I'm looking to get the best deal and also to be the least intrusive. I also want to make the purchase as convenient for me without having to travel too far. The reason I'm posting is because a very interesting situation has developed. Although I do have a bit of a "gut instinct" on this, I'd like to get your perspective. So here's the story:

A few months ago, I negotiated to the exact car that I wanted and have the deal at slightly over invoice pricing on an *ordered* car. The reason I got such a great deal was because of a connection. The car is expected to be delivered in March/April.

I went to an out-of-state dealership because my local dealer wouldn't budge on the price. He said he'd only give me a $1000 discount from MSRP. This was back in 2007.

And now, the local dealer has a car with the options I wanted except they also have the nav/camera package. Being Athens Blue, I also went to take a look at the color and it's awesome! So I know I made the correct choice. But now, the dilemma - a bit.

My local dealer contacted me and was wondering when I'd be buying. I emailed my local dealer and mentioned to him that I got a car from another dealer at slightly above invoice pricing. Basically, after telling him this, he seems more willing to "play ball" on top of the fact that they have more G37 inventory. He is now asking for the name/number of the dealership who ordered this car for me and is looking to bring this exact car here.

So my issues are as such:

1. I'm hesitant to give him the name/number because I made the deal with the out of state dealership long ago.
2. If I do give him the number, would this step on the toes of the out-of-state dealer? The out-of-state dealer was the first to offer such a great price. Also, I'm guessing they'd try to do a dealer trade.
3. Instead of the dealer trade, I was thinking if I could get the local dealer to go invoice with the car they currently have, I would do business with them, but only if it's offered at that price. Then my ordered car wouldn't matter because I'm sure someone else would buy it anyway in a larger metro area.

So any thoughts?

 

Hmm, I would give your local dealer the info IF he is able to give you a better offer. Otherwise, I'd stick with the original.
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Tough call to be sure.

I would call the dealer you ordered from and see what his take on it is. Would they be willing to take the car in and sell it, releasing you from your commitment?

Do they know of any options around dealer trade or taking delivery locally?

Once you have a sense of their take, see what the local guys are willing to do.

I personally feel a sense of loyalty to outfits that work with me. My local dealer did right by me and I feel that I need to do right by them.

My .02

 

In my opinion, you should go with the dealer with the best price. It seems that would probably be your local dealer. Also buying locally might allow you to form a better rapport with them for future deals etc. Remember buying a car is all about you...not them.

 

Also buying locally will help out with warranty issues when you need to go get something checked out. You bought the car from them so they normally are a bit more helpful.

 

Not true at all. All dealers want warranty work because they get a flat rate from the factory and they typically can do the work faster.

Won't matter or make a diff. where you bought.

 

Just from experiences me and my family have had in the past, (though the dealers might have just been crap from the start) we used to have a Dodge Caravan which we bought out of state, and the dealer near our house was always a pain in the *** to deal with when it came to warranty work. As for our new Lexus, no problems yet but the free maintanance could not have been easier to schedule. They were busy as hell, and we dropped by without an appointment on a sunday, we talked to our salesman, and he got us in and out in 45 mins. Good stuff. Then again that was a dodge and this is a lexus who are reputed for their customer service.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

I don't think an Infiniti dealer is willing to risk their reputation on shoddy warranty work, or any kind of shoddy work on a car bought out of state.

So I emailed the local dealer and gave him pricing particulars to see what he can come up with on a deal on the car in his lot. I didn't want to give him info on the original dealer since it wouldn't be in the OD's best interest anyway.

I'd like to see who can come up with the best deal. Stay tuned.

 

I got an email back and apparently, the local dealer is willing to deal by offering the car they have for $1000 over invoice. That's also an additional $2000 for the nav package to my original purchase price from the first dealer.

He also said the following:
And according to the policy on Infiniti's website:

There's no other stipulations saying that I have to buy the car at a certain dealership to get a loaner vehicle.

Thoughts please?

 

He can say what he wants but, every Infiniti dealer has to fix warranty problems regardless of where the car came from, they also have to supply a loaner for warranty related repairs, as long as you make an appointment.

He sounds like a typical car dealer located in a market where there's no local competition, he doesn't have to sell at invoice, but there are (as you know) other dealers that are a bit hungrier for the sale.
Is he going to turn you down for a loaner when you call for an oil change?
He won't even know you've called the service department, but the service manager. who's watching his numbers and customer feedback, will certainly welcome you.
You have him where you want him, you already have a car, ordered just the way you want it, due in the next 30 days or so.
Tell him you'll take it for invoice (or whatever you feel comfortable paying above that), or no deal.

 

^I agree.

DO IIIIIITT
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Tons of dealers are willing to sell for invoice, $1000 over invoice is hardly a deal now.

 

I was wondering when you'd see this thread, gbest03!

I do find some of the tactics that were used were pretty lame. (My wife said he was only doing what the manager was telling him to do.) Anyone doing research would find out the policy for ownership and warranty work.

And I agree, $1000 over invoice is hardly a deal. In an area like Maine, there really is no competition until you hit another state.

I kind of knew in my gut that invoice would be the way to go..heck, even under invoice (with the local dealer) in this case because I got such a good deal with the first dealer. If anything, cars with nav reduces the resale value. (Local dealer said it raises it.) And because of that, I still don't feel comfortable paying an extra $2k on a nav system that may become obsolete after 3 years.

So when all is said an done, it really wasn't worth going local, although it was quite fun.

I know I can get invoice or under..but you guys still want me to go ahead and play this?

 

You could still play this to your advantage.
Attempt to get the local guy down to invoice, if he bites, contact the original dealer and explain your dilemma, the local guy has a car now, at invoice, what oh what should I do???

 

Haha yes. I want to see what your local dealer will do next.
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