upset71
02-28-2012, 08:27 PM
This story probably happens at most car dealers, however, the deception here was so blantant that I felt the need to warn others.
After shopping around and comparing makes, models and prices, we received a follow-up call from DeLuca toyota and an email with a price
of 32K + tax + tags + $594 dealer prep, for a 2012 Highlander SE i4 6 speed auto trans with msrp of $34,800.
BEWARE: Florida does NOT have the 3 day cooling off period most states have for dealer purchases.
I called back and said I wanted 0% financing and asked how would that affect his price quote, salesman said, yes, there is a 750 cashback on that deal,
but Mr Deluca was not going to lose the deal because of that, so I assumed that was the agreed to price. (Later when we got to the dealer,
salesman also commented several times that sure, why use your own money, use someone else's money, it won't cost you anything.)
To make a long story short, the finance person never explained the contract line by line and I signed it (my mistake).
After a lenghty discussion, he talked me into a pre-paid maintenance deal for $862.
After gettting home and going over line by line, I noticed the sales price was now 32,864 rather than 32K.
When I had signed it, to my confusion, there was the $862 for the maintenace and another $2 charge for something else listed in the details below the sales price,
so, in the rush of things (again that was my fault for letting that "rush" happen...I mistakenly had assumed that this $864 was INCLUDED in the 32864 price.
NOT SO, everthing was ADDED on to that price.
After calling the dealer back, they said they honored the 32K price but the addtl $$$ was the cash back that I lost due to zero financing,
excuse me, no one stated that to me as we proceeded through the process, and, why was it 32864 versus 32750,
which they have not yet explained that to me since I complained.
In short, after a brief discussion with the General Sales Manager and my salesman, they said they would call me back in a few minutes.
That was last Thursday and we have not heard a word from them since.
To close, In writing, I gave the dealer until 2/24 to make good on what I believed was their committment to a 32K price.
They did not respond, so I sent a follow-up email to the dealer stating our relationship is over stating to them that
our new vehicle will never see the site of their service dept as I will go to Phillips Toyota in Leesburg.
I researched BBB, Deluca and Phillips are not BBB accredited (I'm sure most car dealers do not apply for accredation),
however, DeLuca has several complaints registered while Phillips has had NONE.
If anyone else has had unpleasant experiences you should share them with others so they can have a better buying experience.
Take your calulator to every deal, walk away and review for 24hrs, then, if you still are good to go, go back and close deal.
PS: I took off Deluca's license plate holder and removed their label that was adhered to the rear door panel ...
(hair dryer took off, but then had to remove residual glue)
After shopping around and comparing makes, models and prices, we received a follow-up call from DeLuca toyota and an email with a price
of 32K + tax + tags + $594 dealer prep, for a 2012 Highlander SE i4 6 speed auto trans with msrp of $34,800.
BEWARE: Florida does NOT have the 3 day cooling off period most states have for dealer purchases.
I called back and said I wanted 0% financing and asked how would that affect his price quote, salesman said, yes, there is a 750 cashback on that deal,
but Mr Deluca was not going to lose the deal because of that, so I assumed that was the agreed to price. (Later when we got to the dealer,
salesman also commented several times that sure, why use your own money, use someone else's money, it won't cost you anything.)
To make a long story short, the finance person never explained the contract line by line and I signed it (my mistake).
After a lenghty discussion, he talked me into a pre-paid maintenance deal for $862.
After gettting home and going over line by line, I noticed the sales price was now 32,864 rather than 32K.
When I had signed it, to my confusion, there was the $862 for the maintenace and another $2 charge for something else listed in the details below the sales price,
so, in the rush of things (again that was my fault for letting that "rush" happen...I mistakenly had assumed that this $864 was INCLUDED in the 32864 price.
NOT SO, everthing was ADDED on to that price.
After calling the dealer back, they said they honored the 32K price but the addtl $$$ was the cash back that I lost due to zero financing,
excuse me, no one stated that to me as we proceeded through the process, and, why was it 32864 versus 32750,
which they have not yet explained that to me since I complained.
In short, after a brief discussion with the General Sales Manager and my salesman, they said they would call me back in a few minutes.
That was last Thursday and we have not heard a word from them since.
To close, In writing, I gave the dealer until 2/24 to make good on what I believed was their committment to a 32K price.
They did not respond, so I sent a follow-up email to the dealer stating our relationship is over stating to them that
our new vehicle will never see the site of their service dept as I will go to Phillips Toyota in Leesburg.
I researched BBB, Deluca and Phillips are not BBB accredited (I'm sure most car dealers do not apply for accredation),
however, DeLuca has several complaints registered while Phillips has had NONE.
If anyone else has had unpleasant experiences you should share them with others so they can have a better buying experience.
Take your calulator to every deal, walk away and review for 24hrs, then, if you still are good to go, go back and close deal.
PS: I took off Deluca's license plate holder and removed their label that was adhered to the rear door panel ...
(hair dryer took off, but then had to remove residual glue)