I've spent the past two days buying a Volt in Southern California. Here's my story.
What I wanted: A non-black Volt LT with comfort package.
I Googled SoCal Chevy dealers and came up with a list of 14 dealers within about a 30-mile radius. They had consumer satisfaction ratings ranging from 3.3 (those nearest to me) to 4.3 (further away).
I wrote up a Word document saying that I wanted to buy a 2017 Volt, non-black, with comfort package, that I would be paying cash (no lease, no loan), and asking for a quote. I copied the doc and pasted it into the internet inquiry forms of 10 of the dealers. I eliminated 4 because of low ratings, because they required a phone number on their inquiry form, or because I just got a bad feeling from their website.
I also applied through the Costco Automobile Program, even though they required a phone number. They said that they had a "pre-negotiated price" through certain dealers.
Out of 10 inquiries, I received these responses:
2 wanted a phone number, no quote
1 wanted me to come in for a test drive, no quote
1 wanted email verification, which I sent, then no other response
1 gave no response after two inquiries
5 responded with quotes
One of the quotes was for a black Volt, which was the only color I DIDN'T want. I replied that he seemed to misunderstand, he replied that he had, and that he had Volts in other colors for the same price.
The Costo-sponsored dealer called. It was one of the lowest-rated dealers. The salesman wanted to know what price I had in mind. "I thought the price was pre-negotiated" I said. She said something or the other and I said, "Under $30,000" since none of the quotes I'd received up to that time was for less than $30,000. She said they would call back. They never did.
One quote did come in with $2500 in GM rebates and a dealer discount of $3200, coming in under my $30K wish, before sales tax, registration, etc., the best quote I received. It was from Rydell Chevrolet in Northridge, about 26 miles away from me. I emailed their internet rep a few times to determine pricing and selection, then she asked for my phone number. At that point I was ready to give it. "Chris" called me shortly thereafter to give me an "out the door" price that was entirely consistent with the price the internet rep gave me. He also did some additional searching of the inventory for me narrowing down color vs. features. I made an appointment to see him the next day, Sunday.
My wife and I drove to Northridge and, due to thin traffic, we arrived about 30 minutes early. Chris wasn't on site yet but another rep (Joe) called him and verified that he'd be in, said that I acknowledged that I was early, and showed us to the lot so that we could compare colors on Volts.
We ambled freely around the lot, looking at Volts, comparing colors and interiors, opened a couple of cars up and sat in them and discussed options, and then Chris arrived. We talked Volts (Chris was knowledgeable), decided on a car, and I drove a Volt to a lot a short distance away where "our" Volt was parked. My wife took it on a test spin. (I'd test driven a Volt before and was mainly listening for rattles and such.)
I said "We'll take it!" As we headed to Chris's cubicle to do paperwork I asked if I could plug in my LEAF. You see, although I get 85+ miles of range in the LEAF, driving basically uphill at 80 or so for 26 miles with air conditioning had used up half the charge. I could probably make it home, but I'd feel better if I could add some charge.
Chris said, "Sure" and led me to a bank of about 18 L2 chargers they'd installed when they began to carry Bolts. I plugged in my LEAF and we proceeded to do paperwork, talk with "the finance guy," and move $32,000 (after sales tax, registration, $80 document fee) from my pocket to Rydell's.
My wife and I walked a short distance to lunch while the LEAF and the new Volt charged up. After lunch we returned and Chris ran us through the basic features of the Volt, paired my phone, went through the OnStar orientation, etc. My wife drove home, I drove home, and here we are.
All in all, dealing with Rydell's was the most pleasant car-buying experience I've had in several decades of buying cars. As for the dealers who didn't bother to respond, who wouldn't provide a quote, who insisted on a phone number or personal visit before giving me a number... you stumbled right out of the gate. To those who gave quotes that didn't quite measure up, thanks so much for the responses and best wishes. I've replied to everyone who responded thanking them for their replies.
Now it's on to the fun part... driving my new Volt!
What I wanted: A non-black Volt LT with comfort package.
I Googled SoCal Chevy dealers and came up with a list of 14 dealers within about a 30-mile radius. They had consumer satisfaction ratings ranging from 3.3 (those nearest to me) to 4.3 (further away).
I wrote up a Word document saying that I wanted to buy a 2017 Volt, non-black, with comfort package, that I would be paying cash (no lease, no loan), and asking for a quote. I copied the doc and pasted it into the internet inquiry forms of 10 of the dealers. I eliminated 4 because of low ratings, because they required a phone number on their inquiry form, or because I just got a bad feeling from their website.
I also applied through the Costco Automobile Program, even though they required a phone number. They said that they had a "pre-negotiated price" through certain dealers.
Out of 10 inquiries, I received these responses:
2 wanted a phone number, no quote
1 wanted me to come in for a test drive, no quote
1 wanted email verification, which I sent, then no other response
1 gave no response after two inquiries
5 responded with quotes
One of the quotes was for a black Volt, which was the only color I DIDN'T want. I replied that he seemed to misunderstand, he replied that he had, and that he had Volts in other colors for the same price.
The Costo-sponsored dealer called. It was one of the lowest-rated dealers. The salesman wanted to know what price I had in mind. "I thought the price was pre-negotiated" I said. She said something or the other and I said, "Under $30,000" since none of the quotes I'd received up to that time was for less than $30,000. She said they would call back. They never did.
One quote did come in with $2500 in GM rebates and a dealer discount of $3200, coming in under my $30K wish, before sales tax, registration, etc., the best quote I received. It was from Rydell Chevrolet in Northridge, about 26 miles away from me. I emailed their internet rep a few times to determine pricing and selection, then she asked for my phone number. At that point I was ready to give it. "Chris" called me shortly thereafter to give me an "out the door" price that was entirely consistent with the price the internet rep gave me. He also did some additional searching of the inventory for me narrowing down color vs. features. I made an appointment to see him the next day, Sunday.
My wife and I drove to Northridge and, due to thin traffic, we arrived about 30 minutes early. Chris wasn't on site yet but another rep (Joe) called him and verified that he'd be in, said that I acknowledged that I was early, and showed us to the lot so that we could compare colors on Volts.
We ambled freely around the lot, looking at Volts, comparing colors and interiors, opened a couple of cars up and sat in them and discussed options, and then Chris arrived. We talked Volts (Chris was knowledgeable), decided on a car, and I drove a Volt to a lot a short distance away where "our" Volt was parked. My wife took it on a test spin. (I'd test driven a Volt before and was mainly listening for rattles and such.)
I said "We'll take it!" As we headed to Chris's cubicle to do paperwork I asked if I could plug in my LEAF. You see, although I get 85+ miles of range in the LEAF, driving basically uphill at 80 or so for 26 miles with air conditioning had used up half the charge. I could probably make it home, but I'd feel better if I could add some charge.
Chris said, "Sure" and led me to a bank of about 18 L2 chargers they'd installed when they began to carry Bolts. I plugged in my LEAF and we proceeded to do paperwork, talk with "the finance guy," and move $32,000 (after sales tax, registration, $80 document fee) from my pocket to Rydell's.
My wife and I walked a short distance to lunch while the LEAF and the new Volt charged up. After lunch we returned and Chris ran us through the basic features of the Volt, paired my phone, went through the OnStar orientation, etc. My wife drove home, I drove home, and here we are.
All in all, dealing with Rydell's was the most pleasant car-buying experience I've had in several decades of buying cars. As for the dealers who didn't bother to respond, who wouldn't provide a quote, who insisted on a phone number or personal visit before giving me a number... you stumbled right out of the gate. To those who gave quotes that didn't quite measure up, thanks so much for the responses and best wishes. I've replied to everyone who responded thanking them for their replies.
Now it's on to the fun part... driving my new Volt!
