they (somehow) cover the initial $100 and 2nd $400 of the ordering process. That sounded really good to us, almost too good…

I can't say anything about that particular dealer, but are you saying that the dealer is offering to front you the $500 for the deposit?

When you're paying for the car, the $500 deposit will be deducted from the price. And anyway it's fully refundable right up to when you make your decision about whether or not to buy. But still, if they're gifting you the $500, and you can get an email or some other written record that they'll only charge MSRP plus destination fee, doc fee, and TTL, then go for it. That's no risk to you at all.

 

Bought mine from Armstrong, IMO the best car buying experience I have had.
I would see if Greg Warren is still there. No relation.
I pleaded to not go thru the 'finance guy', but still had to anyway.
He knew up front I was going to say NO to all he offered, but was nice about it.
I would go back. This was in Sept. 2021, before it all got extra crazy.
They also gave be the best trade in for my ahem early 2019 Bolt LT.

 

I had an excellent buying experience at Carter VW in Seattle. I payed less than MSRP (but I had a trade, so they can more easily work the books). Part of the reason was the sales tax discount here (cars above $45k don’t qualify). They weren’t pushy, the process was easy, and I didn’t pre-order. I walked in and bought a 1st Edition off the lot in May even though they were “sold out.”

 

What ever you do, don't pick Dick Hannah. They charge $5000 to $8000 over MSRP and were rude about it.

I've read more than 5, less than 10 separate posts about Beaverton Herzog-Meier charging only MSRP. I've emailed them twice from separate accounts and gotten the same answer: "No markup over MSRP. No forced dealer add-ons".
I'll be buying from them in March or April

Edit: A little late edit from August. No markup, no forced add-ons, only asked me twice about adding an extended warranty. Took 2 hours total until I drove away, and used dealer financing with a local credit union.

 

I'm getting my car from Herzog-Meier as well. My husband has worked with them before when he got a CPO Jetta. We reserved back in September before I even knew some dealers marked up above MSRP, so when I found this forum last month I was very relieved to hear Herzog-Meier was among the dealerships that did NOT mark up! We made a great choice right out of the gate! Hoping to get our car sometime in late March.

 

Last July, I traveled by train to Salem from Tacoma to purchase my ID.4 Pro S RWD from McMinville Volkswagen. Anthony, the salesman, drove from the dealership to Salem to give me a ride. My purchase was financed through my credit union so I carried a bank check for the cash purchase. The car came with a few extras like mats and roadside kit and first aid kit that increased the price slightly over MSRP. The purchase experience was great! They did ask me once if I wanted to add anything and I declined. I was on my way home within an hour.

 

good to hear. I am getting mine there once it is delivered.

 

Wanted to let everyone know that I ordered with/from Armstrong VW today.

They did pay the initial $100 and promised to pay the next $400 too. Also when delivered will just charge the MSRP. So, I’m pretty happy at this point!

 

Interesting. So you are essentially getting $500 off MSRP? That's unheard in today's market! Good job.

GR

 

On this topic, has anyone found a good dealer in the Seattle area more recently that doesn't do addons as a way to force the buyer to accept markup on a reservation? I've seen reports of that happening. I've had good luck with Carter Subaru in the past, so I wouldn't have any issue going with them if you can turn that stuff down.

 

Give Carter a call and ask. The only area dealership I've heard of adding things is Kirkland. Over the years, I've had great experiences with sales and service at Campbell (Edmonds).

 

I have a reservation at both Campbell and Kirkland. I have email from Kirkland saying the don't markup and no add-ons. I guess we'll find out....

 

Good to hear about Kirkland. Their sales staff is not on commission so they can show a little unmotivated. I initially had my ID.4 reservation directed there, but was ghosted by their EV specialist (who is no longer there). I later inquired about a car for my daughter. When I visited the lot to view it, the sales guy basically just pointed in the general direction. The service team has been very good.

I've done 3 deals in 10 years with Alan Kemper at Campbell, who took care of my my ID.4. Their service team is excellent.

 

My neighbor got his at Kirkland and said they did hard sell add-ons, but he just kept saying no. He said it was annoying, but typical based on his experience. I've heard good things about Campbell but it's a bit further away for me.

 

My neighbor got his at Kirkland and said they did hard sell add-ons, but he just kept saying no. He said it was annoying, but typical based on his experience.

Yeah, I watched my partner pick out a used Yaris from Toyota of Kirkland, and that's soured me a lot on these folks. I'm used to working with dealers that can at least take a simple no and move on, rather than pulling the fun trick of putting the addons on the contract and basically making customers feel like they are causing problems when they ask to remove it.

I wish folks luck and hope it's not as bad as I may have just painted it, I just don't want to wind up waiting for months just to wade through the nonsense if I don't have to, when it's simple to switch before it locks.

 

I have great experience with Kelly at VW of Bellingham. We agree in advance, no extras and I pay MSRP. She knows her cars and understands the nuances of leasing. She and I chat at least monthly, and thanks to all of you, I can give her info on the ID.4 that she's not hearing from VW!! My wife loves her too.

 

We bought from Roger Jobs VW in Bellingham. Ive had worse experiences, but I still wouldn’t buy from them again. Car came with some extras I didn’t want but had to take. Worse, I had a decent trade in and was trying to get the MSRP below $45k, as I was trying to explain to the salesman he literally stood up, talked over me, and walked out of the room. That stunt cost me an extra $3k in sales tax.

Their service is rather poor as well.

Next time, if there is a next time, I’ll at least go as far as Marysville, and maybe to Seattle, to find a better dealer.

 

Has anyone bought from Kirkland recently? Curious if they are pushing their scammy add-ons for ordered cars.

Would like to get it in email that they won't if anyone has had any luck with any particular salesperson.

 

I have a locked reservation at Kirkland and at Edmonds. I asked both of I could do the paperwork in advance and get a value on my trade-in. Kirkland said no they do that on day of pick-up. Edmonds said yes. So I'm not feeling too confident going with Kirkland right now.

 

I don’t have a ton of confidence in O’Brien Auto Group, to be honest, and they own both VW of Kirkland and Toyota of Kirkland. Their sales methods seem to be consistent across the group, and they can be very pushy on the add-ons. As far as I know, you can say no, but as I’ve stated earlier in the thread, I’ve watched a sales person literally add stuff onto the contract “as a favor” and then get the customer to accept it.

https://www.obrienautogroup.com/

 

I originally had 2022 order at Carter in Ballard, but they didn't seem to care about doing anything about the tax credit issue a few months back and were largely nonresponsive about it.

On the other hand, Kirkland VW made some addendums to be used that referenced your order number to be used for tax purposes. Whether they work or not remains to be seen, but at least they were trying....something

So I switched my 2022 order and made a new 2023 order over to Kirkland VW. Then my January 2022 (4/11 lock) order got changed to a 2023 (Pro S Plus AWD) and now my second 2023 order (locked 10/18) moved to 20-1 yesterday (Pro S AWD).

Anyway...now I wish I had just stuck with Carter, but they were largely unhelpful and Kirkland seems to have some questionable sales tactics. Really just hate the dealership experience all around.

 

Agreed. It’s odd that Carter Ballard was so unhelpful though, since my experience with Carter Shoreline is generally pretty good. I’ve bought 3 Subarus from them over the years, and would do it again. While they would ask about add ons and financing, they never felt pushy. They’d just give their sales pitch, I’d say no, we move on.

That said, when I reached out to Carter VW to see about moving my reservation before it locked, I got silence as well. So it wound up at University VW. With University VW, I went with them because while they can sometimes be a bit blunt in e-mail, they get to the point and so far haven’t given any signs of BS. They are also quite responsive over e-mail. Fingers crossed it all holds when it comes time to pick up.

 

Agreed. It’s odd that Carter Ballard was so unhelpful though, since my experience with Carter Shoreline is generally pretty good. I’ve bought 3 Subarus from them over the years, and would do it again. While they would ask about add ons and financing, they never felt pushy. They’d just give their sales pitch, I’d say no, we move on.

That said, when I reached out to Carter VW to see about moving my reservation before it locked, I got silence as well. So it wound up at University VW. With University VW, I went with them because while they can sometimes be a bit blunt in e-mail, they get to the point and so far haven’t given any signs of BS. They are also quite responsive over e-mail. Fingers crossed it all holds when it comes time to pick up.

We bought our Subaru Crosstrek from Carter Shoreline (Joe Spitz!) in 2018. Great experience. I wanted a manual, so I got to do the whole factory order thing. Absolutely no BS, knew exactly what I was getting and what it would cost, long before pickup day.

For our ID.4, we're going through University VW as well. We did a test drive two weeks ago. Was told verbally that there wouldn't be any add-ons or extra things. I wish I'd grabbed a business card, because I still don't have an e-mail address for them that I can use to get that info in writing. Supposedly we'll get it early to mid November. Now to figure out what to do with that Subaru...

 

I am going with Campbell in Edmonds. They have been accommodating so far, sent an email saying they sell at MSRP, and they made an effort on the written, binding contracts thing (just in time).

I have had good experience there before, negotiating the buy of a Jetta for my sister. I've also had good experience doing that at University VW with another couple of her Jettas.

Dave

 

Thanks. Too late to switch the 20-1 I think, but I should switch my other to Campbell's, they are not too far away for me.

At the very least, I will use what little leverage I have (moving second order to Campbell's for an inventory car) against Kirkland if they try to force their etching and other scam add-ons.

 

Sounds like you’re paying MSRP when the car arrives. They are just fronting the $500 deposit until that time comes.
I bought from Armstrong in Portland— nice folks. Would not buy there again because they add a GPS tracking device to every single car on their lot (helps with their insurance costs), and charge customers $995 for it. It’s a scam, and one that will surely change as the market shifts from sellers to buyers.

 

Trying to speak to a few dealers in the area to find a Pro under $45k MSRP for federal and state taxes. Cambell's in Edmond said they can do a white under $45k, but I have to make it up in accessories. Pignataro (??) in Everett said nothing under $45k. But VW Kirkland, after not responding or engaging on a few emails, said their 2023 ID4s all come "with 3,995$ convenience fee added to the MSRP." 2022s don't. Guess they're trying to move non tax credit ones off the lot? But $7500 leasing credit! How generous.

Does anybody know if the leasing terms at Kirkland allow you to buy out the lease relatively quickly?

 

Does anybody know if the leasing terms at Kirkland allow you to buy out the lease relatively quickly?

All leases are done through VW credit and you can buyout after 1-2 months once they have the title work.

 

You are just trying to close the gap of $290 at Campbell, right? You should be most the way there with all weather mats/floor liner and trunk liner. They are doing you a solid for your tax benefit. They did the same for me with my First Edition.

 

We haven't gotten to the specific out the door cost, but yeah, I presume.

Anybody have experience with Cambell? I saw some negatives about Kirkland, but other VWs in the area 'seeme'd alright, review-wise.

 

Another note. While I have not had direct experience working with her, Valerie Miyatake at Pignataro (Everett) has been very engaged in ID.4 forums and is very knowledgeable.

 

I looked at every dealer in WA and had good communications with Campbell. But they all wanted $3-$4K over MSRP. Most called this the "NW Protection Package". This was back in early January. I ended up going to Oregon to purchase. Since then, I've been to Campbell for service and liked how I was treated. I tried to get service from Kirkland, but they were less accommodating.

 

Interesting, Campbell seems to be giving me a decent discount before the lease rebate on a 2022 Pro S. Parker from Carter in Ballard has also been very responsive.

 

I bought my ‘23 in late December. I was communicating primarily with Bud Clary in Auburn and VW of Puyallup. Both committed to MSRP but they didn’t have exactly what I wanted, so I didn’t get too far along with either. Dick Hannah in Vancouver, WA had just received the exact car I wanted and they were great, so I drove the extra distance and bought from them. We negotiated my trade-in via text (subject to inspection of course), they committed to MSRP, and they verbally held the car until the end of the day for me, knowing how far I was driving to buy it. When I got there, the process went quickly and smoothly. The salesman did a good job showing me the vehicle and how to use EA, got me set up with the VW app, etc. They tried to sneak a few add-ons into the docs, but I told them “this isn’t my first rodeo, don’t go there” so they promptly removed them, we laughed about it, and I was on my way.

Added bonus - their sales tax rate was a little lower than the dealers in my area