Scummy Dealer Trying to Force Add-Ons... Help!

Ask the Hackrs
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1

Somewhat new to the forum, but have been lurking around and learning a lot from the site, finally decided to join the discussion. Currently in a bit of a sticky situation with a dealer and would really appreciate some help.

Basically trying to lease a Jeep Grand Cherokee right now, lots of incentives on the car, and I was able to work out an insane deal on the car with almost no negotiation at all. Dealer discount and incentives added up, I was getting just over 30% off msrp… which I think is pretty insane.

Immediately drove down to the dealership in hopes of closing the deal, only to find out that they were going to tack on just under $2,000 in dealer add ons to the final sale price of the car, which affects the monthly payments pretty significantly, especially considering the best term available right now seems to be 24 months.

No matter what I said, they told me there is no way they could possible reduce that amount as the additional equipment was “already installed on the car and there’s no way it could be removed”. The sales person then proceeded to pull out his phone to show me this “magical app that could show me exactly where my car is located on a map!” (aka LoJack). In my opinion complete unnecessary bullshit that they’re obviously just pushing to make an extra profit on.

I fought them so hard on this that the owner of the dealership himself had to come out and tell me that it’s really a take it or leave it thing… so I left.

Unfortunately, the deal was so sweet, even with the LoJack and all, that I haven’t been able to get another dealer anywhere close to the deal they were offering me. To my understanding, dealers can’t legally FORCE you to pay for any additional equipment they have installed on the car… am I wrong? What would you do in this situation?

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
MSRP: $39,290
Dealer Discount: -$5,501
Rebates and Incentives:
Retail Consumer Cash -$2,500
California LA/Palm Springs Bonus Cash -$1,000
Jeep Celebration Bonus Cash -$500
Total Loss Direct Offer Program -$1,000
Automobility Program -$1,000
Conquest Lease -$1,000
Capitalized Cost: $26,789
Residual: 51%
MF: 0.5% APR (ALLY)
24 Months / 10k Miles

2

Run away. It’s just a form of bait and switch.

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3

Did they provide you that insane deal in writing by email or just over phone calls? If you have numbers share the details so someone here can help you. Addons can be marked up between 200 to 300% thats why they are trying to recoup some that discount. If no one us matching, it might be a good deal even with addons

4

Give a breakdown of the deal, discount, rebates, etc. Other forum members might gain from it, do not just post for your need and that is that. Give some back. And, if discount is 30% on a popular SUV i would guess it was too good to be true, hence the add ons.

5

Like max said, it was a bait and switch, you were never scoring that discount.

6

Don’t reward the scum bag tactics

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8

I was there in person, ready to sign, only walked out when I noticed the upcharge… posting the deal info now.

9

LoJack is soooo 1980’s. My dad used to work at a BMW/Mercedes dealer back in the late 80’s and they installed them on the high end cars because of all the carjackings in Flint and Detroit. Now better technology exists through plug and play OBD2 devices for almost nothing. Dealers that do this are only looking for profit. It should be easy to uninstall and move on…

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10

He mentioned he has been on the forums for a while and has learned the ins and outs a bit… also 30 % msrp :slight_smile:
Again, let the numbers decide …

11

Personally I think finding an honest dealer will save me time, aggravation and quite possibly money over multiple transactions. And a scummy dealer’s service dept is likely to be scummy as well. That’s just me.

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12

What was the monthly payment? If it is a good deal then take it and enjoy the car and don’t worry about the tactics, especially if no other dealer can match it. You are not trying to make friends.

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13

Retail bonus cash is for purchase. Automobility is like a rebate when you equip the vehicle though with those features. Bait and switch.

14

Came out to ~$385 including tax w/ something like $1,700 in drive-offs. I need to be around 0 down / 400 a month.

15

We need more numbers, like MSRP, Sales price…
Also, what were the numbers given to you before add ons that made you drive up to them?

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16

I actually read the fine print on the Jeep website and spoke to other dealers about the incentives they were giving me… Retail bonus applies to both purchases and leases. Automobility is given to any disabled person purchasing or leasing a vehicle. Given that I’m negotiating this deal for my father, he qualifies for said incentive.

17

Already went back and added the MSRP and Sale Price. I believe the deal should have been $318/month including tax with those $1,700 in drive offs.

18

I would NEVER walk into a dealership without having numbers at least something close to where I want to be at quoted over the phone. On other deals I’ve been quoted higher over the phone and have actually been able to further negotiate once there in person, never the other way around.

19

The dealer can try to sell you paint sealant, alarms, tire shine, or whatever they want, for $10 or $1000. But you don’t have to agree to any of it. I think it’s likely bunk that they can’t remove the LoJack, because I highly doubt they have installed it yet. I suspect that with the incentives on some American cars, the dealer is likely not making much at all on new car sales. They’re relying on used cars, their service department, and these add-ons, which are almost all profit. So, while they barely eek out a profit on the new car, they’re probably going to make $300 or more on the add-on.
I know the deal looks great, even with the add-ons. Merely on the principle of fair dealing, I wouldn’t reward a dealer trying to scam you.

2 Likes
20

Exactly why I simply left the deal. Just wondering if there’s any way I could possibly strong hand them and have those add-ons removed. They are extremely firm on their numbers. Hoping I could get them to pull another thousand or so off the sticker to compensate for it in some way, but I really can’t believe dealers are still operating like this in 2018.