Minnesota Honda Car Dealers

Thanks for your words. (Based on previous posts and your recommendation regarding the podcast I have inferred that you are either Steve, Steve or Marshall. If this is not correct, I apologize.) I listened, with interest, to the entire podcast that you recommended. Clearly, the the SM being interviewed was either you or one of the other two (sales managers) SMs at Ourisman. I found much of the interview informative and revealing, but especially the discussion of how the interviewer ended up at Ourisman. Regardless of which SM did the interview, I was shocked at how, in my opinion, Ourisman was willing to shoot itself in the foot and, for that matter, why you would recommend that potential customers listen to the interview. My understanding of the situation, as presented in the Podcast, the interviewer/customer/buyer described how he had come into your dealership because he had been quoted a price over the phone that was to have included everything, except TTL. When he got to your dealership to close the deal, there were suddenly two additional charges that were added: destination and some type of accessory package. The customer was very upset that he had been lied to, at which point, you or one of the other SMs took over to resolve the situation. What was most revealing was that at no point during the interview did the SM appear to offer an apology for the salesman's conduct, state this was not common practice at Ourisman or claim that the customer had misunderstood the phone offer. Quite to the contrary, in fact. It appeared, in my opinion, based on the interview, the SM acknowledged that this or similar tactics are employed by Ourisman to get customers in the door, where the real deal can be made. The customer/interviewer referred to "having been lied to", but the SM doing the interview thought that word had too much of a negative connotation. At no time did the SM claim that the customer had misunderstood the conversation with the salesman. As I stated previously, I understood the SM being interviewed to say that this was a necessary tactic that your sales staff employed to get people through the doors to complete the sale. There was a quote something to the affect that sales happen at the dealership, not at home. Wow, I was shocked to hear, what I understood the SM to be saying: as necessary, we will mislead people over the phone to get them into the dealership. The interviewer/customer charitably, in my opinion, referred to this as 'gray area' of dealer integrity. I would not be nearly as charitable in describing such tactics. This certainly sheds new light on the misunderstanding your dealership had with the original poster, Rohitk. Similar to this case, Rohitk claimed a quote was given over the phone and when he arrived at the dealership, the deal agreed to over the phone had changed considerably. Regardless of whether Rohitk's claimed number was reasonable for an EX-L RN or not, I now, after having listened to the interview, find it entirely plausible, even probable, that Ourisman could have misrepresented the numbers over the phone in order to get the customer in the door to begin negotiations. Even if I have misinterpreted some of the comments in the interview (I would encourage anyone considering a purchase at this dealership to listen to the full interview and judge for themselves), this represents, at a minimum, one case where a customer was deceived over the phone regarding an offer and the dealership's representative (SM) did not deny, apologize for, or in any way attempt to distance himself or the dealership. In my opinion, this gives Rohitk's claims significant, additional corroboration.

I am not sure what it was that I wrote that led you to believe that I am a dealer (or, for that matter, how I should react), but I am not. I am the owner of a 2000 Odyssey that started considering the purchase of a replacement as of mid-May. Acutally, I am an engineer, just trying to "work" the best possible deal available. Just out of curiosity, what was it that I wrote that gave you the impression that I was a dealer? If you read my posts carefully, I am the one asking for and responding to information, not providing it. I tend to be overly thorough in my analysis, but that goes with the territory of being an engineer.

So, in my opinion, there is no way to view the July incentives as anything other than a reduction of $500 from June. In June you could get $2000 dealer cash and special APR. In July it is $1500 and special APR. Choosing $2500 cash and no special APR, in my opinion, is roughly equivalent to $1000 dealer cash and special APR. That is, I personally value the special APR at $1500 at a minimum and would not select this option. Oh well, you win some and you lose some by waiting. It looks like I will be waiting to see what may come in August.

MPLSHONDADLR has stated, with significant authority, that the new incentives, at least in the MPLS region, are $2500 and the special financing that was in place last month. Maybe it is different in NC. As I have stated in previous posts, the special financing of 0.9% for 3-years is typically worth about $1500 to the average Odyssey buyer that qualifies. If it is actually $2000 and the special APR or $2500 and no special APR, for most buyers, the decision should be obvious. Last month's Ridgeline incentives were more in line with my reasoning. If I understood correctly, Honda offered Ridgeline buyers either $3000 and special APR or $4500 and no special APR, making the 'value' of the APR $1500.

Thanks, Given June sales, that is actually somewhat better than I thought it might be. I was thinking no change. $500 is way better than nothing. Thanks again.