Price Bait & Switch

[ScottZ06]

Put my deposit down back in May at a LARGE dealership just outside of Philadelphia for my black 2006 Z06 at STICKER. Car has been built (VIN 1G1YY26E765106458), dealer has been invoiced, should be here next Wednesday.

Yesterday, my salesperson informed me that his manager informed him there would be an additional $5000 "Market Adjustment." This is after acknowledging the agreed upon list price!

I'm waiting to hear back from the manager, who was out yesterday. I'll post his response, and the dealership name, if they don't live up to the deal that was made when the deposit was put down.

I feel this goes way beyond the "Wall of Shame" as the deal was made long before the last-minute "adjustment." Its one thing if it were sitting on the showroom floor available to anyone wishing to pay the marked up price, but a deal's a deal.

Anyone out there with similar experience or advice please let me know.

I will NOT pay any more than the agreed deal. I'll either be posting pictures of my new Z, or pictures of me standing in front of the dealership with a large, very unflattering sign!

On a more positive note, I LOVE this site! I've not posted before but have been enjoying this forum since I put my deposit down. What a great bunch!

Former Rides:
70 440+6 Blk/Blk grand Coupe 'Cuda
69 GTX Convertible
70 Super Bee
(Note the change of brand!

[allanlaw]

Is the original expected price documented?

[1baduramax]

hope you have it documented with a price. I would tell them where to go and if you dont get your money back get a lawyer and I would have plenty of calls in to GM.

[PerforminNorman]

When I write up a contract with my dealer, I make sure it is clearly noted what the price will be relative to sticker. It hasn't been an issue at all.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It doesn't surprise me one bit.

[KCMAGS]

I would leave my wife with enough cash for a bondsman & well i don't know. Stories like that just burn my ass.

[355Spider]

Show him the wall of shame and tell him he is next on the list. I think more and more people ar realizing the power of blogs and on line chat. Maybe he will reconsider.

[Jay2002WS6]

I really hope you have the agreed upon price documented. If you do - get a lawyer and take this as far as it will go.

[SIINSI]

Wow, this is making me sick and it's not even my car. I would definitely argue if you have a documented price. Read the fine print carefully and threaten getting a lawyer and getting them negative exposure.

Want me to call up pretending to be your lawyer?

Good luck.

Miguel

[Jacob]

You might also consider a local TV news spot, with a location shot showing you being interviewed in front of the dealership. Some stations will take this sort of thing on during slow periods. Also, contact the better business bureau to see if this is a regular pattern at this dealership.

The court of public opinion should not be underestimated.

Jacob

[SIINSI]

Yeah and alot of stations have that "Shame on you" sorta thing. I'd give it a try.

Miguel

[ScottZ06]

For your replies. Unfortunately, I do not have it in writing, although my salesperson does acknowlege the agreed to LIST price. When I brought this up when I made the deal, my salesperson said they weren't one of those "sleazy dealerships" who sold cars over invoice!

Apparently, this is a "new" policy. I still haven't heard back from the GM, so stay tunned. If I'm not taken care of by him, I'll be sure and point him to this board and give him one chance to reconsider!

Thank you all so much!

[bobby778]

AK47=Dealer Invoice!!

[SIINSI]

Originally Posted by bobby778

AK47=Dealer Invoice!!

[REDLYNER]

I have worked for FOX and CBS and if the dealership advertises on the news station, they won't do a story on them.

I hope this works out fo the best. Ask the salesman point blank in front of the manager if they agreed upon a sticker price. Make him lie, or make him side with you. Those are really his only two options. If he sides with you, it can only help your cause, if he lies, then you get to unleash the fury on him and the GM at the same time!

[defender]

Originally Posted by ScottZ06

For your replies. Unfortunately, I do not have it in writing, although my salesperson does acknowlege the agreed to LIST price. When I brought this up when I made the deal, my salesperson said they weren't one of those "sleazy dealerships" who sold cars over invoice!

Apparently, this is a "new" policy. I still haven't heard back from the GM, so stay tunned. If I'm not taken care of by him, I'll be sure and point him to this board and give him one chance to reconsider!

Thank you all so much!

That's why sales orders were created - and why a manager must sign off on them - then it is binding - even if a mistake (in your favor) was made. A salesman - even if well-intentioned (and I'm one of them) is always trying to write orders - especially on cars in limited supply or not released yet - banking on a fair percentage (usually about 50%) of the advance orders cancelling for any of a zillion reasons - so that he/she still has a fair share of completed transactions. I have never sold an advance order without indicating a price, or "MSRP" if we don't know it yet and then we fax the order to get signatures. Never had a price problem that way. Gotta do it in ANY transaction.