A Sad Tale of a Man and His Prius

I echo my sentiments with the others here in this thread regarding your experience. But you have to remember, there are dirty dealers out there and there are honest ones. And I know there are plenty of good dealers that would be willing to help get you a Prius. Don't let this one experience knock you out of the race for something that you really want. Because you giving up won't hurt the dirty dealers any; they'll just keep doing what they are doing.

You got knocked down; I suggest you pick yourself up and try at it again. Anything is possible.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ProwessIntrepid @ Sep 12 2006, 03:09 AM) [snapback]318220[/snapback]</div>

Humm... did you have anything on paper showing the deal he offered you?

There is always someone higher than the person you and I can deal with.... if you can get to that person and inform them of the manner of new business at hand, I'm sure they would be delighted to know.

Even if you have no proof of the deal, you can at least let them know about the little comment about some other guy will "fall" for the deal tomorrow.

You may get satisfaction, you never know till you try, and if nothing else, it will be good for them to know they "can" be touched and to respect other customers and to not treat them like desperate dogs for a bone.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hopeful Future Prius Owner @ Sep 12 2006, 06:53 PM) [snapback]318715[/snapback]</div>

I agree and you may have read how many dealers will have them on the lots while others are making you wait on a list.

Even if you have to get one out of state, its worth it not to have to grovel for some lame deal locally.

All else fails... check out a car broker, you don't have to buy from them either if they don't produce the deal or get it before you find it yourself.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Sep 12 2006, 09:04 AM) [snapback]318241[/snapback]</div>

Galaxee - hope everything turns out to be OK. Thoughts will be with you.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mootsman @ Sep 12 2006, 04:55 PM) [snapback]318650[/snapback]</div>

Costco has a great car buying program. I bought my Prius($300 lower than MSRP - Package#9) under MSRP when most dealers had markups. I also bought a 400h at 4k under MSRP via Costco. The prices are aggressive and no negotiations. NEVER trade in a car. Sell privately, you'll be thousands ahead.

Good luck.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ProwessIntrepid @ Sep 13 2006, 02:29 AM) [snapback]318814[/snapback]</div>

Please keep us posted when you get your Prius! I couldn't stop thinking about it when I went to bed last night, what a raw deal the other dealership gave you. The good news is you did not complete a sale at that dealership. They are crooks, and they'd make you pay one way or another.

Complaining to Toyota won't do any good. Try your state's Attorney General's office, Consumer Protection Department. Try the local paper. Give them some bad publicity. Save someone else from being mugged.

Good luck!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ProwessIntrepid @ Sep 12 2006, 11:29 PM) [snapback]318814[/snapback]</div>

It sounds like they are saying they cannot directly represent you, but believe me, they have influence and I bet that guy gets a letter!

Its one of those "off the record things".

Sounds like that guy need to sell hamburgers for a while.

 

QUOTE: "... NEVER trade in a car. Sell privately, you'll be thousands ahead. ..."

In Texas the State tax on an automobile purchase is 6¼%. When you trade-in your old auto, the tax is imposed only on the DIFFERENCE between the trade and purchase price of the new car. Thus, you might come out even, possibly better, to trade your car rather than sell it yourself.

New Car Price: $30K = tax at 6.25% = $1,875.
vs. Trade in at $20,000 for $10,000 difference = tax $625.
State tax savings = $1,250.

So, I'd have to sell my trade for at least $21,250 to break even, or more to profit. Then, there are other costs, like advertising, ongoing insurance, etc. to consider.

In Texas, it's worth considering depending on what they'd offer in trade.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeff_canadian @ Sep 12 2006, 11:50 PM) [snapback]318817[/snapback]</div>

And Costco has a great financing program too (thru Capital 1). I would think it over several times before deciding to go thru Toyota Financial for your new car financing. Just a word of advice.

 

nice tax law for Texas. too bad Wa State didnt do that. besides being much higher, they pay no mind to trade ins.

 

I hope everything works out - its nice to know you found a better dealer.

One lesson hopefully we can all learn from this is to get everything in writing.

 

I too must add my best wishes. You know, Karma is a strange thing, but what goes around really does eventually come back around.... So I hope you'll wind up with what you will be happy with, and those who treated you poorly will eventually get theirs as well....

keep us informed what happens..... You got a lot of folks pulling for you here.

 

Good GOD! Get help. Fast. It's only a car!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheProgrammerGuy @ Sep 13 2006, 06:19 PM) [snapback]319242[/snapback]</div>

Nah..you must not own one!

A programmer guy would surely appreciate and salivate over the only car anywhere near like a driving computer!!! :lol:

 

> The salesman said ... that I couldn't get my keys and license back until I signed
> the paperwork.......7 hours later......I was still asking the salesman for my keys
> and license.

Standard salesmens trick. It's done to pressure you. Not actually legal, but they get
away with it because nobody calls them on it.

> I called Toyota Customer Service the next day and they took a report but said
> I should go back to that same dealership and try to get a better price because
> of what happened.

(snicker) How'd that go?

> It seems my original finance guy felt sympathy for me because of tough situations
> in my life and childhood and apparently made him give me a better deal.

I take it you're new to sales?

> The (Toyota corporate) rep told me to contact the customer relations person at
> the dealership, which I did not want to do. The rep then told me that since
> the dealerships are privately owned that Toyota could not be held responsible
> for what the dealerships did even

I had something like that happen. I took my Prius in to the local dealer for a
repair that is covered under federal warranty. They found a way to slip in a fee
for what is a free repair. Toyota Corporate said I should talk to the local dealer
about it. They're the only dealer in the area. I decided to let them win this one.

> I thought that the first finance guy that gave me the good deal was a fluke and
> I was going to just forget it (or possibly go to a loan shark.)

George, you can't actually afford a new Prius. The payments will crush you.
Go find some used Priuses that are still under warranty. The price drops sharply
in the first few years. The value of the car does not. They age quite well.
Getting a package~this or a color~that is nothing next to the comfort you'll
get from knowing it's paid for and all that money you're saving on gas is going
to you, not some company.

 

Okay, first of all you've got to gain some perspective here.

This is a business transaction, you let them get you emotional over it, so you loose. It doesn't matter what hardships you've had in the past or whatever, its business. You have the money, they have the product. You are in charge since the only person who has your money is you and plenty of other people all over the country have their product. The Prius is a thing, and its a thing you can buy literally anywhere. Screw them.

First, don't ever set foot in that dealership again. They are literally criminals. Report them to the Better Business Bureau.

Second, go in armed with information. Know what interest rate you'll be getting by securing your own financing beforehand. Go to your bank, your credit union, the Internet whatever. If they can beat your rate good for them, if not who cares. Know what your Focus is worth. Do you have Carmax there? Get a written estimate of its value from them or try to sell it yourself. If the dealer can beat the Carmax offer or what you're getting as offers from private parties good for them, if not who cares. Know what you're going to pay by checking prices for what you want from multiple dealerships.

Third, STAY IN CONTROL. You can't have your keys back until you fill out the paperwork? What is that? You know better than that, its your property! Once they get control you loose. One way they get control is by making you emotional about the purchase, don't let them.

If you follow these key steps, and internalize the fact that you are the boss and you demand a fair and equitable deal for all parties and to be treated with respect and you'll be fine.

 

I agree what has been said above. Also, read on the website carbuyingtips.com for alot of good info on typical dealer scams. Don't ever let a dealer see your emotions in buying a car, because that's what they like to see so that they can hang you out to dry. You have to act like you're either half or not interested in the car, and act as though you have doubts and unsure. This will keep the dealers guessing and unable to lay out their tricks and games on you. And never tell them about your financial situation until the day comes you are ready to buy the car, and already have your finances set to go. Finance people in the dealerships are some of the worst scum out there when it comes to trying to jip you.

Also would be a good idea like the others mentioned to be armed with info. Dealers hate it when the customer knows more than they do because they know they can't play their mind games on you as much. I know I was talking to a dealer a week ago about the Prius that I have ordered and went into alot of detail of what I want/didn't want. He mentioned that he was quite impressed with my knowledge of the Prius (thanks part to PC! ) It also helped for me that I have a good deal of mechanical knowledge on cars as well since I work on my own vehicle.

You gotta be smart when working with dealers, there are just as many crooked ones as there are honest good ones. Play it smart. Beat the dealer's game and win.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Sep 14 2006, 06:21 PM) [snapback]319842[/snapback]</div>

Good advice!.. your the boss..... they like to make you think they are the boss and if they can get you to grovel a bit its even better leverage.

Go in knowing what you want, if they cannot expidite, then let them see your backside.

If you don't want all this hassle, check out a broker and do it all on the phone.... if they don't get a good deal, forget that too.

Don't give a dime to anyone until you are ready to make a deal that they can deliver now.
Don't pay for promises, or to get in line or on a list....

If you can secure your own financing, you will save yourself a ton of headaches to not even let them try to beat what you can get if you really want a fast transaction.

If they insist on checking, let them do it on their time, not yours.

Don't stand around the showroom while they dig around to get thier act together.

If they don't treat you like the prince that you are "you have the money they want", then don't waste your time.

Also good advice... its none of thier business unless you are using them to finance.
They usually make much more profit off the financing and the extra goodie packages they want to throw in.

And BTW if you don't already know... don't buy thier extended warranty!......
Its less than a grand here on PC and its still through Toyota all the same.

 

And in all honesty, if you don't think you can handle it take a friend. I have a client just last week that I went and negotiated the purchase of their car for them just as if he were buying a house. He's very non-confrontational and he's a great client so I was happy to do it. I'm sure you must have a friend that would be willing to go with you.

Now, don't get me wrong all car dealers and all car salespeople aren't crooks, in fact not even most are. Its just unfortunately people remember and talk about bad experiences more than good experiences. I'm in Real Estate sales and its the same in my business, most Realtors are teriffic people (in fact I've met some of the most wonderful genuine people ever since I've been in this business), but unfortunately the few of us that are underhanded and money grubbing give our profession a bad name.

Take some time and find a good salesperson. A good salesperson will help you make decisions you want to make, not try and trick you into making decisions you don't want to make.