Live in Jersey, Buying in Massachusetts

[Crog]

I am hoping someone from Mass or thereabouts can help with an odd question...

I found what I think is a rare deal from a Mass Honda dealer on a new 07 Pilot (EXL-Navi). I want to know if this all sounds like a standard purchase for an out-of-stater in Mass or if I should be suspicious...

Here goes: after placing a $500 deposit on phone, I have to drive from NJ to make the purchase (bank check, etc.). After the dealer pays the Mass. taxes, they will send me a "certificate of origin". I then, the dealer says, take this to my Jersey DMV and get tags, which I then bring back to the dealer, affix to the Pilot and drive home (12 hours plus in driving later). Suffice to say the deal has to be pretty good for me to even consider this. They are sending an email with guarantee that the deposit is refundable at 100%.

Does the part about waiting for the certificate of origin sound suspicious at all? I am being told (verified with another dealer) that Mass does not have a temporary tags program (weird but true).

Anyhelp would be much appreciated.

CROG

[andyschneider]

I think you need to get someone who really knows both Mass and NJ rules. I live in NH, and if you want to buy a car in Mass, you need to either obtain temp plates (30 days) from NH and bring them with you when you go to pick up the car. I don't think that you have to go to Mass first, then to NH, then back to Mass...... A copy of the Purchase and sales is all you need.....

andy

[rocky]

Which dealer are you talking to?

I would merely have your insurance agent call the dealer, get the vin etc, so it can be registered in NJ and transfer your existing plate to the new vehicle. You have no need to mess around with mass registrations etc afaik

[Crog]

We're working with Boch Honda.

Sadly, the old plates are in a chop shop somewhere. So, it looks like 2 trips for me.

Crog

[rocky]

Think Bedard in Western Mass is very experienced with out of state purchase. Boch's turnover is legendary.

[Crog]

All-

The advice is much appreciated, especially the tip on making up the difference in accessories. Been mulling this (and hearing the voice of my conscience, er, wife) and have decided I am insane to do 14 hours of driving to save (now that I have multiple quotes) $700-$900 total. And, yes, the DMV elements are bound to go snafu in short order. The MA dealer was the first one to offer, and so they became the benchmark. While locals come in higher, it's not hugely higher, though I'm learning the ins and outs of these various fees now...

...do I have to be paying "documentation fee" along with DMV and destination, for pete's sake?

CRog

[markraphael]

We bought our Pilot around this time last year, July 11 to be exact. What I did was get an instaquote from Open Road's website and searched for a dealer who was willing to beat the price by phone and internet. Ended up buying from DCH Kay in Eatontown. No hassle, no fuss, negotiated over the phone using Open Road's price as benchmark. They were happy to beat it by $500. Hope this helps.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by Crog
All-

The advice is much appreciated, especially the tip on making up the difference in accessories. Been mulling this (and hearing the voice of my conscience, er, wife) and have decided I am insane to do 14 hours of driving to save (now that I have multiple quotes) $700-$900 total. And, yes, the DMV elements are bound to go snafu in short order. The MA dealer was the first one to offer, and so they became the benchmark. While locals come in higher, it's not hugely higher, though I'm learning the ins and outs of these various fees now...

...do I have to be paying "documentation fee" along with DMV and destination, for pete's sake?

CRog

Documentation is a dealer fee that you can refuse to pay - just say that their quote was all inclusive and you are not paying any additional dealer fees. In Mass, dealers charge registration fees that actually reflect the DMV charges they are paying, so if you have negotiated a bare bones deal, you will wind up paying the reg fees. Destination should be included in the quote. Don't trust a dealer that gives you a low quote, then tries to charge you the destination fee outside of the quote.

[beer4799]

I am looking for a Accord LX-P for my better half. I have always done well staying put in NJ buying cars (something about being between NYC and Philly makes for a somewhat competitive environment).

I saw Boch's ad and it is $2K better that anything in the Garden State. What's the old saying "If it sounds too good to be true......". Does anyone have much experience with them? Fine print only mentions ad cars much be paid for in cash. Am I missing something? Perhaps they beat you up on trade? If that's the case I will sell trade privately. Thanks in advance for any guidance or experience concerning Boch in MA. Cheers to all!

[rocky]

I'd talk to your insurance agent and see if they will deal with the registration paperwork for you.

I'd never trust a dealer to do anything other than line their own pockets

[bigdadi]

Beer4799

I am familiar with Boch Honda, Boch Toyota. They always puts the doc fee 298 on the newspaper.

The floor manager at Boch 'Honda' will probably add destination charge on top also. You need to protect to get it knock off.

Trade-in avg. is a little less than KBB's fair value. Don't expect Excellent value. You have to sell it yourself to get best buck, try www.autotrader.com. I sold my car (10,500 vs 8,500) 2,000 more than trad-in value there within a month. All I did is to list my car there 1,000 less than the one already listed there more or less your car's mileage, year & trim.

Boch Honda & Toyota do have most aggressive pricing in MA. Their monthly target is sell 1000 car per month.

To see all the fine prints. Download PDF week promotions at
www.bochhonda.com,
www.bochtoyota.com.
then open the file and zoom in 150%

At the website you can have LIVE talk with Internet Sales. All the talkings are in computer record. What they need is your name for retrieve / printout when you arrive.