Is this cut throat move too cut throat?

Search for all the Toyota dealers within a 2 hour drive and send them emails asking if they have the car you are looking for on order.

It is ok to leave a deposit. Just make sure you do it with Visa or M/C. They will protect you.

 

Your scenario goes to the subject of communication. There is nothing more important than communication and trust. If you had been told what the entire process was and how uncertain it was then you might have felt more positive. That fault was the fault of the dealership in not being more precise in communication in making sure that you knew everything that was going to occur.

Bad on them. Communication and trust should be above everything else IMO.

 

I see that now. It came out in a later post.

However it was the fact of bad communication, whether inadvertent or intentional, that caused the problem. The fact is that even at large stores dealer exchanges account for as much as 20% of total sales. Every store simply can't have every choice available all the time. But in the area one can find just about any choice.

Why this store in Brooklyn didn't communicate that to the OP is beyond me. It's the simplist thing to do. As I said I've done literally hundreds and hundreds of them over the last 10 yrs. As a store we do 20 to 50 Dx's a week during the busy season. Not explaining this to the OP is just stupid. Maybe the hectic pace in NYC ( from an ex-NYer ). Bad business.

 

We have four...subject to prior sale . Blue, Blue, Black, Red
Plus four in other colors. I'm certain that someone closer to you in Brooklyn also has one or two, at least. If not I'll meet ya at the Borgata in AC and we'll do the paperwork there.

 

Not exactly--here's the original post--see red highlighted parts:

 

Join AAA then go to their website to build a car & get quotes from several dealers. If you use zip code 08077 you'll get quotes from dealers in South Jersey & 1 in Maryland.

 

Here is another perfect example of a dealer scam.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/64269-teflon-coating.html#post887734

 

Congradulations! Sometimes we all have to be tough customers, whether it's warranted maintenance or buying a new car.

 

It is too bad that Toyota customers have go through all these hassles to buy a car.

That link I posted above is another example of the horrible things dealers do to their customers. They sold a Teflon coating for the car for $500. The person could have purchased the same thing for $10.

 

not sure i would call it bait and switch. in both my 2004 and 2006, i signed a paperwork that amounted to a "request to buy". placed a deposit on it. (in both cases, my original check was returned to me uncashed) it was not until the vehicle was secured that we actually signed a purchase contract.

now, i dont know how it goes in your state, but i get a "mileage" adjustment of sorts. for example on the 36,000 warranty, if i get the car sold as new and it has 100 miles on it, the warranty gets extended to 36,100 miles.

also in my state, we have a buyers remorse clause when you can return or not accept the vehicle. you have to option to inspect the vehicle upon delivery, etc.

i guess what i am saying is in my case, i ordered my 2004 in nov 2003 received in june 2004...

i ordered my 2006 in sept and received it 3 weeks later but only because of a last minute dropout... in neither situation did i see the car or test drove it. i simply told the dealer what i wanted and trusted them to get it.

on my 2010, it was very different. i basically ordered the new model in Feb... didnt even know what the price would be other than it would be below MSRP.

so, i would not assume the worst in this situation. give the dealer a chance to do right by you. u did not buy a car by physically examining it, taking it for a test drive, etc., nothing like that right??

if that is the case, you bought a car based on a spec sheet. if the car you get has the exact specs, i am not sure i understand the issue

 

Dave is a perfect example of a smart customer. The ocean is huge and there are many different types of fish out there, some are suckers and some are sharks. When I bought my 05, for cash, they tacked on some minor item. I don't remember what it was or the amount. But, I reacted and said Hey, what's this? He gave me some off the wall answer about normal charge or procedure. It may have been some fee for financing. I told him to take it off now. He acted shocked and surprised. I reminded him that I was paying cash. The atmosphere had gotten noticeably cooler. Until then everthing was going smooth until I encounted the financial guy. What was his motive? an extra $15.00, or just normal procedure? At that point I read the contract even closer and considered backing out. How easily one chain in the link can ruin a sale all because of stupidity, greed or poor attitude. I go to this dealership often and find it amazing how often certain personnel rotate out of there. Such as: sales, managers and finance. Are they all a bunch of gypsies? The mechanics, parts and tech writers are pretty steady. The parts guys are the best with the most helpful info. Not to insult gypsies, but they were known for thier sleazy cons and still do exist. So as a customer, don't cry instead: request, explain, use diplomatic force, be polite. And don't be one of those sucker fish. One very good line is:" Oh, I would never pay that!" It may not get you a discount, but it does get thier attention. Plus it's fun.

 

DWhitmire,

As a customer I would never, ever, think about giving a car dealership a non-refundable deposit. Conversely, a refundable deposit lets the customer be just as sleazy as they please, and in fact, there is NO commitment. So what is the point ?

 

Perhaps there is a US dealership that will do "BIG service...~$100", but a quick Google search for Toyota dealers gives the following results:
Burnsville Toyota - $179 plus
Optional: (dealership technicians recommend annually)
□ Re-balance wheels and tires (additional $59.99)
□ 4-wheel suspension alignment (additional $99.99)
□ Replace windshield wiper inserts or blades (additional $28.00) – some models higher

Longo Toyota - $149 coupon price

...and in my Phoenix area
Right Toyota - $227 coupon price
Camelback Toyota - $227 + $16 for synthetic coupon price

...just though I'd throw a few actual facts into the mix.

If you're in Kansas, Olathe Toyota, from the link put in 2010 Prius w/30,300 miles and under the tire rotation you'll learn this:
Rotate & Balance TiresRotate & balance tires, check air pressure, (balanced tires are recommended for optimum tire performance, wear and handling.) FYI did you know that tires lose approx 1 pound of air per month some tires even more !! ONE POUND of AIR loss equals ONE MILE PER GALLON of FUEL ECONOMY!!!
(Should be performed every 10,000 miles)

I had no idea it was 1 MPG per Lb of air....

 

If the salesman misleads you, it IS bait & switch. Tell them they will be reported to the Better Business Bureau if they don't give your check back in 24hrs.

 

The very fact that this topic has generated so much interest says a lot about the wide range of dealer practices in the auto sales business. I strongly suspect that the sales persons on the PC site are honorable.:rockon: They appear to work for outstanding dealerships. It also appears that the auto sales/service businesses at large use a lot of questionable practices to make money...and perhaps stay in business.
As the parent of a wonderful and highly ethical lawyer daughter I am aware that neither she nor her close friends are typical. We all even know of ministers who have fallen far from expectations. Many politicians, bankers, and even great athletes turn out to be human and with faulty personalities and many professions and people like Deadfish and Dwhitmire (and my daughter) get painted with that "wide brush of guilt by association."

What a commentary on our times...
Readers : please do your homework and support ethical merchants
please continue to educate your friends, family, and us
please spread the "word" when you have good experiences
please remember to always be nice but also always CYA
when spending your $ or signing a contract.

 

Doc fee that I paid is $50. You can even negotiate not to pay them.