91vert

I'm having a little "problem" with the dealership I have ordered my car from and I was wondering if any of you had the same concern.

Here's the scoop......
When I ordered the car, I was given a "Retail Buyers Worksheet" from my dealership that had my general demographic data on top, the specifics on the car (color, tranny, option package) in the middle of the form, and the price listed at $31,100 minus my $500 deposit - plus a Consumer Services Fee of $189 (whatever the hell that is) - leaving the final price at $30,789. They had me sign the bottom of the form and write my e-mail address on it. They made a photocopy of it even though it was a 3-part NCR form, gave me the copy, and I left.

In all of my excitement about getting the car ordered, I did not notice that they did not sign this form until a few weeks afterwards when I looked at it again. Seems kind of stupid I know....but I didn't really think about or worry about it. I wasn't concerned until I read some post about some Nissan customers that ordered 350ZX's, at what was supposed to be MSRP, then the car showed up and the dealership told them they would have to buy it at a price way above MSRP.

I freaked at this point and thought to myself..."I have no signed document of any kind from them that locks me in at the price listed on this worksheet, and I'll be damned if they are screwing me over once the car arrives". I went over to the dealership a few days later and talked to the guy I'm dealing with on the car, more-or-less demanding something in writing from them that "locks me in" at MSRP. He told me that they would not write up any final documents to that regard until the car arrives and I decide to take delivery. I asked him why, and he said "we just don't do that". Of course I immediately asked to speak to the sales manager, and he conveniently was not there that day. He verbally assured me over and over that this was the price of the car and that they were not selling the car for over MSRP once it arrived. Sorry.....but I don't trust car dealers AT ALL and I want something in writing dammit!

I have been inclined to go talk to the sales manager, but don't want to come across as being a difficult customer for no reason if this really isn't something legitimate to be concerned about.

So....what I'm wondering is (before I go scream at the sales manager) did you guys get something from your dealer when you ordered that they have signed that locks your agreed upon price in?

Am I getting paranoid over nothing?

Should I write Mazda about this if I get no satisfaction from the sales manager? Can they even do anything? Are all of the procedures, forms they use, and policies dealerships follow totally out of the control of Mazda?

What I can't understand is why they won't do this for me...or any of their other customers for that matter. If I am uneasy about it, and they can verbally assure me that the price is set at MSRP, then why the hell won't they put it in writing for me?

This is making me very nervous.....and pissed off.

Let me know what paperwork you guys have gotten and your thoughts on this.

saejin

Try to get them to quote you an "Out the Door Price", which basically includes the following:
Vehicle Price + Tax + Tags + Additional Fees

Tell them you need this for your bank so you can start the loan process. They'll usually put these numbers down on a purchase order, which the bank uses for loan purposes. The vehicle's Vin # is on it as well as your info, plus the dealer signs it.

Right now all I have from my salesperson is an email quoting me the price of the vehicle. When I gave my deposit via credit card, she wanted me to state the following: "I authorize the charge of $500 deposit for the Winning Blue RX-8/MT/Sport Pkg for the price of $27,500 + Tax + Tags + $594 dealer fee."
she wanted me to do this, so the numbers don't get changed later. I'm confident I won't get screwed when car arrives. Plus I'm still going to negotiate on that damn dealer fee.

Usually a verbal agreement is good, but if you need something in writing there's no reason the dealer can't give it to you. They should have signed your deposit paperwork. When you placed a deposit, it wasn't just for the right to buy the car, the selling price of the car should be included.

Oh yeah, to answer your question - Give the sales manager a call directly. Just explain the situation and I'm sure he'll do everything he can to help you out.

gazita123

I got the same worksheet as you described, but the sales manager signed it as well, so I'm pretty comfortable that it is solid.

BillK

Fact is, if they want to hose you, they will.

If you have a signed "worksheet" that is likely in no way a binding contract (not unless there is a page of legalese on the back outlining under what circumstances you and they may void the contract.)

If you don't, do you really want to buy a car from a dealer that would do that to you in the first place?

So, don't worry about it, don't lose sleep over it and just wait to see what happens when your car comes in. I know you're anxious, but these aren't Ferrari Enzos, so it's not like you won't be able to order one from another dealer if this one shafts you...

91vert

Nobody else wants to share what they got from their dealership?

I really don't want to back out of the deal at this point and then have to wait another 6-8 months just to get my car by ordering it from another dealership. What's to say some other dealership is not going to shaft me just like this one could?

Anybody know if it is possible to "move" your order from one dealership to another if your vehicle is already in production? I'm doubting it......

RotorGeek

I got the same work order. I had them write "Refundable deposit and Sale for MSRP No mark up" and they signed it. I feel comfortible with it.

zoom44

oh that would be nice! is that possible?

BillK

I would suspect definitely not.

Remember that cars are actually sold to the dealers by Mazda, not directly to end owners.

Couple this with the issue of allocation and things become even more complex.

(All dealers receive an allocation of cars. That means if you are a low volume dealer you may not even get to place three orders. For example, a smaller Mazda dealer near me is getting three RX-8s, and aren't going to get another shipment until after January 1, 2004. Meanwhile, the large dealer in the area will get three 8s in each of the order allotments known to date...)

devMan

how is it that everyone gets hit with such high dealer fees?

i ordered in Indy and only had a $60 doc fee + 6% tax.

the only issue i have had with my dealer is that i know more about the car than he does,
and he did not properly preorder my car. he just modified a dealer order and printed his order screen.

he typed a work order and sent me a faxed copy
signed by the SM and showed everything on the receipt.

it was almost toooooo eeassy!!!!:D

BillK

It's largely additional profit.

Most dealers around here (Colorado) have signs prominently placed saying that a "non-negotiable" dealer prep fee of $300 - $600 (depending on the dealer) will be added to the price of any car sold...