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Originally posted by jasonreid Can I ask why drive-away pricing couldn't be made law (or at least the industry standard)?
This is one thing I would love to see come into place. Clears up all the BS & the person buying the car knows exactly how much finance they have to arrange before setting foot in the dealer.
Ford Dealers around the country would do extremely well if they adopted this approach IMO.
Okay, I've been to 3 Ford dealers yesterday, and am about to head off to 2 more today.
Here are the dealer delivery charges I've been quoted.
Sinclair Ford, Mulgoa Rd. Penrith (sort of the western teminus of the Sydney area) - $1495
Peter Warren Ford, Hume Hwy Warwick Farm (SW Sydney region - Liverpool) - $1390
Thompson Ford, Church St Paramatta (you know where that is!) - $1095
Thompson Ford also offered me the best trade-in valuation on the car (and thus the lowest change-over) of the three.
Considering you'd think their location in the heart of Parramatta would mean they have the highest associated dealer costs, I was amazed when he wrote the DD charge and it came in so low.
Russ, you almost had me convinced, but after that, I feel like the others are gouging their customers again.
Originally posted by jasonreid
Sinclair Ford, Mulgoa Rd. Penrith (sort of the western teminus of the Sydney area) - $1495
Peter Warren Ford, Hume Hwy Warwick Farm (SW Sydney region - Liverpool) - $1390
Thompson Ford, Church St Paramatta (you know where that is!) - $1095
Make sure you go to Brad Garlicks in Top Ryde, it's worth a look.
(For Ms Ratt) N/A XR6, Auto, Blueprint, Rear Power Windows, LSD, 18" Alloys, Alarm & Tint.
Dale Ford at Bankstown (Hume Hwy) got the business, with the trade-in price I originally wanted (only $580 below what Redbook says) being agreed to after only 30 minutes of haggling.
David, Wes, Kelly & Trevor (rep, valuations, after sales? & finance) were all super helpful and made it fairly painless.
Right from the start they really made it seem like they wanted to sell me the car, which unfortunately isn't always the case.
So far, I have only good things to say!
David couldn't give me an exact delivery date for about a week, but he's suggesting 3-4 weeks (which is fine with me).
Dale Ford's DD charge was $1205, but they offered $1000 more for the trade than any other Ford dealer, and $500 more than any other dealer at all.
Walked in at 4.30pm, walked out 1 hour later lots poorer and very very happy so far.
Good points. I found that to be an informative read, but, I must disagree on the point about screwing the dealer.
Dont you think they were trying to screw us first? Case in point, Mrs. Ratt got gypped $580. That would pay for pizza and DVDs for a fair few friday nights. They screw us royal on trade-in prices, and yet they still expect us to lump a hefty PD charge. The new car dealers around the place have themselves a nice little cartel going, its just a shame us ford lovers are getting slugged with bank-like hidden fees..
Can anyone actually break down the PD fees into specific charges? Insurance, mechanic fees, etc etc.. I wouldn't imagine that would exceed $500.. sounds like a bit more revenue raising on the part of the new car dealers...
Personally I am sure the dealers would favour drive away pricing AND prefer it to be fixed and non-negotiable like the price of a loaf of bread is. This is actually a conundrum for all concerned.
FORD (as a manufacturer) doesn't really want dealers discounting new car prices because that impacts resale values which in turn makes for unhappy customers at changeover time. Doesn't change the profit margin for Ford but they are starting to look beyond the factory gate a bit more these days from what I can see.
The DEALERS don't really want to get into discount wars with each other for the sake of achieving volumes but as soon as someone starts it then they all have to follow to a greater or lesser degree.
The CONSUMER (if they had any brains) wouldn't continue the cycle either but they are all too often focused on getting the best short term deal without considering the consequences. Those consequences will bite one day though - and hard.
Sadly the whole cycle only discourages the ethical delaers - and whatever you like to think there are some - and makes room for the sharp and dishonest tactics that used to be a fundamental part of the industry. If you are starting to see these in your dealings then at least know that we have all contributed to this end result.
Cheers
Russ
On that topic maybe those who want to really see what gouging is about should take a visit to a Merc dealership (wear a clean shirt) and see what treatment you get there. At best it will run something like this:
"Yes sir we can supply one of those and the price is (insert large number here - probably above RRP), not negotiable at all, plus $2695 dealer delivery and we can probably supply one sometime next year if you'll leave a 50% deposit. Oh and we don't want your trade in unless it's a low mileage, mint condition, late model Merc that we'll give you a few dollars for."
I found a variation in my paperwork today, on a listed price for an option, and I need to go and ask about it at the dealer.
Ford quote $585 for their dealer fitted genuine alarm for the new Falcon on the website, but Dale Ford have charged me $895.
I will contact them tomorrow to ask for a reason for the difference.
Since I specifically asked for the Ford alarm, I'm hoping they haven't tried to 'upgrade' me beyond what I asked for.
Beyond that, I reiterate what I said yesterday about my satisfaction with the sales experience.
I took my best mate, his wife and their six month old baby with me when we went to the dealer (we were on our way somewhere when I decided to try Dale Ford), and while I was happy with all aspects of the dealer visit, they were also very impressed, and have subsequently decided to try a Falcon and a Focus when they look for a new car for her next month.
As they are dedicated Holden people (well, he is anyway), the friendly and low pressure service Dale Ford gave me will possibly net them 2 new car sales to brand new Ford customers over the course of the next year.
My mother is also due to replace her Excel next year, and quite likes Focus. If the dealership experience post-sale is as rosy as it's been so far, I will also direct her business to Dale Ford, as I'm a firm believer in rewarding good service with repeat business.
I guess my point in all this is I don't really mind paying a bit extra for GOOD service, but the fact that I got that AND the best changeover really will generate positive word-of-mouth from me to everyone I know (and everyone who reads this thread).
Thompson Ford's DD was $200 cheaper, but the rep really didn't give me the impression he thought I was fair-dinkum about buying a car this weekend (perhaps it was because we came fairly late, but he basically rushed us out the door at the end).
The reps at Sinclair ignored us for close to 40 minutes (three reps together shooed us out of the way of the white XR6 auto on the lot) before the assistant manager realised both of us were after serious quotes and prices, then gave me the impression he thought he was doing me a favour with his low-ball trade quote.
And while the reps at Peter Warren are on the whole very good, their after-sales service is abominable in my past experience.
I'm not sure if Dale Ford is still privately owned or is part of the Sydney RJV, but if it is, I'd just like to say to GP that he should pat these guys on the back and maybe make a few of the other RJV dealers take a look at the atmosphere they create for the fussy buyer like me.
I'd also like to thanks Russ, 61sg, Sammy and others for their comments in this thread. It help me better understand the process and formulate what I though was a better - read less stressful - approach to the process.
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