Monday, November 09, 2009

We bought a new car. On Crack. During the wedding.

You know how Tom gets aggravated at me for using the Crack while in public? Guess who was emailing during Liz' wedding ceremony on Saturday?

Back up a bit. On Friday, on the way to Mom and Dad's house, we stopped at three Toyota dealerships. We told them that we didn't have time to hang around, wanted to see their Priuses, and wanted them to email us their best price. I'm thinking we were a little unusual since we didn't really care what color it was (except no black or bright red) and we didn't want to play car salesmen's games. Stopped first at the dealership in Harrisonburg. They had one Prius, charcoal gray metallic, which we like. Asked for the best price by email.

Went on to Charlottesville. We walked in, a guy asked if he could help us, we gave him the spiel. He jumped up, showed us the six cars they had, took our email addresses and within 15 minutes we had a quote. Still nothing from Hburg.

Before the wedding on Saturday, Tom and the guys went to the nearby dealership and were given the royal runaround. Let's just say that Tom is a man of few words and he means what he says. The salesman, manager, and owner (for all I know) wanted his driver's license. He refused since we're not trading in a car. Then they wanted his credit card and social security so they could do a credit check. We're financing the car through a credit union, so no go there. He walked out. I think that by then Dad and the others were kind of milling around like they didn't know Tom. Anyway, couldn't get much of a quote from him.

If that and the Hburg place had taken him seriously, they might have sold a car.

Before the wedding started, Tom called and emailed Hburg and Chville, bargaining with them. Hburg wouldn't give, but Chville sent their best price by email, which Tom received as the ceremony started. He emailed back "Deal!", and we bought the car. On Crack. During the ceremony. It's a pearl white 2010 Prius III with a lot of bells and whistles. We pick it up this evening.

That, my friends, is the way to buy a car!

When I have time I'll post some photos of the wedding. It was wonderful, and Liz was such a beautiful bride.

7 comments:

Debbie T said...

How nice, Rita!!! I'm seriously thinking it's time for me a new car, but I'm thinking SUV. My sister in law recently bought a new Nissan Rogue and it's perfect, so I'm considering it!
Sounds like you had a great weekend!! Have you heard back from HGTV yet? Your new home is going to be wonderful!!!!

Georgi said...

Very cool! I love shopping Tom's way and I have walked out on many dealerships when they pull crap on me. Kinda makes me want to buy a new car, just to be a hard nose. Congrats on the new car!

rita said...

I'd love to have an SUV but it won't be needed in the Keys, and we're hoping to move there permanently in June. This one is such a joy to drive and fun; it's like a game trying to keep the car running on the battery and not the engine!

southerngirl said...

very cool, rita, and next time i'm car shopping i want tom with me

i kid you not...once, a car salesman was showing (then) husband and i cars, winked at hubby, and asked me "what's your favorite color"

i looked at him disgustedly and told ex, i'm outta here

we did not buy a car from that idiot

rita said...

There are too many idiots in the car business. Most have absolutely no social skills to start with, and being a salesman seems to require that they acquire none.

I'm pretty sure that my dad and brother-in-law were taken aback by Tom's manner toward these salesman, but we got our car and we got it at a good price. If any new car HAS a good price.

Anonymous said...

Betty said....

Dad did mention that he would have to find a new dealership to do his car maintenance, but he might have been kidding....

Congrats on the new car....when do I get a ride?

rita said...

I'm not so sure that Dad is kidding.....

We'll have to take a ride soon. I love my car!