Dealer wants NRD but won't quote price

I'd say your wasting your time if you do any sort of non-refundable deposit.


While the MSRP has been revealed by Toyota, perhaps the FACTORY INVOICE price has NOT been released to the dealers yet.

 

He's trying to find out how foolishly desperate you are. Walk away.

 

Really: don't buy from any dealer that wants a non-refundable deposit. They are the exception rather than the norm and there are plenty of honest dealers that are perfectly willing to refund your deposit. I mean, it's not like they aren't going to be able to sell the car if you back out on them.

 

Walk away!

 

I would run... and not look back.

Every dealer that I have spoken with (about 15 so far), none of them expect a non-refundable deposit. However, once I get a deal that I like ($xxxx below MSRP), I am willing to give them a non-refundable deposit in return for a VIN#, and expected delivery date, once they have their allocation.

 

Screw 'em

find another dealer

 

Just drive it gently. No full throttle starts, and no hard braking. I'd stay under 70mph.

 

Here is an actual edited email. Needless to say I have found another dealer.

"We still do not have 2010 brochures and are actually awaiting full pricing.

I would require a $500 non-refundable deposit. I would suggest coming in to look at the first model we get to confirm it will be acceptable. But if I order you a specific car that you end up not taking, that just puts someone else further down the list. Hope you can understand.

You can send the deposit now to preserve your spot on the list. I believe you'll be number #2. If you come look at the introductory car and don't like it and that happens before your car's order gets filled, then I'd gladly cancel your order and refund your deposit. That way I could move the next person up the list. We should have color information soon.

regards,

Internet Manager
Toyota/Scion
Lewiston, Idaho"

 

We aren't too far away in Tri-Cities, WA and my dealer is taking $1000 REFUNDABLE deposits and last check only had 2 people on wait list. AND they are NOT charging over MSRP but couldn't give me exact "invoice" pricing at this time.
So come on over!!!

 

You know, sometimes I hate dealers. Why on earth would anyone make it mandatory to have to leave a NON-refundable deposit. It's not like you are ordering a purple with yellow stripes here. I'm pretty sure they will be able to sell the car quickly. Check your laws, but technically, NON-refundable deposits are illegal in MANY states. Certain restrictions apply though, i.e. custom order. Which Toyota really doesn't do.

 

RUN AWAY!! None of this walking is prudent. This guy is out to steal from you legally.

 

Forget that dealer. I put down $500 early last August to get in line at Sunnyvale Toyota, the Bay Area's #1 JD Power's & Assoc. dealer. My car came in at Piercey who was not taking deposits but they did a decent job honoring a waitlist.

Sunnyvale refunded my $500 in 1 day.

Toyota in Palo Alto was taking non-refundable $500 deposits. Forget that.

What if that dealer is small potatoes that doesn't get much allocation anyway.

 

I bought from Tony Davino in Ogden. Did the entire transaction over the phone. I bought during the hysteria phase of the Prius, and they never sold cars over MSRP. No ridiculous doc fees or any crap like that.

Not sure how far Ogden is from you, but it is probably worth calling them.

 

Car dealers are hurting right now. Any money they can bring in pays the bills. Plus it is easy to steal deposit money from suckers who would put money down on a car that does not have firm prices yet. The dealer can hit you with add ons and unwanted accessories to jack up profit and hold you deposit as ransom. There will be plenty of these cars to go around so just be patient. Refundable deposit is the only way to go if you must have the first car in your area.

 

Ok, you're all correct, this poor kid for a salesman is unpolisged. He's got all the info he needs with regard to pricing to take an order
but seriously, he's only got one (1!) order and you'll be number 2? GET ON THAT LIST!! Do it today!

Listen, if you're certain that you want a Prius and you know which color and package you want, pay the money and get on his list. He's talking like that to "put the pants on you" to be sure you're a serious buyer. Push comes to shove and things don't work out with the car, you can get your money back. Consider my best practices when writing an order and apply them to your own, you'll have the best chances of a successful and happy purchase experience. Who knows, you might even be so kind to mark every box "excellent" on the Toyota Purchase & Lease Survey:cheer2:

Your sales contract should be extremely clear of what he is going to do- for example- your ordering a car with many options, so be specific. 2010 Toyota Prius II ( Model #1223 ) Options: FE/CF - MSRP- $22,949 - assuming CF remains $199
Colors ( which he has on his build book located in dealer daily, if he can't find it I'll email mine )
Be specific on the color or colors that you want. List them out by name - Barecelona Red, Blue Ribbon, etc. include color codes from his build book.
Be sure that your deposit is noted or credited on the cotract. If there are no words indictaing your deposit on order is "non refundable" then he really can't keep your mone. But...hay you want to buy a 2010 Prius and he's got no one on the list! Sign up and get your car at the end of May!

 

I completely agree,i think dealers know there will a feeding frenzy when the 2010 hits the showrooms and i think if people are hungry enough they'll end up paying over the odds just to get one and IMO have only themselves to blame if they do...for what...just to say i have a 2010.
Here in Ireland there never seems to be that much of a hunger when new cars or models hit the showrooms and in the current economic climate car salesmen have to actually sell again!
For Gods sake people....CALM DOWN!!

 

No wonder this company have such a long waiting list, 1.