Too Good To Be True

[SadKiaMan]

I am supposed to be picking up my new AWD LX next week, but apparently when I was quoted $33,500 this was a mistake. I knew getting an AWD LX at this price was an absolute steal, but I confirmed with multiple people at the dealership that I was indeed getting an AWD model. I put down a deposit and even filled out the buyers order with AWD listed. They sent me the VIN today. FWD.

Effin A.

Any thoughts on how I should respond? $33,500 is a good price for FWD, but definitely not the lowest price out there.

-SadKiaMan

 

[JP#]

I am supposed to be picking up my new AWD LX next week, but apparently when I was quoted $33,500 this was a mistake. I knew getting an AWD LX at this price was an absolute steal, but I confirmed with multiple people at the dealership that I was indeed getting an AWD model. I put down a deposit and even filled out the buyers order with AWD listed. They sent me the VIN today. FWD.

Effin A.

Any thoughts on how I should respond? $33,500 is a good price for FWD, but definitely not the lowest price out there.

-SadKiaMan

Check the MSRP with your VIN# here Telluride Lookup
Verify what you are getting first.

 

[rbfromma]

I am supposed to be picking up my new AWD LX next week, but apparently when I was quoted $33,500 this was a mistake. I knew getting an AWD LX at this price was an absolute steal, but I confirmed with multiple people at the dealership that I was indeed getting an AWD model. I put down a deposit and even filled out the buyers order with AWD listed. They sent me the VIN today. FWD.

Effin A.

Any thoughts on how I should respond? $33,500 is a good price for FWD, but definitely not the lowest price out there.

-SadKiaMan

If the paperwork you have says AWD and they had previously agreed that it was in fact supposed to be AWD, then I would push for them to fulfill the agreement. If AWD is not a must for you then maybe you can work a discount based on the fact they did not deliver you the AWD model.

 

[SadKiaMan]

Check the MSRP with your VIN# here Telluride Lookup
Verify what you are getting first.

Yes, I already did. That's when I realized I was getting a FWD Telluride.

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[jw_tx21]

Yes, I already did. That's when I realized I was getting a FWD Telluride.

Yes, $33,500 is the correct price for a FWD LX. AWD adds $2k. As poster @rbfromma says, if the paperwork you have says AWD and there is a price quote on the paperwork and it's signed off by everyone (like a sales contract), then I would push for them to fulfill your order as specified. But, if the price was only communicated verbally by salesman (not manager), then it could have been an error on part of salesman. If you want AWD, then you may have to pony up a bit more and wait until they can get one.

 

[SadKiaMan]

Yes, $33,500 is the correct price for a FWD LX. AWD adds $2k. As poster @rbfromma says, if the paperwork you have says AWD and there is a price quote on the paperwork and it's signed off by everyone (like a sales contract), then I would push for them to fulfill your order as specified. But, if the price was only communicated verbally by salesman (not manager), then it could have been an error on part of salesman. If you want AWD, then you may have to pony up a bit more and wait until they can get one.

I have emails confirming it's AWD and the buyers order (which I filled out and signed) indicates AWD. They didn't "sign" anything.

 

[jw_tx21]

I have emails confirming it's AWD and the buyers order (which I filled out and signed) indicates AWD. They didn't "sign" anything.

Yeah, they made a mistake then. But, good luck getting them to honor their agreement... I'm sure they'll find a way to wriggle out of it to not deliver you an AWD at that price. Sounds like you have everything with numbers specifying the drivetrain, so you will need to talk with general manager and express your disappointment to find out it's FWD. You might have to contact your state consumer affairs bureau, as it would qualify as "bait and switch". But, getting a lawyer involved for $2k won't be worth it. Please let us know how it turns out...

 

[markjenn]

I'm not a lawyer and I don't know if the "buyer's order" paperwork you signed constitutes a legal contract to sell at a fixed price - probably not. Certainly a sales contract would be binding and you could hold them to the price they agreed to, although if they refuse, the amount involved may not justify the time and hassles of threatening and possibly pursuing legal action.

I'd push hard for a meeting with someone with authority to negotiate (at least the sales manager) and calmly ask for some kind of price reduction if you are willing to take the FWD or how they can get you an AWD. Personally, I'd probably be willing to chalk it up to an honest mistake and meet them halfway, or perhaps accept some other type of compensation, but it all depends on how much time and stomach acid you want to devote to this. LX's are usually relatively plentiful (and are often sold with small discounts from MSRP), so I shouldn't think there would be a huge wait if you want the AWD.

If the dealer is being a pill, I'd have a tendency just to walk away rather than attempting to get into a big hassle. Wash your hands of this and get on with finding another car/dealer.

Good luck,

- Mark

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[2020Telly]

If it were me, I would continue to negotiate on the FWD LX and get them to toss in some options and free service to make up for the huge mistake that you tried to verify with them.

 

[SadKiaMan]

If it were me, I would continue to negotiate on the FWD LX and get them to toss in some options and free service to make up for the huge mistake that you tried to verify with them.

They said they would take $500 off the MSRP, waive their $200 doc fee, and will try to go higher on my trade-in as long as it’s in good shape (not that that means a lot). Not an ideal solution, but as a buyer of one of these highly in demand vehicles, I really don’t have a lot of leverage in this situation.

I never thought it was a bait-and-switch sort of move and the GM was extremely apologetic for their mistake. Basically someone copied and pasted the wrong info, so they thought they genuinely had an AWD LX coming. That being said, the Sales Mgr should have realized the price was incorrect when we discussed it.

To be continued.

 

[Jdgate]

Do you have a trade in. You might have some wiggle room for them to give you more on the trade in that what they originally planned.

 

[markjenn]

If you they haven’t seen your trade yet, the price you had is not very meaningful to begin with.... they can always adjust the trade value to get whatever margin they need. The only leverage you have in these sorts of deals is being willing to buy the new car and sell the trade privately and most customers aren’t in a financial position to do that.

I’d suggest you just view the whole deal as a brand new negotiation as that’s really what it is.

- Mark

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[bh26]

I have emails confirming it's AWD and the buyers order (which I filled out and signed) indicates AWD. They didn't "sign" anything.

Could they be trying to pass off an incoming FWD unsold/cancelled order as your order? Especially since you have documentation and emails with AWD it.

 

[Cjunk]

I am supposed to be picking up my new AWD LX next week, but apparently when I was quoted $33,500 this was a mistake. I knew getting an AWD LX at this price was an absolute steal, but I confirmed with multiple people at the dealership that I was indeed getting an AWD model. I put down a deposit and even filled out the buyers order with AWD listed. They sent me the VIN today. FWD.

Effin A.

Any thoughts on how I should respond? $33,500 is a good price for FWD, but definitely not the lowest price out there.

-SadKiaMan

Sticker is $31,600 for the LX FWD. AWD adds $2,000. Got mine for $33,600.

 

[jw_tx21]

Sticker is $31,600 for the LX FWD. AWD adds $2,000. Got mine for $33,600.

MSRP starts at $31,890 now, plus $1,170 = $33,060 price incl. destination. Add $2k for AWD, and you're at $35,060 before any options. Per kia.com. if you paid $33,600 for AWD LX including destination, then you got a good deal.

 

[SadKiaMan]

Could they be trying to pass off an incoming FWD unsold/cancelled order as your order? Especially since you have documentation and emails with AWD it.

I don’t think so. I used the VIN site someone posted and I can see all of the new Tellurides they dealership is getting. They also are not getting any AWD LX’s in and I can see the two FWD LXs in the colors they told me previously (but said they were AWD).

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[bh26]

I don’t think so. I used the VIN site someone posted and I can see all of the new Tellurides they dealership is getting. They also are not getting any AWD LX’s in and I can see the two FWD LXs in the colors they told me previously (but said they were AWD).

I was thinking more in terms of your AWD hasn't been produced yet (and thus has no VIN assigned yet) and they are offering you a close match coming in that is a FWD. When did you order?

 

[SadKiaMan]

I was thinking more in terms of your AWD hasn't been produced yet (and thus has no VIN assigned yet) and they are offering you a close match coming in that is a FWD. When did you order?

I didn’t order it. I called all the dealerships within 2 hours and asked who had LXs coming in in the next month or two. They said this one was arriving mid-June.

 

[Jcf]

I don’t think so. I used the VIN site someone posted and I can see all of the new Tellurides they dealership is getting. They also are not getting any AWD LX’s in and I can see the two FWD LXs in the colors they told me previously (but said they were AWD).

What’s the website? I have seen it before but I forget. Kinda want to check it out.