Bumper Protector? Come on!

[wobblypete]

My wife just went to the local Nissan dealership with the intention to buy a Versa SL hatch. I'm out of town on business, and just got the low-down.

She was totally given the stereotypical car dealer 'treatment'. When it finally came down to talking price, she was offered every useless add-on under the sun in order to create the appearance of "a good deal". I thought this type of shameless behaviour was on the way out amongst dealership, but I guess not. The list is probably familiar to you all:

- Special "Regional Package" of floor mats and bumper protector (and not the black rubber adhesive one, but instead a 'coating'...probably turtle wax): $300- VIN etching and tire road hazard warrant: $300.- Even if you don't want the VIN etching, it is already done, so in the case you refuse it, you still pay a $200 admin fee. The sales rep was silent when asked if one could be ordered and then not etched to get around the fee.- A $300 VISA prepaid card....seriously, does this even cost Nissan anything, or is it just a promotional tie-in ploy?

The only 'real' incentive offered was a 1% reduction in federal sales tax, which will be automatic if we wait until January 1st to buy. Needless to say, we are not impressed, and my wife walked out in a huff.

So, my question to you, is whether it is worth continuing to try to get a better deal out of this particular dealership? If so, what strategies would you use to get beyond this type of non-value added sticker inflation?

This dealership is the only one in the area, so I feel like they have a bit of a monopoly mindset. The thing is, we are in no hurry to buy, and could actually easily buy the car in a nearby major city, with dozens of Nissan dealership to choose from.

Any opinions/similar stories?

Cheers,

Pete


Modified by wobblypete at 12:58 PM 12/5/2007

[Great White Versa]

I would suggest that you write to the internet sales departments of the other dealerships. Tell them exactly what options you want and when you are hoping to buy the car. In my experience, they will give you a quote in their response. If it is too high, tell them that. They are just as eager to sell a car as the other sales people are.

Then, before you drive out call to make sure that the car is there.

[Urq]

I would go to another dealership till you find the car you want if they are unwilling to help someone else will.

Good luck they are nice cars.

[keanucosmo]

I would suggest that you write to the internet sales departments of the other dealerships. Tell them exactly what options you want and when you are hoping to buy the car. In my experience, they will give you a quote in their response. If it is too high, tell them that. They are just as eager to sell a car as the other sales people are.

Then, before you drive out call to make sure that the car is there.

I searched inventory from all dealers within 50 miles to find one with the options I wanted. Then requested quotes on a particular vin # in their inventory from 4 dealerships. I got a variety of responses ranging from they are always looking for good trade-ins, asking me a bunch of questions, not sure what I requested to they were working on a quote. I replied to each except for the last one that I was going to buy a new Versa within 2 days and wanted a detailed drive out quote on Vin # xxx. I got back quotes that left out taxes & fees. One dealer even wanted $115 over MSRP and said nothing about the current cash back incentive. The dealer that said they were working on a quote sent me a detailed quote that was $600 less than any other dealer. I called & put a deposit on my credit card then went and picked it up the next day. So out of internet quotes, 3 dealers still trying BS & 1 that was straightforward.

[Great White Versa]

So out of internet quotes, 3 dealers still trying BS & 1 that was straightforward.

But that's the beautiful thing about doing this via email. How much time did it take you to send and respond to these emails?

When I was looking for my Versa I was still considering getting a Fit or a Yaris and so I sent out emails to the each of the Honda, Nissan, and Toyota dealerships near my mom's house, my dad's house and my house (portland, KC, and Vegas) to find the right car/price. After an email or two several of the dealerships realized that I was out of their area and offered to provide hotel and other services for when I went out to buy the car. Two of them (both Toyota) had a Yaris with the options that I wanted for about $500 less than the local dealerships.

I will always buy cars through the internet departments from now on.

[jfanaselle]

I concur. What I do is go test drive the car at your closest dealership. Then give them the opportunity to sell it to you, but don't budge on what you consider to be a good deal. If they don't meet your terms, it's only fair to shop somewhere else and the best way to do that is through the web. However, I would have taken the quote back to the original dealer and given them one more opportunity to make the deal. If they refuse, then you go with the dealer that made you the quote. It's just so nice to live in this era when we can shop without even leaving our homes!

[BillyBeaneBall]

Absolutely shop around...amazing that with internet car sales people STILL don't do this enough. Here's my story...

I totalled my first Versa (long story...see the "It's about time" thread if you're interested) and wanted to buy another because I loved it and it certainly held up well in an indavertant crash test.

I emailed a different dealership than I had originally bought my first Versa from because, quite frankly, I didn't like the way they handled thier business (which should have made me look elsewhere...but I sided against my little inner voice of reason and bought th ecar anyway) I told them exactly what I wanted (Versa SL, Moonroof, Convenience, Audio) and how much I wanted to pay. Through a series of emails (about 5-8) we hammered out the price, financing etc (including incentives)...she then said they didn't have the exact one I wanted but she'd find it for me...she did and they drove it out a few days later. I went to the dealership and did the pre-prepared paperwork...being sure I read over everything. And drove off in my new car. I spent no more than 1 HOUR at the dealership.

This will probably be how I buy every car from now on. And probably from the same saleswoman if she's there when I buy a new car. I told her what I wanted (including NOT to waste my time...that's what ticked me off about the original dealership I bought from...it literally took me ALL DAY to do what I accomplished in around 2.5 hours (emailing and signing papers)

Always shop around. Always utilize every tool you can (IE the internet) and ALWAYS listen to that little voice of reason...

Oh and if you're still in doubt...post here...we'll give you straightforward advice too