What price shenanigans have you seen dealerships do?

[Blue Ridge]

I almost bought a Gladiator today. Found nearly the exact Willys build I've been looking for a 7 hour drive away. Price seemed too good to be true and was. But it wasn't the typical pricing where you realize unless you are a handicapped military veteran who just graduated college and are a part-time firefighter you don't qualify. This one was a trick in the destination fee. It's in the MSRP, but the dealership pulled it out and then added it back at the end when I asked for hard numbers. It also mysteriously went up $1000 when quoted from their advertised price.

The price is still very fair, I just don't care for the business practice of advertising a discounted price and then padding it on the backside. To be perfectly honest, if this was on a lot in my town I'd have bought it anyway but it was enough of a difference to not take a 14 hour road trip plus time at the dealership.

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[Happiator]

I have seen the exact same trick. I called them out on it and they agreed to take it off.

 

[Blue Ridge]

That's awesome! In my case, between that and it going up a grand from the online price, I just gave up. Might sleep on it and see if they'll do something, but feel better buying something nearby anyway. If I have to bring it back to the dealership for anything, it's nice to know it's a short drive away.

 

[Johnp]

Bob Baker in Carlsbad CA https://www.bobbakerchryslerjeep.net tried the exact same thing, they added their own 1,495 destination charge to the price of their gladiators. Then tried to BS me in saying this is normal practice and a mandatory fee to add the aditional 1495 on top of the MSRP when it is clearly included in the MSRP. I told the salesman that I would refuse to work with a dealer that is straight out lying to customers and walked out. Ended up ordering new from a different dealer.

 

[CivilJeep]

That's awesome! In my case, between that and it going up a grand from the online price, I just gave up. Might sleep on it and see if they'll do something, but feel better buying something nearby anyway. If I have to bring it back to the dealership for anything, it's nice to know it's a short drive away.

I see you’re in Asheville. Check out Ross Jeep in Boone NC. I drove up there from Charlotte because they were the only dealership I could find that didn’t play games with destination fees and price addendums. Super easy to deal with, and had a great price. Honestly, I’d actually pay extra to deal with those guys again.

 

[Blue Ridge]

I've ran across a few on his lot but haven't made it up there. I have a decent relationship with a salesman for the local dealership here in Asheville or I'd go my next day off. He's burned some calories answering my questions and letting me test drive Jeeps over the last few months.

 

[Georgia Jeeper]

When I was buying mine I found a great price on one that was about 2 hours north of me, and had just about everything I was looking for. When I called them about it, the price jumped up by several thousand dollars. When I asked them why there was such a large difference in their online price vs the price they were telling me, the sales guy said that it was because I was in a different state and did not qualify for the local incentives. The price they offered me was not terrible, but I refuse to do business with dealers that play those games. I ended up buying mine 2 hours south of me at a dealer that advertised a higher price than the original, and then came down on the price. Honestly if the first dealer would have had a higher price listed online, and then came down to what they offered me, I would have probably bought from them, but it's just principle of it for me.

 

[Hootbro]

When I was buying mine I found a great price on one that was about 2 hours north of me, and had just about everything I was looking for. When I called them about it, the price jumped up by several thousand dollars. When I asked them why there was such a large difference in their online price vs the price they were telling me, the sales guy said that it was because I was in a different state and did not qualify for the local incentives. The price they offered me was not terrible, but I refuse to do business with dealers that play those games. I ended up buying mine 2 hours south of me at a dealer that advertised a higher price than the original, and then came down on the price. Honestly if the first dealer would have had a higher price listed online, and then came down to what they offered me, I would have probably bought from them, but it's just principle of it for me.

FWIW, regional incentives and buyers home/registering location can be a thing with pricing differences. The domestic makes are big on this where import makes like Toyota will give same regional incentive pricing regardless of where the buying customer is from.

The thing is most dealers will not apply anything towards the deal if the inverse was true where the buyer is coming from a region that has better incentives than the selling dealer area has.

Regional incentives are just that and geared to getting more local customers in and not out of region customers. It is not to say the dealer you where dealing with was still playing games with the pricing but it is not totally false that regional incentives and out of region buyers can have negative affect on those numbers. Most good dealers though will eat the difference within reason to make the sale.

 

[kevman65]

Adding "Destination Charge" back in is not a shenanigan, it's standard.

But the Destination Charge and Documentation & Processing fees are generally negotiable. The plate fee doesn't apply to my area, but check if that's YOUR cost at your BMV/DMV and if it's high tell them to waive it and you'll handle it.

 

[CivilJeep]

My dealer was honest with the price of my truck and honored the price we agreed on before delivery, However they charged me for the alignment after my lift ( they originally told me it would be included in the price of my lift). Then charging me a documentation/billing fee of like $500 or something. For filling out papers??!? Really?? Maybe that's the norm now?

In North Carolina, it’s not unusual to see document fees of $899. Blows my mind.

 

[Blue Ridge]

Adding "Destination Charge" back in is not a shenanigan, it's standard.

None of 3 other dealerships quoted me this way. I get that it’s a cost, but it’s literally part of the MSRP. It isn’t subtracted then added back, it’s on the base price and then added a 2nd time. My local guy said he’s seen it before, but I don’t think this is pricing standard, at least around here.
The whole thing just felt off from the start with them. And the price was still acceptable. Like Georgia Jeeper, I think I’d have bought the Jeep if the price was advertised what it came out to be and the destination fee not doubled up. Heck I still may if it’s still around when I get tired of looking. But I have a functional truck and am not in a hurry. It’s been interesting seeing the way different dealerships function. With some you start at MSRP and work down, others post them for thousands below what they will actually cost you.

 

[PastV1]

Why not order from one of the dealers here on the forum and save all the hassle? Other than the wait. ?

 

[Raton Pass]

Boerne, Texas Chrysler Jeep

Besides snake oil salesman numbers juggling...

They tried to charge me extra for a GPS locator so I could find my car if it was stolen.

Said they install them on all new cars.

Told them it was for the finance company so they could repo easily.

Also told him since it was a cash deal the loan sharks can’t have it anyway.

The salesman said he would try to get the charge removed but could not.

Never set foot there again.

Bought a few hundred miles away from a small town dealership & they delivered it right to my door for $2000. + less.

Neessen Jeep in Kingsville, Texas gets a hats off. ?

 

[Coletrickle]

Call Daniel at Gupton Motors in Springfield, TN. 6% below invoice and you can get another 2% if you have an affiliate # and finance there. If you were willing to drive 7 hours to a dealer try them. They are closer than that. I ordered on December 29th and am picking mine up this week.

 

[Joekapi]

Here in Phoenix there are quite a few dealers that add a bunch add-ons. Have seen up to $2K on one lot with all of the normal finance gotchas already equipped. And of course not listed on the site. Only when you get there. Though one did put in their fine print all of the random things they put on. But of course again not listed for the online price.

“All new cars purchased from Courtesy Jeep have Connect & Protect Tech for $699, Window Tint for $499, Lifetime Nitrogen in tires for $169.”

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