harrysam said:
Well all I can say is don't go near the place in Bellevue. I've had a horrendous time with them. Put an offer don on a 300c, they said come in to close. By the time I got there they had sold it to someone else. Ordered an AWD in early december and put down $500. 30 days later, no build date no nothing, so after seeing the wheels and figuring I'd have to spend 3k to upgrade and replace with 20s, I told them I wanted to get an SRT-8 instead. They said they would have 1-2 and would auction for minimum of $10k over MSRP. I tried to talk them into MSRP they said no. I told them if that was the case , to cancel my order for the AWD. They said their manager would get back to me.
I found the car out of state for MSRP and told them I wanted my deposit back and to cancel the AWD order (still with no build date, and still no manager call). They proceeded to get $hitty about it. I asked them what their problem was since it was their decision not to sell me the SRT-8 at a reasonable price, and I still needed to get the car serviced and would consider them. They said the car had been ordered, I told them it was their own fault since I had told them earlier to cancel it and they had chosen not to do so (why, because they knew they'd sell it anyway in about 5 minutes). The Sales guy I worked with apologized and said he'd ask for a full refund, but then the "manager" said no. Said the deposit was non-refundable (which they had never claimed before). I called my credit card company immediately and had them void the charge and I won't do any business with that dealer ever again.
The out of state dealer agreed for $250 to have the car delivered to the dealership of my choice for pick up. I chose the one in Kirkland. Will see how that works out.
Interesting.
In December I called all local dealers (Kirkland, Bellevue, Seattle) and no one had a "list of interest", etc. on the SRT-8 but Bellevue was willing to start one.
I went down to the dealer and said I want an SRT-8 but I'm not paying a penny over MSRP. I told tehm I'd trade in a 2003 MINI Cooper S and they could make their profit on that - I wouldn't fight the wholesale amount for that car and they can still make a couple grand off the wholesale -> retail amount on it.
They agreed to at least take a deposit (Jim Patton, new car sales manager) and call me as soon as ordering opened, etc. and that I was the first person with money down on an SRT-8. (12/30/2005 or so)
I then called Dave Smith Chrysler in Idaho after hearing a radio ad and asking around at the office... other people loved it due to CHEAP no haggle prices. So, I put a deposit down at Dave Smith as well. I got a call back within a week that said that ordering was open and placed my order. I'm suppossedly #9 on the Dave Smith list but they are a huge volume dealer and they think they'll get more than that. And at a price of invoice (including invoice on all options) + ~$275.
I left a message with the sales guy I had talked to at Bellevue with my cell phone and office numbers saying that the ordering lines should be open and to call me.
I have NOT HEARD BACK FROM BELLEVUE. Ever. Not in the past 3 months did they call. They haven't cashed my check and I'll likely just put a stop on it because if they think they are getting my money or trying to talk me into a penny over MSRP, etc.
Nice.
Your mileage may vary but I know I sure as heck am going to avoid Bellevue for ANYTHING... I'll never buy a new car or service a car through them. They are a byproduct of more people on the east side having more money than sense and their business would die almost anywhere else in the world you placed them.
So I'm still waiting on my SRT-8, but I'd rather wait and be informed (Sam at Dave Smith emails and calls me occasionally) and get it at a good price then ignored and/or gouged by the local dealer.
-dq
