Feel like I got nickle and dimed by dealer, please advice.

I used the Costco car buying program to get a baseline price and then pitted 2 dealers against each other. Costco came through Krystal Auto Mall in NJ and my A-mex program gave me Manfredi in SI and Sansone in NJ. I got my cheapest price with Krystal without negotiating (19731) but they would not match the color only use their inventory (which is one of the stipulations of the program) so I got Sansone to beat their deal by going to 19631 plus tags and taxes... I pay 8% at my registered address in upstate NY so I was looking at 1570 in taxes. The salesman and his manager (they made it a point to do the whole, let me check with my manager bs) left to get some paperwork and came back and I noticed there was a fee I wasn't expecting. A 299 etching Vin number fee. I said I dont want that, and they replied it is mandatory. I stood my ground and said I don't want to pay an extra 299 when we shook on a deal that included adding only the tax and tags. The salesman rudely took the papers up from the table and said have a nice day as he stormed off (this was theatrics and I was already pissed they were trying to scam me with this etching BS). Up until this point I was doing good but then I made my mistake. I asked for the manager instead of just leaving and going to another dealership and trying again. The manager came and said he cant remove the VIN etching because they are 100% etch policy, I threw up a little in my mouth at that etch policy comment ( VIN etching is done for free by the NYPD I found out when I did some research) and explained how I felt cheated and wouldn't have had as big a problem if those fees were explained in the beginning. He ended up taking off 100 off the price of the car but still charging the 299 for etching. I got taxed on both the etching and the price of the car and gave a 2000 deposit to hold the car for me (wont be there until Wednesday) I have a receipt for that deposit and it does not say non-refundable on it. In the end, there was a 349 document fee which I thought high and a 200 government fee to take care of registration and tags... this doesn't include inspection. I was too tired and pissed from the etching thing to argue and I was on a tight time schedule so I left it at that but now I am feeling like I don't want to buy a car from these people anymore. I know I can get a better deal with some of the other dealerships in the area and not feel like I can't trust the people I buy from but I am afraid getting my deposit back will be a pain ( I paid cash). I did not sign anything except a sheet to appraise my trade in which I didn't end up doing anyway. Anyone have any suggestions of should I just grin and bear it and be happy with my car. In the end my OTD cost for a new PC2 is 21945.

 

I knew it was a scam, the manager even admitted that's how they make money. I'm more pissed at myself for not walking away. I think I'm going to try to get my deposit back, I signed nothing.

 

Did you pay 200 govt fee and 349 doc fee? I know those are typical but those prices are stupid.

 

Anyone know where the law can be found stating that I have legal rights to my deposit money since I signed no contract or anything. I will use a BBB complaint and I guess small claims court if they don't give it back. I have the receipt. I anticipate a fight since they were so shady during the deal. I shouldn't be shocked at their tactics (as you said, I am the one making a 20k purchase) and this is my own fault but hopefully I can fix it.

 

Thanks, I am pretty sure I have a good legal footing as I did not sign anything.

 

Ok, I talked to the Internet sales guy who I was in first contact with and explained my situation. He was super cool and offered to work with me on a better deal. I told him thanks but the issue had more to do with how I was treated than the money and he said he will have a check mailed out to me. Problem solved. Now just the wait to get it. Thanks for the good advice guys. I'm still shopping now... Gotta change my profile. no prius for me yet.

 

Ok for anybody who cares or wants some recent pricing info. Got one at a price I can be happy with. Prius C-2 in either blue streak or black (prefer blue but like black too and they couldn't guarantee) called a lot of dealerships in the area and beyond, almost went with a dealer in Baltimore but there were too many games being played. Finally was in Manhattan running errands and blocks away from manhattan toyota , called them up. Gave them what I wanted to pay. They came back saying 18900 was the best they could do plus tax and tags. 8% tax at 19900 (1k grad rebate) + 250 tags and reg. $20742 out the door. Finance at 2.9 but will pay it off with a credit union loan at 1.95. Saved $1203 from the ripoff artists at sansone.

 

Not yet. It's been 4 days. I will go to the dealer in my new prius if they don't get it by next week. Everyone I have talked to has said I am fully entitled to my money back. Tried calling today but got voicemail.

 

The guy I am dealing with in the Internet department has assured me the check is cut and will be there by Tuesday at the
Latest. I didn't go to the dealership when I called to inform them I wanted my money back, they tried to lower the price but I told them I was too jaded with them to work out any deals. That conversation was on Monday so I will give until Tuesday before I make a scene. I already have my negative review ready to go on every site I can think of and will be calling toyota corporate as well. Just waiting to get the check because once they see my review... They won't be happy.