bother the sales guy with a test drive. I told them up front that I wanted a no-hassle, quick easy deal and that's exactly what I got.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(4chi @ Aug 2 2006, 11:15 AM) [snapback]296280[/snapback]</div> The secret to e-mail is mass quantities. I sent about 25 emails with all the info and received about 6 responses in about 2 days. Out of six only 2 were acceptable offers and the rest was on the phone.
Both of the Prii we found were found by internet and e-mail, with the details wrapped up on the phone thereafter. Basically, what I did (on a Thursday night, for time reference) was go to toyota.com, enter Milwaukee and then Chicago into a dealer search, and get the list of hits. For each one that had an internet site, I clicked it. If it did not bring me to the internet site, or if there was no internet site listed, then I typed the dealer name into Google and found the site. I believe that all but one had a website, although a fair share of the links on toyota.com were out of date. Once at the dealer's website, I looked at the new inventory. If I saw one or more Prii that was to my liking, I used the inquiry form on the site and sent a message. The message was something to the effect of: "I am writing to see if the 2006 Prius, seaside pearl, #7 that is listed on your website, stock number xxxx, is actually available for sale, and when you are expecting delivery. Or, if you have any other incoming Prius within 2 weeks in { my colors and packages }." On Friday, I had received about 6 responses out of 20 dealers I e-mailed. And, I received one phone call (even though e-mail was the preferred contact method). The phone call was to explain that the car was a demo car, but they could definitely help me out in 6-9 months. Heh. Two of the responses were quality, indicating that the specific vehicle was not on the lot but was expected within a week. At that point, I was putting a deposit down on each via credit card, so I switched to telephone conversation with the salesmen. We took delivery of our new cars on Saturday and Tuesday (2 and 5 days after sending out my inquiries).
Yeah, still no response from 4 dealers...weird. Here was the exact email I sent (yes, I have read other posts saying don't mention the trade up front, but I did anyway...i've found negotiating a bottom line "this is what I am willing to write you a check for" stategy to work for me in the past): Hello ____________: Based on my research on the internet and various Prius discussion boards, people are saying good things about buying a Prius from (your dealership). I am interested in an '06 Prius, package #5 or #6 in gray (or maybe black or silver). Can you answer the following questions: 1. How long should I expect to wait? My goal is to get it before September 30 so as to get the full federal tax credit. 2. Do you require a deposit? If so, refundable or non-refundable? 3. Undestanding that this car is in demand, my research tells me I should be able to get one for just under MSRP in the Denver area. Is your pricing similar? 4. Do you have any on the lot that I could come test drive? I sat in my neighbor's 05, but I would like to drive an 06 as well. 5. I know it isn't easy to value a trade-in without seeing the car, but I will be trading in an 02 AWD Highlander Limited, not fully loaded but with most features, 30,000 miles and in good condition. Edmunds.com tells me this should be worth $19,400 as a trade-in (see edmunds info pasted in below my signature). Assuming I am accurate about the condition of the car, would you be able to meet this trade-in valuation? I'm emailing a couple of other dealers that Prius buyers have recommended with these same questions. Your response via email would be appreciated and I look forward to the opportunity to do business with you.
