I got my first Prius last week. (Love it by the way). I'm still on the waiting list at another dealer (currently #7) and I'm wondering if it's worth it to take delivery on the waiting list car and resell it for a small profit when it comes in. I would not get greedy like some people I've seen, but $1000-$1500 in exchange for someone not having to wait 6 months is not a bad thing. What do you think? I would have to post the sale price $1500 above my price including sales tax...dealer is selling it at MSRP. Thoughts...opinions....It's going to be a blue color with option package HG (#4) Seattle area. Is it worth doing??
How much is the sales tax? You'd be charging MSRP + sales tax + $1500, right? And you'd also be claiming the tax break? (The person you'd sell it to couldn't---you know that, right?)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ghostofjk @ May 21 2006, 01:14 AM) [snapback]258796[/snapback]</div> He would not be able to claim the tax either because I thought you had to keep it 6 months or more?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(teddinut @ May 21 2006, 12:28 AM) [snapback]258790[/snapback]</div> Have a friend in California “buy†(not really) it from you. Have them register it, get the HOV access stickers, then wait for the Toyota allotment of stickers to be gone in a few months. Then sell the car in the Los Angles area for big bucks. Supply and demand. No more stickers available for Toyotas – but what's this??? . . . you have a new Prius with stickers and are selling it for only $$$$$$$$$ more than the dealer? SOLD!
Might be some risk involved: since nobody gets the tax credit, you are actually asking MSRP + $1500 + [value of tax credit]. If this is really a good idea, why haven't we heard of a lof of people doing it? -- On the other hand, you may have discovered a great business opportunity. If the waiting time is still fairly long there may be folks willing to pay. I certainly would not have paid over MSRP though.
Since your buyer is purchasing a used car from you, he/she cannot take advantage of the $3150 tax credit. That will probably make the whole idea unlikely to fly.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(teddinut @ May 21 2006, 03:28 AM) [snapback]258790[/snapback]</div> Others have given you lots of reasons but know what... You got your Prius. You're lovin' it. You only want one. Let someone else get their Prius a little earlier without having to pay extra for it. Cancel the order. Someone else will be thrilled. Just my thought as a Prius owner.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(teddinut @ May 21 2006, 12:28 AM) [snapback]258790[/snapback]</div> You are asking if buying a new car, with the idea of flipping it for a profit in a few months, is a good idea. Basicly investing in Prius futures. So you put ~25K+ into your investmet with hopes of making 5-10% in x months, assuming you find someone willing to pay $1000 over NEW sticker for a USED car. At this point you will likely be close to the 07 model year. You are also gambling dealers do not have new cars which can be purchased for 1000 over sticker without wait. It could work, but LOTS of things would have to go right...
If one is willing to jump on a plane, there seem to be quite a few places where you can buy today or with a very short wait. this gives you a nice comfy drive home in your new Prius. The cost would be well under $1500.00. Of course not everyone has as much time on there hands as I do !!!!!!!
THANKS to all who replied. I think what I will do is one of two things.. 1. Drop the order OR 2. Possibly sell my place in line for a couple of hundred bucks if the dealer will permit it. Hey, this is the land of capitalism and the Prius is a commodity that is in demand. After reading your responses, I think it's unrealistic to try and sell the car on my own.
Forget option 2. The potential backlash to the dealer is too great a risk for a dealer to condone selling of positions. The dealer cannot guarantee delivery to the guy who paid you for a place in line. Maybe a car that arrives that doesn't quite meet the guy's needs, but he complains that because he paid for a position they should order a car for him. Just cancel the order. Buy oil futures or something else if you want to make some money.
