P
Columbia,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, August 02, 2004
There's a local Columbia area Dodge dealer (Dodgeland) that has offered the "triple rebate" deal. Knowing that it was a gimmick, I decided to discreetly check them out once. Yeah, they were offering triple rebates alright, but what their advertisement didn't mention was that they were adding the difference to an ADMU (Additional Dealer Mark Up) sticker. Therefore, when you subtracted the bogus rebate amount, you were pretty much back at the sticker price. To anyone out there buying a new car, remember the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Christopher
Chamblee,#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, August 01, 2004
When you look at the add, it says "Triple rebate SAVINGS" not triple the rebate. What happens is they give you a discount on the vehicle, and with the zero percent interest loans that are available right now, the totals would be a TOTAL savings of $9,000 (using your example of course)over the life of your loan. I see the add looks like it could be construed as a $3000 rebate becomes $9,000 off, but it doesnt actually say that you now have a $9,000 rebate from the sticker on the vehicle. I guess what frustrates me the most about customers is that they dont understand that there is no Santa clause out there. The actual price of the vehicle is $X.XX and the delaer needs to make $700-$800 a car to stay in business. If they take too much off the price of the new vehicle, be prepared for them to take that amount off your trade in as well. Profit is NOT a dirty word, ripoff is, and dealers that actually "rip" you off should be beaten, but this is just creative advertising, and you need to take it at that. Sell your car on your own, offer the dealer $300 UNDER invoice with all incentives going to you the customer, and you'll get a GREAT deal and you'll be happy as well.