A tale of three Lexus dealerships and the LC: Is this common?
11-24-20, 02:42 PM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
A tale of three Lexus dealerships and the LC: Is this common?
As an introduction and for the record, I owned Lexuses (Lexi?) for more than a decade, giving them up only when we moved to a town hundreds of miles from the nearest Lexus dealership.
Also, fwiw, I trade cars frequently, probably too frequently, and I know how to plant a seed that generally flowers into a deal.
In recent months, as I've mentioned here before, I've become intrigued by the LC500 'vert and have been, frankly, just trying to find one that I can take a close look at.
I know that they are in short supply, but the response I've received thus far from three consecutive dealerships has been nearly universal and truly surprising - insofar as it has been close to no response.
Dealer No. 1, the closest though still 150 miles away: First car sold before I could get there. Second car sold before it even arrived there. Fair enough, but no offer to try to find me one, no subsequent proactive communication whatsoever from the salesman, delays stretching into days when I reach out for an update.
Dealer No. 2, several hundred miles away: No response to my first inquiry. An automated response from the sales manager to my second inquiry, with a promise to get immediately back in touch with me. No further response from the sales manager or a sales associate.
Dealer No. 3, even farther away: A fellow who immediately responded to my interest in a car he offered for sale through social media, with a promise to follow up with more information. No further response.
Am I just batting 0 for 3, hitting a series of underperforming dealerships, or has something changed since I last shopped Lexus?
Also, fwiw, I trade cars frequently, probably too frequently, and I know how to plant a seed that generally flowers into a deal.
In recent months, as I've mentioned here before, I've become intrigued by the LC500 'vert and have been, frankly, just trying to find one that I can take a close look at.
I know that they are in short supply, but the response I've received thus far from three consecutive dealerships has been nearly universal and truly surprising - insofar as it has been close to no response.
Dealer No. 1, the closest though still 150 miles away: First car sold before I could get there. Second car sold before it even arrived there. Fair enough, but no offer to try to find me one, no subsequent proactive communication whatsoever from the salesman, delays stretching into days when I reach out for an update.
Dealer No. 2, several hundred miles away: No response to my first inquiry. An automated response from the sales manager to my second inquiry, with a promise to get immediately back in touch with me. No further response from the sales manager or a sales associate.
Dealer No. 3, even farther away: A fellow who immediately responded to my interest in a car he offered for sale through social media, with a promise to follow up with more information. No further response.
Am I just batting 0 for 3, hitting a series of underperforming dealerships, or has something changed since I last shopped Lexus?
Last edited by redhot47fl; 11-24-20 at 02:55 PM.
11-24-20, 03:23 PM
#2
When I was looking the two local stores I visited had pre-sold their first ones.
I found a car in KY I liked, reached out, was told the car was available, then crickets for a week and a half. When I reached out again I was informed the GM sold it to a local customer (turned out it was pre-sold but the GM didn't share the info with his sales staff).
I contacted a few other dealers who lost interest when I asked for a discount.
It seems like you have to keeps fishing around to find a dealer who is going to be responsive.
I ended up working with Alderson Lexus in Lubbock TX and they were terrific from start to finish.
I found a car in KY I liked, reached out, was told the car was available, then crickets for a week and a half. When I reached out again I was informed the GM sold it to a local customer (turned out it was pre-sold but the GM didn't share the info with his sales staff).
I contacted a few other dealers who lost interest when I asked for a discount.
It seems like you have to keeps fishing around to find a dealer who is going to be responsive.
I ended up working with Alderson Lexus in Lubbock TX and they were terrific from start to finish.
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redhot47fl (11-24-20)
11-24-20, 06:04 PM
#3
This is the internet age. When I was looking for my LC back in 2019, I searched the net. There are many sites that let you enter the vehicle you're interested in and allow you to search, the country or a specified area. I'm in Arizona, but found my car at Lexus of Lincoln, Nebraska. I negotiated over the phone and a friend and I flew over and drove the car home. Another member here (355F1) is also from Arizona and is purchasing his Inspiration vert from a dealer in Portland Oregon. He's having the car shipped.
IOW, you have many options.
Lou
IOW, you have many options.
Lou
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KayGee (11-25-20)
11-24-20, 06:24 PM
#4
Intermediate
Thread Starter
This is the internet age. When I was looking for my LC back in 2019, I searched the net. There are many sites that let you enter the vehicle you're interested in and allow you to search, the country or a specified area. I'm in Arizona, but found my car at Lexus of Lincoln, Nebraska. I negotiated over the phone and a friend and I flew over and drove the car home. Another member here (355F1) is also from Arizona and is purchasing his Inspiration vert from a dealer in Portland Oregon. He's having the car shipped.
IOW, you have many options.
Lou
IOW, you have many options.
Lou
Last edited by redhot47fl; 11-24-20 at 06:45 PM.
11-24-20, 07:13 PM
#5
These are hot cars....you're most likely NOT going to be able to even test-drive one any time soon.
I will sell you my Inspiration Series for a premium over MSRP if you are interested. I am picking it up Monday.
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74Sprtstr (11-24-20)
11-24-20, 10:19 PM
#7
Trending Topics
11-25-20, 03:31 AM
#8
Intermediate
Thread Starter
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355F1 (11-25-20)
11-25-20, 06:55 AM
#9
If it doesn't sell for what I want within 30 days I will keep it.
11-25-20, 12:42 PM
#10
Liquid Bra Champion
11-25-20, 01:15 PM
#11
11-26-20, 11:24 AM
#12
list it in Houston, Miami and Southern Cali. Didn’t one in Houston go for $190k there? I for one hope you double your money. Not often that happens with cars and when it does it’s not often you see an individual pull it off. I
11-26-20, 11:45 AM
#13
11-26-20, 08:01 PM
#14
11-27-20, 06:35 AM
#15
Just curious, did you purchase your Porsche from the dealer in Orlando, or from a private party?