I received a very competitve written offer on a Blazer EV one-pay. I would normally just jump on it but the problem is the dealer doesn’t allow deposits or inventory holds, and the place is almost 2 hours away. I’m not even looking to beat it, just a match or come close would make me happy at a local dealer.
But my question isn’t about the amount. I blacked out the VIN and Stock number on the offer (MSRP, Model Number, and One Pay price along with most math clearly visible) before sending it to competing dealers.
They asked me what dealer it’s from but I said I wouldn’t disclose.
Is that the right move? Does it give me more leverage to say where it’s from so they don’t think i made it up? I was just sort of afraid they would reach out to the original dealer and black ball me somehow for exercising my right to live in a free market.
They’re either willing to match it or they’re not. Ask them flat out if they can do it. If you show up to the dealership and they come up with excuses just leave.
That basically never happens, at most if the two dealers are friends they will roast the initial dealer for being desperate enough to go that low on a quote
In fairness to the OP it sounds like they tried to, but the dealer wouldn’t accept a deposit or otherwise hold the car/deal. I can understand not wanting to drive 2 hrs with no guarantees that the car will still be available when you get there.
I have a feeling they would hold it if he did credit app, send DL/insurance, etc.
Maybe they don’t just hold cars for a deposit but even I have personally gotten cars from dealers that don’t do deposits or holds, but once you do the credit app and such they’ll give you a day or two.
I don’t know any dealer where you could do the credit app and send them everything required and then they’d say “but hey we still won’t hold it while we wait for you to come in”.
100% agree, it’s very un-car-dealer-like behavior to have a deal locked up but not want to accept something/anything to hold it for a day or two to let an out of town buyer pick it up, especially on something like a Blazer as max mentioned.
I know some dealers supposedly can’t hold a deposit for more than 24 hrs (state law). But this is weird they won’t hold a deposit for same day pickup. Feels like will be a bait a switch when they arrive.
Yeah, I’m ultimately going to try and go with the original deal, but it wasn’t the exact config I wanted, and I’m currently a one car household with three kids so almost logistically impossible to get out there without taking a $150 Uber and inconveniencing my family.
First you have to know that these guys are all playing golf with one another at the same regional or national meetings. They talk. And I don’t think it would be far fetched to have a gm or gsm call another gm/gsm and have a deal unravel.
The best leverage you have is your willingness to walk away. It really is as simple as “thanks, I wanted to give you the opportunity because of xyz, unfortunately you’re still too far from where the other dealers are at”. Up to you if you want to look at another potential offer or truly walk away. At least you have the option.
Last, I’m not sure I would even get that detailed with the numbers. It gives them the opportunity to poke holes or gaslight you. I’ve done this exact same thing four or five times now and you really have to know your math and demonstrate within reason that you understand the entirety of the transaction. The numbers shouldn’t lie. If they won’t meet the other dealers offer, move on. It’s a lot of work for about a week but it pays itself off.
You might consider just starting over with local dealers by using your wife’s name and a different email address / mobile number, and then simply make credible offers without the deal sheet you have in hand.
You’ll maximize your odds of getting a taker on an aggressive offer if you present yourself as a no-effort sale, but you aren’t being taken seriously by closer dealers because of how you’re shopping.
You’re presenting yourself as someone who will take whatever is put in writing to the next dealership, to try to use that as leverage to save an extra 11 cents a month on your payment.
I believe you’re being perceived as someone who isn’t worth the time/effort due to the low probability of converting your inquiry to a sale.
Fair enough, but that would beg the question, if it so far away and hard for you to get there, and the car wasn’t really what you wanted, why did you contact them in the first place?
