Posted on 08/27/2006 7:28:57 PM PDT by NicNacPattyWac
Kinda excited since this is my very first time to post something. This is a little long but needed feedback badly, especially those who have knowledge on car sales.
My husband and I began shopping for a 2007 Tahoe. We wanted the LT3 package with the main requirements being a 4.10 rear axle, tow package (we plan on buying a camper in the next year) and second row bench seats (we have a dog safety seat for our three dogs which only works with a bench). The sale would involve no trade in (will sell it ourselves) or loan/financing. What we thought would be a piece of cake sale has turned into a headache.
What we've discovered was that GM offered the dealerships an options package; the price was good so the dealers in this area jumped on it. Included in this package was second row buckets instead of the standard bench, and b/c of this we are having a difficult time finding a vehicle with the seating configurations we need. On top of this, the 4.10 axle is pretty hard to find also.
After contacting 5 salesmen from various dealerships we have discovered there are no vehicles in our state that match what we need. As a matter of fact, three of the salesmen either said they'd search further and call us (then didn't), pushed us to trade in our current truck, and lied to us. One became rude insisting the 3.73 axles he had in stock would work just as well for towing, while insisting second row bucket seats were the latest craze (also the only thing he had in stock). When we didn't agree, he told us to go home, surf the web, and find a truck ourselves.
There were two salesmen who didn't act like we were inconveniencing them. Both men found a vehicle at another dealership that closely matched what we needed, the only drawback being it was in a neighboring state (over 300 miles away). As it turns out both were speaking of the same exact vehicle!
We plan on using my husband's suppliers discount (3% over dealer's invoice), a $2000 GM rebate (paid to dealer by GM), and $1500 in GM credit card points (paid to dealer from GM) towards the truck. When we compared the figures both salespeople gave us, even though the truck started out at the same amount, there was a $200 difference in price after subtracting the suppliers discount; the amounts should have been the same! Also both spoke of a delivery fee to get this truck. One gave a rough figure of $250, the other will have that figure for us tomorrow. Both have given us the impression their dealership isn't making much on the deal, but b/c we aren't familar with how the supplier discount works (if GM is paying the dealer the difference or if the dealer eats the discount per GM) we don't know if this is true?
Anybody have any car sales experience or knowledge we'd appreciate any advice you could give? We don't expect to get the truck for nothing but also hope to get a fair deal (without feeling like we have the word "sucker" on our foreheads). We don't know if we should keep plugging along or sit it out for a few more months before we try again?
thanks much!
Our daughter has owned two Toyota's (Echo and Rav) and both have been great cars. Unfortunately the tow ratings on the Sequoia were a little too low for our needs, otherwise we'd get one in a heartbeat:-(
Loooooooove my Tundra.
That's why I qualified it by saying find a "good" garage.
I'd rather get a 2007 Honda Civic LX sedan or the upcoming 2007 Nissan Sentra sedan, which would be far more easily available and still get decent gas mileage.
Buy a car off the lot and get a discount or special order everything including paint color and wait for delivery and maybe not quite a good a price.
Bulk gasoline is down 5 cents today and under $2.
There are two Tahoe LT3s in Arkansas with center bench and 4:10. One is at Carlock Chevy in Blythville (Silver birch) and the other is at Central Chevy in Jonesboro. (Black)
Based on an MSRP of 49,400.00 your supplier price is 44, 9243.41.
You should be eligible for 2000.00 (Incentive code BDV) GM bonus cash, and 1000.00 Consumer Cash (Incentive code DSR). Rebates are by county, and they do change, I would need to know the county you live in to be 100% accurate. I based these rebates on Ashley County with todays date for delivery. By franchise agreement the dealer MUST give you all applicable rebates and incentives and sell it to you at the supplier price which is stated on the vehicle invoice. If the dealer fails to do so, then they can have their ability to sell employees/suppliers revoked. Any dealer can and should be prepared to show you the invoice to verify the selling price. Customary dealer service charges are allowed and must be charged, in accordance with the dealerships policy of sales to the general public.
Drivers will be paid by the hour, with the average being $10.00/hour plus gas, so you can figure what your transfer fees are.
I hope this helps, I will be happy to answer any other questions.
I think you can get them within a week.
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