Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - Scion's biggest enemy is their own dealerships.

Erroneous · 07-03-2012, 05:51 PM

I'm amazed at how many different things I've been told by various dealerships.

I emailed almost 50 dealerships within a 200-mile radius to express interest in a MT FR-S with NO add-ons (no BeSpoke, paint sealant, etc.). Of those, 4-5 dealerships connected me with a real person rather than an automated reply. I was told there was only 1 FR-S still in the region that met my criteria. I asked several dealerships where that particular car was located, and only one gave me the information - the rest refused. I put deposits down at two volume dealerships to be put on a wait list.

I then contacted the dealership with the car I wanted for a price. He told me the car would be available on the 11th and had no add-ons. He also said the MSRP was $26,000. I informed him that the MSRP was actually less than $25,000 (including the delivery fee), and he then said that was without trunk carpeting, paint sealant, and Toyoguard (i.e., add-ons). But he said those had to be sold with the car.

So now I have two questions about how to negotiate with the dealership:

First, those things are optional, right? If they wanted, couldn't they sell me the car without those additional items? The Toyoguard is a total waste of money (I have roadside assistance and I change my own oil), and I've heard that the paint protection is nothing special either. Meh on the trunk carpet, but wouldn't cry if I ended up getting it. Is he full of crap when he says his hands are tied?

Second, has anyone tried pitting salespeople against each other? I have been speaking with one salesman so far, but I'm considering contacting another salesperson in the same dealership and saying, "Hey, I'm probably going to buy this car from salesman X, but if you sweeten the pot just a little, I'll work with you instead." It seems to me that a sale with little profit beats a sale given to a co-worker instead, but I don't know how dealerships work so I may be wrong.

I'd appreciate some advice from veteran car buyers or at least some good vibes as I try to (finally) get this thing done!

07-03-2012, 05:51 PM	#72
Erroneous Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Mitsubishi Eclipse Location: Atlanta Posts: 94 Thanks: 17 Thanked 46 Times in 19 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm amazed at how many different things I've been told by various dealerships. I emailed almost 50 dealerships within a 200-mile radius to express interest in a MT FR-S with NO add-ons (no BeSpoke, paint sealant, etc.). Of those, 4-5 dealerships connected me with a real person rather than an automated reply. I was told there was only 1 FR-S still in the region that met my criteria. I asked several dealerships where that particular car was located, and only one gave me the information - the rest refused. I put deposits down at two volume dealerships to be put on a wait list. I then contacted the dealership with the car I wanted for a price. He told me the car would be available on the 11th and had no add-ons. He also said the MSRP was $26,000. I informed him that the MSRP was actually less than $25,000 (including the delivery fee), and he then said that was without trunk carpeting, paint sealant, and Toyoguard (i.e., add-ons). But he said those had to be sold with the car. So now I have two questions about how to negotiate with the dealership: First, those things are optional, right? If they wanted, couldn't they sell me the car without those additional items? The Toyoguard is a total waste of money (I have roadside assistance and I change my own oil), and I've heard that the paint protection is nothing special either. Meh on the trunk carpet, but wouldn't cry if I ended up getting it. Is he full of crap when he says his hands are tied? Second, has anyone tried pitting salespeople against each other? I have been speaking with one salesman so far, but I'm considering contacting another salesperson in the same dealership and saying, "Hey, I'm probably going to buy this car from salesman X, but if you sweeten the pot just a little, I'll work with you instead." It seems to me that a sale with little profit beats a sale given to a co-worker instead, but I don't know how dealerships work so I may be wrong. I'd appreciate some advice from veteran car buyers or at least some good vibes as I try to (finally) get this thing done!