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At Cityside Subaru, the preferred Subaru dealership in Belmont, MA,
we take pride in offering transparent pricing, a team of dedicated staff who embrace ethics and a dealership commitment to the Subaru promises. These promises include supporting a vision to show respect and love to all people at every interaction.

At Cityside Subaru, the preferred Subaru dealership in Belmont, MA, we take pride in offering transparent pricing, a team of dedicated staff who embrace ethics and a dealership commitment to the Subaru promises. These promises include supporting a vision to show respect and love to all people at every interaction.

Unfortunately, not all car dealerships in Massachusetts are committed to transparency, honesty and the truth when you want to buy or lease your next vehicle. The team at our Subaru dealership in Belmont, MA, wants you to be well aware of deceptive practices and dealer tricks that we do not condone so you are protected.

Lowest Possible Price

This deception forces an unknowing customer to go into a Subaru dealership thinking they are getting this low price to only find out that they have to trade-in a vehicle in order to qualify. This wastes a customer's time.

Deceptive Pricing

Have you ever noticed an unbelievable price advertised for a new or used vehicle at a car dealership? Have you thought that maybe it is too good to be true? If so, you are correct.

Asterisk pricing involves advertising a great price for a new or used car for sale with fine print that details the need for a sizeable down payment or other qualification in order to get that price. It's deceptive and unethical and something you won't see when working with the team at Cityside Subaru.

Have you ever noticed an unbelievable price advertised for a new or used vehicle at a car dealership? Have you thought that maybe it is too good to be true? If so, you are correct.

Asterisk pricing involves advertising a great price for a new or used car for sale with fine print that details the need for a sizeable down payment or other qualification in order to get that price. It's deceptive and unethical and something you won't see when working with the team at Cityside Subaru.

Bait and Switch

In addition to asterisk pricing, some dealerships will advertise a great online price for a vehicle, but with only one stock number.

This likely means that only one vehicle is heavily discounted - maybe a former demonstration model - and they'll probably tell you that it just sold. Unethical dealerships use this trick to get you into the showroom so they can upsell you to a higher priced vehicle.

Misrepresentation

When you are scrolling online for a vehicle or reading dealership advertisements, you may come across model misrepresentation. This is when a dealership displays a premium model with a base model price, without disclosing that the high-end features will require an upgrade to a higher-level trim or configuration. While you may initially think that you'll be getting the noted features for the price shown, it's simply another common trick to get you to the dealership.

Missing Fees

At Cityside Subaru, we make sure you are aware of all taxes, destination charges and additional fees that will be applicable when you buy or lease a vehicle at our dealership. Sadly, not all dealerships are upfront about these fees. Less ethical dealers may wait and only disclose them once you are at signing and ready to take delivery of the vehicle you want, when in fact these fees can add thousands to the purchase price.

Inaccurate Trade-In Values

As a consumer, you would hope that a Massachusetts car dealership would be honest about the trade-in quote you receive over the phone or on their dealership website, but that's often not the case.

Many dealerships will high-ball you with a great trade-in value to get you to their showroom. When you arrive, they'll add deductions for wear and tear, and you'll soon realize the final value offered will be well below the initial quote.

Unrealistic Rebates

Have you ever been enticed to visit a dealership because they advertise great rebate offers? You're not alone. Consumers are often lured in by these rebates, only to find out that few will qualify.

Subaru has three different types of potential rebates: Active Military, Maintenance Loyalty and random Subaru Owner Loyalty. Since few qualify, advertising a price assuming you'll have one - or even all three - is deceptive.

Whether it's a low car loan interest rate that requires a perfect credit score, or a teacher/educator discount that may require more qualifications than you have, or that you need to be an active-duty service member, this deceptive dealer practice is unfortunately all too common.

Research the Dealership

While it's common to read reviews about the vehicles you want to buy, don't neglect the need to research the dealership. Individuals who have been scammed by dealer tricks are typically not afraid to leave a review detailing their experience. Go beyond the testimonials on the car dealership website and check social media and Google^™ reviews for more accurate accounts of customer experiences.

Question Everything

Before you arrive or schedule a test drive, thoroughly question the salesperson you deal with over the phone or online. For instance, ask about the fine print to avoid asterisk pricing and get written proof of a trade-in value you are offered without provisions. Ask about qualifications for rebate offers and fees that may be added on at signing. A little time invested in preliminary due diligence may save you from unpleasant surprises and greater time wasted on a dealership visit.