What is up with Florida dealers?
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: South Florida
What is up with Florida dealers?
I'm fed up with dealers. I just visited a very large dealer tonight and was ready to put down cash to get a deal started. I cut to the chase and told him I had a car broker who would get me the car in a week WITH the Honda 7yr/100,000 mile warranty for $33,000 and if he could do better, I would buy the car tonight.
I told him I'd leave a deposit tonight and would pay cash for the car next week if he gave me a better price. His opening price was $34,500 without the extended warranty! I felt like asking "did you not just hear the price I told you I got from a broker or do you just not believe me!". I told him the price was too high and he needed to do better. I've been there three times over the last 2 months so I know that walking out doesn't change their minds and I'm actually ready to close a deal now. I asked to speak to the sales manager because I was through negotiating with the idiot salesman who was only capable of reading me the list price on the car.
I got to speak to somebody above him but not the manager and he seemed much more savvy at least, but he still refused to budge on the car. He wasted my time bragging about free car washes for life, etc. Finally, he came down $500 and I laughed at him. I said "are you NOT listening to me? I have a price of $33,000 with 7yr extended warranty...you must give me a LOWER price to get my business." I wanted to draw him a picture, but I refrained from acting like an asshole so I let him yammer on about the free car washes and 20% discount on oil changes, etc.
He started in about what a high demand there is on the car and I cut him off. I pointed out the 8 cars he had on the lot and when he proceeded to tell me those just came in I told him not to lie to me. I've seen 5 of them out there for 2 months and he has a used one in the back. I also quoted him the sales figures nationwide on this car and how they have been dropping in double digits for the last few months (year to year sales). He said "you are obviously a well informed buyer" and changed the subject. GOD I hate when people lie to me.
I told him we weren't getting anywhere and got up to leave. He asked if I'd like to see the Spa Yellow that just came off the truck, still in the wrappings. I guess he thought I was willing to pay his higher price for getting the car with the plastic still on it
He sent me out with the idiot salesman and 5 minutes later as we were talking he came outside with a "sold" sticker and said "I know this sounds crazy but one of the other managers was unaware this car was on the lot and he's going to buy it if you dont want it". I SWEAR TO GOD HE ACTUALLY TRIED TO PULL THIS ! 
I said to him "please tell me that was a joke, because I cannot believe you are trying to insult my intelligence".By now I was annoyed and I just said, screw this and told him we were wasting each other's time and left. I am calling the broker tomorrow to close the deal on my 03 S2K. ARGH
I cannot believe these dealers in Florida are so unwilling to negotiate at all on this car.
I got similar treatment (not with as much theatrics) from two other dealers last week. Nobody wants to come down at all on the car. If the dealer had only one or two cars on the lot, MAYBE I could understand but he's got 8 of them and most have been there for months. What the hell is he waiting for?
/rant off
I told him I'd leave a deposit tonight and would pay cash for the car next week if he gave me a better price. His opening price was $34,500 without the extended warranty! I felt like asking "did you not just hear the price I told you I got from a broker or do you just not believe me!". I told him the price was too high and he needed to do better. I've been there three times over the last 2 months so I know that walking out doesn't change their minds and I'm actually ready to close a deal now. I asked to speak to the sales manager because I was through negotiating with the idiot salesman who was only capable of reading me the list price on the car.
I got to speak to somebody above him but not the manager and he seemed much more savvy at least, but he still refused to budge on the car. He wasted my time bragging about free car washes for life, etc. Finally, he came down $500 and I laughed at him. I said "are you NOT listening to me? I have a price of $33,000 with 7yr extended warranty...you must give me a LOWER price to get my business." I wanted to draw him a picture, but I refrained from acting like an asshole so I let him yammer on about the free car washes and 20% discount on oil changes, etc.
He started in about what a high demand there is on the car and I cut him off. I pointed out the 8 cars he had on the lot and when he proceeded to tell me those just came in I told him not to lie to me. I've seen 5 of them out there for 2 months and he has a used one in the back. I also quoted him the sales figures nationwide on this car and how they have been dropping in double digits for the last few months (year to year sales). He said "you are obviously a well informed buyer" and changed the subject. GOD I hate when people lie to me.
I told him we weren't getting anywhere and got up to leave. He asked if I'd like to see the Spa Yellow that just came off the truck, still in the wrappings. I guess he thought I was willing to pay his higher price for getting the car with the plastic still on it
He sent me out with the idiot salesman and 5 minutes later as we were talking he came outside with a "sold" sticker and said "I know this sounds crazy but one of the other managers was unaware this car was on the lot and he's going to buy it if you dont want it". I SWEAR TO GOD HE ACTUALLY TRIED TO PULL THIS ! I said to him "please tell me that was a joke, because I cannot believe you are trying to insult my intelligence".By now I was annoyed and I just said, screw this and told him we were wasting each other's time and left. I am calling the broker tomorrow to close the deal on my 03 S2K. ARGH
I cannot believe these dealers in Florida are so unwilling to negotiate at all on this car. I got similar treatment (not with as much theatrics) from two other dealers last week. Nobody wants to come down at all on the car. If the dealer had only one or two cars on the lot, MAYBE I could understand but he's got 8 of them and most have been there for months. What the hell is he waiting for?
/rant off
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: allentown
ganthet, don't take dis the wrong way but it's the dealership's car(s).... there's no law requiring them to sell u a damn thing. of course, if they try to swindle u during the the sale... that's a different story. u should just go to the car broker if you really can get a better deal there.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Mobile, AL
That wouldn't be the old Hollywood Honda, on 441 would it?! I've had more than a couple of run-in's with that place. Don't waste your time!
Did you happen to call the dealer up here? Figured the much lower price of the car I told you about + the plane ticket to get here would still have saved you at least $2k?!
Travis
Did you happen to call the dealer up here? Figured the much lower price of the car I told you about + the plane ticket to get here would still have saved you at least $2k?!
Travis
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From: Miami Lakes
That wouldn't be the old Hollywood Honda, on 441 would it?! I've had more than a couple of run-in's with that place. Don't waste your time!
They also tried to pull the "rare car" thing on me.
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From: M.I.A.M.I., FLORIDA
Hey ganthet, 
Let me guess.. Rick Case? That dealer has the biggest sharks. Try Beach Honda, in North Miami Beach. Talk to Augusto Pole, he was my salesman and DEFENITLY willing to work a price out. Or go to Braman Honda in Miami, speak to Chris (SC-SUZUKA) he's a manager there and also owns a Suzuka Blue S2000 and is in the Florida Forum (Which you should go check out). I am pretty sure he's more than willing to get you a good price.
Hope that helps!
Best of Luck and hope to see you on the streets soon!
Cindy 
Let me guess.. Rick Case? That dealer has the biggest sharks. Try Beach Honda, in North Miami Beach. Talk to Augusto Pole, he was my salesman and DEFENITLY willing to work a price out. Or go to Braman Honda in Miami, speak to Chris (SC-SUZUKA) he's a manager there and also owns a Suzuka Blue S2000 and is in the Florida Forum (Which you should go check out). I am pretty sure he's more than willing to get you a good price.
Hope that helps!
Best of Luck and hope to see you on the streets soon!
Cindy