JHZR2
Staff member
Hello,
just as I asked... anyone buy a car through costco???
Thanks!
just as I asked... anyone buy a car through costco???
Thanks!
anyone buy a car through costco
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Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Hello,
just as I asked... anyone buy a car through costco???
Thanks!
Yes, three years ago we bought my Wife's 2006 Acura TL through Costco. It was a very pleasant buying experience and the price was about as good as you could get on a TL in this area and with no negotiating.
We also looked at Toyota's through the Costco program, but the Toyota dealer that Costco used was a a typical dirt bag car dealer.
If the dealer sticks to the program he agreed to when he sighed up with Costco, it's a good experience at a good price.
The main thing Costco gets you is a clear price in black and white and sets you up with a a salesman that is familiar with the program.
You are under no obligation to buy, so give it a try. Worst case it's better than a typical visit to a stealerhip and you get a good idea how low the local dealers will go in price.
Hello,
just as I asked... anyone buy a car through costco???
Thanks!
Yes, three years ago we bought my Wife's 2006 Acura TL through Costco. It was a very pleasant buying experience and the price was about as good as you could get on a TL in this area and with no negotiating.
We also looked at Toyota's through the Costco program, but the Toyota dealer that Costco used was a a typical dirt bag car dealer.
If the dealer sticks to the program he agreed to when he sighed up with Costco, it's a good experience at a good price.
The main thing Costco gets you is a clear price in black and white and sets you up with a a salesman that is familiar with the program.
You are under no obligation to buy, so give it a try. Worst case it's better than a typical visit to a stealerhip and you get a good idea how low the local dealers will go in price.
The Costco program is great for people unfamiliar with purchasing a vehicle. It's also great if you hate the typical negotiations and unpleasantness associated with the buying experience.
With that said, I've always been able to get a better deal on my own. Costco usually pay a percentage over invoice, which includes holdback. Unless you're buying a new hot model like a Camaro, you should be able to negotiate a portion of holdback.
With that said, I've always been able to get a better deal on my own. Costco usually pay a percentage over invoice, which includes holdback. Unless you're buying a new hot model like a Camaro, you should be able to negotiate a portion of holdback.
so do you have to finance through costco? or a certain finance company?
Originally Posted By: Johnny248
so do you have to finance through costco? or a certain finance company?
You can pay for it anyway you want.
Originally Posted By: Markum
With that said, I've always been able to get a better deal on my own. Costco usually pay a percentage over invoice, which includes holdback.
I've gotten to the point in my life where I would rather pay someone else a fair price to do undesirable tasks when I can. More power to you if you enjoy it.
so do you have to finance through costco? or a certain finance company?
You can pay for it anyway you want.
Originally Posted By: Markum
With that said, I've always been able to get a better deal on my own. Costco usually pay a percentage over invoice, which includes holdback.
I've gotten to the point in my life where I would rather pay someone else a fair price to do undesirable tasks when I can. More power to you if you enjoy it.
JHZR2
Staff member
Im looking at a fairly $ car, so Id like to drive as close to invoice price as possible.
Anyone have an idea of what the percentage over invoice is when costco does the setup???
Thanks!
Anyone have an idea of what the percentage over invoice is when costco does the setup???
Thanks!
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Im looking at a fairly $ car, so Id like to drive as close to invoice price as possible.
Anyone have an idea of what the percentage over invoice is when costco does the setup???
Thanks!
It's agreed upon by the dealers. The local Toyota store is 5%. Again depending on the car, you should be under that.
Im looking at a fairly $ car, so Id like to drive as close to invoice price as possible.
Anyone have an idea of what the percentage over invoice is when costco does the setup???
Thanks!
It's agreed upon by the dealers. The local Toyota store is 5%. Again depending on the car, you should be under that.
Here's how hard it is to get a fair price.
1. Call dealer and ask for fleet or internet dept.
2. Tell them what you want and compare prices.
3. Buy whatever it best.
Those depts. are paid on holdback. Not the typical salesman percentages.
1. Call dealer and ask for fleet or internet dept.
2. Tell them what you want and compare prices.
3. Buy whatever it best.
Those depts. are paid on holdback. Not the typical salesman percentages.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Im looking at a fairly $ car, so Id like to drive as close to invoice price as possible.
Anyone have an idea of what the percentage over invoice is when costco does the setup???
Thanks!
It varies all over the place. If it's a popular car that the deal can't get enough of, you won't get much off of list price. If it's not a real high demand car, you can get close to invoice with Costco. My wife's Acura TL was less than 2% over invoice. I think you could get around 1% or less on some cars.
Talk to them, then you will know what price you need to beat if you are going to deal on your own. I agree with Markus, a sharp negotiator should be able to do better on their own... it's just that I feel so unclean after negotiating with a car dealer.
Im looking at a fairly $ car, so Id like to drive as close to invoice price as possible.
Anyone have an idea of what the percentage over invoice is when costco does the setup???
Thanks!
It varies all over the place. If it's a popular car that the deal can't get enough of, you won't get much off of list price. If it's not a real high demand car, you can get close to invoice with Costco. My wife's Acura TL was less than 2% over invoice. I think you could get around 1% or less on some cars.
Talk to them, then you will know what price you need to beat if you are going to deal on your own. I agree with Markus, a sharp negotiator should be able to do better on their own... it's just that I feel so unclean after negotiating with a car dealer.
JHZR2
Staff member
So right now I do not have a costco membership. How does one find the dealerships that work the costco program?
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
So right now I do not have a costco membership. How does one find the dealerships that work the costco program?
Through Costco's website. Do you know someone who will do it for you? The bad news is you don't get the price info until you go see the dealer. The dealer will show you their agreement with Costco, but I didn't have any luck getting them to discuss it over the phone.
So right now I do not have a costco membership. How does one find the dealerships that work the costco program?
Through Costco's website. Do you know someone who will do it for you? The bad news is you don't get the price info until you go see the dealer. The dealer will show you their agreement with Costco, but I didn't have any luck getting them to discuss it over the phone.
I looked for a Ferarri through Costco and it was a no go.
While you are price shopping, be sure to check out carsdirect.com. It's one of the few car shopping sites that will give you a price without having to contact a dealer.
At least with carsdirect, you'll be in the ball park on price. No reason to pay a dime more as the contracted dealer will honor the website's price on the car.
At least with carsdirect, you'll be in the ball park on price. No reason to pay a dime more as the contracted dealer will honor the website's price on the car.
Originally Posted By: markum
Here's how hard it is to get a fair price.
1. Call dealer and ask for fleet or internet dept.
2. Tell them what you want and compare prices.
3. Buy whatever it best.
Those depts. are paid on holdback. Not the typical salesman percentages.
I did that when shopping for my mother's Toyota Avalon. I sent emails to various dealerships asking if they could match a specific price. One told me yes and said to come in person. When I went to them, I was told that they could not honor prices given by their internet sales department.
It was just a trick to get me to come into the store. Then they proceeded to treat my mother and I as suckers who had the misfortune of walking into their store. I hate salesmen.
Here's how hard it is to get a fair price.
1. Call dealer and ask for fleet or internet dept.
2. Tell them what you want and compare prices.
3. Buy whatever it best.
Those depts. are paid on holdback. Not the typical salesman percentages.
I did that when shopping for my mother's Toyota Avalon. I sent emails to various dealerships asking if they could match a specific price. One told me yes and said to come in person. When I went to them, I was told that they could not honor prices given by their internet sales department.
It was just a trick to get me to come into the store. Then they proceeded to treat my mother and I as suckers who had the misfortune of walking into their store. I hate salesmen.
When my father was shopping for his last vehicle, he found that Costco was no better than the worst quote he got by dealing directly with the dealership; $200 under sticker price.
I imagine geographic location, make/model of vehicle and the economy has a lot to do with how good a deal Costco can get you.
A friend of mine has his credit union shop for him when he's looking for a car. He tells them what he wants and they shop the best price.
I imagine geographic location, make/model of vehicle and the economy has a lot to do with how good a deal Costco can get you.
A friend of mine has his credit union shop for him when he's looking for a car. He tells them what he wants and they shop the best price.
All anybody has to do is go on Edmunds internet site, look up the car they want and see what the invoice price is. You can guess that holdback is at least $1,000 less than invoice. Then go to the dealer with the invoice price minus $1,000 and tell them you want to buy the car right now at that price. If they say no...offer $500 more and that is it. Leave. If they ask you for your phone number...you are close. But there is no reason to ever pay over invoice for any car. The whole "high demand" thing is hype for suckers.
If there's a third party involved, that third party will need to make some money. Therefore, it's a given that the deal will not be as good as it can be.
I have bought four cars over 15 years with the Costco or AAA program. Pleasant experience and got all four cars at or below Dealer Invoice. Don't be afraid to ask for a better deal or whatever else you adding to the car. The worst thing they will say is can't do it but you just might get a better deal.
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