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LA area Dealership experiences

14513 Views 104 Replies 43 Participants Last post by  heidi.windbiel
Hi, thought it might be useful to have regional discussion of dealership and/or sales person experiences as vehicles start to move in to peoples hands.

I selected Galpin as my dealership merely because of location to me. They seem to have good reviews on most sales transactions, but more dubious reviews on service. I'm not sure if there is a better choice that doesn't take me far out of a reasonable service window though. Service would be the longer term relationship, usually.

What have been your experiences?
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I'm in the Pasadena area. My dealership has been solid. They reached out when I first reserved the car. Called me to view the car. I also go responses to my texts. What they have always given me the answers I was looking for, but compared to other's experiences, mine has been ok.
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Who is your dealer in Pasadena? I also picked Galpin but had no clue about any VW dealers and remembered listening to Beau Boeckmann on Kevin & Bean so picked Galpin as I knew the name. I have had zero communication from them (but also have not reached out to them either). Since I am waiting for the AWD, I still have 6-9 months wait.
@TT97, that is my experience thus far too. I may call soon as I expect my delivery in the next monthish, hopefully. I recall someone else in a thread had said Galpin was straight and hones and reasonable to deal with in previous purchases. I'll see if I can dig up the comment.I don't live or die by my dealer, but I am starting to plan my purchase cost and it would be useful to understand what they may try and stack in.

Edit: Found it.

@Aero247 had this to say about Galpin VW "It was incredibly smooth dealing with them for the CR-V. Everything was online - including the trade in value - and was cheaper than anything here in the Fresno area. The one thing I hate though was their own sales site said that if I pre-fill out all my financial stuff, I'd only need to spend 30-45 minutes at the dealer to get the car. I did all of that and had to do it again while I was there in person. I spent HOURS actually getting the car."
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Santa Monica vw seems highly reviewed and was closest to me. Too early to tell but early experience not great. They only added me to their regular newsletter so I get emails selling me gas cars. I reached out for first time last week via email with two questions and received a form response from a salesman to call to discuss further. I called and he asked what my questions were... Which I didn't think was the greatest customer service.

One of my two questions was whether they had registered for newish California clean rebate ($1500 point of sale) ... They had not but were 'looking into it' And planning to register asap
Santa Monica vw seems highly reviewed and was closest to me. Too early to tell but early experience not great. They only added me to their regular newsletter so I get emails selling me gas cars. I reached out for first time last week via email with two questions and received a form response from a salesman to call to discuss further. I called and he asked what my questions were... Which I didn't think was the greatest customer service.

One of my two questions was whether they had registered for newish California clean rebate ($1500 point of sale) ... They had not but were 'looking into it' And planning to register asap
Galpin has at least registered for Clean Fuel Rewards
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I'm using Puente Hills VW for our Dust Blue ID.4. Went to test drive their demo car yesterday since they had it. Had an issue dealing with a sales person. But the GM I was talking with through email resolved my issues (staff wise). It was nice that they just gave my wife and I the keys to do as we wish with the demo car. Strapped the car seat in for my kid and we took a nice mix drive for like 12 miles. No sales man in the car either.

Was just informed by them that my car is enroute and should be there in the next couple of days. Also was able to place order for some accessories to hopefully be here by the time the car gets here.

He informed me on good credit. Financing is 1.85% @ 60 months for the ID.4 right now.

VW Parts also has the list of accessories now too.
VW ID.4 Accessories - VWoA Official Online Store
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I am in Palm Springs, and have the choice of two dealers. I chose the one closest to me, but they have been pretty clueless over the past several months about the status of anything surrounding the ID4’s arrival. Was promised by several salespersons to keep me updated, but have never received any kind of voice/email communication. I stopped in last Sat to test drive one of the demos they got in, and inquired what the current financing rate was. I was told they could do 2.85% for 60 months—which is a percentage point higher than what Puente Hills VW quoted above. Is that a local dealer move to make a higher margin or do they truly have the flexibility to do whatever they want? Seems like corporate VW would want more uniformity during rollout, even if it’s on a regional basis.
Santa Monica vw seems highly reviewed and was closest to me. Too early to tell but early experience not great. They only added me to their regular newsletter so I get emails selling me gas cars. I reached out for first time last week via email with two questions and received a form response from a salesman to call to discuss further. I called and he asked what my questions were... Which I didn't think was the greatest customer service.

One of my two questions was whether they had registered for newish California clean rebate ($1500 point of sale) ... They had not but were 'looking into it' And planning to register asap
I'm also using VW Santa Monica. Car is supposed to arrive at dealership next week. According to Bridget Stennis who I've dealt with in the past, they did register for the CA Clean Fuel Reward program ($1,500) and are/have applied for the CA Clean Vehicle Assistance Program grant ($5,000). Don't think I'll be approved in time for the Clean Vehicle Assistance Program (applied 1/21/21 but takes 3+ months for approval) but will make sure I receive the $1,500 Clean Fuel Rewards.
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The sales staff was better prepared when I picked up the car. Seems like either they received their training material, or my little complaint make them put it in the forefront for their staff. Pickup experience was pretty good.

I did get the 1.85% rate from VW financial (I do have excellent credit). The $500 deposit, and $1500 Fuel rewards were taken off the top. They matched my CarMax price for the trade-in.

I was told 6yr rate was 2.60%

For anyone that's interested in case the dealer try to sneak things in (which I don't think would be the case. As VW I think made it a point to tell the dealers to not mess this launch up).
Price $45,190 (includes the destination charge, no ordered accessories)
Doc $85
Tax $4,301.13 (9.5% tax where I'm at)
E-registration $30
Registration $570.75

OTD $50,176.88 (not including the $500 deposit and $1,500 fuel reward) Effectively making it $48,176.88 OTD.

(I don't qualify for that $5000 grant. I will qualify for the $7,500 fed, $2,000 CA refund, and HOV)
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Has anyone applied for the $2k rebate? Id4 not showing as a vehicle that qualifies yet on the website
Has anyone applied for the $2k rebate? Id4 not showing as a vehicle that qualifies yet on the website
Not yet. What was your Galpin experience like, short of the lack of staff knowledge. Is/Are there specific EV specialists I should seek out? F&I shenanigans? Did you get to do most of your work online?
Has anyone applied for the $2k rebate? Id4 not showing as a vehicle that qualifies yet on the website
I was wondering the same thing when I checked the the CVRP website. After reaching out to them, they referred me to the CA Air Resources Board, since they have to certify the ID4 as an eligible vehicle before it is added to CVRP list. This is the reply I got back from the CARB staff person 7 days ago: “Automakers apply to me to have their vehicles added to the CVRP eligibility list. VW informed me about a week ago that they would have their application to me in two weeks. Thus, I am expecting it any time. From the time I receive it, it typically takes 4-5 business days total for me to review and approve it and for the Center for Sustainable Energy to add it to the eligibility list.” So, the $2,000+ CVRP may be available soon.
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Wow, that is more information than I got from them.
It was the same situation when the new model year Pacifica Hybrid. I got in on the first batch, and took a couple weeks for the model year to show up to register the rebate.
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Not yet. What was your Galpin experience like, short of the lack of staff knowledge. Is/Are there specific EV specialists I should seek out? F&I shenanigans? Did you get to do most of your work online?
@Pxpxpunk Galpin is my dealer as well, curious on any shenanigans.
I'm reserved at Santa Monica but moving east before AWD becomes available. Looking for customer feedback on ID purchase /lease from galpin, New century, and Santa Monica!
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I live in Riverside. I got my White ID. 4 1st Ed.at VW of Murrieta, paying MSRP. The dealer in my city had 2 cars with one mark-up to $5K (market adjustment) and another 2K for dealer etching and others.. The second car and had a $2K mark up. They told me the car is popular, and I said at those prices, I'll look at the Tesla Y. The city of Temecula (30 mi) has a Tesla Store and Service where you can just walk in and test drive the car of your choice, no pressure. The ride was so rough on me, (retired 10 yrs), didn't like it. I check the closest VW dealer and it was 5 miles away in Murrieta. I drove the ID 4 for 30 mins and loved the car. I asked them if they had any cancellation of 1st Ed. orders. They told me they may have possibly one where the person that ordered may have decided not to get the car. Dealer told me he has 3 days to claim it or they will sell it to anyone interested. I told them I was interested since my Pro S order is not due to arrive till late summer. They called me 3 days later and that sealed the deal. I still went thru the F & I guy and was offered option up to about 4K. The F & I guy said it was his job to let me know of all the options and I can refuse them. So I went thru the sales pitch and refuse all the options. The original person that ordered the 1st Ed. also included 4 mats and the monster rug for the trunk. I had to take it since it was in the MSRP. I would recommend this dealer, since they sold at MSRP and was quite easy to deal with.
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I live in Riverside. I got my White ID. 4 1st Ed.at VW of Murrieta, paying MSRP. The dealer in my city had 2 cars with one mark-up to $5K (market adjustment) and another 2K for dealer etching and others.. The second car and had a $2K mark up. They told me the car is popular, and I said at those prices, I'll look at the Tesla Y. The city of Temecula (30 mi) has a Tesla Store and Service where you can just walk in and test drive the car of your choice, no pressure. The ride was so rough on me, (retired 10 yrs), didn't like it. I check the closest VW dealer and it was 5 miles away in Murrieta. I drove the ID 4 for 30 mins and loved the car. I asked them if they had any cancellation of 1st Ed. orders. They told me they may have possibly one where the person that ordered may have decided not to get the car. Dealer told me he has 3 days to claim it or they will sell it to anyone interested. I told them I was interested since my Pro S order is not due to arrive till late summer. They called me 3 days later and that sealed the deal. I still went thru the F & I guy and was offered option up to about 4K. The F & I guy said it was his job to let me know of all the options and I can refuse them. So I went thru the sales pitch and refuse all the options. The original person that ordered the 1st Ed. also included 4 mats and the monster rug for the trunk. I had to take it since it was in the MSRP. I would recommend this dealer, since they sold at MSRP and was quite easy to deal with.
Shout out to Riverside!! ✌
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