Flustered, should I be?

[Iculukn]

I started looking for a used Jeep over a year ago, but me being picky, I've turned a lot down. It’s either an overly inflated price with high mileage, leaking oil, excessively worn tires (ball joints), something not well taken care of or (insert your own experience here). Don’t even spend your time looking around LA (Lower Alabama). In the time I’ve spent looking for a Wrangler I convinced my wife that her next ride should be a Rubicon instead of another Honda Pilot. That was easy and just seven months ago we purchased her a new ’17 JKUR, auto, 4.10, Hard Top, Katskin and upgraded speakers. MSRP was $45,315 and we got it for $39,900, and she loves it! We added tint, AMP auto steps, mats, peddle commander and hotheads headliner with sound assassin thus far.

With all the time invested searching, I’ve about given up on a used deal and started looking for a new JK for myself. Forums are great, and this one (jlwranglerforums) lead me to try Koons. I’m willing to pay for the flight there and endure the return drive of almost 900 miles (about 13 hours) if the price is right! What my PTSD won’t allow is to play a game with local salesmen and management to seek the biggest manhood moment possible. To the point, my new 2012 Cummins Longhorn 4x4 was found on eBay much cheaper than local. I made a phone call, drove 4 hours to Atlanta the next morning, and have greatly enjoyed my purchase since! The ebay (buy-it-now) deal was several thousand better than achieved locally from three dealerships. They hate seeing me drive around displaying the out of town dealership front tag, but oh well. I’ll feed you a burger, bring your family along, but I am not here to purchase a months supply of lobster.

Koons has two ’18 JKRs, soft top, manuals listed for well under $32k (the wow price). A few e-mails later and I’m more stumped than ever. Does this make since:

Yesterday Craig sent an email quote showing the following:
35,350 x 6% = 2,121
35,350 - 2,121 = 33,229
plus tax, tags, 699 processing.

My response was ”I’m confused with the math” as their website list a ‘WOW’ price of $31,250?

Early this morning Craig sent the following:
"Donald,

When I sent you over the quote it was while the GM was adjusting pricing on our in stock vehicles. So when I sent the quote, it did not have a price on it. I attached the invoice to the email here showing you the difference between the Group Buy and the WOW price.

The difference between the Group Buy and WOW price is that the WOW is always changing, all the paperwork has to be done before months end and does not include destination of $1,445, so that would have to be added back in. Compared to the Group Buy where it would be invoice, less the % off, plus tax, tags and 699 processing as the destination is already included.

It looks like the GM is being aggressive on the in stock JK's to beat out the 6% Group Buy Program, so it looks like the WOW price is the better way to go.

If everything looks good and you are ready for the next step, please let me know the exact address to where you will be registering the Jeep at so I can calculate the tax and tags for you.

Let me know what I can do next.

Thanks,
Craig"

Along with the reply are these numbers:
WOW 185194
37,205 - 5,955 = 31,250
31,250 + 1,445 (freight) = 32,695
Plus tax, tags, 699 processing

Group Buy 185194
35,350 x 6% = 2,121
35,350 - 2,121 = 33,229
plus tax, tags, 699 processing.

I hear my Harley growling, time for a ride.
-Donald

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[Mountaineer2K6]

I went through the exact same exercise with Craig. He had a JLU in stock that was close to hitting all of my requirements - wasn't my preferred color combo. He provided me pricing (WOW) on the in-stock vehicle versus me ordering the exact same vehicle with my preferred color. The WOW pricing was discounted enough to offset the addition of freight ($1445) back into the overall price (as he mentioned in your email). It was roughly only $150 dollars better out the door and wasn't worth me not getting exactly what I wanted. Depending on how long inventory sits the WOW pricing can be more competitive as the dealership is motivated to get it moving (every day on the lot they pay the bank where as on group buys they don't invest any capital), but it is unpredictable and at the discretion of the GM. This is probably more relevant for JKs.

So in short I don't think you should be frustrated. I live in the Northern Virginia area and met Craig in person several times. We discussed the components of WOW versus Group Buy pricing and ultimately I ordered a JLU from him TODAY!

I engaged essentially every dealership in the VA/MD/DC area and Craig was the easiest to deal with. No pressure, straight answers and it's clear he does thousands of these transactions.

Hope this helps. Happy hunting.

 

[future ocean blue]

Get the jeep you want with the color and options you want! Its a big investment and you should have what you want. You should be able to find a good price thru one of the many dealers on this forum. Almost all of them will do 5% under invoice and usually have lower dealer fees than $699. And the $1445 destination charge gets the 5% off also.

 

[Iculukn]

I went through the exact same exercise with Craig. He had a JLU in stock that was close to hitting all of my requirements - wasn't my preferred color combo. He provided me pricing (WOW) on the in-stock vehicle versus me ordering the exact same vehicle with my preferred color. The WOW pricing was discounted enough to offset the addition of freight ($1445) back into the overall price (as he mentioned in your email). It was roughly only $150 dollars better out the door and wasn't worth me not getting exactly what I wanted. Depending on how long inventory sits the WOW pricing can be more competitive as the dealership is motivated to get it moving (every day on the lot they pay the bank where as on group buys they don't invest any capital), but it is unpredictable and at the discretion of the GM. This is probably more relevant for JKs.

So in short I don't think you should be frustrated. I live in the Northern Virginia area and met Craig in person several times. We discussed the components of WOW versus Group Buy pricing and ultimately I ordered a JLU from him TODAY!

I engaged essentially every dealership in the VA/MD/DC area and Craig was the easiest to deal with. No pressure, straight answers and it's clear he does thousands of these transactions.

Hope this helps. Happy hunting.

I can appreciate that and wish you much success and joy with your transaction. I think the confusion within the numbers from Craig and then me facing such a return drive is getting to me. He (rightly so, I guess) consistently showing that destination fee of $1,445, and me facing a 13 hour drive feels very much out of focus. I'm actually doing the destination two ways; monetarily and a 900 mile drive. Initially it was bottom line focus and appears great. Then the 'WoW' number and 'Group' number started blurring my focus.

I think the JL is a wonderful platform, took me a lot of time on many forums and you-tubing to get there. I'm just really in a rush to get a perfect deal on a JK.
Thank you for your thoughts.
-D

 

[JBall]

I went through the exact same exercise with Craig. He had a JLU in stock that was close to hitting all of my requirements - wasn't my preferred color combo. He provided me pricing (WOW) on the in-stock vehicle versus me ordering the exact same vehicle with my preferred color. The WOW pricing was discounted enough to offset the addition of freight ($1445) back into the overall price (as he mentioned in your email). It was roughly only $150 dollars better out the door and wasn't worth me not getting exactly what I wanted. Depending on how long inventory sits the WOW pricing can be more competitive as the dealership is motivated to get it moving (every day on the lot they pay the bank where as on group buys they don't invest any capital), but it is unpredictable and at the discretion of the GM. This is probably more relevant for JKs.

So in short I don't think you should be frustrated. I live in the Northern Virginia area and met Craig in person several times. We discussed the components of WOW versus Group Buy pricing and ultimately I ordered a JLU from him TODAY!

I engaged essentially every dealership in the VA/MD/DC area and Craig was the easiest to deal with. No pressure, straight answers and it's clear he does thousands of these transactions.

Hope this helps. Happy hunting.

Seems like you might be Craig yourself. New user, only this one comment, sounds like a sales pitch with much more detail than most buyers would retain. I apologize if I'm wrong here, but seems like an incredible coincidence.

 

[UNC Rubicon]

Seems like you might be Keith yourself. New user, only this one comment, sounds like a sales pitch with much more detail than most buyers would retain. I apologize if I'm wrong here, but seems like an incredible coincidence.

Who's Keith?

 

[JBall]

Who's Keith?

Oops-meant Craig. I'll edit...thanks.

 

[Mountaineer2K6]

Seems like you might be Craig yourself. New user, only this one comment, sounds like a sales pitch with much more detail than most buyers would retain. I apologize if I'm wrong here, but seems like an incredible coincidence.

Really excited if this is what I have to look forward to as a new member. I literally had the conversation with the dude yesterday. I'll post a photo of the new ride once it comes in. What's the standard vetting procedure around here? Want a full name? Address?

 

[bilash31]

Seems like you might be Craig yourself. New user, only this one comment, sounds like a sales pitch with much more detail than most buyers would retain. I apologize if I'm wrong here, but seems like an incredible coincidence.

I highly doubt it. I have seen many many posts from Craig on a few other forums. Always openly and honestly represents. I respect a healthy amount of cynicism but will disagree with your assertion.

 

[JBall]

I apologize-meant no offense. Actually, this is an example of why this forum is so great. There have been other deslers that have tried doing this in the past and have been called out on it. We are a good group of folks trying to maintain the integrity of our forum by keeping it bullshit free.

 

[Iculukn]

I'm surprised a dealer hasn't sent a PM stating how much closer they are and asking what I want.
Thanks for the chatter ;-)
-D

 

[Saejin]

This WOW pricing is very misleading. Fortunately in your case it turned out to be a better deal than the 6% off invoice group buy. I jumped online before I ordered my Jeep a few months ago and came across the WOW pricing here in Maryland. Based on my calculation the price I saw looked to be about right at invoice. I hadn’t come across this forum yet, so thought wow I can get a new JL at invoice...great. Show up at the dealer, test drive, then return to start talking numbers. Ends up their internet price was only if you were eligible for every single discount/rebate they had available. And also it didn’t include a dealer freight charge which was on top of the manufacturers desitination charge. By the time they added it all back together the price was back at MSRP. I thanked them for the test drive and walked away. Crazy bait and switch.

 

[Iculukn]

Exactly!!!
While shopping for the '17 Rubi, we visited the local dealership. A place that has given me crap over buying vehicles elsewhere (a military town). That ordeal was ended about two weeks later when the salesman stated to me during a phone call, "you're just price shopping and not serous". When I told him I was trying to work the deal with him, he stated "work, you military guys don't know what work is" and with that, he hung up! What a tactical risk to employ.

Same place back in '12. I was slipped a folded piece of paper while hearing the salesman state, "our best possible deal, don't show these numbers to others". I reviewed, returned the keys and without a word just walked away. The eBay "buy it now" was actually $4k cheaper than his best.

What is this destination fee of $1,445, overhead, cost to cover the light bill. Come on Amazon! Dealerships appear to live in a bubble and must think it not practical for families to drive from town to town ... they forget the internet they order through serves us all, such as the words you see here.
-D

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