Bait-and-switch on the advertised price. Read this before you waste a trip…read more
They advertised this certified 2023 Tucson SEL AWD (VIN 5NMJFCAE5PH189768) online at a Total Price of $20,918. Their own price disclaimer states this is the total price available to all consumers and excludes only tax, title, license, and standard government fees -- which run about $3k at this price, putting the real out-the-door around $23,600. I have screenshots of both the price and the disclaimer.
Before making the trip, I messaged their team to confirm the vehicle. They replied in writing confirming the car was available and directed me to that advertised listing, and I confirmed details by phone so I wouldn't waste anyone's time. Then I drove 75 miles to see it. The test drive went well and I was ready to buy. I asked for exactly the advertised price plus tax, title, and license -- and specifically declined all optional add-on packages.
That's when it fell apart. After about a 45-minute wait, the first number back was roughly $33,000 out-the-door, loaded with optional products I had already declined. I asked them to strip it down to the advertised price plus TTL. They came back with an 'immovable' dealer fee of around $3,900 -- pushing the total to about $27,000. When I asked what that fee was and to remove it, they said they couldn't, and that the manager 'couldn't sell the car at the listed price.' The salesman, Paul, told me they were 'underwater on the car and would be selling at a loss.'
That is not the buyer's problem. Do not advertise a price you aren't willing to honor. I told them it was a no-deal and walked. Halfway across the lot they stopped me to say someone inside could now 'do $26,500' -- still thousands above the advertised price.
Advertising a price, confirming the vehicle in writing, and then refusing to sell at that price while padding the deal with a ~$3,900 'dealer fee' is, at best, a deeply misleading way to do business. My advice to anyone shopping here is don't - but if you decide to: get every number in writing before you drive out, and know that the advertised price may not be honored once you arrive. I kept screenshots of the advertised price and the disclaimer.