re: Warning letters sent: FTC Warns 97 Auto Dealership Groups About Deceptive Pricing

i just dealt with this yesterday with autos of dallas. used jeep, price was advertised 29k on their website and on the sticker. then she sends me the quote and it has dealer installed options for another 5k. i say no upsells and she responds it’s already installed. whatever

I walked on a truck a few years ago when they tried to add an $800 administrative fee right when it was time to sign. Wasted several hours of tested driving and paperwork but frick them for that bs

If only Congress could pass a law banning state laws that protect dealerships. Level the playing field.

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I walked on a truck a few years ago when they tried to add an $800 administrative fee right when it was time to sign. Wasted several hours of tested driving and paperwork but frick them for that bs

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Yea, I got lucky and they agreed to the price I was told on the phone.

Any extra bullshite and I’m walking.

People that sit and haggle in those situations are wasting their time.

The minute they try to shaft you, walk out.

Hell yeah. Can we frick realtors next? This is the winning I can get behind.

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I should have known you wouldn't tolerate such behavior in your State.

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Hell no… we have Sonic’s all over the state- I’d go hire a bunch of burly fellas to check knuckles on devious dealers!

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I know someone that spent 9 hours at a dealer recently. Absolutely a waste of time. I’ll probably never buy new again until I can order one online and go pick it up.

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Yep. That is one of the dirty tricks they use to get the potential buyer to finally break down, give up and pay their BS prices.

Put 'em on a time limit, say 5 minutes. If they don't come back within that limit, walk out the door. Most of the time they are going to come out in the parking lot and give a better price.

I have been around and in dealerships a long time, so I have seen a few things.

A few tips:

Always negotiate over the phone and/or e-mail. Make sure you get a detailed price quote with all fees listed on e-mail or text. NEVER agree to a 'verbal' price. GET IT WRITING.

The first question a salesperson is going to ask is 'What is the monthly payment you are looking for?'
NEVER answer that question. Always respond with something like, 'I have an amount in mind BUT I need the BOTTOM LINE price with all fees listed in WRITING', aka the Out-The-Door price.

Never announce you are paying with cash. Sales and F&I folks are trained for that and once they know this, they become less willing to negotiate on price.
Here is why: Dealers make a ton of $$ on financing a vehicle. They have a 'mark-up' on the interest rate they offer you.
So get an interest rate quote from your bank/credit union and see if they can beat that rate. Most of the time, they can't/won't.
And make sure there is not an EARLY payoff penalty in the contract.

Always negotiate the BOTTOM LINE or Out-Door-Price with all fees listed in writing BEFORE anything else is agreed upon.. Never agree to a 'verbal' agreement.

NEVER sign an arbitration agreement. You lose any legal recourse if something goes wrong or you purchase a lemon.
If they counter(and they will) with something like 'Well, its mandatory that you sign it' ask them to show you where it is required. LOL. They cant because an arbitration agreement is NOT REQUIRED.
If they won't agree to waiving the agreement, GET UP AND WALK OUT THE DOOR.

The F&I office is where the dealerships make the big $$$.
Educate yourself...extended warranties, GAP insurance, nitrogen filled tires, key replacement insurance, fabric protection, VIN etching... are pretty much useless.

When I bought my first vehicle by myself, I was a fresh-faced young man right out of college working my first real job.

I went to Bryan Chevrolet on Airline to look at Silverados. Not only did they try and sell me a truck over sticker price, they tried to force me into some program vehicle I didn't want.

The salesman treated me like I was retard. I eventually had enough and got up to leave.

As I was walking towards the door, the salesman started yelling "You see that kid there? He doesn't know what a good deal is. But he'll find out. He'll be back to buy that truck because its a great deal!" Everyone in the dealership was staring at me as I walked out the door.

I drove straight to Best Chevrolet, and told the salesman what I wanted and what I was willing to pay. We negotiated back and forth until he stopped me and said "Sir, what will it take for you to purchase this vehicle today?" I paid the price I wanted and got a free spray in bedliner out of the deal.

frick Bryan Chevrolet. I'm glad they went out of business.

Car dealerships have the second largest lobby in the country, probably largest at the state/local level.
Nothing will change