We went to Right Honda to test drive a minivan because we had just driven one from a private sale and wanted to compare it with another minivan exactly like it. The staff was courteous, and it so happened they had another minivan the same year as the one we had tested before, so we took it for a test drive. My wife loved the car since it was in very good shape and not abused like the one we saw before. When I asked for a price, they gave me a price 4000 above the very highest book value. We're not talking about a new car, we're talking about a 7 yr old car. 2002 Honda Odyssey, with 65K miles, they were asking $15800
I laughed at it and told them that price is insane, the normal price range for that year and mileage should be somewhere between $8000 and 12000.
I told them, let's go inside and look up the TMV value on Edmunds.com. So we did. They kept laughing at me, then we looked it up (except they selected "outstanding" for the condition of the car, which it was not. It was in very good condition, but there is a noticeable ding on the passenger door and paint scratched on the rear bumper which I didn't see at first because it was getting dark. Also when we got home, the glove compartment door fell out (there was a missing screw). I wouldn't call that "outstanding" otherwise the car was in excellent shape. The top range of the TMV value was right about 1 so they said 12000.
I kept negociating with them, and asked them if they would sell it to me for 11500, which in my mind is still high, but since my wife really wanted the car and I was exhausted by that time, I was willing to go with that price. The salesman asked me if we have a deal at that price, I said yes. We shook hands (I should have known right there I was shaking hands with the devil. A handshake used to mean something, but apparently not anymore.)
So they did the paperwork, and by this time it was really late, I was extremely tired (I have a stress trigered condition that causes my hearing to get worse, so I know when I'm very stressed). I take full responsability for the fact that I just signed the papers right there without looking much at them. I knew I was getting screwed, but I had turned down my wife too many times, and she really wanted this car, so I went along with it. Later when we looked at the paperwork, the price of the car is listed as $11,999.
Hello?
I know some would say I got off cheap, it's a measly $500.
Well, to me it's a matter of honesty, and obviously they don't have it.
When that guy shook hands with me agreeing on $11,500, I expect that number to be in that box where the price of the car goes. Yes, there were a ton of fees, and extended warranty which we purchassed for an arm and a leg.in the end the total amount we would be paying (if we don't pay it off early, which we intend to) is around $18,000.
I can deal with taxes, fees, and crap they pile on. I know that's part of the business, and I was at a dissadvantage for not paying straight cash, But that little $500 they just HAD to add back into the price after we had agreed on a number, That is the straw that broke the camel's back. I'm a man of my word and try not to intentionally people, and lying is one thing I can't tolerate. It doesn't matter if they lie about $1 or $10000, I will never EVER again trust a person that has lied to me. Right Honda seems like a decent dealership, but they'll never get my business again because I don't trust them. That's all folks.
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