What did you get from your dealer when you ORDERED your Outback?

[RoboProf]

Hi, this is my first posting to the forums, but I have been lurking for a while.

I drive a perfectly good 2006 Forester LLBean (with only 26K miles!), but I had been thinking about the new Outback for while, and I decided to go for it. Of course, the day I really decided is the same day that the master brake cylinder problem came out, so I waited a little more

Then, last week I finally went to the dealer when I originally bought the Forester, agreed on a price (invoice: according to truecar.com they will still earn $871 which is more than fair, I think), and ordered a white Limited 2.5 without sunroof (I really don't want a sunroof, I have one in the Forester and I never used it once), splash guards, rear bumper cover, and auto dimming mirror with compass and home link.

I left with a handshake and a VON (I assume that's a vehicle order number). I later got an email from Subaru, thanking me for the purchase, so I know he process is moving. But now I am wondering whether there should be something in writing. As it stands, they are not protected (I could walk away from the deal) and I am not protected (the agreed upon price could not be honored).

So the questions I have are:
- What did you do when you ordered your Outback?
- Did you leave a deposit?
- Did you agree on a sale price in writing?
- Did you get your out-of-the-door cost in writing?
I can see the last item not being done (tax laws can change, for example, and I will pick mine up in 2012 for sure), but something in writing (at the cost of a deposit) would seem the right thing to do.

[scoobydoo2]

...at first I thought that this was a rhetorical question...lol. Like everyone else, I am sure that you got a big smile...and nothing else.

[ob2011]

We made a $1000 deposit on a factory-ordered vehicle. We received a written agreement listing all costs. If the agreement was not honored we would have not accepted delivery.

[G-Omaha]

Originally Posted by RoboProf

Hi, this is my first posting to the forums, but I have been lurking for a while.

I drive a perfectly good 2006 Forester LLBean (with only 26K miles!), but I had been thinking about the new Outback for while, and I decided to go for it. Of course, the day I really decided is the same day that the master brake cylinder problem came out, so I waited a little more

Then, last week I finally went to the dealer when I originally bought the Forester, agreed on a price (invoice: according to truecar.com they will still earn $871 which is more than fair, I think), and ordered a white Limited 2.5 without sunroof (I really don't want a sunroof, I have one in the Forester and I never used it once), splash guards, rear bumper cover, and auto dimming mirror with compass and home link.

I left with a handshake and a VON (I assume that's a vehicle order number). I later got an email from Subaru, thanking me for the purchase, so I know he process is moving. But now I am wondering whether there should be something in writing. As it stands, they are not protected (I could walk away from the deal) and I am not protected (the agreed upon price could not be honored).

So the questions I have are:
- What did you do when you ordered your Outback?
- Did you leave a deposit?
- Did you agree on a sale price in writing?
- Did you get your out-of-the-door cost in writing?
I can see the last item not being done (tax laws can change, for example, and I will pick mine up in 2012 for sure), but something in writing (at the cost of a deposit) would seem the right thing to do.

I got a "You owe us" and "We owe you" document that solidified the order. If there is any deposit, it would indicate if that were a refundable or non-refundable deposit. Really a simple thing. It does not include trade-in, unless the dealer has agreed to it as part of the order/sale.

"Out of the Door" pricing is subjective and varies from locality to locality, so this was not addressed.

Always get an a written agreement - simplifies things, overall.

[kenlounge]

I had negotiated a price through email for one in transit before leaving a deposit. When I left the deposit, I asked for something on paper showing my order number, purchase price, and OTD price. The Internet sales guy signed it and I was set.

Pickin up my car involved a final test drive, PDI and signing paperwork.

[ubermoto]

I got the VON form with the cost of the new car and the trade-in amount signed by the salesman mid-September ..... drove the trade-in (2006 OBXT) for over a month and when the new car arrived on Oct 30th I was told a program started the day before to include two free ski passes ($800.00 each !!) with the purchase of a Subaru.... they gave me those also !!! I've used the pass four times already and I'm heading up tomorrow..

[Terrykuz]

To be a bit funny. I got an ice scraper, 4 colored subaru sharpie pens, discount coupons for oil changes and one year extended warranty. Note these were done after the sale, but I did ask for the sharpies because my got them on her new suby. They also tried to give me winter floor mats when I picked it up, but that was a mistake so I declined them. I guess they were for another sale.

[pineywoodslim]

I ordered mine with a 6sp manual, so the dealer required a $1000 deposit that was refundable. I listed all the options I wanted and we agreed on price. That price specifically included any and all tax, title, and license fees, with no bogus hidden document fees. It was out the door price. Make sure the saleguy understands that it's the agreed upon price for driving it away. Period.

We did it all through email. It was easy, just make sure there are no hidden fees and get it in email or other writing.

While it's expected that the finance guy will still try to sell you this and that beyond what you've ordered, if the sales guy starts spewing b.s. like "of course, we didn't include the prep fee", walk away and call SOA. It's my impression that the corporate office doesn't like that sort of bullhocky.

[tasdevil]

I ordered as I wanted a manual, I left a $500 deposit. I had a hand-written note with the agreed upon price ($500 under invoice). That was the price I paid, plus taxes, DMV, etc. They didn't tack on anything I didn't expect. I was very happy with the deal, they even just sent me a $20 refund check for DMV fees.

[TotallyJaded]

I put down $250 on a credit card, and I left with the credit card receipt.

Never got a VON or e-mail from Subaru (though I discovered they entered my e-mail address wrong when I called to say "Where's my car?" after five weeks).