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Dealer Shirk Responsibility

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by PriusHopeful, Sep 24, 2008.

  1. PriusHopeful

    PriusHopeful New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2008
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    Location:
    Detroit burbs
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    I "ordered" a new Prius in late May. At that the time, the dealer offered a $400 internet discount. So we trundled off for a test drive, liked the product, and gave the dealer a deposit,
    The dealer wrote up a PO reflecting a $400 discount.
    Two days ago the dealer calls. They have a "special" Prius arriving that wasn't ordered by anyone and I can have it. The catch is that, since it was not part of an internet order, the $400 discount would not apply. Huh?!

    I'm in Michigan, anyone have any no kidding legal expertise in this area?
    Does anyone have contact info for the regional Toyota folks?

    Tom
     
  2. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Sounds like a crummy dealer I'd cancel, get my deposit back and scour the internet and find somebody who has one in stock or at least inbound on a ship.
     
  3. Celtic Blue

    Celtic Blue New Member

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    No legal expertise to offer, but it's getting close to the end of the month (that's when they are antsy to book sales.) Tell them you aren't interested in paying an extra $400 and will wait instead--that should call their bluff and I'll bet they offer to "give" you the $400. Have they told you when they expect your car to be in? They should have been giving you some idea where you are at on the allocation.

    I suspect the dealer is just jerking you around and that you would be better off starting off with a new dealer.
     
  4. billarb

    billarb New Member

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    Location:
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    2008 Prius
    I'd echo the sentiments of the previous two posters. I'd do an internet pricing search from the Toyota website. When I used that feature, I received a very wide range of price quotes from three different dealers.
     
  5. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Or you could take a deep breath and say "no thanks, I'll wait for the one in our contract". No sense shooting yourself in the foot just to spite the dealer.
     
  6. MarthaW

    MarthaW New Member

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    Think of $400 as 100 gallons of gas that you would be wasting if you gave in to that dealer. They sound crooked to me anyway. I agree with the others, tell them you'll wait on one that lets you save the $400.
     
  7. Qlara

    Qlara New Member

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    What so 'special' about this Prius to worth $400 to justify the purchase?
     
  8. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    Vehicle:
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    III
    If you let them walk on you now, they'll walk on you later. Hold your ground or look elsewhere.