YESSS!!! NOOO!!! (my Sky has landed, however...)

1516 Views 19 Replies 12 Participants Last post by SUNNY_SKY, May 25, 2006

SUNNY_SKY

Discussion Starter · May 24, 2006

Hi all!

Long-time follower of the forum & now finally an active member here.

Well today I got the call from my dealer that my baby has arrived! :willy:

Unfortunately, I am out of town and could not look at it so I notified my relatives to check it out for me.

From what I heard, everything seemed okay except for 2 things:

1. They added on a $1,495. "environmental protection" fee
2. THEY MOUNTED THE FRONT PLATE!!! :banghead:

I specifically told my salesman NOT to mount the font plate when he placed my image order and said he wrote it down as a reminder. I'm pretty sure they drilled the bumper rather using an underside bracket too.

I will not be back in town until Friday for the Memorial Day weekend (what perfect timing for it to arrive huh?). When I get back and inspect the car more carefully, I'm going to have a nice conversation with him & the GM!

At this point, I'm ecstatic yet dissapointed.

What do you guys think I should do? Should I get them to fix the front bumper/order a new bumper/remove the add-on fee to make up for this atrocity or what?

Thanks for your input, my fellow Sky fanatics! :thumbs:

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SkyMan 08

· #2 · May 24, 2006 (Edited)

SUNNY_SKY said:
Hi all!

Long-time follower of the forum & now finally an active member here.

Well today I got the call from my dealer that my baby has arrived! :willy:

Unfortunately, I am out of town and could not look at it so I notified my relatives to check it out for me.

From what I heard, everything seemed okay except for 2 things:

1. They added on a $1,495. "environmental protection" fee
2. THEY MOUNTED THE FRONT PLATE!!! :banghead:

I specifically told my salesman NOT to mount the font plate when he placed my image order and said he wrote it down as a reminder. I'm pretty sure they drilled the bumper rather using an underside bracket too.

I will not be back in town until Friday for the Memorial Day weekend (what perfect timing for it to arrive huh?). When I get back and inspect the car more carefully, I'm going to have a nice conversation with him & the GM!

At this point, I'm ecstatic yet dissapointed.

What do you guys think I should do? Should I get them to fix the front bumper/order a new bumper/remove the add-on fee to make up for this atrocity or what?

Thanks for your input, my fellow Sky fanatics! :thumbs:

The license bracket that comes with the Sky mounts to the underside of the front bumper and hangs mostly in the large grill opening it also has the two sided tape that sticks to the front edge, even if it was mounted and you take it off you should not see the holes unless you get down on your hands and knees and look up under the front edge of the upper bumper, in the large grill opening...
that $1,495 enviromental fee, did you know about that before you ordered the car? did you get an agreement signed for MSRP? if you did then i don;t think they can add it after the fact without your approval.. Have they not heard of full disclosure of costs....

SUNNY_SKY

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 24, 2006

I heard someone say they actually drill the front of the bumper. hmmm

I knew about the underside bracket and how it mounts (I just hope they were smart enough to use it was my point).

Here is a picture of the front that they sent me.

I can't really tell how it's mounted but the two top bolts of the plate DO look really close to the bumper...

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SUNNY_SKY

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 24, 2006

SkyMan 07 said:
that $1,495 enviromental fee, did you know about that before you ordered the car? did you get an agreement signed for MSRP? if you did then i don;t think they can add it after the fact without your approval.. Have they not heard of full disclosure of costs....

Well I knew they might try to add-on something thru "mandatory dealer fees" once the car arrived, so I'm not totally surprised just dissapointed.

And no, unfortunately I didn't get it in writing for MSRP. I know I know...

The dealer I checked in Dallas did the same thing at the same price, along with other questionable add-ons including a "$499. tint job"??!! so I guess I was spared a little...

MrJester

· #5 · May 24, 2006

hmmmm Environmental tax or surcharge sounds like it could be mandated by the local area or state. This could just be a fancy way to hide extra costs though. Try doing a search on New cars in your area or calling other Saturn Dealers in the area if they've heard of this. This way, if your dealer tells you it's mandatory by law, you can dispute the claim.

SkyMan 08

· #6 · May 24, 2006

SUNNY_SKY said:
I heard someone say they actually drill the front of the bumper. hmmm

I knew about the underside bracket and how it mounts (I just hope they were smart enough to use it was my point).

Here is a picture of the front that they sent me.

I can't really tell how it's mounted but the two top bolts of the plate DO look really close to the bumper...

well even though it dosen't look great it still looks better than the Solstice front plate location...

SUNNY_SKY

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 24, 2006

MrJester, I noticed yours was delivered same day as mine!
Congrats!
:cheers:

MrJester

· #8 · May 24, 2006

Congrats to you also! They are rolling out a lot faster now. It seems a new one arrives every day. FutureSkyOwner's car arrived the same day and we think they were travelling buddies on the same truck.

Pop24

· #9 · May 24, 2006

MrJester said:
hmmmm Environmental tax or surcharge sounds like it could be mandated by the local area or state. This could just be a fancy way to hide extra costs though. Try doing a search on New cars in your area or calling other Saturn Dealers in the area if they've heard of this. This way, if your dealer tells you it's mandatory by law, you can dispute the claim.

All the dealers in the Dallas area are doing this. They're calling it a "Sky Appearance and Protection package". It includes the following: Paint and Fabric Protection, Anti-theft deterrent and a Wheel and Tire Warranty.

I think it's BS because you can't refuse this package that costs between $1495 - $2000. I've never owned a Saturn before and thought this shakedown was blatent gouging. I've since written Saturn Corp about this, but it seems their hands are tied since the dealers set their own business practices.

Oh well, I think I might have found one about 200 miles from here and the dealer is not a $tealer. Never thought I would compare buying a Saturn with buying a Harley, although Harley seems to have changed their policy somewhat.

Ok, off my soap box.

vstar

· #10 · May 24, 2006

1. They added on a $1,495. "environmental protection" fee

$1495 are they for real.........

tolaiz

· #11 · May 24, 2006

SUNNY_SKY said:
Well I knew they might try to add-on something thru "mandatory dealer fees" once the car arrived, so I'm not totally surprised just dissapointed.

And no, unfortunately I didn't get it in writing for MSRP. I know I know...

The dealer I checked in Dallas did the same thing at the same price, along with other questionable add-ons including a "$499. tint job"??!! so I guess I was spared a little...

Actually you were spared A LOT. I can try to help you feel better by reminding you that they hit me with an unexpected $2995.00 for an alarm system that I'm told cost around $375.00 so imagine how much the dealer is making off of my $2995.00 Hope this helps!! :jester: T

tolaiz

· #12 · May 24, 2006

Pop24 said:
All the dealers in the Dallas area are doing this. They're calling it a "Sky Appearance and Protection package". It includes the following: Paint and Fabric Protection, Anti-theft deterrent and a Wheel and Tire Warranty.

I think it's BS because you can't refuse this package that costs between $1495 - $2000. I've never owned a Saturn before and thought this shakedown was blatent gouging. I've since written Saturn Corp about this, but it seems their hands are tied since the dealers set their own business practices.

Oh well, I think I might have found one about 200 miles from here and the dealer is not a $tealer. Never thought I would compare buying a Saturn with buying a Harley, although Harley seems to have changed their policy somewhat.

I too contacted Saturn Corp. and got the same response, althogh she did tell me to call them agian after I purchase my car and let them know if I was still charged the mandatory $2995.00 They were going to contact that particular dealer and discuss with him the negative fall out. I am still buying my car, but I'm done with that dealer after that.
T

MCsky

· #13 · May 24, 2006

Pop24 said:
All the dealers in the Dallas area are doing this. They're calling it a "Sky Appearance and Protection package". It includes the following: Paint and Fabric Protection, Anti-theft deterrent and a Wheel and Tire Warranty.

I think it's BS because you can't refuse this package that costs between $1495 - $2000. I've never owned a Saturn before and thought this shakedown was blatent gouging. I've since written Saturn Corp about this, but it seems their hands are tied since the dealers set their own business practices.

Oh well, I think I might have found one about 200 miles from here and the dealer is not a $tealer. Never thought I would compare buying a Saturn with buying a Harley, although Harley seems to have changed their policy somewhat.

Ok, off my soap box.

Sounds like two different things to me. My dealer added the "Sky Appearance and Protection package" (up front, when I placed the order), but it cost about $300, as I recall.

skyorscooter

· #14 · May 24, 2006

First, CONGRATS! Now, about this fee. What go's around, comes around. I can't beleive Texans are sitting still for this, and we need to nip this in the bud. If I can help in some way let me know. ( PM me ) Perhaps a battalion of black leather clad crazy nordski bikers can help? Just don't ask us to drink that "beer" you guys make. Uffdaa

SkyMan 08

· #15 · May 24, 2006

skyorscooter said:
First, CONGRATS! Now, about this fee. What go's around, comes around. I can't beleive Texans are sitting still for this, and we need to nip this in the bud. If I can help in some way let me know. ( PM me ) Perhaps a battalion of black leather clad crazy nordski bikers can help? Just don't ask us to drink that "beer" you guys make. Uffdaa

I think they need to put an Enviromental package on all those Texas Cows that are polluting the air down there with their expulsion of gas due to digestion...
and leave the poor Skys alone...

qwack

· #16 · May 24, 2006

skyorscooter said:
First, CONGRATS! Now, about this fee. What go's around, comes around. I can't beleive Texans are sitting still for this, and we need to nip this in the bud. If I can help in some way let me know. ( PM me ) Perhaps a battalion of black leather clad crazy nordski bikers can help? Just don't ask us to drink that "beer" you guys make. Uffdaa

We steal your "Stars" and you still want to help us? :lol:

You're a great guy! :cheers:

marklynn70

· #17 · May 24, 2006

SUNNY_SKY said:
2. THEY MOUNTED THE FRONT PLATE!!! :banghead:

I specifically told my salesman NOT to mount the font plate when he placed my image order and said he wrote it down as a reminder. I'm pretty sure they drilled the bumper rather using an underside bracket too.

What do you guys think I should do? Should I get them to fix the front bumper/order a new bumper/remove the add-on fee to make up for this atrocity or what?

Mine was delivered to Saturn of Waco with the license plate bracket already installed. So your dealer may have nothing to do with it. As we live in a state requiring two license plates they may be shipping them from factory that way. Just my guess but we are not the only ones here in Texas to have that happen so far. It is riveted to the underside of the opening in the bumper. There are two rivets; I had them drill them out right there in the shop. There is no problem and you can not see the holes unless you look under the lip. The two way tape is not holding it on to the bumper it is to prevent damages from vibration of the license plate frame hitting the bumper and scratching the paint. I hope this was in some way informative and help you to decide what you are going to do.

SkyHighinTX

· #18 · May 24, 2006

Appearance Package

In San Antonio, they are offering the Appearance Package for $595, but I was asked about it up front and I refused it. The dealer did not pressure me at all.

Since I haven't gotten my car yet, I can't be sure that they won't try add something later. My dealer was upfront, though, and told me that they are not charging an upcharge over MSRP in San Antonio :thumbs: and he gave me a copy of the invoice that shows the total charges including TT&L. Dealer installed options and extended warranties have not been discussed yet.

ggccg

· #19 · May 25, 2006

MrJester said:
hmmmm Environmental tax or surcharge sounds like it could be mandated by the local area or state. This could just be a fancy way to hide extra costs though. Try doing a search on New cars in your area or calling other Saturn Dealers in the area if they've heard of this. This way, if your dealer tells you it's mandatory by law, you can dispute the claim.

I think that "Environmental Protection" in this case means upholstry and paint treatments/warrantees ... protection FROM the environment vs. anything to do with protecting the environment.

SUNNY_SKY

Discussion Starter · #20 · May 25, 2006

Yes, I meant "environmental protection" package...

ggccg is correct.

I guess I should have said "environmental protection package" rather than fee, but to me it's still an unnecessary fee that seems fishy.

This is what it says on my invoice:
Wheel locks
Security coding
5 year road hazard

Hmmm aren't wheel locks a seperate accessory that only cost $49.
Hmmm security coding (dunno what that is, but probably like that window etching thing I heard others say which is total BS)
Hmmm 5 year road hazard (uh 3 year factory warranty comes standard, so 2 more years of extended warranty? wth?)

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