On July 3, I traveled an hour to this dealership because they had six 2006 PT Cruiser Convertibles in the same Cool Vanilla color that no one seems to like except me. It was the first day of Chrysler's 'Employee Pricing' promotion - which I realize is just another way to try and convince customers they are getting a stupendous deal - but I was a serious customer, ready to buy a car.
I had done all my research: my 2000 Volvo C70 with all the bells and whistles has a Kelly Blue Book trade-in value between $11,370 and $12,400: a nice, clean car with below average mileage. (Even in the WORST possible condition, Kelly says this car is worth $10K on a trade.) For added insurance, I printed out a list of all the 2000 Volvo C70's for sale within a 250 mile radius of the dealership. The asking prices ranged from around $13K (for two cars with over 100K miles) to $17,995. Most were priced around $16,000.
Five minutes into my first test drive came the familiar question: "What would it take for you to buy a car today?" Mr. Apice is an 'old time' salesman, and when I didn't reply immediately, he went on to tell me that the Employee Pricing would be the same no matter where I went, so the only variable would be the value of my trade-in. I told him that if I liked the numbers, I was ready to write a check for the difference between my trade and the price of the Cruiser. This seemed to please him, but he went on to inform me that no one but a Volvo dealer could work on a Volvo; that Puritan could service every single make and model of foreign car EXCEPT Volvos. I began to anticipate a problem. Then he pointed out how nice it would be for me to drive home a new car today.
We returned to the DESERTED showroom (five salespeople were standing around debating the dangers of fireworks on what is, supposedly, a big week-end for car sales) and Mr. Apice got out his order pad. He wrote in, then very dramatically crossed out, the sticker price and substituted the 'Employee Pricing' price. He then asked me for my thoughts on the value of my trade-in. I politely asked him to please just give me his best bottom line offer. Off he went to his Manager.
With a flourish, he offered me his order pad on which he had written $17,800. For a split second I thought "What a great deal!" but then I realized: that was what he wanted in cash PLUS my Volvo for the $25,000 PT Cruiser! He was offering me $7,000 for my trade-in. I thanked him and rose to leave. He protested. I informed him what my trade-in was worth and what similar cars were retailing for. I also told him that since that was his 'best offer' I wouldn't waste anymore of his time.
He pressed me for a counter-offer, so I told him I would write him a check for $12,000, which prompted another conference with his manager. When he returned, magically, that HADN'T been his best offer! He offered me another $1,000 for my trade! Gee, $8,000! And he had this explanation for me: because the dealership didn't make any profit with 'Employee Pricing', they had to make it up on the trade-ins. He actually came out and told me that! I was dumbfounded.
When I asked what they would do if a customer HAD NO trade - wanted to pay all-cash, he got flustered. He then came up with another reason for trying to steal my car. They had had another Volvo - different from mine, but one he considered more desirable, that had taken 18 months to sell. Then he reminded me of Puritan's inability to work on Volvo's. But I couldn't listen to any more. I left. The showroom was still deserted, but I didn't wonder why any longer.
If they attempt to rebutt this, they should know that I preserved my entire 'Puritan experience' on a voice activated memo recorder in my purse. It's really sad that I felt I needed to do that - but it's more sad that I was right to believe an attempt would be made to rip me off.
There are plenty of other dealerships: maybe better, maybe worse. But you'll be ahead of the game simply by staying away from this one.
Carol
Moosup, Connecticut
U.S.A.
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