Anybody get called yet from Fiat about Prima Edizione Delivery?

[Mike S]

I have not heard back from them (Arrigo). They were supposed to email the price and breakdown plus my VIN on Thursday but they did not do that.

I was going to try to convince him to remove the charge or I would change the delivering dealer to Sarasota.

[Scorpion]

I think that Fiat should be strongly suggesting to the Studios that they do not try to apply any "Market Adjustment", "Dealers Fee", etc. on any of the Prima orders. Especially given the current discontentment in the community.

[fredfrey]

I called Arrigo a few weeks back and they assured me they ABSOLUTELY WILL  charge $600 dealers fee. I was told this came from the boss. They have 2 locations in South Florida and both charge the fee. Ft. Myers will not (they also will ship to the east coast for no charge) and Sarasota will not.  

[Mike S]

That was then. I have spoken with him (Jim) and his brother John and was told $595 was the fee and all of the dealers charged a fee. He said Miami was even higher.

Until you posted your research I did not have a response for him. I need to get the price from him and now can tell him that there are others that are not charging it. Then I can switch to Sarasota.

[fredfrey]

I'm not sure if Miami is adding a charge... I just did not like the atitude there. I've gotten my total price from Tim at Sarasota so I know there is no extra charges. I did tell Arrigo that other dealers were not adding the charge and they would not budge. The problem for you is if FIAT delivers the car to Arrigo and then he calls you with the price (with the $600) charge, can you then get the car transfered to another dealer?

[Mike S]

I called Fiat last week about changing dealers. They said that would create an additional delay getting my car. The car still had to go to Ft. Lauderdale and wait there to be shipped to Sarasota. Eager to get the car, would I be willing to pay an extra $600 to take possession a few days earlier?

No! After being screwed of real Prima status with non Primas being delivered first, I may as well wait and take delivery in Sarasota. If I then decide I don't like the Prima, Sarasota probably gets a Prima to sell. I talked to Tim and I like him.

I looked for flights to Sarasota and there are none so I will check at smaller airports near mee a see if I can get a non commercial flight or rent a car one way. The Arrigo folks have done nothing and should not benefit.

[Doodles]

I also am in florida;arrigo sawgrass is my dealer.
I am just wondering how much its going to cost you
driving/flying to sarasota. if you drive there how will you get back with two cars?
If you stay overnight theres a hotel bill.

I'm just saying that you may not be saving a full 600 dollars if you have expenses.

For me that would just be too much of a hassle since sawgrass is just 10 miles from here.

[fredfrey]

I plan to take a one-way rental car from Enterprise. That's $50 bucks... and if I stay overnight... another $40 bucks (red roof) then I get to drive the 500 the 200+ miles and break it in and have a nice visit to the west coast and deal with a good guy and not give dealer I don't like $600 bucks...

Where in FLA are you guys? Perhaps we can share the ride to Saratoga?  That would make the ride less and the pick up more fun!

[Mike S]

I like that plan. It's a nice way to say FY to the bullshit extra fees imposed by some dealers as a dealer extra profit tax.

It works if our cars are there at the same time and ready to go. I guess that would qualify as a club event. I'm game.

If I do it, $600 - expenses will go to a charity. It is after all found money and I get to enjoy time with other interesting people, have a nice drive and just enjoy life.

[prima 109]

thanks Paul!!!  that means by now it should be at the dealer either today or on Monday. I should have it this coming weekend then! YAY!!!

[fredfrey]

Ok, great!  I'll post here as soon as I hear from Tim over in Sarasota. He did tell me he was expecting, I think, 9 prima customers cars to come in "soon" so they probably will all be in at the same time. You will need to call FIAT and change your location if you want to do this. Also, where in FLA are you?

[Mike S]

Pompano Beach.

[Fiat500USA]

Scorpion wrote

I think that Fiat should be strongly suggesting to the Studios that they do not try to apply any "Market Adjustment", "Dealers Fee", etc. on any of the Prima orders. Especially given the current discontentment in the community.

Hi Scorpion, welcome to the forum.

I've contacted them, and they were taking a look at this.  Ultimately, due to contractual agreements, I don't believe they can dictate pricing. However, the feeling I get is that they are not happy about this.

It seems very short sited for a dealer to charge fees on a sale they had nothing to do with.  

[Fiat500USA]

fredfrey wrote

I plan to take a one-way rental car from Enterprise. That's $50 bucks... and if I stay overnight... another $40 bucks (red roof) then I get to drive the 500 the 200+ miles and break it in and have a nice visit to the west coast and deal with a good guy and not give dealer I don't like $600 bucks...

Where in FLA are you guys? Perhaps we can share the ride to Saratoga?  That would make the ride less and the pick up more fun!

That sounds like a great idea!  Maybe folks in other areas can do the same.

[fredfrey]

Pompano Beach is pretty much on my way. I have to drive north to I75 to get across so I can pick you up. If you want to come along we can split the gas/rental and it will be a good deal for both of us.   We just need to make sure our cars are there at the same time. With changing of your delivery location this may throw a monkey wrench in the plans.  

Anyone else on the east coast buying from Sarasota?

[bulltoad]

PE enthusiasts are very interested in seeing the brand succeed! It's unfortunate that noise is starting to build up about dealer's greed with over-charges. If true, then they will limit the brand's success.

It would be to the interest of PE enthusias's and FIAT's that each PE owner that takes delivery, report an itemized list with costs and "out the door" price for their PE (here or a new thread). This way we, dedicated PE owners can expose the dealerships that abuse their good fortune of being selected to represent the brand.

Maybe it will be too late for PE owners that have taken delivery. However, non-PE future owners can vote with their feet and push the non-conforming dealers to conform or out-of-business.

[Olga]

I also changed my delivery to Sarasota because of the outrageous fee and in the process found a great and knowledgeable guy there (Tim Reeher)

[Olga]

I will post my figures as soon as I have them

[Scorpion]

Here's a timely article regarding dealers in general:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/03/ftc-to-examine-auto-dealer-practices/

[fredfrey]

My total from Tim in Sarasota is:


Sunset Auto Mall
7745 South Tamiani Trail
Sarasota FL 34231

$19,500  MSRP
$850.     Sunroof
$50.       Block Heater
$1302     Tax
-$500 deposit

21651.95  Total
 
Anyone else need a ride to pick up their prima in Sarasota?