[senseikidan]

I had ordered my id4 awd with a gradient package a few months back and had been eagerly awaiting for it. The order is in status 15-1 right not. Today I got a call from my dealership saying that they had the exact model I had requested available as the buyer has canceled the order. In my excitement of getting the vehicle I went to the dealership to get it (ended up purchasing it as well). Long story short though the dealer marked up the price by 2k as I was getting the vehicle “early” and I ended up paying for 1k worth of some nonsense paint protection that I really didn’t want as it was already applied to the car. Is there anything I can do to get the 3k additional back… ideally I think that particular car should have been reassigned to me( after reading how shipments are working on this forum) are the very least I want to report the dealer for this. Happy about the car itself though this whole experience left a sour taste

 

[Huey52]

If the dealership had already provided some of their own options, such as paint protection, why would you expect them to discount for same? I don't disagree that these local add-ons are typically not a good value, but if in fact they did do it .... caveat emptor, especially at automotive dealerships.

Note that most USA dealerships of any brand are in short supply of new or pre-owned inventory to sell, yet still have to pay for their overhead ("keeping the lights on"), so it's not unusual to see increased prices to cover same. On the plus side personal pre-owned selling prices are also very good.

I had ordered my id4 awd with a gradient package a few months back and had been eagerly awaiting for it. The order is in status 15-1 right not. Today I got a call from my dealership saying that they had the exact model I had requested available as the buyer has canceled the order. In my excitement of getting the vehicle I went to the dealership to get it (ended up purchasing it as well). Long story short though the dealer marked up the price by 2k as I was getting the vehicle “early” and I ended up paying for 1k worth of some nonsense paint protection that I really didn’t want as it was already applied to the car. Is there anything I can do to get the 3k additional back… ideally I think that particular car should have been reassigned to me( after reading how shipments are working on this forum) are the very least I want to report the dealer for this. Happy about the car itself though this whole experience left a sour taste

 

[Spin]

Sorry to hear this. You can report the dealer and try to recoup the 3k however I don't think you will be successful. Congratulations anyway on the purchase, and good luck with the vehicle.

 

[senseikidan]

Not expecting any discount for them. Just annoyed that I didn’t get to choose it and it was added on. I think the original buyer also left for the same shenanigans. My main issue is with the mark up itself.

 

[Huey52]

Then why did you buy it??? One must always be prepared to walk away from an automotive deal. It's our only defense.

Not expecting any discount for them. Just annoyed that I didn’t get to choose it and it was added on. I think the original buyer also left for the same shenanigans. My main issue is with the mark up itself.

 

[senseikidan]

Then why did you buy it??? One must always be prepared to walk away from an automotive deal. It's our only defense.

Well I was in need of a car. My personal situation meant that it would even out for me even if I got the car with the 2k mark up. However only after I got home it struck me that normally when a buyer cancels vw reassign the vehicle based on other buyers in the area and what the dealer did here was not really in line with how vw has advertised the whole buying process. I am also not originally from the states, so this whole hidden fees thing took a while to sink in and I realized it only after reading this forum.
My point in posting here specifically was to learn if there is any recourse available, if not to be informative for future buyers.

 

[Huey52]

I don't mean to come across as negative. I paid MSRP, as most, which I've only done a couple times historically so from that perspective I also paid what the market would bear. I too "needed" to move on from my prior vehicle to some extent.

Thanks for providing your experience as it just may help others. Case in point for doing as much research as possible prior to purchase. And also to divorce emotion in such procurements as much as possible, which is very difficult to do as you're motivated to buy in the first place or you wouldn't be there.

And yes, you have to be particularly aware of fees, and which are legitimate and which are 'shenanigans.' This too is difficult given that they vary by State in these "United" States, so best to get insight from members in your state.

It certainly is an unprecedented financial climate in car buying/selling these days!

Enjoy your new ID.4 !!!

Well I was in need of a car. My personal situation meant that it would even out for me even if I got the car with the 2k mark up. However only after I got home it struck me that normally when a buyer cancels vw reassign the vehicle based on other buyers in the area and what the dealer did here was not really in line with how vw has advertised the whole buying process. I am also not originally from the states, so this whole hidden fees thing took a while to sink in and I realized it only after reading this forum.
My point in posting here specifically was to learn if there is any recourse available, if not to be informative for future buyers.

 

[VT_Steve]

… the dealer marked up the price by 2k as I was getting the vehicle “early” and I ended up paying for 1k worth of some nonsense …

I don’t see how this constitutes a “scam”. Unpleasant dealer experience, yes. Scam, no.

Scam implies something illegal happened, which should be reported to law enforcement. As long as the additional charges were clearly marked on a piece of paper that was presented to you at some point during the process, no laws were broken.

Why didn’t you just walk away?

 

[d287]

If it makes you feel any better, you’re lucky it was only $3k! Due to the chip shortage, high demand, etc, cars are in especially short supply and unscrupulous dealers are taking advantage everywhere! I’ve seen Subaru Outback Wilderness with a $15k markup, Ford Broncos with a $30k markup, and Teslas are selling used for $10k more than new! Your only recourse I can think of would be to reach out to VW of America eMobility (mentioned in these forums several places), and some folks said they exerted pressure on the dealers to not mark them up. Of course, I don’t think they can do anything after the deal is signed...

 

[Don]

Not expecting any discount for them. Just annoyed that I didn’t get to choose it and it was added on. I think the original buyer also left for the same shenanigans. My main issue is with the mark up itself.

Pardon, but you did get to choose - Wait for your original choice to be built and shipped, or pay for the dealers ridiculous extras. As consumers, we all get to vote with our feet . . . . we walk away when something isn't 'right'. Evidently, you thought the $3K extra was worth it to cut the wait you were experiencing for the car you had ordered

Don

 

[eranschau]

I fail to see how this was a scam of any kind. Were you not made fully aware of the dealer’s add-ons and the associated price increase before you signed on the dotted line?

 

[rth121]

If you were aware of additional cost during the purchase agreement, it's not a scam... You should have spoken with the dealer ahead of time saying you will only be willing to pay MSRP or to some extent, additional accessories that was installed at the port.

I was clear with all the dealers around me when I was looking for an ID.4 that I will not be paying above MSRP but was willing to accept the "junk" accessories like the mats, homelink mirror, etc. as that was a minimal impact in my opinion.

 

[DD2]

I had ordered my id4 awd with a gradient package a few months back and had been eagerly awaiting for it. The order is in status 15-1 right not. Today I got a call from my dealership saying that they had the exact model I had requested available as the buyer has canceled the order. In my excitement of getting the vehicle I went to the dealership to get it (ended up purchasing it as well). Long story short though the dealer marked up the price by 2k as I was getting the vehicle “early” and I ended up paying for 1k worth of some nonsense paint protection that I really didn’t want as it was already applied to the car. Is there anything I can do to get the 3k additional back… ideally I think that particular car should have been reassigned to me( after reading how shipments are working on this forum) are the very least I want to report the dealer for this. Happy about the car itself though this whole experience left a sour taste

Don't beat yourself up over this. I ordered my ID4 online thinking that I would definitely have it before the end of 2021. Ha! From what I was reading and learning, delivery was closer to, um, unknown. Well, I needed the income tax credit to fall within this year and was heavily stressed out. I also had a 14-year-old Audi to replace before it cost me several thousand in repairs, as it did in January of 2021.
I had to call 5 dealerships to test drive the vehicle, the first four had none. The dealership where I test-drove the ID4 called me about a week later saying that they had one ID4, count them - one, for sale. I definitely wanted it! When it came time to sign the paperwork, they wanted to mark it up $4,000, saying that every dealership was marking them up and it would take a year to order it online if I wanted to pay MSRP. I talked him down to under $3,000 on the markup but did pay an additional $650 for the roadside assistance kit with the mats and a upgraded rear-view mirror.
I read all these posts on this board about not paying a dollar over MSRP. That will work if you want to walk away, or wait until the dealership has some sitting on the lot.
I needed a replacement, I had a healthy investment gain to shelter with the tax credit, and I wanted it. Period.
The same thing happened with my brand-new Audi years ago.
The way I see it, if you want to screw a dealership, keep your cars at least ten years or until the wheels fall off. Don't lease or finance with them.
I've had my ID4 for a month now and loooove it! Happy driving! 🚙

 

[Nai3t]

That's kind of how my deal played out, end of March, just after launch.

I was abundantly clear I was looking for MSRP. The dealer I bought from confirmed "MSRP, no markup" but when I showed up had about $600 extra tracked on for underwater basket weaving and a left+handed monkey wrench.

We talked, I traded about $300 off of that in exchange for purchase of an extended maintenance plan, then promptly cancelled that plan after the sale. I ended up paying about $300 over MSRP plus the bullish $85 doc fee, but good enough that I don't have any regrets.

My point being that if I didn't like the add-ons, I could have pressed it, with the risk of losing the car, or I could have simply walked. I was forced to pay the add-ons only to satisfy my desire to drive away that day in that car.

My sense is the market has shifted to even more in the sellers favor since then, but you've gotta make a deal that ultimately satisfies yourself.

 

[Jace]

I just had a similar situation where I took delivery of an AWD ID4 Pro S Gradient as another rez holder was not able to get financing. The dealer had already applied Simoniz paint protection to the vehicle -- something I would not have every ordered from a dealer -- maybe something I would do with ceramic coat protection, but not from a dealer menu. In this case the dealer was very reasonable and agreed to eat the cost of that application, I ended up paying MSRP only and got the paint protection included, not sure if it helped my situation but was making a cash offer on the car.

 

[eb2143]

My sense is the market has shifted to even more in the sellers favor since then, but you've gotta make a deal that ultimately satisfies yourself.

This is also my sense having followed inventory and dealer tactics over last year...things are getting even tighter and more in favor of sellers. Also reflected in tesla pricing. For me, culminated in an reservation MSRP delivery two weeks ago. Early on, I switched my reservation to a dealer who told me via email it would be MSRP

 

[VW TECHNICIAN]

Chips shortages....dealership lights to stay on is not future customers issue..... Don't let them screw you.....it is your money and going over MSRP is financial suicide.
Just walk away and look for dealership that will honor MSRP or even give you discount....any additional stickers applied on the windows besides Manufacturer are plain and simple ripping people in this hard times.
Actually Dealerships had never been doing better than now....because of not enough new cars on the market they can sell all models and some not well accepted by people for close to MSRP or if they can ripp you off for over the MSRP.
If you are in hard need of transportation before finding good deals.....buy some clunker that will serve you until you can get good deal.

 

[tothemoon]

Sorry to hear of your poor buying experience but agree with those here that this isn't a scam. Based on your info about not being familiar with hidden fees/addons I think its a positive that you only got charged 3k more. Separately, if you suspect the original reservation holder walked away because of these addons, I think its reasonable to expect that if you had walked away and waited for your order to the same dealer, they would have tacked the same addons onto your vehicle and then either waited for you to accept it or just sold it to someone else if you declined the vehicle. In the end, if this is how it played out, you'd still have no car, which doesn't sound like a situation you wanted to be in.

I highly doubt you'll get any kind of adjustment after the deal but I get feeling ripped off about your situation. I believe in some states, even after signing a deal, you have a few days to return the vehicle. Not sure where you are located but this might give you some leverage to at least start the conversation with your dealer if you threaten to return the vehicle?

 

[senseikidan]

Wow didn’t know that cars could be returned. After reading up on it, I don’t think my state has a cooling off period where the customer can return the vehicle unfortunately.
Yeah the part that really annoyed me was not that they were hidden in the contract, they had been applied to the car, so the dealer was unwilling to trade or change pricing as they felt I was getting product for it. This is apart from stupid stuff like documentation fees etc. in the end what was supposed to be a 50k car ended up costing almost 61k
(Sales tax 2k mark up, 1k product, 100 or so in doc fees + sales tax + registration + licensing)

 

[Ciscovet]

I've heard of the dealers marking the price up from MSRP even with ordered cars. So it's possible for you to have gotten your ordered car and then to have the dealership mark that price up as well.