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  • Costco Auto Buy Program

    is there any additional benefit to getting a car through the program more towards the end of the month???

    i saw the old thread about the program and want more updated info...anyone went through it, or specifically through Honda Windward since my spouse wants to get another CR-V?

  • #2
    Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

    Not much benefit as the prices are set between Costco and the auto dealer for the "No-Haggle" experience. You may actually get a better deal outside of the Costco program at the end of the month since dealers are more willing to drop prices to get new vehicles out of inventory before the banks start accessing interest charges on the dealers.
    Life is what you make of it...so please read the instructions carefully.

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    • #3
      Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

      Thanks for the info. I'm seriously thinking about buying a Honda Fit and keep putting it off because I'd rather have a root canal than go shopping for...anything. Especially a car! I'm starting to do some research in Consumer Reports but, honestly, the thought of walking into a dealership and the whole manipulative process is very disconcerting.

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      • #4
        Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

        Tutu, I think the new Honda Fit is a fabulous car. I have looked at them seriously. The rear seat can be configured in numerous ways for passengers, hauling, or whateba. People are reporting in the high 30's on the highway. The biggest complaints are that they are a little noisy on the interior and the ride is kind of jittery because of the short wheelbase. Should work great for Oahu. Go to Edmunds.com and search the forums for Honda Fit to get the lowdown on the car.

        Tutu, avoid the whole salesman routine. Shop for your car over the Internet or through the Fleet Manager. Every dealer has Internet sales and you can avoid the greasy haired kid or "Hi I'm Tiffany. You look like a man who knows what he is after." Yeah, right.

        I have decided to purchase a used Ford Escape Hybrid from a private party. It's just "mano a mano" in those transactions.

        I've found that the discounts through the Costco program are mediocre at best. You can get a better deal by hard negotiating.
        Last edited by matapule; May 14, 2010, 06:09 PM.
        Peace, Love, and Local Grindz

        People who form FIRM opinions with so little knowledge only pretend to be open-minded. They select their facts like food from a buffet. David R. Dow

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        • #5
          Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

          Go at the end of the month where it's more important for the salesperson to raise their sales count to the next tier rather than holding gross.

          Check safety check decals for the oldest "new car" on the lot. Older stickers mean they've been on the lot too long and the bank's dealer center will start charging interest to the dealership.

          These are the two hottest things to remember when buying a new car.
          Life is what you make of it...so please read the instructions carefully.

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          • #6
            Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

            wow, since the only HONDA dealer participating in the Costco Program is 'Honda Windward', what are we to do?

            We will be meeting with the contact rep there in the next 1-2 days, or we should tell them to wait, we'll hold out for close to the end of the month and then also ask the Internet Specialist ..as to who will give us the better deal???

            Please people, those who really participated in the program, what do you have to say? use it or negotiate on one's own...?

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            • #7
              Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

              I checked to see what Mazda dealer was participating in the Costco program. It was the dealer on Kauai as neither of the Honolulu stores, JN or Cutter, were involved.

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              • #8
                Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

                Originally posted by hawaiiguy View Post
                Please people, those who really participated in the program, what do you have to say? use it or negotiate on one's own...?
                I did participate in the program on two different cars at two different dealerships in California. In my opinion the deal they offered me was okay but not the best deal (both offered me the car at the exact same price so that means some formula was used). I checked on Edmunds.com for the actual buying experience of those who purchased that specific model. People who dealt direct with the dealer were gettinng a better deal than the Costco program was offereing me. I decided to walk. I am going to buy a used car.
                Peace, Love, and Local Grindz

                People who form FIRM opinions with so little knowledge only pretend to be open-minded. They select their facts like food from a buffet. David R. Dow

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                • #9
                  Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

                  i used the costco program last year when we purchased our odyssey... i need a people mover!

                  when i purchased my forester in '05 i contacted the dealership and asked for the fleet/internet sales department and was given a price. they asked if i had a costco membership and was then given a slightly better price.

                  i used costco, specifically for the van, because i had always seen the ads in costco and wanted to try it out. i also called other dealers talking to their fleet/internet sales department. i found costco to be a little better. also, costco prices were much better then my credit union.

                  for the amount of time i put into buying the van i was very happy.

                  i feel that if you are looking to get the very best deal then you may find yourself at the dealership for HOURS.

                  for the time i was at the dealership, under 2 hours, and the price given, $1500 under their "invoice", i was very happy.

                  also, i was given/offered additional discounts for accessories at the time of purchase because of the costco program. even with the additional 10% or 20% off of their dealer retail prices i declined all except the 7 year/120k warranty - i drive a lot!

                  online prices for accessories are much better but shipping to HI may negate any savings.

                  good luck with your purchase!!!

                  joel

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                  • #10
                    Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

                    O.K. , we had decided to hold off going to Honda Windward until late June...I'm thinking that'll be a even better incentive for the dealer to 'bend our way'..due to being at the end of the month AND it being the end of the fiscal year (if that plays a part...).

                    When I submitted the email application to obtain a authorization number, that contact person from Honda Windward called/left a message within 6 hours of receiving our info from Costco...but the strange thing is that we have not heard back at all from him by phone, email, etc..

                    I'm thinking this must be a really bad deal for the dealer, and the contact person in terms of commission as there has absolutely been no follow-up by them since that one call left to my spouse. Compared that to the Internet Dept which I inquired one night about 1 1/2 months ago with a 'pop-up' screen asking if we had any questions on their vehicles (which I replied)...This Internet Dept contact person has emailed me on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th day...now that's being in contact!!!

                    Does this mean anything? Maybe they not interested in following up with the Costco Auto Purchase since they won't be getting much out of it?

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                    • #11
                      Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

                      I'm following this thread closely, hawaiiguy! I picked up the Costco Auto Program brochure today. Once you submitted your info to Costco, how long did it take for them to respond with an authorization number? And were you able to see a price before Costco contacted the dealership?

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                      • #12
                        Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

                        got the authorization number immediately after filling out the costco membership #, etc. on their website and pressing 'enter'... then pops your authorization number...

                        no, not able to see a price, as that 'sheet' will be provided when you actually meet with the contact rep... and again, we just holding off about a month...
                        Last edited by hawaiiguy; May 27, 2010, 08:37 PM.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

                          Originally posted by tutusue View Post
                          Once you submitted your info to Costco, how long did it take for them to respond with an authorization number? And were you able to see a price before Costco contacted the dealership?
                          In my case it was 24 hours. The Costco rep has been following up a minimum of every two weeks. I sent an email that said I purcased a used car. They followed up with a thank you and to keep them in mind for a future purchase. I will.
                          Peace, Love, and Local Grindz

                          People who form FIRM opinions with so little knowledge only pretend to be open-minded. They select their facts like food from a buffet. David R. Dow

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

                            ok, we are ready to make contact with the costco rep...

                            but i see on the dealer's website that they don't have *white*, which is the color my wife wants for her SUV.. what now? we are in no rush, so will they have to order from the factory and we just wait? do we lose any bargaining power because they don't stock it?

                            Craig, is *white* a color that is not readily in demand?

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                            • #15
                              Re: Costco Auto Buy Program

                              actually White is THE most popular color along with silver. Because white is very popular, it may be a way to have you come down to the lot and negotiate rather than using the Costco no haggle program if you want that color. Costco is fine but when it comes to servicing, you may not get the special treatment a sales associate will give you after the sale. If you buy a car from me, I will personally handle your service needs for as long as you own it. You'll still pay for it, however isn't it nice to pick up the phone and tell me, "Craig, set me up for a service appointment!" and let me take care of everything including pick up and delivery. Yes I will go out to your home or business, pick up your car and return it when it's done.

                              When you buy a car from a computer, there's no human interaction. Yes there's an internet sales manager, but are they commissioned? No they get a salary. Sales associates work hard to get and keep your business and your referrals, at least the ones with integrity.

                              My feelings are that right now many of Hawaii's auto dealers are into their summer sales and quite a few are running ads below MSRP to drum up sales. Because the Costco program locks in a negotiated price between them and the auto dealership, these summer sale prices may be in some instances, lower than the costco price.

                              As for advertised deals, check if there's a stock number associated with that particular "Ad-Car". That advertised price may only be on that particular vehicle and not on the entire lot of that model car.

                              Regarding the Honda Fit...that is one impressive little car. Big on passenger space and even good size on some cargo, but not both. As Matapule did indicate the Fit can have a loud interior noise, but that may be due to the trim. If it was the Sport model, those use tires that are lower in profile than the base Fit and can result in more road noise. This car was meant to be low cost and typically installing better tires can reduce road noise significantly.
                              Last edited by craigwatanabe; June 23, 2010, 10:28 PM.
                              Life is what you make of it...so please read the instructions carefully.

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