Dealer Gouging?

[viper258]

When I first saw the certificate program, there wasn't any pricing on the SRT-10. The very day I received the certificate, I went to our local Dodge dealer and placed a 5k deposit (on good faith) that neither DC or the dealer would gouge me.

Well, my car is now on the dealer's showroom floor and they want to give me 3,300 off MSRP. He even told me another dealer offered him over MSRP for the car.

I told the salesman that 80k (base) is too much and most other Viper club members are getting their cars for around 1000 over factory invoice. He went to the GM and they took another $300 off (for a grand total of 3300 off sticker price).

Now maybe I'm way off base here, but what was the certificate program for anyway? The dealer wouldn't have the car there if it weren't for my order and what they then can sell it for any price? Please help!

 

[SERPENT INDIANA]

I guess in short, you should have got a committment in writing before ordering the car there, other dealers ARE selling cheaper.......but, on the other hand, the car is still well below MSRP and lots of people felt lucky to get one at that, and still others are willing to pay MSRP plus a hefty premium....the car is in your neighborhood, no shipping charges, I wouldn't complain alot, it is still a pretty good deal and the cars are well worth the price of admission.....I am still amazed EVERYONE doesn't deal with Woodhouse and avoid these surprises !!! Bargain a little more, buy it and never look back....just smile !!!! And remember this dealer when you need your next new Chrysler product.....drive right by.....

 

[Janni]

Sorry for your frustration, however, even though MSRP or invoice actual $$$ were not available atthe time you ordered, there would have been nothing stopping you fromusing these recognized amounts as a baseline - i.e. "I agree to buy said car for $1000 over dealer invoice" etc. Leaving it open and trusting that you wouldn't get gouged was a huge risk - especially at most dealers, where they change salepeople and managers as fast as most people change their cats litterboxes (reference appropriate...)

Now, they see that they have a valuable commodity and the fact that YOU are the only reason they have it makes no difference. They see the chance to make a LOT of money.

What does your buyers agreement say???? I would think that since you gave them $5K you would have put something in writing? If not, it's unfortunate, but once they car is at the stealership (

), it's theirs and you have very little recourse without some sort of contract.

Good luck and hope this works out - and actually $3300 off isn't all that bad - there is not a lot of markup inthese cars to begin with...

 

[Craig 201 MPH]

Yeah, $3300 off isn't that bad a deal. Not being bound by any sort of written contract they could pretty much charge you whatever they wanted if they were crooks. They're in business to make $$$, they gotta eat too.

 

[viper258]

I hear ya Serpent Indiana!! Best part is I buy pickup trucks from these people. I guess I thought they would give me the same markup they did on the trucks. Apparently some people DO just live for today. P.S. I didn't know of Woodhouse a year ago...do now!

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Sorry but that is what happens when you trust the dealer to be fair in your eyes. The deal needed to be defined before the deposit was made. The fact that you are a repeat buyer shows the arrogance of the dealership GM, or he may not know you are a repeat buyer?

The cert. program was a Fantastic Gift to the Viper Nation. This Dealer is an example of why the cert. program should continue and buyers should work with their VCA officers for advice on purchase agreements.

Go to an attorney to determine your legal position considering the Cert program. I think the dealer is obligated to sell the SRT10 to you at some price TBD? How your state law applies or addresses the cert. is the question. the fact they offered 3k off MSRP seems to show that the dealer acknowledges special consideration may give you a position to argue legally.

Knowing you legal position talk with the owner not the GM and suggest that they sell the car at 1k over invoice and you will continue to be a happy repeat customer.

Or they can lose your future business and the SRT10 with your name on it will turn into legal action. Which, based on your attorney's advice.

Good luck and Keep us advised.

 

[SERPENT INDIANA]

A local dealer pulled this crap on a couple of friends of mine 3 years ago over some Prowlers....wanted to **** the guys....well, the Prowlers ended up going to the auction, and these two individuals took their business to another dealer....already has cost the dealer at least 14 new sales since from these 2 families.....sometimes it is better to take a bullet for a good customer to get that repeat business.....Get the last laugh out of this.......go in prepared to pay their price.....then let them know how many vehicles you have bought from them in the last 5 years, AND how many you would have bought from them in the next 5 years.....if they don't break then, just pay for the car and explain to them why you will NEVER be back.......and how many potential sales and thousands this Viper deal just cost them....and of course you will tell your friends, family and everyone in the Viper Nation.....BUT, do this only after you have the keys in your hand......

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

Name names, those of us in Maryland need to know which dealer this is. There is a STRONG VCA presence here and you might find that some of us have a relationship with this dealer that could help you. We can't help if we don't know who it is.

 

[viper258]

Lee, It is Heritage Dodge, Westminster, Maryland. They are part of the Heritage Group with many locations. I'll probably belly up the (whatever they want) this afternoon, take my "marbles" and go home.

Honestly, the few extra thousand dollars is not a biggy...I have no intention of flipping anything...just wanted to be treated fairly...it's my own fault. I'll never see the inside of this dealership again and that will be their fault. And yes, I will relay this transaction to EVERYONE I know.

Thank You, viper258

 

[Geoff Green]

$76,000 after gas guzzler tax seems fair enough.

 

[Viperfreak2]

My original deal at a NON Woodhouse stealership was similar to yours. I put $5000 non-refundable down and agreed to pay $5000 over LIST price!!! In return I would get the second car this dealership received. Please remember before you start calling me a fool, this was in May 2001. The only info we had was the auto show pictures and the short write up in Viper magazine. Anyway, after I got the certificate, I had the power. I told them I WOULD NOT give it to them unless they sent my deposit back. They did, and I got a car from Woodhouse. The only way I found out about this is.....here. By the way, back in '99 I got a poor deal from a poor dealership in Atlanta. Never again for either of these 'salesmen'.

 

[Janni]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Geoff Green:
$76,000 after gas guzzler tax seems fair enough.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Huh? Invoice on our car was $76,539 including gas guzzler.

What they are offering is $3300 off of MSRP which MSRP is $83,795 - so, even though I am not good at math... it appears that would be $80,495... still not too bad a deal...

Hope it works out for you, viper258....

 

[Geoff Green]

Even though I majored in math in college, I typed in the wrong number and tried to edit the post. I was not allowed to do that so I let it stand. It said that I did not complete all of the required form fields and that only registered users may edit there posts. They recognize me when I post, because my name has been preprinted. Why couldn't I edit my post?

 

[viper258]

Y2K Thanks for the information. I tried to reply and it said you weren't a registered whatever? Anyway, I picked up the SRT yesterday (silver #376) for 84 on the street. They know I'm finished dealing with them and who cares...not me; the Viper was a pleasure to drive home to meet his brothers and sisters. His favorite was the 68 Hemi GTX. Tommorrow is another day! Take Care Everyone. TomA. (viper258)

 

[SRT10]

Any chance you could post a picture of the SRT with its brothers and sisters?

 

[viper258]

SRT-10, Give my a day or so...First, I need to buy a digital camera, I'm a little behind the times with photography! There's a bunch of them. They will be individual shots since there is snow on the ground. Thanks for asking.

 

[Big Medicine]

http://www.ooley-blackburn.com/details.asp?DB_ID=1475

plus 6% tax

 

[Jerry Dobson]

Here in KC, Invoice -$500.....SRT=$76k Why? There is still a $1500 holdback on the cars.

Invoice=The price the buyer sees, never the true cost of the car.

 

[CMG]

According to DC they can do nothing about or to a dealer that gouges or reneges on a contract.

I have a signed and dated copy of the reservation certificate, "I agree to sell/purchase a 2003 model year Viper SRT-10 pursuant to the terms and conditions on the attached Buyer's Order." showing the deposit, date 1/22/02, with dealer's signature, our signature and the reservation number. The Buyer's Order clearly states the price and is signed by the dealer.

Went to pick up the car today and the new dealership managerment says, "New owner will not honor this deal."

Sue to get someone with whom you no longer wish to do business to honor a valid contract? Why bother, you'll lose twice.

DC all but said, tough luck.

It's the right car, but is it the right company?

 

[treynor]

&gt; Sue to get someone with whom you no longer wish to do business to honor a valid contract? Why bother, you'll lose twice.

Actually, there's a well-known case analagous to this back when the Corvette ZR-1 was first announced. A fellow got a contract to buy one at MSRP; when it arrived, the dealer refused to honor the agreement. He took them to court and WON, and got his car.

Have you spoken with a lawyer yet? This seems to be a fairly straightforward contract case; if the dealer won't honor their contractual obligation, you should have no problem collecting on it. If you can prove it was done in bad faith, depending on the state, you may be eligible for treble damages.

 

[RS27J9A]

Jerry for clarity the Dealer Invoice price is $1,500 above the actual cost of the car to the dealer due to a 'hold back'?
Is this an amount paid by DC on cars sold by the dealer during the year? I assume it would vary with models.

 

[Russ Oasis]

This case would rest on whether the new owner of the dealership assumed the contractual liabilities of the old owner. My guess is that he wanted the future sales, so he did. I would start by complaining to the Better Business Bureau (they hate that). I'd then sue the guy. It only costs a little to sue them and the hassle factor is much greater than the extra money he would make.

 

[RS27J9A]

There are people in DC who care and will do something about it.Pleas see similar post regarding another dealer for my full comments. I cannot accept that a corporation like DC would let a dealer underscore the company's integrity and image for the few dollars that the dealer will make.
I would have started with Darryl Jackson and make it his problem.
Do not accept no for answer.