Like the subject says.
So far my experiment has failed, not for the lack of trying.
I have shortlisted 3 makes. I have contacted distributors and a number of dealers via websites. I comment "prefer email contact in first instance". None respond by email. One has phoned back, none of the others have responded.
Curious about your observations and experience.
NB: I live in a remote (ish) rural area.
Out of my price range and the charging issue is still a little formidable for me anyway. Looking at hybrids
Hybrids in a remote/rural area are useless and a waste of money
Hybrids are not completely useless, just not designed for highway work (at this time). Ie they are no more efficient than a non hybrid model at 100km/h for long periods.
Hybrids are not completely useless, just not designed for highway work (at this time).
so what your saying is he is right as it stands.
@pharkurnell: Kinda, but you can’t say they are useless for rural work - you need to be aware of their limitations. We know the OP is rural, but we don’t know their driving habits.
@Euphemistic: My corolla hybrid does 3.8L/100km at 100kph. Doubt the equivalent petrol model achieves that
@cruiserbruiser: Where a hybrid gains the best advantage is when it is accelerating using battery power and braking to capture energy to the batteries. The more you accelerate and brake the more it has advantage.
Just cruising along the highway does not use the battery power to its best advantage. You’d probably find the petrol only model very similar consumption at 100. That’s not saying they couldn’t design a hybrid to be more efficient on the highways, but the current ones aren’t built like that.
If you aren’t using the hybrid system to its advantage, stopping and starting frequently, you’d be better to save your coins and get a petrol only model.
@Euphemistic: Rural doesn't necessarily mean flat roads. Every time you go down a hill, you're not using petrol.
Depending on hybrid model it could also add more features (entry level Corolla, Camry etc)
Depending on hybrid model it could add more power (Camry, RAV4 etc)
Depending on hybrid model it could retain better resale
So the $2-3k more for hybrid could mean more than just fuel economy for OP. Hybrids offer more than just a petrol saving
Use John Cadogan's service.
Pretty sure they do all the leg work for you.
https://autoexpert.com.au/
Thanks…. I didn't think of that.
They want to talk. I don't want to talk.
you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
:-)
Actually, I persevered. Initial feedback is encouraging. This may work.
Thanks again.
I used them before helping my old man get his cheapie manual for his work. After 2-3 phone calls the broker told me he cannot even come close to the deal I was getting from the dealer due to little margin in that car. In other words you will not get the best result from them since they still need to make a profit. In our case the difference was $1000 monetary on the vehicle and missing all the extra accessories I negotiated in (probably worth $200 but it has manufacturer branding and RRP $800).
Absolutely this. Cadogan's site is nothing more than a broker for car brokers. I have tried to use it on a number of occasions just in case, and every time they have quoted me either RRP or MORE than RRP.
Last time I used Cadogan's service, I was palmed off onto a company called "Georgie". I was looking for a twin cab ute and wanted to give LDV a try. After about 2 weeks, they came back to be with a price $7,000 more expensive than what the LDV website was advertising and what the local dealer was selling them for at RRP.
He isnt a car broker, he is a car broker broker and just sells leads to car brokers. He is full of shit and has yet to "same me thousands off a new car here in Shitsville"
If you are not buying fleet volumes, you can probably do better by yourself than using a car buying service, let alone a dumb arse that is just selling leads to car buying services.
Thanks, Drakesy.
Cadogan's service is working well for my low tolerance of "sales" personnel. Nearly all negotiation web & email based so far and we are near closing.
Cheers
Happy to help, hopefully it works out.
As with any car brokers it can be hit and miss.
Curious about your observations and experience.
To be honest, this 'method' you are wanting to use, does raise a lot of red flags for the seller of a 5 figure car.
It screams that oil rig worker wanting to buy my item I listed for sale!
At a bare min you will need to talk to them on the phone, and you will need to cough up the required paperwork/id checks on pickup. They're not just going to post you a car ;)
In 2013 we bought our house online thru Elders. Not a single phone call during the process. If we could do that, why not a car?
Cheers
That is because your conveyancer / solicitor will need to do identity checks, assuming your banks also did them. How many checks have been done to confirm your identity.
??? I made the offer by email. They accepted by email. I deposited a goodwill amount into their trust account.
I received paperwork (email), completed it, had it notarized locally, returned (mail)) papers, paid the monies into an Elders' trust account.
The conveyancer came onto the scene after that. Again, all email.
@ArskinF: If you are going to get all your paperwork notarized then no problem. 100 point check no problem.
Maybe it would help if you put a goodwill amount of 10% into car dealer bank accounts then send them notarised copies of 100 point identity check.
Subaru claims to have a buy online option. Maybe that one works for you?
Toyota have an "order online" button on their website.
That probably just prompts the local dealer to ring you and confirm all the stuff that isn’t physically related to the vehicle. Ie finance, delivery etc.
It seems to let you get all the way to ordering a car, I didn't go any further as I', mot actually buying a car. If you select you are paying cash it lets you pay a holding deposit of up to $2000 and says you pay the balance on collection.
I'm unsure how much more the OP expects apart from this, also not sure why they can't just decide on a car then call their local dealer and speak to them over the phone?
If you want to negotiate, then they'd want to chat
If you want to pay asking price, sure thing. Though they'd still want to call and get card details for the deposit.
I thought Mercedes and maybe Volkswagen were moving to online or maybe fixed price sales?
See Drakesy reply above. This seems to work. Just received a form link to fill in…..
Why do you not want to talk to them?
I prefer not to talk to car sales people. Have never had a good experience with them, so figured maybe do it online the way we bought our house in 2013.,
You will be lucky to have any genuinely give you a deal, as far as they know, your the bloke from the dealership up the road testing how far you'll discount.
… without Talking to Sales & Finance Personnel
Close the internet, we have our answer.
Lmao at this visual… even better if you're a white dude
chopstick is essential
I have heard of people writing a formal message to a lot of dealers with the specifications of the exact car and options that you want, and requesting a written quote by a specific date/time with their best price. Say no phonecalls.
Then choose the one you want
Can confirm this works. You'll still have to probably talk a bit but it's mostly fine.
If you know the exact car you want, you could try Motorbuys. Basically just put in the details of what you want and they source firm quotes for you. You may have to talk to them a little bit to confirm the finer details, but you won't have to deal with salespeople. Just pick the quote, arrange your cheque and go and pick it up.
I have used it a few times with good success.
Use a broker/buying service. Usually a fee but you can have the car delivered to your house without ever setting foot or speaking toa dealer. Stratton is one name but I believe they may be more finance orientated. Some Credit Unions offer the service also.
What are you trying to achieve?
I went into a dealer for a new car. Told them the price $1300 less than the listed price on a $31k car. They tapped away at their computer said okay. Then they asked "do you need finance?" and I said "no" paid my deposit and done.
What car was it? It's been a while since I've bought a new car, but $1300 off the list price seems pretty small.
Oh well no point talking if it is small money. I'll just put it in the "someone things I got ripped off jar"
I'll just put it in the "someone things I got ripped off jar"
Nah, don't feel bad… You didn't necessarily get ripped off. It really depends on the car and the demand for it. Some high demand cars like the Rav4 Hybrid aren't being discounted at all because there's a long waiting list.
What car are you after? I'll sell you one online.
We now live in a world of high pressure sales.
Look at all the ads on TV now, where they don't tell us the price. It's so someone can put the hard word on you to buy their product.
As spackbace said, if you're not wanting to negotiate on price, and make this clear to the dealership, they may play ball.
I feel you OP, so many times have I asked a company or person to reply by email only for them to try and call me or ask me to call them. Frustrating.
I want to buy a product that is being sold but I don't want to speak to the people selling it.
Idk about that one chief.
Yes. Done it a few times.
Key is dont ask stupid question and tell that person the CC is ready if he/she can do $xxx. Outcome will be either a yes, or no.
Will still need to talk to that person to finalise the deal.
Yes
Will still need to talk to that person
So… That's actually a "no" then 😂
:)
Here is my experience with Georgie today:
I filled in the enquiry form on their website
gave 2 specific models we are after - Mazda MX-30 G20e touring or Mazxa CX-30 G20 Touring
3 or 4 general points about colour, vision pack upgrade, wait time
said i prefer to you to make contact via email please
phone rang 1 minute later (FFS!)
The guy told me that will only price one option and asked me to choose a specific variant
I replied our choice is based on the pricing options you present - he said they "don't do that its a waste of their time" and said "OK we will leave it there then"
call ended!!
Interesting business model - certainly not what I was expecting - bye Georgie!
Because the likelihood is that you're sending the same enquiry to multiple dealers, and will just take their price to the next dealer to beat/match
Isn't that the whole point of these car broking companies, they shop heaps of dealers for me or have I missed something?
Sorry, thought Georgie was a person. Just googled and found it's a car broker
They don’t want to work for it. They just expect to send out an email to their favourite dealers with exactly what model/trim/colour you want and get a few prices and delivery dates to choose from.
Isn't that the whole point of these car broking companies, they shop heaps of dealers for me or have I missed something?
Yeah, you missed that they just want the biggest cut they can get from a car sale. They don’t really want to help you.
Buy a Tesla online