Tried autobytel - got mixed results since none of the dealers had exactly what I wanted. No one quoted a price on existing stock. One dealer I emailed through their site called and went over inventory on 1999 Ranger SC 4X4 - and when they had nothing close to what I wanted simply offered to order a 2000 for $100 over invoice. The net made the contact simple, let me eliminate those who didn't have what I wanted and only wanted to sell something they had in stock, and get a good deal without the normal sales banter. The invoice agrees with Edmunds and there were no "add ons" or push to buy mandatory packages. Clean and simple. I think the deals vary greatly depending on the dealership regardless of the service used.
Tried another one of these "one price' deals, autoweb, and their dealer quoted $2000 over invoice on a '99 2 door Tahoe, a vehicle that is a) the old styling and design, b) already out of production and considered a model year old, and c) a slow seller due to most people requiring four doors for families.
Needless to say, I didn't bite. $2,000 UNDER invoice would be a more realistic price to pay for this type vehicle, since it's worth about $4000 less than you'd pay the day you drive it off the lot.
Just tried Autobytel - in a lazy fashion - didn't expect anything. My local long-time Ford dealer had assured me that there were no F150 4X4 trucks available until fall in our area with the equipment that I required (unless I bought their left-over Lariet, which I was lukewarm about.) So, just did a little internet shopping on my own.
Autobytel put me in touch with another local dealer that would not take no for an answer. He called, faxed and e-mailed dealers through-out the state until he found the right vehicle. Literally, this truck was the right color, the right equipment and he still had to go and get it!
Anyway, it was a very good experience for me. I got the truck I needed at the time, at a good price and my trade-in was better than I expected.
The response from the original Autobytel request was less than 12 hours and the salesman was just about the most professional you could ever expect to meet. Would recommend the service, but satisfaction probably does depend on local dealers. (By the way - I saved over $3,000 on the deal - better trade and an XLT, which I really preferred, rather than the Lariet.)
Contacted 6 dealers. Got responses from three. 1. Wanted 3% over invoice--got him down to 1% plus $200 advertising fee. 2. $250 over invoice. 3. $275 over invoice.
Ordered my 2000 Silverado 5 weeks ago and the deal says it was built on 9/6 and should be here any day and definitely less than 7 days. This was , by the way, an Autobuytel deal and priced at $200 over invoice. I'm very happy!
Is it possible to use the dealer's holdback as a negotiating tool? We know that when you order a vehicle the dealer is going to make a certain percentage of the MSRP. In GM's case, they would be making 3% of the MSRP. What I would like to do is use the holdback to try to get below invoice, if possible. Has anyone done this?
I ordered my 2000 Dodge Ram Quad Cab SLT 1500 4x4 from http://www.carsatcost.com - as the name implies, with no haggling, they ordered my truck from the factory AT INVOICE. You pay a service fee of $399 (it was $299 when I ordered mine), but to me, it's worth it to get exactly what you want, without having to go back and forth with the dealer, trying to squeeze out the best price.
...on who they refer you to. I was referred to Southern GM in Shelbyville, TN. About as low-life as you can get. After holding my down payment for eight weeks without submitting my order to GM, the manager, without any prior notice, sends me a letter informing me that he is refunding my deposit and to go buy my vehicle elsewhere. My sin: asking him why my order had not been submitted d when he intended to do so! Stay away from these clowns.
Ordered a 2000 Ford F-350 with the V-10. It's fairly hard to find these things, especially trimmed out how you want them. I just submitted the request for the truck I wanted and was contacted by e-mail the next day with a dealer name and number to contact if I was serious about buying now. Got the truck I wanted ordered AT INVOICE. No haggling or hassles.
I used it to order my '98 Chevy S-10 LS. Submitted what I wanted, got a response in short order from a dealer in Gaithersburg, MD. Called and was assured that the truck was available but when I showed up was told they'd need to have it shipped in from another dealership. They had one on the lot with a better options package and I took it home for the same price originally quoted but only after a couple hours of arguing about it. I ended up with a good deal and a great truck, but had to fight for it.
I bought a 1999 Mazda B3000 pickup from Cory Fairbanks Mazda in Longwood, FL based on a buying service offer. I eventually got a fairly good price for the truck (even though they refused an offer just one hour after they had accepted it!!!) but they added $424 for administrative costs that they said was standard for all internet transactions! So where's the savings?
I have never been quoted a better price than I can negotiate on my own. An autobytel chevy dealer in alpharetta, GA quoted me 6% over invoice for a silverado...6%!!!!! That's the worst price I ever was quoted. A sam's club membership deal (if you can call it that) at beaty chevrolet in tennessee quoted me 3% over. I can do better than both if I simply walk on the lot or call and ask.
Ourisman Chevrolet (Les Hale is the salesman)in Marlow Heights, MD. Just outside of Washington DC. $200.00 over invoice. BTW, Les Hale was a real square dealer and didn't play any games with us.
I tried autobytel and I got a phone call from a local dealer instead of an email. When I didn't return their call by the next day, I received an email but it contained no price info...I thought that was the idea? What autobytel did do is get me in contact with the Internet Manager for the local dealer. This person seemed to be likened to the fleet manager. He definitely was much easier to talk with than the vultures that hang out at the front door of the dealership.
The dealership was Chevy of Corona in SoCal. The best verbal price I got was $700 over but when I went there it was the last day of the month and he was very eager to sell and hinted that he would be willing to go down to $500 over if there was some other incentive for him such as financing or trade-in. Since I am really interested in getting a Silverado 4dr model, I am waiting until they come out and the demand goes down. I am betting that the hype won't last too long as I think Chevy/GMC lost a lot of sales to Ford and Dodge on the 4dr option. This dealer has 16 allocations for the 4dr model but they are holding out to get MSRP on them. They are suppose to arrive at their lot sometime mid-December.
The Autobytel system is heavily dependent upon which dealer paid ABT and how they choose to handle those leads. You probably wont get a better price than you could get by going in and negotiating with a manager. Most people dread a showroom confrontation and turn to ABT to shortcut that process.
Many dealers choose to respond by phone and wont give a price via e-mail. Others, like myself, will give you a price immediately and then follow up with a call to make sure you got it. What you get is a very low confrontation sales process that is much more honest than what still happens in most showrooms.
The odd thing is that ABT actually trains us to NOT give a price via e-mail. It is their opinion that consumers will just take this to another dealership to use as a negotiating tool. It is my opinion that this is a risk I must take to have shoppers take me seriously. Otherwise, I sound like the same [non-permissible content removed] you would run into on the lot.
If you want a price, try Autobytel. If the dealership wont give a price, try e-mailing other dealerships in your area and reward those who respond with your business.
Thanks for your perspective on Autobytel. I think your perceptions/experience is very helpful to consumers. If internet/emails wanted to get a price over the phone they could just call all the local dealers. Giving an email qoute over the internet assumes the same risks to a dealer as a phone or fax qoute so it benefits the dealers to be up-front and provide their best price. As soon as I feel a dealer is playing games they are eliminated as prospective dealers for my business.
I think the reason dealers are afraid to give prices over e-mail is because it removes all ambiguity. Over the phone, they can play games by not mentioning extra charges like prep and freight. Many dealers still don't get the idea that customers are looking for an honest dealership in addition to a great price. There are many dealerships that are catching on to this fact but many still live in the dark ages and hope that the Internet is a fad.
Wanted to buy a 2000 Silverado LS, Ext Cab 4x4 with all options. Got a quote from a dealer in Spokane. His comment was first $300, OIV, then I said o.k..Then he came back and said $900 for a 2500, actually $1500 but since he quoted $900 he would sell for that. I decided he didn't want to honor anything except the sneaky salesman way of bate and switch. But I did find a dealership (in this forum) that quoted $300 above Invoice. The price quoted by him was exactly the same as "Chrome Data's Web Carbok". So I took the deal and it was ordered today. Guaranteed sent in to GM, they had an allotment from GM. His name is Greg Stancill at Postmaster@BIGM.win.net. Worth looking into if you want a fair dealer.
Used Autobytel on my last two vehicles 1997 & 1999 and will continue to use net based sales.
You still end up with a dealer, but it cuts out the bit where the dealership trys to "insult your intelligence."
No banter with salesmen, about did you speak to anyone else yet? If you did, I can't help you.
No pressure to sign a sales agreement, then the salesman will take it to the sales manager to see if he will approve the deal.
No bad breath, bad manners, bad humor or in general, a waste of my time.
Log on, tell Autobytel what you think you want and wait until the next day. You get a telephone call from the dealership, confirming your requirements, the a return call with a firm price.
Then it is your option to go to the deaalership to finalize the details. I saved $$ and time on each vehicle. Love it.
There is still a requirement for salesmen, sales managers etc., but we the consumer are now better informed and in many cases more informed that the first contact at the dealership.
But isn't that typical of most "high ticket" salesman. Bought a computer or a home entertainment package lately? The salesman doesn't know the product.
Have you ever asked the majority of salesmen technical questions about the vehicle you are interested in? My suggestion is that they should not try and take you immediately to the guys in the service department.
Your experiences illustrate what I was saying before. ABT is a company that takes money from dealerships in exchange for Internet leads. How that dealership handles those leads determine what kind of experience you have.
If the dealership that is assigned your lead wont do things the right way, go to the manufactorer's site and start e-mailing them until you find someone who will treat you in the manner you expect.
for us the service didn't provide a local deal. autobytel dealer referenced moved a lot of vehicles... unfortunately they were mostly cars & had little in the way of truck allocation. the truck we factory ordered just wasn't available anywhere (in the country... the "killer" being diesel with manual tranny & short bed crew cab) as a "pre-build" (and admittingly, if we're paying over 35k for a vehicle we're going to get EXACTLY what WE need & want).
have tried to order 2500 gmc with diesel/ext cab/ short box. Am told I can't have the short box unless I order 4X4. what gives ? has GM gone nuts?????? thanks for any response..Jimm
The Orange County Register (Freedom Newspapers) had an article in the business section about ABT. The article was really an insight into just how ABT really works. The article's main topic was about a law suit filed by a former (and obviously disgruntled) employee. The facts and content of the law suit are best left to the lawyers. The really interesting part was that the ex-employee claimed that ABT had sold overlapping or duplicate franchise areas.
From the article it seems that ABT sells a geographic area as a franchise to a dealer. I would guess that based upon the ZIP code of the prospect they are 'assigned' to a specific dealer within the appropriate franchise area. On the surface this seems to be a good business practice. However, from the consumer's perspective it is a competition restricting mechanism, especially in rural areas.
e.g. If there are two Dusenberg dealers in your franchise area, XYZ and ABC. If ABC is the ABT franchise dealer, any consumer contact goes to ABC. The XYZ dealer is not competition to ABC unless the consumer goes around the ABT process.
Several questions arise. Is this legal? (I don't know. Leave that to the Justice Department after they have finished with Microsoft.) Is this an ethical practice? (I don't think so. But since when can ethics and automotive dealer be ........ Never mind.) Is this a really competitive advantage for the consumer? (I don't think so. However the quote from the ABT franchise dealer could be used as a STARTING point for negotiations at another dealership.)
I know that after I read the article, my awareness of the "real" process increased exponentially! I know that my wife's Y2K car will be quoted through ABT and probably bought elsewhere. Just because it comes off of the web, don't mean that it's the best deal.
Keep in mind that ABT is not a non-profit organization. We pay them $2800 per month for the exclusive rights to their leads. We wouldn't do it if it were not exclusive. Customers are free to use any other service they wish.
Why would you plan on buying elsewhere if the ABT dealership gives you up front pricing and provides exactly what you want? That hardly seems fair. If they give you a hard time and don't want to provide prices over e-mail, that is a different story but why would you do that to a guy who is just trying to make a living?
In February of this Year I bought a 99 regal for my wife through autobytel. $700.00 below invoice. Never went to the dealer, car was delivered to my wife's job. I have just ordered a 2000 F150 lariat and think I got a great deal. Autobytel works. i think it's great. You do all of the research know all of the options and prices and then make an offer. This is the ONLY way i will purchase vehicles in the future..
CarsDirect was the only "internet dealer" who bothered to quote a price of 1000+ over invoice on the Y2K Ford 150 Lariat Flairside. Other internet sites responded with referral to local dealers who never called or e-mailed. One local "no pressure" dealer quoted 600 over invoice in the HOT Atlanta market. New truck arrived in six weeks as promised and I'm enjoying it.
cliffy1, It seems like a lot of money to me to pay for the franchise rights; but then I'm not in the business.
The whole thing isn't a open as you imply. My experience was not good. I was open and stated what I wanted to buy and how it was to be paid for. I was expecting "Here's the price for that vehicle with your selection of options." All I heard was a lot hedging, maybes, the market is this or that, how much they could sell the vehicle for to someone else and they all wanted money to order this hot vehicle. I bought the vehicle from an non-ABT dealer. Just walking into the dealership the price was $200-$300 less than the ABT stores, I knew what the dealer's margin had to be. The sales manager and I sat down at the Ford terminal and built my truck for order. We printed the order sheet off and the prices were within one dollar of those listed on both Edmunds and KBB. It wasn't the price alone that sold me. It was the honesty and openness that sold me. I was willing to give the local guy $200 just to buy local but there was no sense of trust.
Now here's the collateral damages. I personally brought two people to this dealer and they purchased. I sent a third and he purchased AND his comment was, "That was a pleasant experience."
The long and short of it is that ABT implies that you can buy a vehicle without a hassle and at a good deal. (Notice I didn't say 'The Best' deal.) For the dealer nothing has changed, we're still viewed as just another .
From what I've seen here, ABT seems to be either hot or cold but nothing in between. Maybe that's the nature of the measurement. (Buy or not buy) Maybe it's sales tactics of the dealers. I know that I tried twice through ABT and got used oats each time. Where I finally purchased, I was and still am treated as a customer. (There was another dealer where, after three weeks, I got tired of asking them to take my money.)
Dear Dodge Salesman: Why does Chrysler offer a Auto/ 4 Cyl. truck. Chevy and Ford are kicking your butt in this area of the country, because you do not offer this combo.
Help! I was directed (Autobytel) to a dealer in Manassas, Va. (Koons GMC) who stated that they won't negotiate a price. It's a flat $1500 OVER invoice. What kind of deal is that? Others, that I have visited in person do not call back with a price. Is the truck market that good these days? I see people talking about getting invoice or a few hundred over INV on this thread. It's almost like they don't want to make a sale. Can somebody direct me to a reputable dealership in my area (Virginia)?
Your post really hit me hard. I know the Autobytel rep at the dealer you are talking about and something does not sound right. I called the person in question and left a message with him. I will get back to you very shortly on this issue.
I sell Toyotas in Alexandria and will not be able to help you other than straightening things up between you and Koons. Check back at this topic later tonight or tomorrow morning. You can also e-mail me at the address on my profile.
I spoke to Jim Gray this morning. He is the Autobytel rep at Koons of Manassas. he told me that there are a couple of models that are sold at $1500 over invoice. The Denali and a few of the heavy duty trucks are in short supply and high demand. When that situation occurs, prices will be high.
As to your complaint of not negotiating, that is the idea. Most people dread the haggle process. Jim sets his prices so you don't need to negotiate. If you want to start from sticker and work down, ABT is not the way to buy a truck.
Jim has several models that are sold between invoice and $400 over invoice. What truck are you looking at?
Didn't mean to hit hard at all Va. dealers. That was Frustration there. Jim Gray is not the person I talked with, it was I believe 'Dennis'. He was going to price out a truck and call me back early last week. It just seems to be a trend, in that return calls are never made. Also, I do not mind haggling myself, it's part of the experience. I planned to negotiate....I can get a feel for the honesty/integrity of an individual that way....perhaps I misunderstood how ABT works. But, my faith is being renewed as today I went through 'invoicedealer.com' and a dealer in Richmond seems more than willing to sell a truck. We'll see..
I recently purchased a Dodge Dakota for $500 over invoice. I was able to find a dealer on my own that offered the same vehicle for $400 over but I was very pleased with the attention and friendliness of the ABT dealer. The Dakota Quad Cab is a "hot" item and no one in my area(San Antonio)is willing to haggle much.
Tried to buy a Mercedes last year through them and they wrote back that they don't do new models. Two weeks ago, I tried to order a Dodge Ram from them. Never heard back from a single salesman. Going to their site to check my status says "Dealer has 0 hours left to contact you. The best method, which I will always use from now on, is to email (yourself) all your required specifications to the fleet managers as far as you are willing to drive. When they recieve your email, they know you are serious, and will give you a quote. If they are not willing to do so, you don't want to deal with them anyway. I just ordered a brand new 2001 Dodge RAM Quad Cab, HO Cummins, 6-speed tranny, and all options for $99 over invoice.
Well, finally got my Sierra Classic 3/4 ordered. I posted a few responses above. My order went in as $300 over invoice not the $1500 quoted by the ABT dealer. So much for ABT!
ATB put me in touch with a very good dealer and it took a while, but he found me the right truck at the right price. I had shopped around. I think these guys (Autobytel) know what they are doing - even in New Mexico!
i found autobytel to be fair from the outset but i did comparison shop and used another online service to get other dealers into the game. eventually i spoke to 4 dealers including autobytel and the autobytel dealer finally agreed to order my truck (2000 dodge dakota quad cab) for invoice less the $500 farm bureau rebate. i ended up ordering through my local dealer only because he reluctantly gave me the same deal but i feel like i owe my great deal to autobytel, edmunds.com and persistence. i think the internet will absolutely revolutionize the process of buying any new vehicle and would highly recommend autobytel as at least a starting point in the process. the home delivery service is mighty tempting even when you have an agreeable local dealer. i think we would all agree that knowledge is power and i really felt empowered when i walked into my dealer with all of the inside information i needed to negotiate not to mention a fallback position with autobytel in case he didn't want to deal.
Great deal, congratulations. You have used this forum as well as other internet resources to truly benefit your cause. Most dealers still don't get it, they think that they are dueling with unarmed opponents. Utilizing this forum and the internet in general, I guarantee that you know more about the product than the person who is supposed to represent it. My experience with Autobytel was pleasant, but they referred me to a dealer who liked to play head games. I ended up purchasing from another dealer who liked selling trucks rather than playing games. I purchased for $125.00 over invoice, and will get the additional farm bureau discount when I take possession of the vehicle. Enjoy your truck.
You are correct in your assumptions regarding finding the best dealer. They are contracted to serving dealers who have bought into (figuratively and literally) the Autobytel program. After receiving the assurance from the dealership that they (dealer) will conduct themselves according to the doctrine as laid out by Autobytel, they pass the lead along in good faith. There emerges the opportunity for that particular dealer to go into "car dealer mode", and we know what that can be. So, despite all efforts by Autobytel, they and we are dependent on the operating principles (or principals) of the independent dealership. In some cases, it is good as you and others have experienced. In other cases it is far less than good as I and others can attest. I was assured in writing from Autobytel that the proposed dealer would work on $200.00 over invoice plus the advertising curtailment and destination charges. The dealer started (after contacting them) the "hem and haw" game and "I'll have to check with my manager". This is the person to whom I was directed by Autobytel. I am certain that Autobytel produces an honest effort to gain for their clients a good deal. Not having to go through the normal gyrations and hassles accompanying the usual vehicle purchase, $200.00 was in my estimation a good deal. When I was transported to the usual and certainly not uncommon dealership BS, the deal paled significantly. But I know the secret of eliminating that stuff. Just do a 180 degree turn sharply on one heel and keep walking. Just my opinion. glad you made out well.
Bookitty
P.S. I emailed Autobytel relating my experience but only received a "canned" response. They probably hear a lot of such stories.
But, then I think at least in small cities I'll have the same experience. In the ABQ, New Mexico area trucks are a big thing - the dealers can barely get enough and run out of what most people want early in the summer, if not late spring. So, I need to find the best dealer. It is a small city - something my old-time dealer didn't seem to recognize. I have to drive about 7 miles further to the new dealer, but thanks to Autobytel, I have probably been put in touch with the best dealer in our area. (The mileage just doesn't matter - I drive nearly 30 miles just to get to town!) May be a long time before I stop a few miles earlier at my nearly 20-year dealer.
I ordered my 2000 1/2 ton Silverado through my local autobytel dealer at the end of November and just picked up the truck on January 25th. The service was great and the price was the best I had found. I'd recommend this service to anyone who has access to it!!
P.S. The 4th door was definitely worth the wait!!!
Comments
Needless to say, I didn't bite. $2,000 UNDER invoice would be a more realistic price to pay for this type vehicle, since it's worth about $4000 less than you'd pay the day you drive it off the lot.
Autobytel put me in touch with another local dealer that would not take no for an answer. He called, faxed and e-mailed dealers through-out the state until he found the right vehicle. Literally, this truck was the right color, the right equipment and he still had to go and get it!
Anyway, it was a very good experience for me. I got the truck I needed at the time, at a good price and my trade-in was better than I expected.
The response from the original Autobytel request was less than 12 hours and the salesman was just about the most professional you could ever expect to meet. Would recommend the service, but satisfaction probably does depend on local dealers. (By the way - I saved over $3,000 on the deal - better trade and an XLT, which I really preferred, rather than the Lariet.)
1. Wanted 3% over invoice--got him down to 1% plus $200 advertising fee.
2. $250 over invoice.
3. $275 over invoice.
I thought it was great and no hassle. Paul
The dealership was Chevy of Corona in SoCal. The best verbal price I got was $700 over but when I went there it was the last day of the month and he was very eager to sell and hinted that he would be willing to go down to $500 over if there was some other incentive for him such as financing or trade-in. Since I am really interested in getting a Silverado 4dr model, I am waiting until they come out and the demand goes down. I am betting that the hype won't last too long as I think Chevy/GMC lost a lot of sales to Ford and Dodge on the 4dr option. This dealer has 16 allocations for the 4dr model but they are holding out to get MSRP on them. They are suppose to arrive at their lot sometime mid-December.
Many dealers choose to respond by phone and wont give a price via e-mail. Others, like myself, will give you a price immediately and then follow up with a call to make sure you got it. What you get is a very low confrontation sales process that is much more honest than what still happens in most showrooms.
The odd thing is that ABT actually trains us to NOT give a price via e-mail. It is their opinion that consumers will just take this to another dealership to use as a negotiating tool. It is my opinion that this is a risk I must take to have shoppers take me seriously. Otherwise, I sound like the same [non-permissible content removed] you would run into on the lot.
If you want a price, try Autobytel. If the dealership wont give a price, try e-mailing other dealerships in your area and reward those who respond with your business.
Spokane. His comment was first $300, OIV, then I said o.k..Then he came back and said $900 for a 2500, actually $1500 but since he quoted $900 he would sell for that. I decided he didn't want to honor anything except the sneaky salesman way of bate and switch. But I did find a dealership (in this forum) that quoted $300 above Invoice. The price quoted by him was exactly the same as "Chrome Data's Web Carbok". So I took the deal
and it was ordered today. Guaranteed sent in to
GM, they had an allotment from GM. His name is Greg Stancill at Postmaster@BIGM.win.net. Worth looking into if you want a fair dealer.
You still end up with a dealer, but it cuts out the bit where the dealership trys to "insult your intelligence."
No banter with salesmen, about did you speak to anyone else yet? If you did, I can't help you.
No pressure to sign a sales agreement, then the salesman will take it to the sales manager to see if he will approve the deal.
No bad breath, bad manners, bad humor or in general, a waste of my time.
Log on, tell Autobytel what you think you want and wait until the next day. You get a telephone call from the dealership, confirming your requirements, the a return call with a firm price.
Then it is your option to go to the deaalership to finalize the details. I saved $$ and time on each vehicle. Love it.
There is still a requirement for salesmen, sales managers etc., but we the consumer are now better informed and in many cases more informed that the first contact at the dealership.
But isn't that typical of most "high ticket" salesman. Bought a computer or a home entertainment package lately? The salesman doesn't know the product.
Have you ever asked the majority of salesmen technical questions about the vehicle you are interested in? My suggestion is that they should not try and take you immediately to the guys in the service department.
Not my experience! No difference between ABT and fast and sleazy motors. It's been posted here earlier. I'm glad it worked out for you.
Rich
If the dealership that is assigned your lead wont do things the right way, go to the manufactorer's site and start e-mailing them until you find someone who will treat you in the manner you expect.
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback - I ended up finding my own deal for $1100.00 better than ABT.
2000 Chev Silverado - Found my own deal through a Fleet Mgr at "dead flat invoice".
ABSOLUTELY OF NO VALUE!
From the article it seems that ABT sells a geographic area as a franchise to a dealer. I would guess that based upon the ZIP code of the prospect they are 'assigned' to a specific dealer within the appropriate franchise area. On the surface this seems to be a good business practice. However, from the consumer's perspective it is a competition restricting mechanism, especially in rural areas.
e.g. If there are two Dusenberg dealers in your franchise area, XYZ and ABC. If ABC is the ABT franchise dealer, any consumer contact goes to ABC. The XYZ dealer is not competition to ABC unless the consumer goes around the ABT process.
Several questions arise. Is this legal? (I don't know. Leave that to the Justice Department after they have finished with Microsoft.) Is this an ethical practice? (I don't think so. But since when can ethics and automotive dealer be ........ Never mind.) Is this a really competitive advantage for the consumer? (I don't think so. However the quote from the ABT franchise dealer could be used as a STARTING point for negotiations at another dealership.)
I know that after I read the article, my awareness of the "real" process increased exponentially! I know that my wife's Y2K car will be quoted through ABT and probably bought elsewhere. Just because it comes off of the web, don't mean that it's the best deal.
Rich
Why would you plan on buying elsewhere if the ABT dealership gives you up front pricing and provides exactly what you want? That hardly seems fair. If they give you a hard time and don't want to provide prices over e-mail, that is a different story but why would you do that to a guy who is just trying to make a living?
It seems like a lot of money to me to pay for the franchise rights; but then I'm not in the business.
The whole thing isn't a open as you imply. My experience was not good. I was open and stated what I wanted to buy and how it was to be paid for. I was expecting "Here's the price for that vehicle with your selection of options." All I heard was a lot hedging, maybes, the market is this or that, how much they could sell the vehicle for to someone else and they all wanted money to order this hot vehicle. I bought the vehicle from an non-ABT dealer. Just walking into the dealership the price was $200-$300 less than the ABT stores, I knew what the dealer's margin had to be. The sales manager and I sat down at the Ford terminal and built my truck for order. We printed the order sheet off and the prices were within one dollar of those listed on both Edmunds and KBB. It wasn't the price alone that sold me. It was the honesty and openness that sold me. I was willing to give the local guy $200 just to buy local but there was no sense of trust.
Now here's the collateral damages. I personally brought two people to this dealer and they purchased. I sent a third and he purchased AND his comment was, "That was a pleasant experience."
The long and short of it is that ABT implies that you can buy a vehicle without a hassle and at a good deal. (Notice I didn't say 'The Best' deal.) For the dealer nothing has changed, we're still viewed as just another .
From what I've seen here, ABT seems to be either hot or cold but nothing in between. Maybe that's the nature of the measurement. (Buy or not buy) Maybe it's sales tactics of the dealers. I know that I tried twice through ABT and got used oats each time. Where I finally purchased, I was and still am treated as a customer. (There was another dealer where, after three weeks, I got tired of asking them to take my money.)
Oh yeah, it was a cash only deal.
Rich
Don't write off ABT because of your experiences. Write off the dealers they sent you to.
Very good point.
Rich
Why does Chrysler offer a Auto/ 4 Cyl. truck.
Chevy and Ford are kicking your butt in this area of the country, because you do not offer this combo.
I see people talking about getting invoice or a few hundred over INV on this thread. It's almost like they don't want to make a sale. Can somebody direct me to a reputable dealership in my area (Virginia)?
I sell Toyotas in Alexandria and will not be able to help you other than straightening things up between you and Koons. Check back at this topic later tonight or tomorrow morning. You can also e-mail me at the address on my profile.
As to your complaint of not negotiating, that is the idea. Most people dread the haggle process. Jim sets his prices so you don't need to negotiate. If you want to start from sticker and work down, ABT is not the way to buy a truck.
Jim has several models that are sold between invoice and $400 over invoice. What truck are you looking at?
I talked with, it was I believe 'Dennis'. He was going to price out a truck and call me back early last week. It just seems to be a trend, in that return calls are never made. Also, I do not mind haggling myself, it's part of the experience. I planned to negotiate....I can get a feel for the honesty/integrity of an individual that way....perhaps I misunderstood how ABT works. But, my faith is being renewed as today I went through 'invoicedealer.com' and a dealer in Richmond seems more than willing to sell a truck. We'll see..
Two weeks ago, I tried to order a Dodge Ram from them. Never heard back from a single salesman. Going to their site to check my status says "Dealer has 0 hours left to contact you.
The best method, which I will always use from now on, is to email (yourself) all your required specifications to the fleet managers as far as you are willing to drive. When they recieve your email, they know you are serious, and will give you a quote. If they are not willing to do so, you don't want to deal with them anyway. I just ordered a brand new 2001 Dodge RAM Quad Cab, HO Cummins, 6-speed tranny, and all options for $99 over invoice.
Bookitty
Bookitty
P.S. I emailed Autobytel relating my experience but only received a "canned" response. They probably hear a lot of such stories.
P.S. The 4th door was definitely worth the wait!!!