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Bait and switch?

4304 Views 11 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  WillRockwell
Tell me what you think of this and what you would do in my position.

This morning I did a search for 2012 ISF's and found one at the Chicago Lexus dealer listed for $50,000. I emailed a message - "Why is this car so cheap" and received an email stating they had to clear the 2012 models to make room for the new ones, and that the price was correct and there was nothing wrong with the car.
I called the person who emailed me and they again stressed the car was priced to sell quickly, there was nothing wrong with it, it had 1,400 miles on it and was driven by the agency owner.
I said I would buy the car, gave all my information (no money) and they began the paperwork.

Then at the end of the day I got a call from the same salesperson telling me the price was a mistake, but they would gladly sell me the car at their price, $63,000.
I told the salesperson this seemed to be a textbook case of bait and switch and, mistake or no, they should sell me the car at the original price quoted.

I'm not sure how such a mistake in pricing survived through an 8 hour workday, with people (not just me) asking if it was correct. But I do know the law, and in Illinois it is a crime to switch prices after someone has agreed to a sale. Your thoughts?
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Tell me what you think of this and what you would do in my position.
....... But I do know the law, and in Illinois it is a crime to switch prices after someone has agreed to a sale. Your thoughts?
Have your attorney call them. You might not get the $50K price, but you might get a good deal.
Have your attorney call them. You might not get the $50K price, but you might get a good deal.
That's what I was thinking, but consider this - any price above 50K constitutes bait and switch.
same thing happened to me, the car was 29,999 but the next day they had it for 31,200. i told them it was priced at 29 and they gave it to me no questions asked. But like rockwell said, i'd deff would call ur attorney.
Tell me what you think of this and what you would do in my position.

This morning I did a search for 2012 ISF's and found one at the Chicago Lexus dealer listed for $50,000. I emailed a message - "Why is this car so cheap" and received an email stating they had to clear the 2012 models to make room for the new ones, and that the price was correct and there was nothing wrong with the car.
I called the person who emailed me and they again stressed the car was priced to sell quickly, there was nothing wrong with it, it had 1,400 miles on it and was driven by the agency owner.
I said I would buy the car, gave all my information (no money) and they began the paperwork.

Then at the end of the day I got a call from the same salesperson telling me the price was a mistake, but they would gladly sell me the car at their price, $63,000.
I told the salesperson this seemed to be a textbook case of bait and switch and, mistake or no, they should sell me the car at the original price quoted.

I'm not sure how such a mistake in pricing survived through an 8 hour workday, with people (not just me) asking if it was correct. But I do know the law, and in Illinois it is a crime to switch prices after someone has agreed to a sale. Your thoughts?
Welcome to the club. I was about to fly to Chicago to pickup this car, and it was indeed a mistake, :D
Welcome to the club. I was about to fly to Chicago to pickup this car, and it was indeed a mistake, :D
Did they start the paperwork for you? They did for me, and I was about to put down a deposit, they were just asking for the amount.
Over the weekend I got a call from the manager of the dealership. I'm convinced the incident was a mistake and not deliberate. They are working to find a car for me and are sending a gift card to make up for the aggravation.
2URGSE - it sounds like you are on the same path as me, looking nationwide for a gently used ISF. I'm sticking to 2011 models, how about you?
2URGSE - it sounds like you are on the same path as me, looking nationwide for a gently used ISF. I'm sticking to 2011 models, how about you?
Well, the color I really wanted was Ultra Sonic Blue and I wanted a 2011 or higher.

All the USB's are gone out west, you can't get one unless you order a 2013.

There are 2 in Florida. One is a 2011 at the Land Rover Dealer in Orlando I believe, the other one is a brand new 2012 USB at Lexus of Kendell.

I'm actually aiming for a 2012 now, because the 2013's are about to come out.

If you want a USB and are not too far from Florida, that 2012 could be a sweet deal. They may be a little harder to negociate with, due to the rarity of the color, but if I lived closer, I'd probably pay market for it and wouldn't wait. Sadly, I'm out west and I don't want to pay 1000 to 2000 to ship the car.

You can easily get a 2011 with low miles for 47-52. I wouldn't pay more than 52K for a 2011 right now under any circumstances.

2012's are at 58,000, but I'm waiting for month's end, things will get interesting when these guys need to move inventory fast.

10/31 is a good day to buy a car.
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Did they start the paperwork for you? They did for me, and I was about to put down a deposit, they were just asking for the amount.
No Sir, they didn't do jack for me. :mad:
The Nebula Gray (the new gray color) does not seem to sell that well, at least not out west. There are a whole bunch of 2012's Nebula gray. As long as it has a black interior, in my personal opinion it's a cool combo. Some of them have the red interior.

Also, if you want the best financing, go through a credit union. I'm locked at 2.875% for 84 months!!!

Wait for the weekend of 10/27, it's the last weekend of the month. Wednesday 10/31 would be a good day too.
Well, the color I really wanted was Ultra Sonic Blue and I wanted a 2011 or higher.

All the USB's are gone out west, you can't get one unless you order a 2013.

There are 2 in Florida. One is a 2011 at the Land Rover Dealer in Orlando I believe, the other one is a brand new 2012 USB at Lexus of Kendell.

I'm actually aiming for a 2012 now, because the 2013's are about to come out.

If you want a USB and are not too far from Florida, that 2012 could be a sweet deal. They may be a little harder to negociate with, due to the rarity of the color, but if I lived closer, I'd probably pay market for it and wouldn't wait. Sadly, I'm out west and I don't want to pay 1000 to 2000 to ship the car.

You can easily get a 2011 with low miles for 47-52. I wouldn't pay more than 52K for a 2011 right now under any circumstances.

2012's are at 58,000, but I'm waiting for month's end, things will get interesting when these guys need to move inventory fast.

10/31 is a good day to buy a car.
Good advice, I'll try to wait a bit.
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