like pulling teeth - internet price quotes

Forget the email nonsense. Just spend a couple of hours on the phone with the "fleet managers" at 10-20 dealers, including some in fly-over states. Make sure they understand that you will be making your purchase decision promptly (eg, "within 48 hours").

 

I used to work in sales, not car sales, but a salesguy is a salesguy. When you fill out any online form you are just put into their database as a new lead. They then will call you and try and close you. It is death to them if they just give you a price, because anywhere else you take it, they will figure out how to beat it. The best thing for you to do is to be honest about exactly what your situation is and what you want, and work them for the best deal from there. Don't get upset with them for not simply giving you a number, that would be stupid of them (especially if it was just sent through an e-mail), they are just doing their job becuase they know that if they give you a price and you don't buy then, it's about a 5% chance you ever call them back.

Good luck.

 

I tried internet quotes when I bought my new Ridgeline. I submitted information to about 10 dealers within 150 miles. About 5 actually sent me an "internet only special price". Every one of them was at least $1,000 over priced. I knew what they should be selling for, so I responded to three of them with firm reasonable offers, but every one of them refused. One even said they would be loosing money if they sold it to me at that price.

Just for the hell of it I stopped by one of the dealerships. I didn't tell them I had dealt with their internet department, but rather talked with a normal salesman. I had cash in hand (well, actually a check) and less than an hour later I was driving away at the price I had offered over the internet.

What I found out from that experience is that the internet quotes are a waste of time. I will never do that again.

 

I agree with you desmo!

In my business, if someone calls for a price quote - I ask for a fax or e-mail address to which I can send my bid. I then promptly and accurately come up with a price & send it out. If the customer likes the price, they make a purchase. If they don't like the price, I tell them politely to kindly take their business elsewhere & often supply contact info for competitors.

I'm in the same situation with a fairly esoteric bit of electronic equipment - need some repairs done & am interested in some updates. The US distributor of said piece took 3 e-mails to get to ANY description of what the upgrades entail & in 4 e-mails has yet to give any form of pricing. Will probably break out the 'scope, signal generator, & soldering station & just do the damned work myself!

Simple direct questions should be met with simple direct answers.

 

i sent you a PM