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This months “MyRide” newsletter has a section on current August deals. 

http://www.myride.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_int/6545/id/30949 

So, we glanced thru it and found the U.S. Audi A3 with a dealer incentive discount of $2,500.  We decided to compare the features and pricing in both countries.  We even took some more time to call dealers in both countries.

In summary we found a difference of 4,000  or 10.39 percent. At par the difference will be $6712 or 17.57% More significanly though, we discovered that the webs sites were identical and the car features / options and descriptions were identical.   The main issue was availability.  There were no 2009’s in Canada and they were very scarce in the U.S.  Our U.S. reps could not locate any.  So another lesson learned …it is ethical  to offer really fantastic prices and discounts on a product that you don’t have?

We also learned that the folks at “MYRide” probably did not follow up or do their homework.  Just like the folks that work for Dougie Porter at the BMO. 

The DEVIL is in the details!   Today everyone wants everything so fast that they appear to sacrifice accuracy and integrity just to get you into their showroom! 

Here is the pricing chart.  We did not use the 2,500 U.S. discount, but used a more practical one of $1000.

What a pleasure using the website.  The one thing the site did not have though was the cost for prep and transportation.  We thought calling a salesperson would solve this problem. 

 The only thing we wanted to know from the sales person in Canada was…what is your prep and transportation charge, do you have a sales incentive in Canada? do you have the 2009 in stock and if not what discount or incentive would you give me on a 2010.

His answer was, the Transportation,prep and delivery was $1749 as well as a $110 tax for AC and a $15 dollar tire tax. They had no more A3s 2009 in Canada and they were waiting for the 2010s next month.  If I had bought one last month the price discount would have been $3000.  If I purchased the 2010 model, the MRSP was $500 more and the discount would only be $1000. 

We referenced the difference in the US pricing and the Canadian salesman was quick to add that they would not sell to Canadians in the U.S. and that the re-sale value would be less.  He also advised that the warranty was not honored in Canada.  We reponded that they would sell to us if we had a U.S. citizenship and an address in the U.S.   We also informed him that the cars were 100% identical and the resale value would be the same.  As far as the warrant goes we referred him to the APA website that indicates the warranty is valid.   He suggested we call Audi Canada.

We called Audi Canada. The spoksperson was very friendly and indicated that they would honor the warranty and supply a recall letter at no extra charge.  The 4 year 50,000 mile U.S. warranty would be converted into a 4 year 80,000 KM.  At first she refused to send me a letter confirming this.   We talked to her about improving customer relations and integrity.  We simply asked that if the President of Audi Canada was willing to stand up and tell me that he would honor the warranty, why would he not put it in writing.  We also indicated that Toyota honors the warranty for all cross border vehicles and she was forcing me to purchase a Toyota.

After putting me on hold for a few minutes she returned and indicated that a letter would go out in a few days indicating that Audi Canada would respect the warrany on a U.S. market car now being driven in Canada.

The first U.S. dealer we called was in Burlington Vermont. He confirmed the rebate of $2,500, but he had none in stock.  We asked about the additional prep and transportation fees and he was unwilling to divulge what the cost would be. 

He also indicated that he could only sell to a U.S. citizen.  I told him that was not a problem because my wife was American.  He then insisted that he could only sell to an American address.  I indicated that was no problem because we had a U.S. address.   He took my number and indicated he would call back.   He never did!

We called another dealer in New Hampshire.  The saleswoman indicated that they would not be able to find a 2009; they were very scarce.  They would only know if the discount existed when the new 2010 cars came in next month.   She did though indicate that the only other charge other than the MRSP price, less the discount and adding the options would be $199.

The details of our study.

2009-08-13audia3canada.pdf   2009-08-13audia3us.pdf