9/5     I went to a car dealer and was honest to them that I was only
        interested in knowing their best offering price, and they gave
        me $13,000.  After more research on the Internet, I've determined
        it is a good price.  So I went back and told them I'd like to
        purchase the vehicle at $13,000.  But they said they would only
        sell it for $13,999.  The price they quoted me was a "shopping
        price", not a "selling price".  And a "shopping price" is a
        "sales tactic" they use just to "get the customer to come back
        the door".  The way it works is, they quote you a below invoice
        price knowing that you couldn't get it anywhere else, and when
        you come back for that price, they will try to sell the vehnicle
        to you for a higher price.  Is this "tactic" legal?  I feel
        deceived and cheated, is there anything I can do?
        \_ This is bait'n'switch.  Next time get it in writing for the exact
           car you want.  If they won't put it in writing as good for a period
           of at least a week, they're lying.  Also, if you go back and they
           say that particular car is already sold, they're lying.  Also, if
           you're this incapable of understanding how sleazy car sales are,
           then buy your car online.  You'll get an ok but not fantastic price
           and won't have your charming sense of naivete destroyed.
                 \_ they have to give the VIN number of the alleged car sold
                     I think.
        \_ if you want vengeance, ask jsl to go there to bargain for you.
           \_ what would jsl do...?
        \_ This is explicitly illegal. Write to your local district
           attorney, and/or report them to the BBB.
              \_ They may make it legal, by simply saying that the car
                 they quoted the price for was already sold. Also, if
                 you don't have the quote in writing, there is not much
                 the DA or the BBB can do for you.
                 \_ they have to give the VIN number of the alleged car
                    sold I think.
                    \_ They can give the VIN number of any car they have
                       recently sold for ~ 13-14K. Just because they said
                       it was 13K to you doesn't mean they had to sell it
                       for 13K to someone else.
          \_ Post the name of the bastards here. BBB report should still be
             filed, etc, but interested sodans want to know.
             \_ Guilty dealer is Capitol Nissan at San Jose.
       \- spend some time having them fill out the forms and then
          walk out saying "this is my shopping day, not my buying day" --psb
          \_ hey this is pretty funny, psb.
       \_ hmm...it's going to be tough trying to get these bastards
          fill out forms without your own singature.  You don't want
          to be held responsible for having to buy the vehicle.
       \_ This is a variation of Bait and Switch.  You *must* read this site:
          http://www.edmunds.com/edweb/advice/Games.Dealers.Play.html -mogul
          \_ Great page!!!  -- yuen
       \_ When buying a vehicle, always negotiate for the OUT THE DOOR
          (OTD) price.  Most dealers will pad the changes with freight,
          prep, documentation, and other loozer fees, which can make
          a huge difference in the price.  -nweaver
        \_ ride bike kill car
        \_ The best way to avoid this kind of BS is to buy you car from
           a credit union (TechFed, SCFCU, etc) or AAA. Dealers can't
           afford to piss of even one credit union or AAA member because
           they will get black listed.
       \_ Get it In Writing, Get it In Writing
          \_ another way of putting it:  "Fax me a quote please".
             If you dont have a fax, pay $1.50 at Longs drug to receive
                  \_ the phone system has enough wasted numbers.
             a fax there.
                \_um, receive faxes for free at http://efax.com or many others