I found a 2013 Buick Encore at Jenkins Leesburg Volkswagen:
2013 Encore Leather
$16,900 Price Details
Leesburg VW Price (excl. taxes & fees)
Mileage: 43,480
OK, reasonable deal, so I dig deeper into the website:
Pay Cash - $22,921
Wow. $6,021 more. I understand taxes, registration, etc. But here's their breakdown:
Registration & Fees include $492.40 DMV fee , $999.00 documentation fee , $349.95 electronic filing fee and $2,863.00 Jenkins Value Package. Total $4704? That's not $6,021 for starters.
So I get the first three, although that documentation fee seems high. But the "Jenkins Value Package"? So I call, and I'm given the explanation of "Well, other dealers just call it mark up, but we give you something for it" Ok, like what?
"Floor mats, pinstriping, and a 130 point inspection" My response: "So you weren't inspecting your used cars before? You just took them on trade-in, and put them on the lot? I might as well buy from a private party and take my chances, at least I'll save money for the repairs". Mumble, Mumble. I say thank you and hang up.
Look, I get it. Cars are in short supply, so prices are elevated. No issue with that. What the market will bear, right?
But to advertise a price that is $4180 (value package plus the extra markup before taxes and fees) less that what you actually want to sell it for is dishonest. If your start price you want is $21,080, advertise it upfront that way. Then I can decide if I want to come out and look at it, with the knowledge that is what you want, and I'm probably going to have to pay that price if I want it.
Jenkins, the market will change at some point to more like what it was. But my memory won't change.
Here's the link to the vehicle in you want to confirm my numbers, for as long as the post is active.
Pre-Owned Buick Encore for sale in Leesburg
Hanging onto the old one a bit longer, and looking on TOTV for my next one from a private party.