Dealership went silent when I said I wouldn't come in person before receiving a quote

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He finally wrote back stating the car I want has already been sold. Funny how he didn't mention that part when he was pressuing me to come in to the dealership. Hmm. Definitely not interested in them anymore. Thanks all.

You didn't make it sound like you were talking about a specific car if you're talking about "acceptable colors" and the trim you wanted. Was the car you wanted at the dealer?

Yes. They had the car in the year/trim/color I would take. I hit the "request an e-price on this car" button on the page of the exact car and input my information. He knew exactly which car I was asking about and neglected to mention it was sold until I refused to come in. Sleezy. Do people actually fall for these tactics?

It is very likely that the car was already sold. They didn't want to tell you that and let you go. They wanted you to come to the dealership so they could sell you another car.

[Anonymous]

Competition is your friend. Email every dealer within your reasonable travel distance with the exact model/trim/color(s) you want. If they have it on the lot, identify it. Tell them all you are sending similar emails to all the dealers in the area and will purchase immediately from the dealer with the best price inclusive of all fees.

I've purchased 2 Hondas and an Acura using this method and it worked out well each time.

Here's the email form I used last time I did this:

"I am ready to purchase a new [insert model/trim/color(s)] (Model Code _____). You have such a vehicle on your lot (VIN _______). Please email your best price inclusive of the destination/freight fee and any and all dealer document/processing/advertising fees so that only tax, tags, and registration for a Fairfax County, Virginia resident will be added to arrive at the final out-the-door price. I'm sending similar messages to several other local dealers that have this exact vehicle in stock as well. I will select the dealer that offers the lowest price within the next 48 hours. Once I pick the dealer, I will immediately place a deposit with my credit card and then take delivery and make final payment over the weekend. I look forward to your response."

[Anonymous]

Move on and don't waste your time.

[Anonymous]

Yup move on. Reputable dealers will give you an "out the door" quote with little or no hassle. Sometimes it's easier to email the sales manager or GM directly. And yes sometimes the exact car they have in inventory is sold, but you can also just say "hey I want x car x package x color give me a quote) and they'll either find it for you or order it.

[Anonymous]

They have enough people that are willing to overpay and buy what ever is on the lot. I refused to meet in person till we agreed to a price. I let them know exactly what I wanted and wanted it special ordered and the one that had the best price, I went in and ordered.

[Anonymous]

If you aren't married to the idea of buying new, maybe Carmax would be better for you. No back-and-forth on pricing; very clear on their website what's on the lot at a particular dealership and what isn't and how much it would be to ship a car you like to your closest Carmax.

Otherwise...call the dealership and ask for sales, tell them you're looking for a 2023 Make Model in blue or gray, you're looking to make an expedited purchase in the next week, can they please confirm their current stock and, if what you want is available, can they get the paperwork started? You can complete the credit application and initial paperwork from home, then just go in for the part where you meet with the business manager to make the purchase. Even faster if you're paying cash or have already secured financing and you're certain you have the lowest possible rate (however, if buying new they might have rate incentives that make more sense).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't married to the idea of buying new, maybe Carmax would be better for you. No back-and-forth on pricing; very clear on their website what's on the lot at a particular dealership and what isn't and how much it would be to ship a car you like to your closest Carmax.

Otherwise...call the dealership and ask for sales, tell them you're looking for a 2023 Make Model in blue or gray, you're looking to make an expedited purchase in the next week, can they please confirm their current stock and, if what you want is available, can they get the paperwork started? You can complete the credit application and initial paperwork from home, then just go in for the part where you meet with the business manager to make the purchase. Even faster if you're paying cash or have already secured financing and you're certain you have the lowest possible rate (however, if buying new they might have rate incentives that make more sense).

I've never bought from Carmax, but there is nothing special about a one price dealership. If you want a one price dealership, and don't want to haggle, all dealerships will accommodate you. Simply just pay the first price that you are quoted by the salesperson.

[Anonymous]

“and you have to do all the tag/title work yourself now and if you got a loan for the car you have to pay the excise tax out of pocket. would that happen to equal your 5k in "savings"?”

Yeah, I had to make a trip to the DMV. How is that not worth paying $5k less to get the car that I wanted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Competition is your friend. Email every dealer within your reasonable travel distance with the exact model/trim/color(s) you want. If they have it on the lot, identify it. Tell them all you are sending similar emails to all the dealers in the area and will purchase immediately from the dealer with the best price inclusive of all fees.

I've purchased 2 Hondas and an Acura using this method and it worked out well each time.

Here's the email form I used last time I did this:

"I am ready to purchase a new [insert model/trim/color(s)] (Model Code _____). You have such a vehicle on your lot (VIN _______). Please email your best price inclusive of the destination/freight fee and any and all dealer document/processing/advertising fees so that only tax, tags, and registration for a Fairfax County, Virginia resident will be added to arrive at the final out-the-door price. I'm sending similar messages to several other local dealers that have this exact vehicle in stock as well. I will select the dealer that offers the lowest price within the next 48 hours. Once I pick the dealer, I will immediately place a deposit with my credit card and then take delivery and make final payment over the weekend. I look forward to your response."

And with the inventory being short, that email will just be ignored. It’s not a buyers market anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Competition is your friend. Email every dealer within your reasonable travel distance with the exact model/trim/color(s) you want. If they have it on the lot, identify it. Tell them all you are sending similar emails to all the dealers in the area and will purchase immediately from the dealer with the best price inclusive of all fees.

I've purchased 2 Hondas and an Acura using this method and it worked out well each time.

Here's the email form I used last time I did this:

"I am ready to purchase a new [insert model/trim/color(s)] (Model Code _____). You have such a vehicle on your lot (VIN _______). Please email your best price inclusive of the destination/freight fee and any and all dealer document/processing/advertising fees so that only tax, tags, and registration for a Fairfax County, Virginia resident will be added to arrive at the final out-the-door price. I'm sending similar messages to several other local dealers that have this exact vehicle in stock as well. I will select the dealer that offers the lowest price within the next 48 hours. Once I pick the dealer, I will immediately place a deposit with my credit card and then take delivery and make final payment over the weekend. I look forward to your response."

And with the inventory being short, that email will just be ignored. It’s not a buyers market anymore.

Totally depends on which car. There are plenty of models that are buyers market. Acura MDX is literally advertising 7500 off right now.

[Anonymous]

We just bought a new car. Out of the six dealerships I contacted, only one would give me an all-in quote with discounts, taxes, title and tags. I may have gotten a better price by going in to all the dealerships, but ended up buying from the one who was willing to give me a quote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Competition is your friend. Email every dealer within your reasonable travel distance with the exact model/trim/color(s) you want. If they have it on the lot, identify it. Tell them all you are sending similar emails to all the dealers in the area and will purchase immediately from the dealer with the best price inclusive of all fees.

I've purchased 2 Hondas and an Acura using this method and it worked out well each time.

Here's the email form I used last time I did this:

"I am ready to purchase a new [insert model/trim/color(s)] (Model Code _____). You have such a vehicle on your lot (VIN _______). Please email your best price inclusive of the destination/freight fee and any and all dealer document/processing/advertising fees so that only tax, tags, and registration for a Fairfax County, Virginia resident will be added to arrive at the final out-the-door price. I'm sending similar messages to several other local dealers that have this exact vehicle in stock as well. I will select the dealer that offers the lowest price within the next 48 hours. Once I pick the dealer, I will immediately place a deposit with my credit card and then take delivery and make final payment over the weekend. I look forward to your response."

And with the inventory being short, that email will just be ignored. It’s not a buyers market anymore.

Totally depends on which car. There are plenty of models that are buyers market. Acura MDX is literally advertising 7500 off right now.

Almost impossible to disagree with statements like that but, for most cars most people like to buy or wouldn't mind buying, this strategy is about 5 years too old.

- np

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't married to the idea of buying new, maybe Carmax would be better for you. No back-and-forth on pricing; very clear on their website what's on the lot at a particular dealership and what isn't and how much it would be to ship a car you like to your closest Carmax.

Otherwise...call the dealership and ask for sales, tell them you're looking for a 2023 Make Model in blue or gray, you're looking to make an expedited purchase in the next week, can they please confirm their current stock and, if what you want is available, can they get the paperwork started? You can complete the credit application and initial paperwork from home, then just go in for the part where you meet with the business manager to make the purchase. Even faster if you're paying cash or have already secured financing and you're certain you have the lowest possible rate (however, if buying new they might have rate incentives that make more sense).

Do not buy from Carmax. I’ll sell cars to them in a heartbeat but never buy. Go read reviews first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Competition is your friend. Email every dealer within your reasonable travel distance with the exact model/trim/color(s) you want. If they have it on the lot, identify it. Tell them all you are sending similar emails to all the dealers in the area and will purchase immediately from the dealer with the best price inclusive of all fees.

I've purchased 2 Hondas and an Acura using this method and it worked out well each time.

Here's the email form I used last time I did this:

"I am ready to purchase a new [insert model/trim/color(s)] (Model Code _____). You have such a vehicle on your lot (VIN _______). Please email your best price inclusive of the destination/freight fee and any and all dealer document/processing/advertising fees so that only tax, tags, and registration for a Fairfax County, Virginia resident will be added to arrive at the final out-the-door price. I'm sending similar messages to several other local dealers that have this exact vehicle in stock as well. I will select the dealer that offers the lowest price within the next 48 hours. Once I pick the dealer, I will immediately place a deposit with my credit card and then take delivery and make final payment over the weekend. I look forward to your response."

And with the inventory being short, that email will just be ignored. It’s not a buyers market anymore.

I’m buying a car now and was able to deal via email and phone for a popular model. There were dealers who insisted I come in but there were enough who didn’t and I dealt only with them. So some dealers will and some won’t. I only deal with those who do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Competition is your friend. Email every dealer within your reasonable travel distance with the exact model/trim/color(s) you want. If they have it on the lot, identify it. Tell them all you are sending similar emails to all the dealers in the area and will purchase immediately from the dealer with the best price inclusive of all fees.

I've purchased 2 Hondas and an Acura using this method and it worked out well each time.

Here's the email form I used last time I did this:

"I am ready to purchase a new [insert model/trim/color(s)] (Model Code _____). You have such a vehicle on your lot (VIN _______). Please email your best price inclusive of the destination/freight fee and any and all dealer document/processing/advertising fees so that only tax, tags, and registration for a Fairfax County, Virginia resident will be added to arrive at the final out-the-door price. I'm sending similar messages to several other local dealers that have this exact vehicle in stock as well. I will select the dealer that offers the lowest price within the next 48 hours. Once I pick the dealer, I will immediately place a deposit with my credit card and then take delivery and make final payment over the weekend. I look forward to your response."

And with the inventory being short, that email will just be ignored. It’s not a buyers market anymore.

Totally depends on which car. There are plenty of models that are buyers market. Acura MDX is literally advertising 7500 off right now.

Almost impossible to disagree with statements like that but, for most cars most people like to buy or wouldn't mind buying, this strategy is about 5 years too old.

- np

Not our experience at all, with 2 recent purchases.