Registered: Oct 2003
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 2

Purchasing Process

I've read through quite a few posts, but given the volume of information on this site, I know that I've missed some important tidbits. The purpose of this post is to inquire about the process that we should use to get the best possible Honda Odyssey quote/price. I apologize if this has already been documented in another posting, but I couldn't find it laid out all in one posting.

I'd appreciate any input to the plan outlined below.

Here's our proposed plan (with embedded questions/comments):

1. Identify all the dealers within 50 miles of our home (we've identified 17 that meet this criteria in Southeast Michigan)

2. Call each of the dealer's internet sales manager in order to get their e-mail address. Let them know that we plan to buy an Odyssey within the next 2 weeks

3. Send an e-mail to each of the internet sales managers specifying the vehicle we want to purchase (a - should we be specifying dealer-installed accessories that we want at this point, or does this hamper our negotiating position?, b - does it make sense to specify more than one vehicle (e.g., LX or EX) because we haven't decided which we want yet, or does this make us look more like "maybe" buyers instead of the definite buyers we are)

4. We are not planning on trading in any vehicle, so this doesn't come in to play for us.

5. We have secured financing already, so from the dealer's perspective, we will be paying cash. When should we bring this up?

6. Once we receive responses from all the dealers, select the one that best meets our needs (i.e., is the least expensive) and buy the Odyssey that my wife has been requesting for the past 12 months (oops!). We have already gotten the dealer invoice information from Edmunds.com, so I think we can fairly assess how good a deal we are getting.

7. Find the best warranty deal available anywhere in the country (review the warranty forum), and see if our final dealer will match the offer.

8. Buy the warranty.

9. Drive home and get rid of my 11-year old Saturn!

Am I missing some obvious steps??

I appreciate the help in advance.

Thanks,
Sean

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Registered: Jun 2002
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 2812

quote:

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Originally posted by Spunky
I'd appreciate any input to the plan outlined below.

Here's our proposed plan (with embedded questions/comments): . . .

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Dancing with Lord Stanley in Central Ohio
Posts: 3247

Very thorough!! I believe you have most of the bases covered. The only suggestion I have is to be specific.... pick a specific model (LX, EX, etc...) and state that in your e-mail. Let them know your specific color choice or choices, and tell them what dealer installed accessories you want. You don't want to chose one dealer b/c their price was lower, only to find out they will not deal on accessories.

Also, in your e-mail, let them know you are sending this exact same letter to their competitors and will purchase based on the best response. Set a deadline for their response.... i.e. 48 hours. That should get their attention and immediate action.

__________________
2nd Gen Weathertechs for sale

2nd Gen Ignition Coil for sale

2009 Odyssey EXL-RES Bali Blue
2008 Pilot EXL-RES Formal Black
2003 Odyssey EXL-RES Redrock Pearl <----- Gone

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Registered: Jun 2002
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 580

Being up front is good... some things, like mud guards, roof rack x-bars can be easily added if they don't have them on an available model.

I'm thinking, soft, but firm in your notes. Let them know you have done your homework and know what you want, but are not entirely inflexible.... ie, don't come across as a hard-a$$.....

I'm impressed with your outline....

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Arne, CT, USA

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Registered: Jun 2002
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 580

Being up front is good... some things, like mud guards, roof rack x-bars can be easily added if they don't have them on an available model. The more information you can provide, the better they can service you (without asking a lot of questions)....

I'm thinking, soft, but firm in your notes. Let them know you have done your homework and know what you want, but are not entirely inflexible.... ie, don't come across as a hard-a$$.....

I'm impressed with your outline....

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Arne, CT, USA

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Registered: Mar 2002
Location: Location, Location
Posts: 1510

quote:

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Originally posted by psu ody fan
Also, in your e-mail, let them know you are sending this exact same letter to their competitors and will purchase based on the best response.

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2002 EX - Transmission replaced at 84,000km (52,000 miles). Sold at 104,000km.

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Registered: Oct 2003
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 2

Thanks for all the good insights, everyone. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Sean

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Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Seattle
Posts: 6

I did the same thing a month ago intending to buy an Accord but later decided to wait for another year 1 or 2 for the Ody. I had responses from about half of the dealers I sent. But you might not be able to get their quote through email since all of them want to meet with you in person first, then give you their offers.

I also checked their inventories if available online. In my western WA area, about half of them are available, although they update the info late evening daily or every other day.

From my CR-V purshase experience in 98. You will have a better chance to get a good bargain when they have the exact Ody (model, color...) you want inventoried because your business can empty their space in the back.

After you have selected the dealer you want to purchase from, bring the person you know who has the best bargain power if this person is not you. In my case, my wife. We spent almost four hous (10pm) bargaining. My wife kept insisting a lower price when I thought the dealer had already offered the best they can. Guess what, she won. We had the owner of the dealer made the final deal with us, not the sales. I think we were just lucky. A small dealer and he happened to be there.

Good luck for your purchase

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Will buy a VW if its reliability catches Honda.

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