2010es350

Im looking to purchase a new Lexus and called the local dealer . He gave me a number, I told him that I will look around for better rates. Later, I found another out of town dealer with $2000 less than the first offer. I called the local dealer and asked him if he can meet or beat this deal... He told me he can't and asked me where I'm getting this price.

Few minutes later, the other dealership called me and told me that they can't sell me the car caz they received a call from a regional manager not to sell car to me and I should just buy from the local dealer.


I'm pissed like ****... Screw this **** .. I'm thinking about writing a letter to US Lexus director for this monopoly.

sailakfan

I too had the same experience and I am in Dallas/Fort Worth area and they would never budge. So last week I found the best deal so far and never disclosed the second dealership to anyone and bought a new RX 350 2012 for almost $6300 off MSRP. Good luck hunting

2010es350

Do u mind sharing the info of the dealership where you bought the car from? Do u have name of the salesman u had?

imherenow

ya you should tell us the dealership and salesperson. so next time i go i will keep this story in mind.

John U

This is a manufacturers "play" to try to protect price levels....advanced "price fixing". The public is encouraged to deal with a local dealer to build the relationship. I've never been turned away from a service writer wanting to have my car worked on because I purchased it elsewhere...Money is all the same shade of green!
I travel 7 states for work....if the locals cannot compete in the open market I have 6 other states to shop and I do. I have purchased 8 vehicles in other states and only 2 within my home state.
Harley Davidson tries this to keep consumers from shopping out of town for a cheaper price and then the local dealer complains because he has to service all these bikes purchased by the price cutter out of town. Another brand of motorcycles tried charging a dealer $250 if he sold outside his area.

overclock

There has to be laws against this. This is price fixing at its finest.

John U

No, It's called MAP. A manufacturer can set a minimum advertised price a product can be sold for. The Supreme Court agrees.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Supreme-Co...-MAP&id=627990

SW17LS

This is why you should never offer information. My response to the question "Which dealer is offering you that price?" would have been "Thats between me and the dealer, let me know if you can match the price or I'll buy it from them"...

RickC5

Precisely. You absolutely MUST play your cards close to your chest to succeed in this game that the car dealers force us to play. NEVER show your hand!

SW17LS

All kinds of things they can do to screw it up, do what they did, effectuate a trade on the vehicle out from under you, lots of stuff.

LexBob2

I agree with RickC5 and SW10ES .

Remember these guys deal with people all the time and sell cars all day everyday and know what they are doing. The dealerships are profitable.

The buyer needs to hold on to some of the cards to keep some advantage.

garsarno

And be ready to stand up and walk out if the deal is too much in their favor. You will be surprised as to how fast they will negotiate. And if they don't, reconsider an alternate brand and be sure to drive the different car to the Lexus dealership.

sailakfan

Exactly but we went to an out of state dealership and bought a brand new one for several thousand dollars less that what a Texas dealership was willing to sell it for.

garsarno

Good for you. My local dealer initially gave us $5,000 less in trade in value versus what the different websites had estimated. I stood up, told my wife that we were leaving and going to the Lexus dealership 60 miles away. My salesman told us to wait and upped the trade in value $4,500 just like that! I think they thought we would opt for the wheel / tire / dent protection package like we did for our 2007. That was a no go for them too. And we were preapproved for Lexus financing before we got there and dealt. I also think that if they got the $5,000 extra, that would have given them some leverage in making our trade in a certified vehicle. They ultimately sent it to the auction.

lgb0250

That's called "boxing" the trade. Common practice in the auto business. If the salesperson tells the customer that his trade is worth $10000 when in fact his used car manager appraised it for $15000 and gets you to agree to it, his commission is based on any profit in the new car, PLUS the $5000 he boxed you on your trade.