Hello! New member here with a question that I'm sure will be easy to answer. I am about to pull the trigger on a new Q3 for my wife but want to make sure I don't do something stupid. One of the dealers has quoted me a price that I just noticed includes a "recommended" aftermarket security system. Is this not something that comes standard on the Q3? I just assumed all cars would have this and therefore was surprised to see this recommendation on the written quote I was provided. I checked the brochure and couldn't tell one way or another. I would appreciate any clarification on this. Thanks!
Alarm Question
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First. welcome to the forum - glad you're considering what almost all of us here think is a GREAT choice. Second, ALL 2016 Q3s come with standard equipment, central remote locking and alarm system. So I have NO idea what a "recommended aftermarket security system" would be...or how much they might ask for such a thing. I have no idea where you're from, but if you need specific help, please PM me with details -
Thanks for these responses. I looked into this further, and it turns out that what was recommended apparently is not an alarm system but something called "Phantom Footprints," which looks to be some other type of aftermarket theft deterrent system that the dealer pushes. I'm in the DC Metro area and that still seems like an unnecessary add-on to me, and to be honest leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth regarding the particular dealer who included that on my quote (along with a "Key Care" key fob protection plan). These aren't terribly expensive add-ons (just under $600 combined for the two of them) but I was hoping that this process wouldn't feel like a mortgage refinance where I have to be on the lookout for junk fees.
I'm probably over-reacting but I'm pretty sure I can get this same price at another dealer, so I may just do that.
I'm probably over-reacting but I'm pretty sure I can get this same price at another dealer, so I may just do that.
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Which dealer are you...dealing...with in that area? I really had horrible experiences with Criswell Audi up in Annapolis, but I'm sure you likely have a better option in DC itself, right?
I'm not entirely comfortable posting the dealer name here because as I said, I might be over-reacting a bit to this. There wasn't a real hard sell on these extras; I just was surprised that they would be included on an itemized price quote without me ever saying I had any interest. They were pitched as the two most popular accessories/extras. Again, this is just the type of thing that rubs ME the wrong way, YMMV.
There are no dealers that I know of that are actually in DC itself, so I'm working wth dealers in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs.
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If you don't mind a bit of a road trip, I had good experiences with Audi Wilmington. They even handled my bizarre "buying a car ordered in Delaware with Pennsylvania plates and an address in Maryland" situation without batting an eye. No reason to buy from a dealer that's trying to upcharge you for things you don't want or need.
Thanks nickjs1984. This is good to know.
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Phantom Footprints are a kind of theft deterrent label - similar to VIN etching. When the label is removed (which apparently itself is not so easy to do) it leaves a mark (that can only be seen under UV light) that is even harder (or impossible) to remove as it is essentially invisible (except under UV light) on whatever (including glass) that the label was attached to. While these retail for as much as a dealer can get, they cost about $50 for 6 labels ...
I cannot comment on the key fob protection plan, but presume it's another dealer gross on the back-end finance plan to increase dealer profits outrageously at your cost -
I cannot comment on the key fob protection plan, but presume it's another dealer gross on the back-end finance plan to increase dealer profits outrageously at your cost -
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Hi Q3er - I had a good experience with Audi Tyson's Corner. Negotiating the price of the car was pretty good but at purchase, they do try to get you to buy every possible warranty. I think this is routine at all dealerships. It's tiresome for sure. But just politely decline everything until you get a chance to sufficiently research your options.
I also hate having these types of gross margin enhancement written in without your requesting them. My dealer quoted the actual vehicle, I agreed, he then passed me along to a woman whose only job was to propose a list of extras. I declined each and was asked to initial each refusal. I grinned and beared it. But I hated it.
If you have an alternate dealer, run. State up front you do not want any addons in the quote. None.
If you have an alternate dealer, run. State up front you do not want any addons in the quote. None.
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Unfortunately this has become about the only way dealers can make much money. On-line and cost-club pricing has made the car shopping business SO competitive that dealers who PAY to have cars in stock for us must find new ways to make anything. I'm not defending anyone's position, but the reality of business is still the reality of business. We want to go down to our local place - whatever it sells, and touch, feel, play with, drive - whatever, to decide that's what we want, and then - we write down a model number or exact detail of what we want, and go home an order it on-line. We have no idea and much less care about what or who must PAY for our convenience of that touch, feel, play with, drive - whatever - so we don't. Soon we will learn that THAT does cost someone, and soon we will realize that THAT someone MUST become us or we just won't have that convenience anymore. I've already seen where if you want the 'best' TruCar price, fine, order it - wait your 12-20 weeks. But if you want THAT car right now, you'll pay a bit more for it, cuz somebody right behind you might. Free enterprise baby -
Roger, this is of course true, and I fully understand the business side of things from the perspective of the dealers. In fact, we ended up purchasing our Q3 yesterday from a dealer that did not necessarily give me the lowest net price, mainly because of my comfort level with the salesman during the process and because I felt like I was being treated with respect and fairness and transparency. Just so there's no confusion, my issue with the dealer mentioned in my first post in this thread was not about its obvious need to make a profit; rather, I was just a little uncomfortable with the approach taken of including unrequested extras in the original itemized price quote rather than simply offering them after a deal had been agreed to. I also recognize that others may not have been put off by this as I was, which is why I have purposely never mentioned the dealer by name as I think some might view that as unfair.
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Hey Q3er, don't get me wrong - I'm the last one that a dealer wants to sneak stuff in on a deal with, but at the same time, our nature is becoming more and more about squeezing EVERYBODY for that last cent (except of course to give it to Amazon ;-). I was just saying that it breeds new, innovative and sometimes not-so-well-received (by me too btw) ways to make up for it ...
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