Thoroughbred Nissan (Tucson, AZ) $1,165 over MSRP (sort of)

[JasonT]

Just got my quote back from one of the local dealers here in Tucson AZ. My SL with DC Charger & floor mats is coming out to $36,575 including destination charge. Where is the extra $1,165 coming from? A $269 window tint and a $869 "Thoroughbred Package" which I'm told is "Undercoating, Paint/Fabric Protectant".

I'm rather annoyed, and I'm not exactly sure what to do at this point. I knew there were places outside the state offering below MSRP, but I was willing to forgo the sub-MSRP discount for the convenience of not dealing with a shipping company and such (I had my Miata shipped to me 10 years ago and it wasn't the most pleasant experience). However, to not only charge me MSRP but to add on these additional items without even asking me just... chaps my hide.

Advice? Suggestions?

 

[GeorgeParrott]

Get your car from Fontana....

We got ours for 5% UNDER MSRP with that figure computed from the TOTAL with shipping, the quick charge port and floor mats discounted along with the SL base price !

Thanks North Bay Nissan (Petaluma, CA.)

 

[evnow]

However, to not only charge me MSRP but to add on these additional items without even asking me just... chaps my hide.

You didn't talk to them and get a price beforehand ?

Check with people in the Pheonix thread ...

 

[evnow]

Added this piece of information to the "MSRP" thread, where this dealer is listed. Shame on them.

 

[Azrich]

Tucson LEAF Buyers Stay United

Refuse the desert protection package ($896) and the window tinting ($269) . Call Thoroughbred, talk to the LEAF specialists or better yet, the general manager. Tell them you don't want these.

Phone numbers for Thoroughbred Nissan found at:

http://www.thoroughbrednissan.com/

 

[Gavin]

Or go with Avondale....msrp and no add ons...kinda local.

Gavin

 

[JasonT]

Get your car from Fontana....

I had a number of reasons I didn't want to do this (some of them silly, like it's not very "environmental" to have a car shipped specifically to me instead of buying it from a local dealer that gets groups of cars shipped to them), but I am now seriously considering this and have dropped them an email to get an idea of what my cost would be.

You didn't talk to them and get a price beforehand ?

No... I had spoken with them a while back, and Azrich had gotten at least an "MSRP" out of them. The thing that really annoys me is that they called me to confirm my order - going down a checklist veifying the things I wanted on the car before sending me the quote. But they didn't bother mentioning that they were going to be tacking on additional items.

I will readily admit, I'm not good at this car buying stuff. I've only purchased two cars in my life - the first was used from a business associate, and the second was new off of the internet. I foolishly thought this would be similar to what my last purchase was like.

 

[trentr]

How about BOYCOTT Thoroughbred Nissan? What a bunch of BS. I would avoid them altogether, don't even call them.

 

[chuffpdx]

The "undercoating" and "Paint sealing" are scams as far as I'm concerned. Fabric protection is usually overpriced and something you can do yourself if you care. Tint, well, I usually wear shades.

As for what to do, I'd change dealers. Just on principle.

 

[LEAFguy]

Advice? Suggestions?

First - don't accept the quote. You may select another dealer (I think you sign out of your account, click on the yellow "find a dealer" link at the bottom of the LEAF site, and select a new dealer). Prior to selecting another dealer and submitting a new RAQ, call the dealer first, tell them of your experience with Thoroughbred, and tell them that you don't want any dealer add-on items. Let them know that if you can't order the LEAF without dealer add-ons, you will continue to call other dealers until you find one that will honor your request. There are several greater Phoenix area stores. I'm sure that you will find at least one that is willing to work with you. If not, you at least now know of some Southern California (or Northern California) alternatives. Good luck!

 

[LakeLeaf]

Any car dealers can't understand why shopping for a new car is just below root canal surgery in terms of unpleasantness.

This may be one of those things that the Internet eventually cures - "I want this car - send me your best offer and explain why I should do business with you".

Dealers that offer all around quality are quickly rising to the top, and the others are falling by the wayside. My town has lost 75% of their new car dealers since I moved here, yet the population has remained fairly constant. I used to laugh when I would go to the local Ford dealer and read the window sticker and see a line item of "ADM - $5000". I'm stunned they lasted as long as they did.

It's a new day - find a different dealer who is going to be straight up with you! You can get a new quote tomorrow - and it may not end up effecting your delivery date - especially if no September orders go out tomorrow.

 

[Gonewild]

Go to Rairdon in Wa zip code 98002. He is giving you $450 for shipping or Join us we are filling a truck and get on our truck for free shipping in Jan that right you heard me FREE shipping from Wa to Phoenix and one of the lowest price at $100 below invoice.

 

[rjzastaury]

I don't suppose there's any talking them out of the $820 destination/handling charge?

Have any Tucsonans out there been in touch with Jim Click Nissan? I wonder what price they're quoting.

Ron

 

[Gonewild]

No dealer will remove the $820 it is a factory addon.

 

[LEAFfan]

No dealer will remove the $820 it is a factory addon.

Yep, the cost from factory to dealer.

 

[Azrich]

I don't suppose there's any talking them out of the $820 destination/handling charge?

Have any Tucsonans out there been in touch with Jim Click Nissan? I wonder what price they're quoting.

Ron

Ron, can you call Jim Click Nissan today to find out what their "pricing strategy" is for the LEAF? Ask for the LEAF specialist. They should tell you. Ask about add ons.

 

[JasonT]

Well, I called Fontana (CA), Rairdon (WA), Thorougbred and Jim Click. Here's where I'm at:
Fontana
At first I was told by Danny Truong that they are no longer doing out-of-state deals due to complications with working with identity theft laws. He later called me back and said that they found a way to do it, but it would require me to fly/drive out there to make it happen. He can do the whole thing for me for around $34,800, not counting my cost to get out there if I can't incorporate that into some other trip (My girlfriend is trying to convince me on a Disneyland trip)

Rairdon
Greg Leach was out of the office today, but he ended up calling me up anyway after getting my email. He was incredibly responsive, and says he can do it for me for around $34,000 with shipping - possibly less if I get in on the Phoenix group shipping.

Thoroughbred
After telling them what Rairdon could do for me (I hadn't heard from Fontana at this point), RJ Blevins took a while to get back to me. He eventually came saying he could drop the two additional items, putting their quote back down to the MSRP of $35,410. He says he can't go any lower than this.

Jim Click
MSRP MSRP MSRP. Sonny kept talking about how he's heard in California that they are going up to $5,000 over MSRP, and he was proud that they were not going above MSRP. He also mentioned that I would be getting some "extras", and when I asked what those were, he said that there was a "desert protection package" (he mentioned undercoating) and a "maintainence for life" (which he admitted he wasn't sure what that would mean for an EV). He said they typically bumped the cost above MSRP because of these, but wouldn't with the Leaf. Oddly, he calculated the destination fee at $850 (instead of $820) and said that the Doc fee is $300 (vs the $150 for the WA quote and $55 for the CA quote)

I'm going to sleep on this, but I guess I'm going with Rairdon. Fontana offer isn't bad if I am already out there for Disneyland, but otherwise it seems silly to fly out there just to sign documents. It would be a shorter "ship" than coming from Washington. However, if I get in on the group-Phoenix-shipment, then the "environmental" impact wouldn't be as big, since a group of cars would be coming down, not just mine. Combine that with the low price, and it seems like a "no brainer" to me.

 

[rjzastaury]

Here's the response I got from another Jim Click Nissan representative:

My name is LaMont Morrison, Internet Sales Manager for the Jim Click Automotive Team. I am also the EV Sales Leader for the Nissan Leaf.

The pricing on the 2011 Nissan Leaf is $32,780.00 for the SV and $33,720.00 for the SL. (does not include destination charge). We will be selling the 2011 Nissan Leaf for MSRP and will not be marking the vehicle up.