The point I am trying to make is that is not true according to Scion.com Here is a conversation I had with them online last week. So I guess the big question here is Sam H. from scion.com ask scion incorrect in what he was saying. If he is then this whole consistency of pure is in trouble since no one has the right answers

[quote]Sam H: Hi, my name is Sam H. How may I help you?
Fred: Hi Sam, I just bought an '08 XB and need some help understanding something about the concept of pure price
Sam H: No problem Fred
Fred: My XB came with the base radio and I want to upgrade to the premium, online it says it is 389, but I am getting quotes from dealers of $600. I thought the concept was the same price either way
Sam H: The Pure Price business model states that after the price has been posted, the price cannot be further negotiated and should equal your sales transaction price. However, dealers do have the right to set their own pricing. The prices you see on our website are simply the suggested retail prices recommended by the manufacturer(MSRP). Thus, to stay consistent with the Pure Price business model, the dealer sets their price, including the Delivery Process and Handling Fee, and this posted price should equal your sales transaction price. This price cannot further negotiated.
Fred: hmm, I wish I would have know that before hand. I saw the accessory listed price and figured I could just buy one for that. So how do I get one for the price listed on the Scion.com website
Sam H: The prices on our website are just the suggested price we have set. However, Scion vehicles, parts, and accessories are only available through our dealerships and dealerships are free to set their own prices.
Fred: ok, thanks. Is there anyway to make this known to the higher ups that this is an issue?
Fred: I am on a Scion forum and there are a number of us asking this question
Sam H: I apologize Fred, dealerships are independently owned and operated
franchises and legally they do have the right to set their own prices.[/quote]

 

xBFred, there should be an actual printed price list posted in a prominent place at the dealership. Everyone pays the prices on that list. Those prices may be different from one dealer to the next, but everyone who buys from that dealer pays the price on the posted list.

That's Pure Pricing, in a nutshell.

Not posting the list, or charging anyone a price different from what's on the list, is supposed to be a violation of the franchise agreement.

r

 

The eaisiest way to understand Pure Price is by this: Transaction price = posted/advertised price. Period, end of story.

The whole point is that the dealers can charge what they want, but they can't get there via a negotiation process.

 

We have three Toyota/Scion dealers in the Austin area and plenty more within 100 miles. I was hoping to just go to the closest dealer and get one without any thought on pricing since its fixed. Are you suggesting that we should check each dealer since they can charge whatever they want as long as its posted ?

Are we really seeing a difference in pricing between local dealerships. The base price car on the one I saw at the only dealer I went to matched what was online. The only issue was the added features they started with which I did not want.

 

Basically since MSRP is the price posted, that is what you pay + any options.

I now understand pure price. I was trying to make the point that because the radio is a $389 option already installed doesn't mean that it costs that to get it after.

And that to downgrade a radio would cost almost as much as the radio already installed.

In many ways I do love pure price and dislike it at the same time. Was good to get a 1st day model without tons of markup, but also means I didn't get a discount and had to pay marked price on the wheels that were added.

 

Yes. There have been many stories of buyers going to a different local dealer to get a better deal. Often the difference is not in the price of the car or options, but in additional charges -- "document fees" and the like. Be sure you're comparing "out the door" quotes.

r

 

Yeah, the same thing is happening in South Florida...I checked the inventory myself and most if not all had at least the cheaper upgrade. Specifically I am in Miami, Florida.