Okay, so I submit a request for an online quote for a specific model, complete with VIN, that is listed in their inventory, and get this email back:
Okay, fair enough. Monday at 10:45 am and closed seems strange, but lucky for me, the professional team member replied with this helpful response:
Note to businesses. Don’t bitch about how bad the economy is when your salespeople are goobers. I blacked out the guy’s name, but I really shouldn’t have.
FWIW, it might not be Goober’s fault, here. I contacted a national gym chain and filled out all of the required fields about how I’d received a written offer in the mail, had questions, etc. I got back a general response with none of the information I asked for. After going back and forth about five times, I got a bit cranky and said “Could you please just send me the pricing and contract terms that I requested in my original message?” The person finally fessed up that they don’t get any of the text, just a general “membership interest” message with my email address. Could just be a crappy system.
Doesn’t much make up for sending an email saying nothing but “What do you want?” of course.
Well, what did you want?
At least you got an email back? My dealership allegedly allows one to put in a request for service via their website. You pick three times that are best for you, the service department calls you back to confirm one of those times for your appointment or to offer something else.
I have tried it three times, and never once received a call back. I only go to the dealership for service at all because my car is under warranty and they do the annual state inspection for free. For routine non-warranty stuff, though, I go elsewhere, and this is part of why.
Maybe Mr.Gooberhead is tired of folks in Nigeria telling him they want to buy cars for thousands over MSRP sight unseen and they will be sending a cashier’s check.
What once seemed like a nice system for selling cars to the public was abused and turned to crap by scammers. Mr.G probably isn’t used to a legit internet customer.
I know that certain on-line form programs are notoriously unreliable. I’ve been on the receiving end of some blank forms myself.
In such cases, the appropriate response is along the lines of “My apologies for the inconvenience, but there was a problem in processing your submission. If you could kindly clarify your request, blah, blah, blah…”
An e-mail that says nothing but “What do you want?” is laughably inadequate. I hope you replied by saying “I want to go to a dealer that will respond to me in a professional manner. Have a nice day.”
I had a run in with that same exact Kia dealership in Silver Spring. I used Edmond’s to price out the car I wanted and get various DC dealers to send me quotes. Kia of Silver Spring had the car at the best price, I contacted them via email, confirmed that they had the car and we could show up, buy it and drive off. We get there and they don’t have the car on the lot and seem kind of surprised we expected them to have it ready that day.
And here’s another great helpful reply from a different car dealer. I searched his lot inventory, provided him with a VIN number and asked for an out the door price and if there were any current financing incentives:
Well, that certainly provides all of the information I need. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that a lot of dealerships have wised up to the idea that a lot of car buyers do all of their research online and know pretty much to the penny what the dealer can sell it for.
Therefore, dealers want to head this off by being stand off-ish and getting you to come to the dealership where they can browbeat you. Just a WAG, though.
My gf shopped (online) for a Subaru recently and had nothing but great times. When she found the one she wanted, she transferred funds from savings to checking, went in, and came home with her new car. Less than 30 minutes spent at the dealership.
Yay Subaru, I guess.
There is my next stop, then. 
I have tried Ford, Chevy, Kia, and Nissan and have been met with standard “Come in and see us” replies or very little information.
When a dealership treats me well, it will get equal time kudos in this thread.
You can get this level of service anywhere. Just call them and offer to pay MSRP.
I have no affiliations with and don’t particularly feel one way or the other about car dealerships, everyone, even Mr.Gooberhead has a bad day once in a while, whatever, but I do really sympathize with how they must have to deal with internet shoppers.
I don’t negotiate with people over email or on the phone when I’m selling shit on Craigslist, and I wouldn’t expect a car dealership to either, because there is no “offer” being made. If you want to make a counter offer to my asking price, come meet me and put the dollar bills in my hand, then I’ll think about it. Otherwise, how do I know you’re a serious buyer?
Here’s the problem with that. First, nobody pays sticker price. That’s a joke that has become common practice for some reason. So it isn’t even a serious offer. I mean it is serious in that they would take that money if you gave it to them, but they don’t expect that you will. The manufacturers realize this because on the dealer page, it has a section where you can fill in your contact information and “request an internet quote.”
Well, if an internet quote consists of “Come to the dealership,” then what’s the point of having that feature?
Further, why does it matter if I’m a serious buyer or not? Just tell me how much the fucking car costs. I can go to Target and just browse and the price is right there in front of me with no games being played. I’m not asking the dealership to go to the ends of the earth for me. I’m saying I want this car right there…how much?
My gf was looking at ~1 year old Subarus. She made offers based on what she had already looked at. When she got a reasonable come back to her counter offer, she replied that she’d come get the car. Easy-peasy.
Edmond’s is specifically set up so that dealers actively participate in negotiating vial email. You spec out the car you want, and dealers write you with their offers. Since they know you are soliciting many bids, it is an excellent way to get the lowest price. If a dealer participates in the program, they should follow the rules of it, so as not to waste everyone’s time.
Because a certain percentage of nitwits will do just that.
I have never had any luck whatsoever contacting auto dealers online for quotes, even if they advertise that they do so and/or participate in an alleged program offered by Edmonds or another car site that promises such quotes will be given. Any time I’ve tried it, at best they might tell me that a model vaguely similar to what I want is available, but no price is given. They want to harangue you in person and play mind games.
So I get all the pricing info online and go to the dealership to play mind games. The alternative is not buying a car.
Target sells cars?
The last time I bought a car, I dealt with dealer’s internet departments. I had one quote that was good and anybody who called was informed of the quote. If they could match it, I would go there, and if they couldn’t then there was no need to waste anyone’s time. We only went to the dealer when we had a rough price worked out and then we went to sign the papers and pick up the car.
And just so we don’t forget about the OP, Mr. Gooberhead emailed me back today:
Forgetting his curt reply yesterday, can we see the marvels of the internet age? I can actually schedule a test drive in the comfort of my own home! Instead of driving to the dealership and having to drive the actual car, I can click online and…
Oh, wait. So I still have to go in so they can browbeat me. No prices, no “Internet Quote” no nothing. I have yet to receive one number from any dealer I’ve emailed.
When I bought my Audi in December, I also messaged several dealers to compare prices. Ideally, I’d rather deal with the local place, because hey! It’s right here! But the guy who was in charge of handling their internet leads was so damned creepy. There’s not one particular thing, but imagine emails full of ellipses— wait, I’ll just show you. This is the second round of emails, as he replied to my initial request by suggesting I come take a test drive:
[QUOTE=Diosa]
Thank you for writing back. There’s no need for me to come test drive a Q5, I’d rather we just discuss the numbers- which can be done via email.
I have another dealer offering a 2012 Premium Plus Q5, black on black with navigation, with Audi Care at: 42 month lease, 20000 miles year $2500.00 down. $797.40 month payment plus tax. Can you beat this?
[/QUOTE]
Straight forward, non? His weirdo reply:
[QUOTE=Weirdo]
Hello as well…
Shoot them between the eyes… I like it. And yes, we can work with the numbers to earn your business. 42 month, 20,000 miles, $2,500 down, your payment will be $789.41 (that includes tax.)
We do have a black on black with convenience, no nav. Same structure, your payment will be $715.93, (again, tax included.)
Do you surf the pier…
[/QUOTE]
Weirded out, but determined to get a car, I reply back verifying the color the one they have in stock is. He replies that it’s White with beige interior (you just said black on black!). I reply asking if they can get a black on black model with nav. His reply?
[QUOTE=Weirdo]
If we can get you a black one, will you be our newest, happiest customer?
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Diosa]
That doesn’t answer my question.
[/QUOTE]
He then replies- and hand to God, this is the entire email:
[QUOTE=Weirdo]
Would you like something cold or hot to drink while we wrap this up??
[/QUOTE]
Anyway, I stopped replying and that salesman went on vacation and another guy- far less slimy and weird- took over. I bought my car within 24 hours of the other guy taking over.