[Lexus RC News]

Haggling for the perfect car deal is expected of shoppers and we even have a whole forum section dedicated to the art but, Lexus wants to take the haggling out of the buying experience and 11 Lexus dealerships are already testing out this new pilot program called Lexus Plus.

Before we get to the pricing portion of this program, let’s talk about the process of purchasing a new vehicle and the following customer service experience. From browsing for the perfect RC 350 to delivery, owners would have dealt with an army of salespeople, service consultants, and guys from finance, etc. With the new Lexus Plus model, shoppers will go through the whole process with one sales consultant and that person will be the main point of contact for everything from appointment scheduling to delivery and even future service appointments. Dedicated consultants can only further improve Lexus’ already sparkling customer service reputation.

As for the upfront pricing program, each vehicle has a label on its windshield showing shoppers the sticker price and then it lists the factory incentives and any other additional discounts that’s calculated into the final no-haggle price. A Lexus dealership in Omaha is one example, an IS sedan recently had a sticker price of $46,494 and the no-haggle price was listed as $40,719. For the majority of us, that could be a better deal than what other non-Lexus Plus dealerships will offer and there’s no more back-and-forth negotiations that could go on for hours. This way, people who hates haggling won’t have to jump through hoops but, it also means that we won’t be able to talk them into giving us extras like floor mats and extended warranties anymore.

Currently, Lexus Plus is a voluntary pilot program but maybe it’ll spread to more dealerships shortly because the Omaha dealership is seeing positive results.

 

[mrjangle]

They can call it whatever they'd like but I'll still "haggle" for a better deal or added perks. Most of the negotiation happens with the trade anyway. In my eyes, just a way of dealers being able to say, "Sorry, but we can't budge on this... it's already marked down as far as we can take it". Please... cry me a river because the first rule of buying a car is to never believe what comes out of their mouths. Educate yourself before going to the dealership and stand firm.

 

[Joseph]

Couldn't have said it better myself ^^

It's evident there always making a decent amount of each car, duh. So clearly if they're willing to drop $6k off sticker that easily, they have a bit more budge room.

 

[Lexinator]

Haggling is just part of the buying process and shouldn't be too stressful if you go in with a game plan. The no haggle sales system may work for those who just wants to get in and out but for people who want the best deal possible, that just won't do. No wonder it's only in 11 dealerships.

 

[Joseph]

That is true.. but I have never really met someone that just walks in and walks out and doesn't haggle for anything at all.

 

[ISU3502015]

I've recently experienced this "Lexus Plus" process at the Omaha Nebraska store. This program is nothing more than an excuse for those who are either scared to or don't know how to negotiate a deal feel better about themselves making the purchase. When in reality, it's a marketing gimmick and as noted above, a reason for the sales manager to say his/her hands are tied. Lexus of Omaha hides behind this even when negotiating your trade value!! They decide what they will pay for your trade and that's it. Really???


I've read comments from people who like this approach using the comparison of buying clothes at the mall saying "you don't negotiate at the GAP". Well, saving $2 on that summer T is no comparison to saving $2-3k on a car purchase. That comparison is flawed.


Don't be lazy, do your homework, leave your emotions at home, then walk into the dealership and offer a fair price based on your analysis keeping in mind, they need to turn on the lights and be there when you need service work.


I really hope this doesn't catch on.

 

[mrjangle]

Totally agree with ^. I traded 2 cars in on my RC and researched their trade-in value before going to the dealership. I simply refused to take less than the amount my research dictated. When they pushed back, I simply stated that you have 10 minutes to come to my terms or I'm walking. What they stated they couldn't do they magically did and I left with a payment 18 cents lower than I had figured on my own before I got there. I know they need to make money. It's just a matter of how much money are you going to let them make off of you. They'll take as much as you let them... period.

 

[soarer]

What sucks is that you have people who don't know much about cars and just take what ever a dealer will offer them, which isn't the greatest way to go but definitely much easier than having to sell privately which depending on who you are can be a problem.

 

[Lickolepi]

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