Subaru Dealer Blacklist (Surprise markups and other shady dealings)

[dookie11]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

The credit think is kinda iffy, but really, if the BRZ will be limited quantities at first, it makes sense that the people they order a car for will be able to buy it. So that wouldn't upset me all that much. Just ask if it will be a soft inquiry or hard inquiry. If it's a soft inquiry, don't worry about it, it won't hurt your credit.

The deposit is understandable. Just verify that you can get your check back or your deposit refunded. Point out that the price is unknown and you haven't test-driven one yet.

As for the orders, they are all on "hold". That doesn't mean they aren't being fullfilled. I don't think the status will be changed until they're on a boat headed for the US or later.

The VON printout we have for Irvine says "Waitlist" at the top, so it's understandable. Iono, just the way the email was written came off kinda rude. Also, it's unforgivable that Alvin didn't call me back.

[BRZ4me]

2 possible additions to the blacklist based on e-mail communication this morning:

Subaru of Orland Park (International Autos) is adding on a $995 interior/exterior protection package - FWIW, they have 2 available vehicles from their initial allocation.

Maple Hill Subaru (Kalamazoo, MI) is asking for a $2,000 down payment, which was referred to as being non-refundable.

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by BRZ4me

2 possible additions to the blacklist based on e-mail communication this morning:

Subaru of Orland Park (International Autos) is adding on a $995 interior/exterior protection package - FWIW, they have 2 available vehicles from their initial allocation.

Maple Hill Subaru (Kalamazoo, MI) is asking for a $2,000 down payment, which was referred to as being non-refundable.

Dealer premiums and deposits don't fit the requirements for the blacklist.

[BRZ4me]

Originally Posted by Longhorn248

Dealer premiums and deposits don't fit the requirements for the blacklist.

They fit the requirements for my personal blacklist.

Just sharing information that's all - the people reading it can make their own decisions. The only positive thing I can say about the 2 dealers I mentioned is that they were up front with the details I shared.

[NeoDiNardo]

So I called about four Subaru dealers and found the first one I trusted to come threw on a promise for MSRP and put down $500 on a BRZ Limited. Blue Pearl Manual of course.

Two said they were blatantly marking it up 2K and that's just the way it's going to be, one said he would do MSRP but he said it in kind of a salesperson way like "I'll take care you" and not in a terribly reassuring way.

I found that as I moved away from the city, checked Google's's five-star ratings, I found a good dealer where I had several nice conversations about it with the sales person and then a couple of nice conversations to follow up with the manager. He was adamant that he was not going to mark it up for the preorders but at that if he got one just sitting on the lot he might. I didn't get it in writing but we don't even know the price yet, he is making more in the limited trim's MSRP anyway, and he assured me with believability that "we don't do that".

And if he brakes his word at this point, I'll tear up his five star feedback rating online and buy a Scion FR-S at a fixed 2500K. Simple.

The real struggle for me was whether I was going to go premium trim or limited trim. In the end I really wanted heated seats and the push button start and the spoiler. Perhaps it's not worth the extra two grand or so but let's be real I'm not going to upgrade it myself aftermarket I'm just going to be paying it for six years or so, might as well be happy with a nice butt warmer.

[Drvortex]

I have some experience w/ Koby Subaru in Mobile as well. I first contacted them about ordering the BRZ b/c I dealt w/them years ago about aftermarket clutch for my STi. I spoke to Luke and was nice. I was informed it was a $1k down and would be 5th in line. I never responded back b/c I was telling about a situation I have but they couldn't help me so I went elsewhere. I contacted Bryan Subaru in New Orleans and ordered from them...I'm 3rd there w/ only $500 down. Koby also had the manager contact me and another person (female this time) by emailing and calling me constantly. I've already told them I'm not interested but not getting the point. I went w/ the dealer in New Orleans and so far so good. They also informed me that Koby is way overpricing the car. Rex from New Orleans informed me that will be at or below MSRP b/c they don't really need to make a bunch of money off of these cars due to being part of a Chevy dealership as well. They took care of me and willing to assist in anyway they can w/ my situation. I didn't need their help afterall but were willing to assist me. Good on them.

[Longhorn248]

If Koby is having to resort to those kind of tactics to try and get someone to buy the car then obviously their markups are coming back to haunt them.

[geez]

Haven't seen in it here or elsewhere in this forum, but when you're signing your "deals" you might include some verbage that under no circumstance will they apply their logo to your new car. Doing so will void the sale and result in getting your deposit back. I don't spend my hard earned money on a new car just to make it a rolling billboard for the dealer. Had this happen to me once when I pre-ordered a 350Z when they were first coming out. Found they had "defaced" the body of my new Z when I went to take delivery and I didn't accept it.

[Giccin]

Do we have an update for any more black-listed dealerships? I'm sure there's more out there.

[R0ME0]

Chaplin's Subaru (Bellevue, WA). Told me over the phone that they are doing MSRP. Once I went in to put down my deposit it suddenly changed to $1000 over MSRP. Shady in my book and waste of Gas! I hate dealerships that do the Bait and Switch! Please Ass!

[prophecy0]

I've been in touch with several dealerships in and around middle Tennessee. So far I've gotten price quotes from Darrell Waltrip Subaru in Franklin, TN and Landers McLarty Subaru in Huntsville, AL. Darrell Waltrip wanted MSRP plus $500 in documentation fees, and Landers McLarty wanted MSRP plus $600 in documentation fees.

Landers McLarty seemed like they would be willing to negotiate, so I plan to get back in touch with them once I hear back from some other dealers. I wouldn't say that either them or Darrell Waltrip belong on the black list, but the fact that they are charging ridiculous amounts for bogus documentation fees is a bit annoying.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by prophecy0

I've been in touch with several dealerships in and around middle Tennessee. So far I've gotten price quotes from Darrell Waltrip Subaru in Franklin, TN and Landers McLarty Subaru in Huntsville, AL. Darrell Waltrip wanted MSRP plus $500 in documentation fees, and Landers McLarty wanted MSRP plus $600 in documentation fees.

Landers McLarty seemed like they would be willing to negotiate, so I plan to get back in touch with them once I hear back from some other dealers. I wouldn't say that either them or Darrell Waltrip belong on the black list, but the fact that they are charging ridiculous amounts for bogus documentation fees is a bit annoying.

Those are a tad steep - we charge $289. Admittedly there is a lot of BS paperwork to be done, so I don't find it entirely unreasonable for us to do it all for you so you can avoid the DMV and all the stupidity that ensues there.

[Subie]

Originally Posted by prophecy0

I've been in touch with several dealerships in and around middle Tennessee. So far I've gotten price quotes from Darrell Waltrip Subaru in Franklin, TN and Landers McLarty Subaru in Huntsville, AL. Darrell Waltrip wanted MSRP plus $500 in documentation fees, and Landers McLarty wanted MSRP plus $600 in documentation fees.

Landers McLarty seemed like they would be willing to negotiate, so I plan to get back in touch with them once I hear back from some other dealers. I wouldn't say that either them or Darrell Waltrip belong on the black list, but the fact that they are charging ridiculous amounts for bogus documentation fees is a bit annoying.

Those doc fees are pretty standard for where I live. I'm stuck paying $499.

[prophecy0]

I don't mind paying a hundred or two for a doc fee, but by all accounts the fee is added by dealerships solely as a way to make more money on the car. More than $200 seems like too much to me. I'll report back after I do some negotiating .