[VApeople]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Personally, I don't see how a dealer can compete with Car Max and Carvana.

Because a dealer can sell new cars.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Yes, $1000.




Yes, a statement that they will deliver the car and we will pay a specific amount for the car.



Usually we buy a car that is sitting at the dealership. In 1988, we had to order a car, but everything went smoothly.

I hope you get the car you ordered and everything goes smoothly.

I mentioned the deposit thing to warn others because I have two friends who put deposits on cars and they were forced to buy a car that they didn't want because the dealer refused to refund the deposit. In one case, a salesperson in Ocala said the Mazda my friend wanted was in Orlando and was to be brought to Ocala in 2 days. Personally, I don't think the car even existed because the price was great, but they didn't give her a VIN number. She ended up buying a 4 year old car when she wanted a new car. In the other case, a friend bought a new Camry but, because he wanted a sunroof, the dealer said it would take a week to get it. Six weeks later, they delivered another Camry without a sunroof, but the dealer said they had applied fabric protector and rustproofing, which made the car equivalent to the one he ordered. To me, these are horror stories but true.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Aces4

A family member has vehicles through Carvana and recommends them.

I went to Carvana and one other online buyer when I purchased my last two cars, both Buick Enclaves. One at Phillips, the other at Brookville Buick. Both dealers gave me more for my used car than Carvana or the other one. So I not only go a little more for my trade I saved on the sales tax. The dealers know about these online deals and they realize that in some cases they are going to have to do better. By the way, when I initially get a price on a new car I tell them there will be no trade so that when I do tell them at the next visit I'm going to have a trade they aren't going to pad the deal.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by alfalfa

I haven't purchased a car in over 20 years; so I'm not sure which fees, if any, are negotiable. For instance, a dealer lists (in the fine print) a pre-delivery service fee of $1,298, a tag agency fee of $189, and an electronic registration filing fee of $598 for a total of $2,085.

That seems to be a little steep. Are any of these fees negotiable? Or, are they carved in granite?

Reply to the thread or PM me at alfalfa.

Almost 100 replies..........hopefully there are some answers for you.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Danube

You haven't heard it because it's not true. Some people think they know everything.

CarMax is fine. If you don't like the deal, walk.

You're arguing a point he never made. He said his deals with Carmax were fine...

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I hope you get the car you ordered and everything goes smoothly.

I mentioned the deposit thing to warn others because I have two friends who put deposits on cars and they were forced to buy a car that they didn't want because the dealer refused to refund the deposit. In one case, a salesperson in Ocala said the Mazda my friend wanted was in Orlando and was to be brought to Ocala in 2 days. Personally, I don't think the car even existed because the price was great, but they didn't give her a VIN number. She ended up buying a 4 year old car when she wanted a new car. In the other case, a friend bought a new Camry but, because he wanted a sunroof, the dealer said it would take a week to get it. Six weeks later, they delivered another Camry without a sunroof, but the dealer said they had applied fabric protector and rustproofing, which made the car equivalent to the one he ordered. To me, these are horror stories but true.

Neither of those stories make a lick of sense. If true, they would both violate Florida Law. Someone walked into a Mazda dealership to buy a new car ... & bought a 4 year old car, because she was afraid she was going to lose a piddling deposit? That defies logic and common sense.

I can't believe there's a New Car Franchised Dealer in the United States, who would refuse to return a deposit, unless it was an extremely unusual situation.

Toyota dealerships are among the most profitable of all manufacturers. Refusing to return a deposit and risking a negative CSI return, is something that no Toyota dealer would ever do. The franchise is too valuable and negative CSI returns cost significant money.

If either of those stories happened, it had to be 30 years ago, in a parallel universe.

[biker1]

I received quotes from Carmax and Carvana. The Tesla offer was higher. I could have tried to sell privately, as I have numerous times in the past, but I didn't want to bother.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I would never trade in a car with a dealer. The only thing you save is a small amount on the sales tax, but the dealer will try to rip you off on the trade. I think you can get a better deal by selling it to Car Max, Carvana, or to a private party. A friend recently sold an old car to Carvana. It took about 10 minutes to get a price online, they picked it up the next day, and provided a check. I once sold a car to Car Max. They inspected the car and gave me a written offer that was good for 7 days. I delivered the car a few days later and they handed me a check. Personally, I don't see how a dealer can compete with Car Max and Carvana.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by biker1

I received quotes from Carmax and Carvana. The Tesla offer was higher. I could have tried to sell privately, as I have numerous times in the past, but I didn't want to bother.

I should clarify that I don't sell or trade cars that are late model vehicles with a huge value. If I had a car like that, I wouldn't be buying a new car. I think there is a difference between trading a late model car and a worn out vehicle that may be worth a few thousand dollars.

[biker1]

What you do or don't do doesn't impact me in any way. I needed to sell a car and took the path that provided the best value to me after considering the options. Also, I was responding to a post asking for experiences with trading-in with Tesla.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I should clarify that I don't sell or trade cars that are late model vehicles with a huge value. If I had a car like that, I wouldn't be buying a new car. I think there is a difference between trading a late model car and a worn out vehicle that may be worth a few thousand dollars.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Neither of those stories make a lick of sense. If true, they would both violate Florida Law. Someone walked into a Mazda dealership to buy a new car ... & bought a 4 year old car, because she was afraid she was going to lose a piddling deposit? That defies logic and common sense.

I can't believe there's a New Car Franchised Dealer in the United States, who would refuse to return a deposit, unless it was an extremely unusual situation.

Toyota dealerships are among the most profitable of all manufacturers. Refusing to return a deposit and risking a negative CSI return, is something that no Toyota dealer would ever do. The franchise is too valuable and negative CSI returns cost significant money.

If either of those stories happened, it had to be 30 years ago, in a parallel universe.

My posts are factual and accurate. If I make a mistake, I acknowledge it and I correct it. I have no reason to make stuff up.

[alfalfa]

Thanks to all who replied to my post. I was able to garner lots of good information and useful suggestions.

[alfalfa]

Thanks

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

I went to Carvana and one other online buyer when I purchased my last two cars, both Buick Enclaves. One at Phillips, the other at Brookville Buick. Both dealers gave me more for my used car than Carvana or the other one. So I not only go a little more for my trade I saved on the sales tax. The dealers know about these online deals and they realize that in some cases they are going to have to do better. By the way, when I initially get a price on a new car I tell them there will be no trade so that when I do tell them at the next visit I'm going to have a trade they aren't going to pad the deal.

Yeah, the person of which I spoke had newer cars and desirable models. Carvana drove right into the yard loaded the car each time he sold one and it was done. Price received was excellent.

[Joecooool418]

If you're really worried about it, go become a Costco member and buy the car through them. They seem to have a pretty good reputation and you don't have to deal with all the other BS.

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[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Joecooool418

If you're really worried about it, go become a Costco member and buy the car through them. They seem to have a pretty good reputation and you don't have to deal with all the other BS.

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I tried. See Post No. 57.