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Price Tug-Of-War

769 views 12 replies 0 participants last post by  JAWs 
G
#1 ·
Judging from my local dealer's web site, he hasn't
sold a single Camry or Corolla in the last 3 or 4 days.

In the past week, his inventory of Camrys has gone up from
25 to 28 to 31 and to 35 today. I can see why they hold
Toyotathon in December--must be a slow month for sales?

But, sheesh, he still hasn't called me to take me up on my
18.5 offer (reasonable I think since I can get 18.2 at a
dealer located 100 miles away). The salesman may be serious
about not budging below 18,950 for the LE. A week ago, he
said he would NOT go below that price.

Is there something I can do to get 18.5 outta this
hard-core salesman? Is he gonna force me to buy the car
one-hundred miles away at 18.2? I will go outta town if
necessary to save the $750.

On a tangent, I didn't realize dealerships take delivery of
vehicles all the time. He musta had 3 different shipments of
Camrys in the last 7 days. Does this go on all year long?
 
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G
#2 ·
On Tue, 20 Dec 2005 18:14:14 -0500, Built_Well wrote:

> Judging from my local dealer's web site, he hasn't
> sold a single Camry or Corolla in the last 3 or 4 days.
>
> In the past week, his inventory of Camrys has gone up from
> 25 to 28 to 31 and to 35 today. I can see why they hold
> Toyotathon in December--must be a slow month for sales?
>
> But, sheesh, he still hasn't called me to take me up on my
> 18.5 offer (reasonable I think since I can get 18.2 at a
> dealer located 100 miles away). The salesman may be serious
> about not budging below 18,950 for the LE. A week ago, he
> said he would NOT go below that price.
>
> Is there something I can do to get 18.5 outta this
> hard-core salesman? Is he gonna force me to buy the car
> one-hundred miles away at 18.2? I will go outta town if
> necessary to save the $750.
>
> On a tangent, I didn't realize dealerships take delivery of
> vehicles all the time. He musta had 3 different shipments of
> Camrys in the last 7 days. Does this go on all year long?


You're cutting into his commission. Since December is slow, he needs to
make more per car. Try again in March...

--
Have your Virtual Pet spayed/neutered!!
 
G
#3 ·
"Built_Well" <bw@bbbb.com> wrote in message
news:SPydncMh9ay_DzXeRVn-uQ@sysmatrix.net...
> Judging from my local dealer's web site, he hasn't
> sold a single Camry or Corolla in the last 3 or 4 days.


A dealership's web site is probably not the best method to determine retail
deliveries because pre-sold vehicles probably would not appear on any
on-line inventory.

>
> In the past week, his inventory of Camrys has gone up from
> 25 to 28 to 31 and to 35 today. I can see why they hold
> Toyotathon in December--must be a slow month for sales?


Automakers hold sales in December because it is the last chance to make
profits and to establish bragging rights, like #1 passenger car, #1 truck,
#1 small truck, #1 brand, etc.

>
> But, sheesh, he still hasn't called me to take me up on my
> 18.5 offer (reasonable I think since I can get 18.2 at a
> dealer located 100 miles away). The salesman may be serious
> about not budging below 18,950 for the LE. A week ago, he
> said he would NOT go below that price.
>
> Is there something I can do to get 18.5 outta this
> hard-core salesman? Is he gonna force me to buy the car
> one-hundred miles away at 18.2? I will go outta town if
> necessary to save the $750.


There are several possible reasons why the salesperson/dealership has not
called you:
- Someone else may have purchased the vehicle (even though it still appears
on the dealer's web site);
- The salesperson is lazy, forgetful, or busy;
- The dealership is not making enough of a profit to make it worthwhile to
complete the transaction at the price you want (the other dealership could
have a lower price because they are at a higher incentive level, they have
a lower overhead, the vehicle is not equipped the same, or they have a
vehicle from a lower price level.

>
> On a tangent, I didn't realize dealerships take delivery of
> vehicles all the time. He musta had 3 different shipments of
> Camrys in the last 7 days. Does this go on all year long?


Yes, dealerships take delivery of vehicles all year long because the
automakers are making them all year long. In other words, automakers do not
save an entire model year production in a giant lot somewhere and then ship
a dealer's entire year's sales at one time. Toyota dealers used to maintain
around a 45 day supply of vehicles, that number is probably closer to 60
now, which is about the industry standard.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply
 
G
#4 ·
I dunno. I might just spend the extra $750 in order
to buy locally, and skip the 100 mile trip.

Would you spend the extra $750 and pay 18,950 instead of
18,200 for an automatic Camry LE with the carpeted floor
mats option?

Are there advantages to buying locally? I heard
something about preferential treatment in the service
center? Is that worth $750?

Thanks a lot.
 
G
#5 ·
I heard that preferential treatment crap too. In fact, I was given a
VIP card by the dealer after I bought the car. Haven't seen any
difference yet.... ;>0

I made my original offer in April. It took until August for the dealer
to meet my price for the LE (17,400). I made periodic visits in
between. Keep telling I didn't need a car in any particular hurry, that
I was shopping three other dealers, as well as Nissan, and I would buy,
but only if my price was possible....
 
G
#6 ·
"Built_Well" <bw@bbbb.com> wrote in message
news:u-udnXghpcYHXDTeRVn-tA@sysmatrix.net...
>I dunno. I might just spend the extra $750 in order
> to buy locally, and skip the 100 mile trip.
>
> Would you spend the extra $750 and pay 18,950 instead of
> 18,200 for an automatic Camry LE with the carpeted floor
> mats option?
>
> Are there advantages to buying locally? I heard
> something about preferential treatment in the service
> center? Is that worth $750?
>
> Thanks a lot.


I'm probably the wrong guy to ask. I have developed a relationship with a
dealership and my parents, sister, and I have purchased all of our vehicles
for the past 20 years from him, which works out to about a car a year. My
dad and I also each send him an additional dozen or so referrals a year, and
so he continues to give me and my family the same purchase deal we got when
I was still a Toyota employee, which is about $100 over his cost for a
Toyota, $300 for a Lexus.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply
 
G
#7 ·
I will mention that the local dealer I eventually bought from is a
small-town dealer, 20 minutes from my home and the salesman did the
entire deed, from selling the car, accepting the offer, acting as the
finance officer, etc., so we dealt with one person throughout, none of
that handing off as is common in the big dealerships.

Also, it was no pressure. Probably the most enjoyable experience I've
ever had.....
 
G
#9 ·
I may give in to my local dealer's price. Over the
phone today, the sales manager came down to 18,800 from
$18,950 (out-the-door with a $50 Doc. fee).

It's still above the 18.2 I can get one-hundred miles
away, but the local sales manager said that subtracting the
current $500 rebate from the LE's INVOICE price of 19,250
gives 18,800 (with $50 doc fee).

Hmm, Edmunds says this car has an INVOICE of between about
$18,800 and $18,950, not the $19,250--yet two different dealer's
today both stated the invoice as 19,250 ($300 to $450 more than
Edmunds). Somebody's messing with the invoice figures?? Could
it be Edmunds or the 2 dealers? [chuckle]

Anyway, I'm having a hard time deciding between the
following 4 colors. In alphabetical order, they are:

Desert Sand Mica (light brown/tan)
Lunar Mist Metallic (silver-like)
Mineral Green Opal (sort of a greyish silver with just a hint of green)
Salsa Red Pearl (dark red)

If anyone's familiar with the '06 colors, which do you
like best of these 4?

Thanks.
 
G
#10 ·
"Built_Well" <bw@bbbb.com> wrote in message
news:6ZGdnfFRDqfGxDbeRVn-rw@sysmatrix.net...
>I may give in to my local dealer's price. Over the
> phone today, the sales manager came down to 18,800 from
> $18,950 (out-the-door with a $50 Doc. fee).
>
> It's still above the 18.2 I can get one-hundred miles
> away, but the local sales manager said that subtracting the
> current $500 rebate from the LE's INVOICE price of 19,250
> gives 18,800 (with $50 doc fee).
>
> Hmm, Edmunds says this car has an INVOICE of between about
> $18,800 and $18,950, not the $19,250--yet two different dealer's
> today both stated the invoice as 19,250 ($300 to $450 more than
> Edmunds). Somebody's messing with the invoice figures?? Could
> it be Edmunds or the 2 dealers? [chuckle]


I don't think Edmunds includes Toyota Dealer Advertising Association fees,
which would account for the price difference.

--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply
>
> Anyway, I'm having a hard time deciding between the
> following 4 colors. In alphabetical order, they are:
>
> Desert Sand Mica (light brown/tan)
> Lunar Mist Metallic (silver-like)
> Mineral Green Opal (sort of a greyish silver with just a hint of
> green)
> Salsa Red Pearl (dark red)
>
> If anyone's familiar with the '06 colors, which do you
> like best of these 4?
>
> Thanks.
 
G
#11 ·
"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote in message
news:b4e59$43aba429$180fead6$11808@msgid.meganewsservers.com...
>
> "Built_Well" <bw@bbbb.com> wrote in message
> news:6ZGdnfFRDqfGxDbeRVn-rw@sysmatrix.net...
>>I may give in to my local dealer's price. Over the
>> phone today, the sales manager came down to 18,800 from
>> $18,950 (out-the-door with a $50 Doc. fee).
>>
>> It's still above the 18.2 I can get one-hundred miles
>> away, but the local sales manager said that subtracting the
>> current $500 rebate from the LE's INVOICE price of 19,250
>> gives 18,800 (with $50 doc fee).
>>
>> Hmm, Edmunds says this car has an INVOICE of between about
>> $18,800 and $18,950, not the $19,250--yet two different dealer's
>> today both stated the invoice as 19,250 ($300 to $450 more than
>> Edmunds). Somebody's messing with the invoice figures?? Could
>> it be Edmunds or the 2 dealers? [chuckle]

>
> I don't think Edmunds includes Toyota Dealer Advertising Association fees,
> which would account for the price difference.


This whole thing is bloody bullshit. Can you imagine buying ANY kind of
appliance, for example, with an
advertising charge tacked on to the invoice price?


>
> --
> Ray O
> correct the return address punctuation to reply
>>
>> Anyway, I'm having a hard time deciding between the
>> following 4 colors. In alphabetical order, they are:
>>
>> Desert Sand Mica (light brown/tan)
>> Lunar Mist Metallic (silver-like)
>> Mineral Green Opal (sort of a greyish silver with just a hint of
>> green)
>> Salsa Red Pearl (dark red)
>>
>> If anyone's familiar with the '06 colors, which do you
>> like best of these 4?
>>
>> Thanks.

>
>
 
G
#12 ·
"Sharx35" <sharx35@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote in message
>news:b4e59$43aba429$180fead6$11808@msgid.meganewsservers.com...
>>
>> "Built_Well" <bw@bbbb.com> wrote in message
>> news:6ZGdnfFRDqfGxDbeRVn-rw@sysmatrix.net...
>>>I may give in to my local dealer's price. Over the
>>> phone today, the sales manager came down to 18,800 from
>>> $18,950 (out-the-door with a $50 Doc. fee).
>>>
>>> It's still above the 18.2 I can get one-hundred miles
>>> away, but the local sales manager said that subtracting the
>>> current $500 rebate from the LE's INVOICE price of 19,250
>>> gives 18,800 (with $50 doc fee).
>>>
>>> Hmm, Edmunds says this car has an INVOICE of between about
>>> $18,800 and $18,950, not the $19,250--yet two different dealer's
>>> today both stated the invoice as 19,250 ($300 to $450 more than
>>> Edmunds). Somebody's messing with the invoice figures?? Could
>>> it be Edmunds or the 2 dealers? [chuckle]

>>
>> I don't think Edmunds includes Toyota Dealer Advertising Association fees,
>> which would account for the price difference.

>
>This whole thing is bloody bullshit. Can you imagine buying ANY kind of
>appliance, for example, with an
>advertising charge tacked on to the invoice price?
>
>

Christ yes...next they'll be charging a storage fee for the time
the car sat on their lot for God's sake.
--

-Gord.
(use gordon in email)
 
G
#13 ·
On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 16:45:16 GMT, Gord Beaman <gord@islandtelecom.com>
wrote:

>"Sharx35" <sharx35@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote in message
>>news:b4e59$43aba429$180fead6$11808@msgid.meganewsservers.com...
>>>
>>> "Built_Well" <bw@bbbb.com> wrote in message
>>> news:6ZGdnfFRDqfGxDbeRVn-rw@sysmatrix.net...
>>>>I may give in to my local dealer's price. Over the
>>>> phone today, the sales manager came down to 18,800 from
>>>> $18,950 (out-the-door with a $50 Doc. fee).
>>>>
>>>> It's still above the 18.2 I can get one-hundred miles
>>>> away, but the local sales manager said that subtracting the
>>>> current $500 rebate from the LE's INVOICE price of 19,250
>>>> gives 18,800 (with $50 doc fee).
>>>>
>>>> Hmm, Edmunds says this car has an INVOICE of between about
>>>> $18,800 and $18,950, not the $19,250--yet two different dealer's
>>>> today both stated the invoice as 19,250 ($300 to $450 more than
>>>> Edmunds). Somebody's messing with the invoice figures?? Could
>>>> it be Edmunds or the 2 dealers? [chuckle]
>>>
>>> I don't think Edmunds includes Toyota Dealer Advertising Association fees,
>>> which would account for the price difference.

>>
>>This whole thing is bloody bullshit. Can you imagine buying ANY kind of
>>appliance, for example, with an
>>advertising charge tacked on to the invoice price?
>>
>>

> Christ yes...next they'll be charging a storage fee for the time
>the car sat on their lot for God's sake.


Of course the consumer pays for showrooming the car. Dealers separate
out other charges because most consumers will bite. There is almost
no business or economics education given in high schools, and only
about a quarter of Americans go to college. Of that quarter, the
liberal arts majors won't be exposed to them and a lot of the science
majors - engineering types and even pre-med students - will learn just
enough to get by.

No business wants to compete on price. By hiding the real,
out-the-door prices, they can get folks into their showrooms by
advertising a killer price, then adding on overhead costs as separate
line items. The participants on this NG are savvy enough to
understand that the out-the-door price is the only thing that matters,
but we are a minority of the buying public.

We really need to get some economics education into our high schools.
Please keep track of what your schools are teaching.

Jim
Norfolk, VA

P.S. - Now the hotels are doing it. Energy surcharges, telephone
access fees, aven an occasional charge for newspapers and safe access.
 
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