Awful Dealer Experience in Hollywood

[denkigrve]

Originally Posted by MrFRsLa

Hype drives prices up just like everything else. Go check Facebook stock. That was the bankers on wall st. Hyping up the stock. Down $10 is less than two weeks that's pure theivery.

I'm trying to back you up a bit since I know you're stuck with what your managers have given you, but that's exactly what your management is doing. Your management jumping on the hype and trying to force buyers into spending more than they should.

Look at Apple stock. They company announced it's still breaking records and people sold like crazy at $644 per share. The ratios of the stock put it very under valued for how many sales Apple is making, and will continue to make. I'm long AAPL myself. I sold some shares after the earnings rebound to put aside for my payment for this car. I'll be extremely sad if I continue to get screwed by dealers and just wasted selling those shares. That's hitting me in the wallet, which never sits well with buyers.

So let's bring this back to buying cars now:
A car purchase is a buyers investment in the dealer, and the brand. They tell people how much they love/hate their car. They refer people back to the dealership where they bought their car when someone treats them right. It's free advertising just for going out of your way to help out your customer. If my dealer comes through for me, I'll give him TONS of praise, and refer everyone I know to him. "Oh you were looking at a Sienna for your family? Go talk to my buddy at X Toyota dealer." Suddenly he's getting more sales potentials, and the dealer looks better to corporate.

A swing in the other direction is like a company making a huge miss on the market. "Oh you want to buy a new Sienna? Oh don't go to that dealership those dudes are shady as hell, here is what they tried to do to me." Suddenly that's a lost sales opportunity.

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Both mini dealers I talked to understand that, and they told me that if the FRS plans fall through to come talk to them. I was EXTREMELY straight forward with them. "I want to buy an FRS when it comes out, but if that falls through I'll be back to talk to you guys." Even saying that they took the time to talk to me, and get to understand what I wanted out of my Mini. They both understand and "get" what making their customers feel happy and satisfied is all about. My Toyota dealer seems to understand that as well, but we'll see how his management handles things.

[konichiwaa-B]

I just had to comment on this thread. I have been getting so much BS from the dealers her in San Diego. I went to Poway Scion and they wanted to tack on $2500 in options. They sales manager said to me it's all for profit and that he knows the car will sell. I walked away from that deal and said you guys are just finding a way to get around the pure pricing by bumping up the price with options. They are so full of sh**.

Then I had Toyota of Hollywood contact me earlier today and say they have an all white auto FRS. He said it comes with Lo-Jack and tint. I told him I want no options on the car. Then he said he can take off the Lo-Jack and add leather for $750. I said I'll think about it.

Long story short, I purchased a white, auto-transmission, from Kearny Mesa Scion this morning. It was a great experience! There were no options added. I did opt for the alarm system though. But it was definitely a very good experience. Kearny Mesa Scion is San Diego's number 1 dealer, and I can see why. They even instructed the service dept. not to drill holes in the front bumper. Boycott those slimy dealers trying to add profit to the FRS. That car is already appropriately priced.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Linseal

Wow, I've never heard of dealers doing that before. That's bullshit! What if you want the car stock!?

Find a good dealer.

While not directly related, my dealer (Subaru, hence the not directly related) didn't try to add on any BS what-so-ever (minus the free 24 pack of Yuengling lager in the trunk, courtesy of my salesman) and I'm sure there are similar Scion dealers out there!

[Hanakuso]

I think when it comes down to it the smaller dealerships get less FR-S and can throw add ons, there will be a few people that are willing to pay the premium. It makes a lot of us angry because we want the car right now but cant justify it especially if we can wait.

IMO its a bad practice since it leaves us customers salty but we have the power of the money but at the same time we don't run the dealerships. Pay up or wait in line. If you really wanted the car bad you would of researched and found dealerships that took deposits with no add ons

[Matt Andrews]

I don't have a dog in this fight as my car has a documented sales price when it lands. If the dealer changes that, I'll walk, or maybe I won't depending on what happens. but a couple observations:

1. To call someone a moron for paying $3k for leather is borderline moronic in and of itself. $3k has a lot different value for different people. For me, my time is worth more than saving $1k and having to drive an hour. Others will drive 3 hours to save $250. All of us are clamoring to give a dealer $25k for a depreciating asset that at the end of the day gets your from point a to point b - just like a $5k car. So who is the moron?
2. All that say that this dealer in Hollywood will be remembered and have a bad name thinks that buyers ultimately care about that stuff. In 30 days, if they have cars they are willing to sell for less than surrounding dealers, people will buy them there. For now, they have some of the only "available" FR-S's. someone is going to be willing to pay the mark up. I actually respect they didn't take orders for the cars - atleast there is no bait and switch. Can anyone name a dealer that has a car they want, but they refuse to do business with based solely on reputation even if the price is right for the car you want? You won't like it, but 99% of people will buy it.
3. The same logic of calling these dealers "greedy" is the same logic that should then be applied to buyers only willing to pay invoice for cars when they are plentiful on the lot. Isn't it greedy to not give a dealer what the manufacture suggests is retail price? Obviously you wouldn't do that, so why call the dealer greedy? They are capitalists.

If you had a contract, an agreed upon price, and reasonably set expectations, then you have grievances. but walk if you don't like the deal. Its not like these guys are selling immortality or a ticket into heaven or anything...

[Linseal]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Find a good dealer.

While not directly related, my dealer (Subaru, hence the not directly related) didn't try to add on any BS what-so-ever (minus the free 24 pack of Yuengling lager in the trunk, courtesy of my salesman) and I'm sure there are similar Scion dealers out there!

Yeah dude, my FR-S was just MSRP, that's it. No hassle whatsoever.

[FrX]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Find a good dealer.

While not directly related, my dealer (Subaru, hence the not directly related) didn't try to add on any BS what-so-ever (minus the free 24 pack of Yuengling lager in the trunk, courtesy of my salesman) and I'm sure there are similar Scion dealers out there!

Yuengling....I'm jealous. We can't get it down here.

[DuMa]

the same thing happened to me in 2004 when i wanted to buy my 2005 tC from Toyota of Orange. deposited 500 and got markups and tint/leather and rims added when i just waned a bone stock 5MT

[MrFRsLa]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Find a good dealer.

While not directly related, my dealer (Subaru, hence the not directly related) didn't try to add on any BS what-so-ever (minus the free 24 pack of Yuengling lager in the trunk, courtesy of my salesman) and I'm sure there are similar Scion dealers out there!

Hope they had a liquor license.

[ruskymx]

All these Yuengling mentions, I was born and raised in Pottsville, PA where it all started from. I live 6-7 miles south of there now. I grew up on that stuff...lol

Ruskymx

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by MrFRsLa

Hope they had a liquor license.

Yeah cause that's needed for the salesman to provide me with a case of beer from him personally.

Thank God I invested in a liquor license so I can let my friends drink beer from my fridge!

What kind of license does he need to sell me the car for less than MSRP instead of adding add-ons and overcharging for them? A "desirable dealer" license?

[Zgrinch]

Originally Posted by MrFRsLa

Hope they had a liquor license.

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Yeah cause that's needed for the salesman to provide me with a case of beer from him personally.

Thank God I invested in a liquor license so I can let my friends drink beer from my fridge!

What kind of license does he need to sell me the car for less than MSRP instead of adding add-ons and overcharging for them? A "desirable dealer" license?

MrFRsLa is giving away vaseline for all his buyers.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Zgrinch

MrFRsLa is giving away vaseline for all his buyers.

To be fair to him, he's just dealing with the shit sandwich his management is forcing him to sell. Unfortunately for him, their policies are costing him money since he could be selling cars instead of defending the dealerships decisions on here.

[Zgrinch]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

To be fair to him, he's just dealing with the shit sandwich his management is forcing him to sell. Unfortunately for him, their policies are costing him money since he could be selling cars instead of defending the dealerships decisions on here.

Oh I'm just razing him. I already told him I know he does not make the rules, but rather he works for a crappy dealer. Maybe he should be the one shopping for a new dealer.