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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Subaru Forester Prices Paid and Buying Experience
2724 messages, Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 2:58 PM
You are in the Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum. Your Hosts are car_man & kyfdx
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 18, 2004 7:26 am) Let me just say that I am convinced by my own research that Huper Optik, http://www.huperoptik.com/Automotive.asp?cat=NaviAuto.inc a relatively new ceramic-based technology, is a superior product. Huper Optik ceramic tints tend to be installed on high-end BMWs, Lexus, Infiniti, etc., at a premium price. I'm sure Solar Gard makes a good product, but I don't think it is as good as the newer Huper Optik product. More to the point, the Solar Gard tint is not what I want. Given that, what is at issue here is the "buying experience" and what constitutes best business practices on both sides. In fact, you should know that the car deal was in no way contingent on the tint add-on. I know that the tint package is a high-margin item for the dealer, and I can't blame them for wanting to maximize their profit. But we first made the handshake deal on the car price with or without "Business Manager" add-ons. I do feel some personal responsibility for naively agreeing to the dealer's tint package. Shame on me for not doing my homework first. However, I think that in the ordinary course of business, the customer has a certain privilege -- if not a right -- to be fickle. I am now exercising the inherent right of any customer to say, "Thank you very much, but that is not what I want after all. What can you do for me in the way of a refund, credit or other consideration?" I doubt seriously that except for the hassle factor, the dealer has incurred any out-of-pocket costs with their outsourced tint supplier. Since they routinely do business with that supplier, I'm sure the bean counters can find a way to undo the order if money has, in fact, changed hands. My approach with the dealer, from the time I changed my mind, has been to seek some win-win way out of this that gives them something for their trouble. But all those suggestions have been rebuffed. The dealer's position is in effect, "No. We already have your money. You must accept the tint job you originally ordered." I took no offense at these negotiating tactics until yesterday, when they pulled the ploy of "we already paid the tint dude." Now I am more inclined just to say, "I've changed my mind. Please just give me my money back." Legally, perhaps I can't force them to give me a refund or dealer credit; I'm certain they can't force me to accept delivery of the tint job. Ethically, I think it's a standoff. Psychologically, this is turning an excellent buying experience into a very sour one. |
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I don't think there's anything wrong with a little buyer's remorse and I think you've gone beyond the call to work the tint issue out with the dealer. I'd fax the owner and/or general manager and tell them that the situation is relatively minor but is fast souring your experience with the dealer. They can read between the lines that you'll tell everyone you meet about your experience. Jobs get cancelled all the time - the tint installer will survive. Try asking the salespeople over in Any Questions for a Car Dealer? too - often people say there's no deal until the car leaves the lot, but I don't know how true that is. Oh, the Window Tinting board has been reopened too  Steve, Host |
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I agree that it shouldn't be a big hassle to give your money back or at least give you equivalent credit with the parts dept. But I also have to wonder why the big deal in the first place? What's wrong with Solargard? Sure Huper Optik makes their product sound wonderful but I'm pretty sure that the difference between the two products is negligible. Of course if you "MUST" have only the best most "gold-plated" version then I suppose it fits the bill. -Frank
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I'd heard of Madico and Lumar also. Throw in 3M film while you're at it. Those are the more established brands (including Solar Gard). I saw the post in another thread that had a link to Huper Optik, so they're legit it seems, but I'd still never heard of them until today. OK, gotcha on the car deal, so it was done before you ordered the tint. Hmm, I guess the dealer could cancel the order and charge maybe a small penalty (a deposit maybe?). That seems reasonable, but I do still think it's up to the discretion of the dealer. Sounds like you want the best possible tint, cost no object, and you're convinced that the ceramic type is best, so go for it. Call 800-SUBARU3 and tell them about this, see if they can mediate and help you obtain a full refund. I really think the dealer just didn't make any money on your sale, but sort of recovered on the tint deal, and just doesn't want to give up what was likely the only profit he'd make at all on the whole deal. -juice |
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Replying to: p0926 (Aug 18, 2004 9:28 am) Meanwhile, today the dealer is adopting a more reasonable position, and I am optimistic about a copacetic resolution of the issue. I'll let you know how it turns out. |
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Sounds good, keep us posted? -juice
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 18, 2004 10:42 am) I am quite satisfied, and grateful that the dealer humored my change of mind. My gratitude will be reflected in top marks for the dealer on the SoA customer satisfaction survey, which they seem to take quite seriously. |
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Good news, glad to hear it was resolved to your satisfaction. Now, if you get that exotic ceramic-based tint, you gotta share pics! :o) -juice |
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Hey guys and gals, I just want to ask you some questions.We just got back from the local subaru dealer and now are even more confused than we were before.I want to know why these subarus are 1) so expensive 2)are still selling at close to MSRP for a 04 before rebates.We have been looking for a wagon now for about a month,and have test driven a forester XS w/premium pack automatic,a 04 legacy 35th ann edition auto(didn't like it),and both the Mazda6 sport wagon,and Mazda3 HB.We have been getting prices to buy these cars that vary from $20180 plus the dealer paying off our trade(00 protege ES),and an interest rate of 3.9% so payments would be around $370 a month for a mazda 6 wagon w/auto and bose stereo pack.Also we got these quotes from the local subie dealer $22431 on a 04 forester XS after the $1500 rebate,and $22966 on a XS premium w/cloth that was a dealer demo w/4200 miles on it.They gave us a ballpark figure on buying these cars and said around $20 per thousand financed so around $440 for the XS and a bit more for the premium.I then asked them what the difference was between the X and the XS.They told us not much aside from the alloys,drums in the rear,no 6 cd changer,no heated mirrors,seats, heated wipers on the front,no limited slip,and no white option on the 05's.We asked then about leasing the 04 XS's and I will tell you I was not impressed with the figures.The residual was really low for the XS premuim at $11450 for a 3 year 15k a year lease with a money factor of .00220(5.28%) and payments of $443 a month tax included.The salesperson then told me that subaru was offering better lease numbers on the 05 X models and that they were offering $1500 incentive until monday on these.They had a cap cost figure of $22046 on a black 05 X w/auto,armrest ext,rubber mat in the rear with a MF of .00120(2.8%) residual of $10940 and a payment of $347 inc tax with zero down.Subaru makes the first payment,and $350 due at signing for doc fees tags and tax on the $1500 rebate which is shown as a downpayment. My wife is worried about leasing because she is afraid of going over the miles(unlikely),and that our son will tear the car apart(he is 2 as of writing-highly likely).I was wondering what you guys thought of our predicament?I am leaning toward the 05 X lease or maybe at looking at buying a 04 X with the $1500 rebate,or maybe even at the Mazda6 wagon due to us having all mazdas for the past few years,and a $500 customer loyalty bonus voucher. Would the X model be a good choice or is it a bad investment?We are comparing the X we took home as a demo to her current ride,and the only major differences are the alloy wheels on the mazda,the moonroof on the mazda,and the fact that the subie has AWD.The dealer told me if we did the deal before monday that we could wait for the color that we want to come in if we didn't like the black w/textured grey lower one they had.Sorry to be long winded.Any input would be appreciated.I know most on this forum will tell us go with the subie.Thanks in advance. Chris and Becky
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Replying to: mazdax605 (Sep 11, 2004 5:02 pm) I just checked fitzmall.com, well known in these parts for no-haggle, aggressive internet pricing, and found only a handful of 2004s left. There was one 2004 XS at substantially below the numbers you quote, but the 2004 pickings are slim. If you are in driving distance of the mid-Atlantic, check out fitzmall. That's what I did 6 weeks ago for a 2004 XT, and my Texas dealer essentially made a competitive offer. You might also shop the lease terms independently online at www.leasecompare.com . |
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