Update- So I called 2 other dealerships and mentioned that I had been offered 42,000 OTD. After being assured that they could beat it, I drove down to the closest dealership (7 miles) and long story short was told that the lowest they could go was 42,3xx (can't remember the rest.) Upon arriving I stated that I came because I called in and was told that I could get it below 42,000. After taking a test drive, we sit down and the guy shows me 43,500 even though I clearly stated that I came down there because I was told I could get it below 42,000. Over the next 30 or so minutes he walks away 3 times and comes back with lower numbers, the last being 42,3xx. I finally ask why was I told that I could get it below 42,000 OTD on the phone and now that I am here you can't make it happen. He gives me this story about how I spoke to a guy that wasn't a manager but has the same name as the main manager blah blah. After that I thanked him for his time and left. I then decided to go to the next dealership which was about 25 miles away thinking this would be better because I actually spoke to a salesman who told me he could get it below 42,000. He told me to come in the next day but I decided to just go there since I was already on that side of the city. Big mistake. The guy had already left and the salesman who I ended up talking to gave me numbers all above 42,000 and realizing that I wasn’t going to budge, brought the manager who said it wasn't possible to get it below 42,000 OTD. I said ok no problem I will come back tomorrow when the guy who I spoke to will be in. I also asked the salesman I spoke to, to please talk to the salesman that said he could get it below 42,000 so I don’t waste gas and time driving the next day. So today he calls and says he is talking to the salesman to find out about the price. Its now 1 a.m. in the morning and still no return of call from either of them lol. My GF and friend tell me to just wait they will call in a week or two, lets see what happens...
I must note that I did take my GF and friend when I went to both dealerships, IMHO take someone when you go, they will stop you from making irrational decisions and will provide much needed support.

 

ya, it is all a game. Just make sure you are in it to win!

 

My 2 cents... way too much aggravation over NOTHING. What's $300 when you're buying a $42,000 car. It's less than one percent of the price. It's a payment of $700 a month instead of $695. Just go find the nicest guy and buy it from him. Let the poor salesman make his $100 so he can take his wife to Outback. Jeesh.

 

^I don't agree with this. If someone tells you they will do something then they need to do it. That person lied to get him to go to the dealer and knew that. He figured once the guy got there he could get the sale. This is BS. Take your money elsewhere.

 

shaybly you make an excellent point, the 300 bucks is nothing in the long run, but they didn't have to lie to me as bboysteele noted. If they couldn't beat it, then they should have just said that. I'm sure that salesman are aware of how the public perceives them, shouldn't they try to not be so obvious when they lie or attempt to rip people off?...no offense to all the honest and legit sales people out there!

 

Just because $300 is a small percentage of $40k doesn't make it insignificant. $300 is $300.

These mental accounting errors are a foundation of the car industry. It's not wrong for salesman to play off of this, but consumers should be aware of it.
(read: http://www.mymoneyblog.com/archives/...-a-dollar.html)

If the $300 extra actually got you something better that'd be a different story (ie a dealership had a car in stock, cost an extra $300, but was closer to your house and offered some freebies)... but whatever you pay, you're getting the same exact product.

Good job on being patient Volant. Most people I know would've succumbed to the excitement of a shiny new car.

 

Dont be emotional. Look at it as a business decision (IMHO it is a business decison). Would you deal with someone who lies to you ? I would not. Plenty of other dealers who deal fair. Ive bought 4 out of the last 5 cars out of state because of the RIPOFF dealers here in south Florida. Got to break in the car and enjoyed the nice long drive to boot.

 

Volant007,

If I were you, I'd cover all of Florida to look for invoice pricing. Then go out of state when all the resources have been exhausted. Traveling to each dealership can be physically demanding.

Also, if someone here could give Volant007 a referral where they got the invoice deal, that would help greatly!