Johnson City Honda, TN

[bennyG19]

I tried to get an Element through JC Honda, and it was a horrible experience. The quote I got through email was a good price, but when I got there they tried to screw me through the trade in. Also, Christoper O'Quinn (Internet Sales) had me give him my credit card number for a $250 deposit to be sure that an '05 MM EX AWD Auto would be in stock for me when I arrived. I specifically asked him, "If the deal doesn't work out, will I be charged?" He said, "Of course not." The deal didn't work out at all, and they are still charging me $250 (which will be disputed through Visa). They offered us 8500 for a 2000 4x4 Auto Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SE V6, 68000 miles, with a bedcover, and they were selling a 2000, 2 wheel drive, 5 speed, with no bedcover, for $14300. If you look at their price now, it is 1500 less, probably because I nailed them on it. Anywhoo, I drove 20 minutes to Bill Gatton Honda, and the deal was a little sweeter, and the people were so much nicer it is indescribable. I would have paid more for the element there, just because of the people and the atmosphere, but I still got it for less. Mike Blevins was a pleasure to do business with. He said that at least 2 people a day come there after going to Johnson City Honda and getting disgusted. I will be picking it up on Monday, and I couldn't be happier. If you are in NE TN, I would definitely not recommend JC Honda. I'd rather pay more and deal with nice people at Bill Gatton Honda (but I still paid less :D :D )

[psschmied]

Glad to hear that it worked out for you, but if you'd done some research and legwork first, it would have been easier, and probably cheaper.

Youir willingness to make an advance deposit before negotiation marks you as desperate, so they figure they won't need to negotiate seriously, if at all. The best prices typically come from regions and dealers that have enough volume that they always have enough short term stock to meet demand through inter-dealer transfers.

Element sales (and most Honda car model sales) are down since last year, so a dealer who was serious would have been making offers to pick you up for a test drive, bring you in to look around, giving you discounts on maintenance and service etc.

If you were within a 20 minute drive of another dealer, the smart thing to have done would have been to visit each one in the area and check out the dealerships themselves before getting serious about purchasing from any of them.

Regardless of where you purchase a Honda, you can take to to any Honda dealer for service. You want to know where the best deal and the best area service shop are, before you make a purchase. They may not be the same dealership.

[coquinn]

To Whom It May Concern:

Mr. Whitehead placed a deposit on a vehicle on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 for a 2005 Honda Element EX 4WD w/ automatic transmission. Mr. Whitehead and I had corresponded via e-mail discussing pricing on the vehicle. I informed Mr. Whitehead that I did not have the vehicle in inventory and that I would need to dealer-trade for the specific vehicle Mr. Whitehead requested, thus the reason for the initial deposit. I informed Mr. Whitehead that this deposit would be refunded only if the numbers we had agreed upon changed from our e-mails correspondence.

We then proceeded to acquire the vehicle from another dealership and bring the vehicle to Johnson Ciy Honda for delivery on Saturday, June 18, 2005. The vehicle was prepped for delivery and all appropriate paperwork was already prepared for Mr. Whitehead. When Mr. Whitehead arrived, he brought a vehicle he had decided to trade, which had never been discussed up to this point; we had discussed a straight-sale price including all taxes, registration, and title. Mr. Whitehead was not pleased with the appraisal of his vehicle and decided to void his contract. Because the trade was never discussed prior to his arrival, we could not refund his initial deposit. I informed Mr. Whitehead of this, as well as his father who accompanied him, and both left the dealership with this understanding.

If there is any further inquiry needed, you may reach me at (423) 282.5440 x 144 – or by e-mail at: coquinn @ johnsoncityhonda.com - I hope this clears any confusion. We have had many successful transactions with the online community, and will continue to do so.

Regards,

Christopher O’Quinn
Internet Sales Manager

Johnson City Honda
2806 N. Roan Street
Johnson City, TN 37601

P: (423) 282.5440 x 144

http://www.johnsoncityhonda.com

[seenahyena]

So who will Visa agree with ?

[stock323]

I really hope the buyer.. newbie to the group that is.

It happened to ME.
IT WENT AGAINTS ME..... I was out the $500.

Wifey was SERIOUS about a HIGHLANDER.
wwent through the process I use TO WEAR the sales people and dealer out.
Highlander was the color and lear perfect price and WAS a day or two before
the end of the month. 22K sticker getting it for 17,900 ( about 800 above invoice ...ala KBB.com ) this was with getting the owner to allow the me the 'HOLDBACK' !!!!!!

Well wifey was so sure she wanted it .. Me the good soldier and good bargainer could not beilieve it. WIFE now wants a Honda CRV !!!!
Well cut to the chase. Highlander was prepped, dealer said come and get it ,
AND I SAID NO !!!
WE not want the car.

Love the wife.
Lost the $500 deposit


?So who will Visa agree with ? VISA went with the dealer.
Still hate the dealer
wife loves the CRv ( got then a new 2001 CRv for 350bove invoice !!! )

oneday I hope that $500 will comeback to me. ( ELSE hope the dealer or owner will choke on something ) do not go to buy a car from Hackensack Toyota ( NJ )