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Comments
I'll wait until I have the van--supposed to be this week--before I make any 'final' judgment/comments on the experience. They have offered to meet me at CT DMV for the hand-off and registration, which is the plan. So far the Bedard people have been very easy to work with.
I'll post details on pricing after I have the van.
I am getting a little irritated at this point. It looks like others have been receiving their vans. Many of them went to Bedard because I posted their name on this website. I will post my experience as soon as I get my van
I got the deal through Jay Honda in Bedford, OH. Good luck!
my zip is 08820 and costco doesn't have ody. for this zip.
I'm sure you're in touch with them, and I think the best thing is to keep asking for details--which I'd guess you're doing.
Excellent deal!!!
Sales tax in Oklahoma was $1,050 for my 05 EX-L Nav RES.
Your NY and CA folks should keep your cars for 20 years.
Negotiated price: 25k
Doc fee: $89
WI Title fee and WI taxes
Total 26,549.40
We Negotiated over the phone, the initial dealer response to 25k was 25,500. They came down to our offer the next day.
According to Consumer Reports (pay the $40 for their pricing info - it's worth it), the dealearship's invoice less their holdback is somewhere just south of $30K. Therefore, my dealership made a little more than $2K off of me - not considering what they'll make off financing. I don't find that unreasonable at all (do the math - it's in the neighborhood of 7%) even on a popular model.
No matter how the tone of my first post came across, it really didn't require an enormous amount of negotiation to get the $32K - probably about 5 mintues. Thus the reason I stated I wish I'd have said $31.5K as my final offer. John Eagle seemed to be very willing to do what was needed to gain my business. There was no "we are losing money on this deal", etc. games.
When you've got a customer wanting to give you money, I think the dealership has to weigh how much it will cost them (time, advertising, etc) to get another one in to replace the one sitting in front of them, vs. the delta they MAY make off of the next one instead of the current customer. As a result of dealing with me, John Eagle now has more revenue/profit on the books and another vehicle sold. That's what they all want in reality.
As others have noted, they had 3-4 Touring models on the lot. Maybe they are moving more slowly than some of the other trim levels. I wish it didn't have the PAX, but we'll see how that turns out in the long run. Had only one flat in over 10 years and 300,000+ miles on two vehicles. Not too worried about it really.
I started discussions via Internet and phone last week of October. Gave them $500 deposit and faxed purchase order Nov. 12 ... salesman called me back Nov. 15 to say they couldn't find the deposit slip so I gave them card no. again. They told me then that the estimated January delivery date was still on, and that they would continue to be looking around at other dealers for my model. They're supposed to call me next week to give me build date ... will let you know if they do.
And you're correct. the dealer has to weigh many factors before deciding to take a deal.
Any discussions of actual profit aside, I must say that this was the easiest vehicle purchase I've ever made (and just in case there are any skeptics out there wondering if I'm really a John Eagle salesman trying to get you in the door - I'm not - I really am a consumer with a new '05 Touring model). I was quite surprised. It's been 8 years since my prior purchase so maybe things have changed in the industry (although I doubt it as a whole). I may be mistaken, but John Eagle salesman may be salaried. This may be part of it. Of course, maybe it was easy because I paid too much
Another appreciation I have, once again, is the way Honda sells their cars. We owned a '88 Accord and now this one. I like the set trim levels with minimal/no options. Makes it a lot easier on me than the multitude of options Toyota provides. This is one of the major reasons we're not driving a '05 Sienna right now. I just didn't feel like wading through all of the different package options plus all the expensive garbage (pin striping, rust proofing, etc) that Gulf States Toyota slaps on ALL of their vehicles that's a pain to negotiate away.
Well, after shopping the market for about a month, I finally got my 2005 Odyssey EX-L... The threw in the major headaches and hassles for free!!!
I actually received the vehicle on Nov. 5th, but was on vacation and was actually waiting for the dealership to at least acknowledge my letter to both the General Manager and General Sales Manager and give them a chance to respond before I posted this message. I have yet to receive a response.
To cut to the chase, I paid just a touch above MSRP. ($30,855. to be exact) The vehicle included wheel locks, mud guards, and cargo tray. Accessories that are worth about $495. retail.
Now the agony... (This is on a Friday) I get a call from one of their internet sales managers (what is an internet sales manager anyways?, aren't they all just sales people?). Anyways, he tells me that the Ody I'm looking for, EX-L in Sagebrush/Olive (note the color), is due to arrive in a couple of days. He also tells me that he can get close to giving me what I want for my trade and for me to come in if I want to go ahead and make the deal. I reluctantly agree. Anyways, he was called home because his son was sick and I was stuck with his "partner". Fine, we go through three painful hours of negotiating and finally come to an agreement. Before I go into finance, I specifically had the guy check if the Ody due to arrive was Sagebrush/Olive. He goes away for a little bit, comes back and says, "Yes, Sagebrush/Olive. It'll be here in a couple of days".
Okay, I wait a couple of days. On Sunday, I call the dealer in the late afternoon to find out if my Ody has arrived. "Nope" was their answer. I called on Monday to ask the same thing. Neither of the salesmen were around to answer my question. I said I'll call back. I decide to be a little more patient. On Wednesday, I'm at my boiling point. I fire off an email to the original salesman. No response. Be more patient I say. Friday rolls around again and still no phone call and no email. I finally draft an email saying that I'm coming to the dealership that evening to pick up my trade and cancel the transaction. An hour later, I get an email AND a call that the Ody just arrived. I told the salesman that I already got a better deal from another dealer (fact). He was very appologetic and about not communicating better and that they would match the deal. Okay, since it's all done with the trade and if you have the Ody there, I'll go ahead and do it.
I get to the dealer that night and low and behold, it's the WRONG freakin' color!!! Idiots! Fortunately, it was a Slate Green/Grey Ody. This is lighter than the Sagebrush, but still looks like a light gray. Plus I really like the dark grey interior better than the Olive. I actually didn't realize that the color was Slate Green until I got home and held the brochure up to the car. I thought that the flourescent lights caused it to be lighter. But, the salesman didn't even say anything to me about it! After I said numerous times, "Gee, the sagebrush looks lighter than what I remembered." I said, fine. I'll take it anyways. Then I get into finance and the numbers haven't changed! Holy moly! Don't these guys communicate even with each other??? They changed the numbers on the trade, but the "manager" came in and said he can't change the sales price. At that point, i just wanted to get outta there! I said, fine. I'll pay the extra $450. just to get outta there and to reduce my headache!
One other thing you should beware is when you get into finance! I originally said, I'll put down $500. in addition to the trade. In finance, I changed my mind and said I want to put in $1500. in addition to the trade. He changes the down payment, but he also manages to change the SALES PRICE!!! When in finance, take your time. Look through all the numbers and ask questions. Take as long as you want. They will stay there all night if they had to.
I also emailed the original salesman about the color when I arrived home the night I picked up the car. Of course, he NEVER responded. What the heck was I thinking!
A couple of other little things the salesman promised and NEVER DELIVERED on was nice keychains and a cruise voucher. He promised to mail me the card for the lifetime oil change, but I only got that because I was at the dealership to get fog lamps installed and asked him for it!
I will NEVER, EVER buy another car from this place again. They will lie to you or try to scam you in one way or the other, so stay away from this place.
One more thing. They didn't have have a cover for all the manuals that come with their cars. They stuffed all this stuff in a manila envelope!!! How professional does that look?
I do love my new Odyssey though and enjoying it very much!!! The color is better than expected. I hadn't seen the Slate Green, so I was pleasantly surprised.
Good luck to everyone!
All my recent experiences buying new cars (Honda or otherwise) have been similar to yours. I decide on the numbers (new and trade) ahead of time and stick to them. If a store is going to meet them, it will happen fairly quickly. At the first sign of any runaround, I go somewhere else.
And I do agree with you that Honda's way of equipping and marketing its products is vastly superior to that of Toyota.
Wrong color? Hey, it's on the window sticker and the matter could have been settled if you took about 2 seconds to read it.
They didn't honor their price commitment? You should have ran away as fast as you could.
I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but it's not like they held a gun to your head.
At least you're happy with the vehicle and (apparently) the color. Take your revenge on the dealer when you get the survey from Honda.
I'm a native So. Calif person and I can tell you that is one brutal marketplace.
I hate stories like that but I'm not surprised at all.
Just bought an EX for 26,600. Almost $2000 below MSRP at Vandergrift Honda in Arlington. Deal straight with the internet sales team, it was fast and easy. Made the deal over the phone, gave him a deposit on a credit card, and picked it up two days later.
By the way, anyone want to buy a 2001 BMW 325i with 43K miles on it!!!! My wife loves the Honda and isn't looking back.
LATER
It is interesting that Bedard allowed you to put your deposit on CC. I was told I had to send a check for $500, that due to past practices cc's were no longer acceptable. Since we completed this transaction during the same week, I wonder why I was told this. I would have prefered to use cc.
RES as the name indicates is a dvd system for the rear seats. It does not however come with the Navigational system. You need to go with a higher trim (EX-L RES+NAV) to get the nav. This gives you an additional display screen upfront on the dash (w/ rear view camera feature). But you can't see the dvd picture on the front screen on the Odys (on Siennas you can if the car is in park).
Bought Touring No Options-Ocean Mist-
$ 500 above invoice.
Duncan Honda-Christiansburg-VA
Great People to work with!!!
Vehicle already was ordered, and coming to stock in December, so they gave me $ 500 Over Invoice. Price with shipping is $ 31643. Dealer Processing $199.
They are 5 hours away but well worth it since Hall Honda in Virginia Beach quoted with the bogus window etching, 35510 for same Van, to 31643 @ Duncan Honda and further reduction in dealer processing fees of another $100. So the savings is well worth a 5 hour drive. Almost $ 4, 000 difference.
For OdyClub Members + Edmunds Forum Members
EX no leather and Touring without options $ 500 -$ 1000 above invoice.
EXL and Touring DVD/NAV $ 1500 - $ 2000 off MSRP depending on colors, availability, etc, etc.
Hope this helps.
Internet Manger is great to work with. Sorry can’t give name.
Duncan Honda-Christiansburg-VA
Ask for Internet Manager-
But, yes, you're right. They didn't put a gun to my head. However, I had already signed the contracts the week before I actually took delivery.
I was pretty exhausted from the whole experience which is probably why I just accepted it.
The survey I receive from Honda will definitely reflect the kind of service I received from this dealership, the sales people, and their managers.
iisn't the sticker price supposed to be left on the window and not to be removed by anyone except the owner?
isn't the price of prepping already included on the sticker price?
isn't the price of prepping already included on the sticker price?
Every vehicle I've ever bought has had the sticker removed by the time I pick it up. It's usually in with the paperwork.
Prep of the vehicle is included in the price. Document prep charges are up to the dealer to determine.
$950 over invoice, $50 doc fee, no funny-business
I talked to many dealers in NY and NJ - none would come off sticker more than $500 or $1,000. In fact, my "regular" dealer wouldn't budge either. This is the place I bought my Accord and the place I've spent thousands at in maintenance and service. Some customer courtesy huh, - Mahwah Honda, they are greedy and arrogant - Don't give em your business.
Bedard got my car when they said they would and came through on everything they told me. They were also a great deal of help with the dmv, being that I was out of state, we had to register in ny before I could drive it legally - they drove me there and took care of all the details - I didn't even have to speak with anyone at DMV, their people took care of everything.
Anyway, Bedard was the most pleasant and stress free car buying experience I've ever had. These guys are true professionals and they treated me with nothing but respect. They didn't try to pressure me into the extended warranty or upsell me anything else. They even gave me a fair trade-in value for the car I was trading in. This is where most dealers try to take advantage of you, especially on a low profit deal. It's not like they weren't making any money on this deal - they made thier $950 + the dealer holdback. That equates to 3% above invoice which is a pretty good deal. They are entitled to make there share and I don't have a problem with that. But these guys right here in my own backyard are just trying to nail people. $500 off sticker, Sticker, or sticker plus? Are you kidding me?
Well, this is a great forum. If not for this forum I never would have hooked up with Bedard. Thanks to everybody for putting up there info. The more we know, the more power we have at the negotiating table. Good luck to the rest of you, and if your within a 3 or 4 hr drive of Bedard, you might want to give them a call.
I still have the window sticker for my old van, which becomes very handy at the time of getting rid of it after 9 years of driving it.