Elise available at Newport European approx. Feb 15

[rtking]

OK... I bought another EliseTalker's Elise because the car I ordered was supposed to be subject to the new MSRP. Apparently it's NOT. Since I've already bought an Elise, I can't take delivery of the car and the dealership wants to keep the $2,500 I put down on my "option contract."

Basically Doug at Newport European OK'd me to transfer the deal to someone else at $2,500 over MSRP (old MSRP) for a Bordeaux Red Pearl Elise with Biscuit Interior, Touring Package and Starshield. I think the finaly price will be around $44,6xx + $2,500. The car is expected to arrive around February 15th.

If anyone is interested in this car, just email me at robert_t_king [AT] hotmail [DOT] com. I'm just looking to get my deposit back.

Thanks!

Bob

[Randy Chase]

After a small bit of time, it may be worth putting on ebay with a buy-it-now of your deposit amount.

[rtking]

Good idea, Randy. I thought I'd try to see if anyone here on EliseTalk would want it first. If not, then maybe I'll post it on eBay next week...

Bob

[rolandchen]

rtking,
If you haven't register Mark's Elise, don't register, so no sale tax.
Then you can sell either one.
I sent you a PM, check you mail.

[hpman]

In Ca. your "deposit" is refundable on automotive contract until the deal is done i.e. you take delivery.

Whats with "option contract"? Please explain.

[rtking]

Originally posted by hpman
In Ca. your "deposit" is refundable on automotive contract until the deal is done i.e. you take delivery.

Whats with "option contract"? Please explain.

It's Newport European's verbiage so that you purchase a "contract" for $2,500 that allows you to buy the vehicle at MSRP. Deposits are refundable, but option contracts may not be because the product (the contract itself) is a deliverable. But I would argue that there is no damage done if I don't take delivery because Newport European can clearly sell my car at MSRP + $5000 to anyone waiting in line. We'll see what happens...

As for Mark's car... too late. I registered it and paid taxes ($3,575) on it already. It's mine. Better to have someone take my place for the new car at this point. Besides, I think most people would prefer to have the new car since it has zero customer miles on it.

Bob

[hpman]

Got it. It sounds like NE is selling "contracts" as well as cars. I'm not sure the Ca. DMV would be a big supporter of end arounds like this.

I would hope that NE will return your option monies when they sell the car you ordered.

[dickedup]

Originally posted by rtking
Since I've already bought an Elise, I can't take delivery of the car and the dealership wants to keep the $2,500 I put down on my "option contract."

Whatever those "gentlemen" call it, a duck is still a duck. They can NOT keep your deposit/option contract monies when the deal goes south.

Start with with a call to the California Attorney Gemerals office. Then flair up your own lawyer so he can get ready to lay the scunyun on them, if required.

What a sorry sack of Sh*tbirds!

[rtking]

Originally posted by dickedup
Then flair up your own lawyer so he can get ready to lay the scunyun on them, if required.

Scunyun?!? What does that mean? It sounds nasty... I like it! I'll add it to my list of "favorite words!"

So far on my list:

Smite
Wench
Labidinous
Letcherous
Lascivious

Yeah, I know... I spend too much time looking at the Thesaurus!

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll put in a call to my attorney next week if nobody here wants the car. I may put it on eBay also, but we'll see what happens since there's plenty of flakey-people on eBay.

Bob

[dickedup]

Originally posted by rtking
Scunyun?!? What does that mean? It sounds nasty... I like it! I'll add it to my list of "favorite words!"

So far on my list:

Smite
Wench
Labidinous
Letcherous
Lascivious

Yeah, I know... I spend too much time looking at the Thesaurus!

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll put in a call to my attorney next week if nobody here wants the car. I may put it on eBay also, but we'll see what happens since there's plenty of flakey-people on eBay.

Bob

Scunyun is an intense serious a*skicking combined with a little Wrath of God stuff.

Let'em have it. Don't let these Sh*tbirds off the hook.

I'd advise letting the state have a crack at them first, then have your lawyer fire a few more torpedos into their amidships.

[rtking]

OK guys, time is getting close. If anyone wants the car I orderd, please let me know. I'm in Kiev, Ukraine this week, but will be back Feb. 10th. Car should be at Newport European Feb. 15th (operative word being should) If anyone wants it, please PM me. I'm willing to work on the deposit amount since having to get my attorney to draft a letter is going to cost me a few bucks. What am I saying? This Elise is available at essentially less than the new MSRP. (It was in one of the last batches at old MSRP plus my original "deposit.") MSRP is expected to be $44,660 + my deposit.

Bob

[grudkin]

RT, if you can't find someone to buy the car, have a lawyer friend (if you have one) write a 'friendly' letter, suggesting they return your cash.

If there's no response, just take them to small claims court. It's cheap and fast, and you will win your deposit back. Every dealer/car person I have asked about 'non-refundable' deposits has said they are not legal in CA. They are just trying to bully you, in the hopes you will walk away and leave them with your money.

It says something about the dealer -- not good. I believe they are affiliated with Desert Euro. My experiences with them were not positive (uninformed about the product, didn't return calls, generally not helpful).

[rtking]

Thanks Grudkin... will let you know what happens! I may very well speak with my attorney about this... but at $600 an hour, it isn't exactly cheap. Hopefully it will be fruitful though!

Bob

[rtking]

Well guys, I haven't heard from Newport European yet, but if anyone is interested in this car, please let me know and I'll follow-up with a phone call to them.

My attorney is still looking-over the "Option Contract" and, unfortunately, no real suggestions are forthcoming. They're looking at what can be done to recover this amount but since I placed the order... well, it's not looking like an easy task.

That said, it's easier for me to find someone that wants the car and I can recover part of my deposit. Any takers?

Bob

[rtking]

Hi All... sorry to be a pest. I got the call from Doug at Newport European. The Elise I ordered came in this morning. It is going through PDI and will be detailed tomorrow... probably ready for delivery by Saturday.

Is ANYONE interested in this car? Bordeaux Red Pearl, Biscuit interior, Touring Package, Starshield? It's at the old MSRP + $2,500 that I put down on the option contract. I'm willing to negotiate on the option contract amount so I recover some of my money back and whoever buys the car will buy it for less than the new MSRP.

Please let me know very soon if you're interested. Email me at robert_t_king AT hotmail DOT com. If someone doesn't step-up, everyone loses (except the dealer who will sell it at above MSRP.)

Thanks!

Bob

[Ancient Wedgie]

Why not post a new thread with catchy title. I cannot believe you can't get a bite. Especially how So.Bay has been selling fully optioned cars with inflated option prices (while keeping the car itself at MSRP -- wink, wink). Maybe they haven't been selling as well as they'd like everyone to believe. At least judging from your lack of takers.

I wish I could help you Bob, but we're full up with elises at the wedgsidences.

[mact3333]

but doesnt the option contract imply you are paying a 2500.00 premium or markup???...it doesnt go towards the car right?...maybe thats why nobody wants it cause its marked up 2500.00?...people are buying at msrp or below msrp now...maybe Im not reading it correctly...

[Randy Chase]

Bob already paid the $2500. The car is coming in for sale at MSRP. Yes, he is hoping to recover some of that $2500, so the buyer would be paying MSRP plus whatever under $2500 that was negotiated.

I am not seeing cars selling for MSRP or less yet at California dealers.

[rtking]

Thanks guys... yup, selling at old MSRP + whatever I can negotiate to recover part of my "option contract" fee.

I'm a bit surprised also that I'm not getting much interest... but I suspect that people who have waited this long for their car are willing to wait just a little longer to get the exact car they ordered. Maybe by not ordering the LSS, there's less interest in the car? I don't know...

Bob

[Ancient Wedgie]

See, you have a few more days to provide someone who really wants this car the chance to get one like instantly without paying huge markups for options they'll be able to add themselves much cheaper later.

Carrot and Stick:
Use So. Bay's pricing as the stick, and use Detalailer'sParadise's very attractive photo of one of the great elise colors (below) as the carrot -- that you are providing access to Now!

C'mon SoCal Elisetalkers: you know someone who wants this car!

Get 'em in touch with Bob before Saturday!

(I tried, but the ripe candidate to whom I brought this deal is going into kidney surgery this week -- giving one to his Dad -- so he's not mentally inclined at the moment (who can blame him?)).