1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Buying the car that's advertised "1 at this price"

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by acmair, Jun 28, 2010.

  1. Jun 28, 2010 at 11:41 PM
    #1
    acmair

    acmair [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2009
    Member:
    #27179
    Messages:
    2,483
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Vehicle:
    '10 BSP PreRunner Dbl Cab Short Bed SR5
    A few years ago when we went to buy the Camry, there was a Camry LE advertised at 17,999 but one at that price. When we went to the dealer, and asked for another LE Camry, that was identical, but a different exterior color, he said they can't because they notify the DMV of the VIN of the car that they sell at that price. That sounded fishy to me, as a way to just avoid solving our problem. Is that true? Why don't they give you the same car, but in a different color, at the same price?

    Thanks
     
  2. Jun 28, 2010 at 11:45 PM
    #2
    dysfunctnlretard

    dysfunctnlretard Hi

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
    Member:
    #18080
    Messages:
    3,753
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Manny
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Jeep Rubicon
    its true. they dont wanna give away a bunch of cars at that price so they decide theyre going to give away just 1 or 2 or whatever and they list the VIN numbers on the newspaper. When the cars sell they notify the DMV asap. WHy? Because they dont want to get in trouble for false advertising. In the past dealerships have posted these ads and used them simply to lure people in, they never intended to sell a car at the advertised price. People would ask for the advertised deal and the dealership could Lie and say they sold it. Now if the dealership tells you its been sold you can verify that it indeed has been sold by calling the DMV with the VIN and theyll tell you. If it hasnt, then the dealership gets in trouble.
     
  3. Jul 1, 2010 at 9:36 PM
    #3
    Wolfman

    Wolfman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2010
    Member:
    #33624
    Messages:
    388
    Gender:
    Male
    Paradise, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 PreRunner SR5
    Welcome to the ol' bait and switch. Unethical dealers use these tactics to get you in the door, and lure you into a more expensive vehicle. The DMV is never notified of the price of a vehicle until a sale is closed. I take it that you walked out of the door?

    I had a Dodge dealer play a similar scheme with me when I was in the truck market last March. They had their requisite screaming ad on the radio advertising $11k on ST trim Quad Cab 1500 trucks. I had actually made more than one stop at that dealership, as they were selling as fast as they could get them in. I finally latched onto a light brown one, that the numbers worked out to the high teens after all of the "discounts" were applied. Magically, the "starting" price jumped up nearly $5k to over $30k, and they tried to underbid my trades by another $4k. Their reasoning for these "adjustments" was the money on the hood. I told them they were a fraudulent dealership and left.
     
  4. Jul 2, 2010 at 2:18 PM
    #4
    scottri

    scottri Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2010
    Member:
    #35187
    Messages:
    2,091
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Tigard Oregon
    Vehicle:
    '10 Sport DC TRD Sport PreRunner
    Cover King Seat Covers, WeatherTech Liners, PopNLock, storage bin locks, N-Fab Step bars, and G4 Elite Tonneau cover.
    My grandfather bought a Ford Aerostar van years ago that was the "Only 1 at this price" from the newspaper. It was funny as hell as they tried to upsell him and scam him. He was a smart old dude and he ate their lunch. Left with the van for that exact price. They hate to actually sell that advertised vehicle at that price because it's the bait.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top