anyone else have as easy time at the dealer as I did?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by chaoscentral

I had a very easy experience, but I work at the dealership I bought it at lol. Got an amazing price on my trade though, turns out it needed alot more work than I thought. Still got ACV for it though.(Needed approx $8500 worth of work)

What kind of work? That is huge $$$$. I don't think you would get that if you didn't work there.

[dtrop]

Dealership snagged the car I wanted from port.

Everything was done by email/phone

Told them the price I wanted to pay.

They countered with an offer $300 more than what I asked.

I accepted.

Never stepped foot onto the dealership lot.

Car deliver to my house.

[billyk]

Just for the record, these days Truecar isn't necessarily the best price, or even close to it. When Truecar was first available years ago, their price estimates where far more aggressive and dealers were very unhappy about their transparency.

For me, Truecar was considerably more than what I paid. I went in knowing the invoice price and KBB for my trade-in and I worked from there. I got 100% of KBB on the trade, and paid well below invoice. I also did not accept any "extras".

Buying an FRS in the Winter months can be advantageous. Not sure they move a lot of them. The only "gotcha" was actually my bad - I didn't realize that FRSs come with Summer tires that are reportedly pretty risky here in Maryland Winter weather. Just fixed that today.

My purchase experience was quick and easy. Very little haggling, and absolutely no mention of "Pure Price".

[Chanpion]

Scion dealers are usually a bit better I find. Scion doesn't sell in huge quantities and usually the way they act reflect that. They're usually curtious. I'm not sure about this either but I think sometimes they're half Toyota and half Scion so they won't be desperate either.
I was cross shopping between a FiST at the time and I got some dude that I overheard was about to go on lunch but the scretary diverted me over to him before he got on lunch. He did not want me there at all. Totally lied, we have none left, they're all sold out around the country, no discount before I even mentioned prices, and just trying to drive me away. It's the inflection and tone that he gave me. To be fair, I was 20 and pretty young looking so I could have looked like a punk that had no money and just wanted to go on a joy ride. I just got a decent paying oil and gas job so I finally saved enough to buy my first car and one that I really wanted. Still to this day, I'm 50/50 split between the FiST and BRZ. I got myself and FR.

[2much]

My dealer has been nothing but excellent to me, from sales to service. I do not doubt most of the horror experiences, but not all dealers are bad.

[LXXXV1]

Mine was also easy.

I think it's because we go in knowing exactly what we want and don't bs them. I called asking specifically for a stock whiteout monogram in manual. Guy said "You're in luck, we got one coming in one week." and that was it. Not much bargaining room in the price considering I didn't trade in for mine and I was very likely one of the first to get a limited trim in the states. 2-12-14 to be exact. IIRC, people were still on wait list to get theirs from Longo Toyota until mid March, which is one of the biggest Toyota dealerships in the nation (first or second I think) and I got my car in Orange County, so not even that far away.

Was your salesperson young? Mine was fairly young, I'd say not even 30 yet and I think he put it together that I knew what I want and he can't fuck with me. IMO, he probably couldn't BS me because I knew more about the car than he did.

[jay1989]

Originally Posted by F4ith

Mine was also easy.

I think it's because we go in knowing exactly what we want and don't bs them. I called asking specifically for a stock whiteout monogram in manual. Guy said "You're in luck, we got one coming in one week." and that was it. Not much bargaining room in the price considering I didn't trade in for mine and I was very likely one of the first to get a limited trim in the states. 2-12-14 to be exact. IIRC, people were still on wait list to get theirs from Longo Toyota until mid March, which is one of the biggest Toyota dealerships in the nation (first or second I think) and I got my car in Orange County, so not even that far away.

Was your salesperson young? Mine was fairly young, I'd say not even 30 yet and I think he put it together that I knew what I want and he can't fuck with me. IMO, he probably couldn't BS me because I knew more about the car than he did.

I love knowing more about the cars than the dealers do makes it so much easier to buy them and call them out on their BS if there is any.

As I stated previously I have had the please of never really having to deal with any BS from a dealer but I have many friends that have.

[Amaya]

Originally Posted by jay1989

I love knowing more about the cars than the dealers do makes it so much easier to buy them and call them out on their BS if there is any.

As I stated previously I have had the please of never really having to deal with any BS from a dealer but I have many friends that have.

I bet it's a bit disconcerting for car sales people to have a car enthusiast come in wanting to buy a car. The salesman I had was actually somewhat knowledgeable about cars but a lot of the stuff he pointed out or talked about I already knew and/or was obvious. I almost told him to stop talking as he wasn't telling me anything I didn't know or that was useful, but that's not how the game is played *sigh*

But if I ever buy a new sports car again I'm probably going to have some fun with it. Like asking if they can remove the ABS and traction control systems and "does it really need airbags? Can I get one without them?"

[jay1989]

Originally Posted by Amaya

I bet it's a bit disconcerting for car sales people to have a car enthusiast come in wanting to buy a car. The salesman I had was actually somewhat knowledgeable about cars but a lot of the stuff he pointed out or talked about I already knew and/or was obvious. I almost told him to stop talking as he wasn't telling me anything I didn't know or that was useful, but that's not how the game is played *sigh*

But if I ever buy a new sports car again I'm probably going to have some fun with it. Like asking if they can remove the ABS and traction control systems and "does it really need airbags? Can I get one without them?"

Never thought of turning it into a game now that does sound like fun

[chaoscentral]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

What kind of work? That is huge $$$$. I don't think you would get that if you didn't work there.

It needed a new rear end assembly(needed new bearings and seals pretty much all the way around, guy who did a rear end gear change for me a few years ago botched that job and it's been whining a little ever since, but it's gotten progressively worse), suspension(still on factory suspension @ 82k miles), exhaust(no cats and straight piped), brakes, wiring under the car was apparently all kinds of messed up(I didn't touch that but when my transmission was replaced after it was blown up from a supercharger the shop that did the work apparently didn't do the best job).

The rear end I knew about, but the rest of the stuff I knew was going to need replacing soon just not as much as the shop came back with. But either way not my problem anymore lol. I would have gotten alot less if I didn't work there.

[phobos512]

I was checking out an RS 1.0 yesterday. Salesman kept saying he couldn't understand why they used this engine but liked that they got the all wheel drive system from Subaru. No, I'm not kidding. Mid 40s - mid 50s guy, lifelong car salesman from what he said. They're definitely out there.

[jamies31]

I have to say my experience at the dealership was perfect, However I sold myself my car. We have a stand alone Scion Dept and I think that really helps us stand apart from the rest, Plus our whole team is Scion owners and enthusiasts so that always helps for knowledge when it comes to the cars and add ons, (so I do suggest searching for the right store in your area)
But I do love love this thread because reading it will help me make sure were not making the mistakes a lot of others are!

[Zerv]

My experience was a pain in the ass.

The Lady that sold me the car basically sucked the fun out of getting a new car. I had purchased from this dealer at a difference location before so knew I'd have to jump through some hoops of them wanting to finance me. I don't blame them for wanting to but I knew it would be tough due to some credit issues I'm dealing with at the moment. The lady really tried to twist my arm on it though.

So since I wasn't sure I would be able to get a loan that matched up with what I wanted I went to my credit union first and they preapproved me for what I wanted. Great! Went to the dealer in the area that I knew had cars my fiance and I were interested in. Test drove an FR-S and decided to go for it. I wasn't up for haggling the Pureprice and all, and had already showed her my cards by telling her what I was preapproved for. So all we asked for was to get the hot lava color I knew one of their other dealerships had in another state. All is good she asks for a deposit and for the particular car we had in mind located in Mass says it should be here by Thursday then also tells me "You may have to finance through us". I blow it off though because We're not doing any paper work yet any way. Thursday rolls around I don't hear anything. I get a hold of her she says she'll check. Don't hear anything back. 3 hours later I e-mail one of the internet guys a dealt with and she calls me back right away to let me know it'll be there Friday, Monday the latest. Next day we don't hear anything fiance wants to know where there car is and gets a hold of her. She says it's in Mass and will be delivered Saturday. Saturday comes the lady gets a hold of me to tell me it'll be there Monday. I'm not worried cause my bank is closed any way. She had also again reiterated that I may have to finance through the dealer again (which is just getting annoying now). Monday I go in car is there we check it out, all looks good! Go in she hands me a sheet with the price and info on the car. I point out the color is wrong she tells me not to worry it's the car. I check the VIN with the listing online and it doesn't match up. She goes and comes back with new paper work. VIN still doesn't match. Then she finally tells me "Oh, the car in Mass had already been sold this one is from NH". I really don't get why she wouldn't have told me this before to make me happy that she had to find me another car. OK, ask her to fax the info over to my bank. She then tells me well you can get the car tonight if we finance it for you (also stalling on faxing my bank the info while open). I tell her what my bank is doing for me and what I want so she then leaves me there for an hour without offering a coffee or anything then just shows back up with the purchase order knowing my bank is closed telling me it's all set to bring to my bank.

Next day I take care of everything with the bank and get the check and go back in. Before I head in my fiance finds out she needs to go into work for an emergence. I ask the lady at the dealership how long it should take letting her know we are in a rush (my car is there and we were just hoping to get the new one together). She's says it'll be quick. She brings me to the finance guy eventually and we take care of the paper work in a few minutes and wait for her to get me a copy of the receipt for the check. She is supposed to be right back. Nothing. Go wait by her desk. I see her running around. Finally she walks back and sees me a half hour later, (fiance couldn't wait any more and had to leave). "Oh you're ready? let me go make that copy for you". "OK just need to find a screwdriver" (I point out there's already one at her desk). Go to the car she puts on the temp plates and asks if my fiance is doing OK (thinking that she had a medical emergency even though she just dragged this out).

I swear it seems like I was bothering her trying to buy this car. It should have been so easy for everyone. Only thing that makes me happy is that nothing was ever mentioned price wise about the new Hot Lava car having a spoiler and fog lights (so basically free). I still don't know if that's because they were giving me a deal or no one noticed. It really seems like the lady could have made happy but just didn't give a shit. Never offered a coffee, never apologized for any waiting. If I knew it wouldn't take even longer at that point to go through another dealership to get the car I would have.


tl/dr; Lady at dealership could care less I was buying a car and dragged it out every step of the way.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by jamies31

I have to say my experience at the dealership was perfect, However I sold myself my car. We have a stand alone Scion Dept and I think that really helps us stand apart from the rest, Plus our whole team is Scion owners and enthusiasts so that always helps for knowledge when it comes to the cars and add ons, (so I do suggest searching for the right store in your area)
But I do love love this thread because reading it will help me make sure were not making the mistakes a lot of others are!

Did you haggle with yourself? Did you get a good deal?
Be really sad if you said the sales guy was a jerk!
I actually spent some time with the sales team at my dealer and went over the car with them so they would have at least a basic knowledge. I also gave them this forum to use for reference so they could be lurking right now.