PSIA-AASI

Hi Everyone,

I’m posting to find out if anybody out there has some experience taking advantage of the great deals on Subaru vehicles available to us through PSIA.

If so, what does the offer (offers?) specifically entail? What is the process? Pros and Cons? And finally, is there anything else one might need to know while going down this road?

I’ll look forward to some responses.  Thanks!

It works real well. I bought a Subaru Outback last year and I got almost $2000.00 off the Dealer invoice. You do have to insist a little to the Dealer/salesman to take the promotion because they’ll try to wiggle out of the offer. Hope this help.

Have you applied for a form be sent to the dealer?  How long did it take for the dealer to receive fax?  I did this in 2004 and it worked well.  Don’t know about now.

Eric - 20 July 2009 10:03 AM

It works real well. I bought a Subaru Outback last year and I got almost $2000.00 off the Dealer invoice. You do have to insist a little to the Dealer/salesman to take the promotion because they’ll try to wiggle out of the offer. Hope this help.

Scott - 21 July 2009 12:54 PM

Have you applied for a form be sent to the dealer?  How long did it take for the dealer to receive fax?  I did this in 2004 and it worked well.  Don’t know about now.

Thanks Eric and Scott for your replies.

This sounds like a great deal if the process goes well.  I haven’t applied for an appointment with a dealer yet.  Do either of you, or anyone else, know if this program applies to used Subaru vehicles?  Also, is $2k off the Dealer Invoice ‘the deal’ or do you negotiate within the program?

Thanks again.  Look forward to hearing back

-Ryan

I used it in 04 for an Impreza TS Wagon, stick.  It was $18K off the lot, incl everything, tax, title, etc…

To the best of my knowledge there is no negotiation.  I believe Subaru is supposed to give you dealer invoice + all dealer incentives + all consumer incentives.

It was my impression from talking to the dealer that they can’t screw around with you or they’ll at least hear about it from Subaru corporate if you report a bad experience.

I don’t think it is good on used cars, only new, but you should be able to push the price on a used car down in this market if you are willing to walk away a few times.

When you buy through this program you are a VIP.  Subaru has sent out many free lift tickets and tickets to other events they are involved with since buying through this program.

Another good thing to get is the Subaru Mastercard from Chase.  Get 3% of purchases back in the form of coupons good for a new Subaru, parts and accessories $500 max/year.

A while ago, I asked Chase what the annual rollover date for the card was when rewards would start to accrue again.  Chase said I was into the new period and rewards would accrue if I put charges on the card.

I made some big purchases and maxed out the rewards in about a month but Chase didn’t include any rewards coupons.  They gave me endless excuses and then added $50 to my rewards balance.  I was livid so after a few weeks of hitting a brick wall there. I took it up with Subaru.  They looked into it and reviewed the communications I had with Chase that said I would get rewards if I put charges on the card.  Thanks to the awesome folks at Subaru, I got the $500 in rewards toward Subaru purchases.

The deal through PSIA is a great one, the Subaru has been a fantastic car (except insurance is a bit high on the Impreza), and Subaru is a top notch company in my opinion, both corporate and the dealers I’ve worked with.  I don’t think I’ll ever get anything other than Subaru from here on out!

Looking into this now ... here is what I’ve found with a little online research (sorry if its out of date, but it still might answer a few questions)

Here are details about how the program works:
THE SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) VIP PARTNERS PROGRAM

Introduction

The VIP Partners Program is a Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) corporate program offering eligible SOA marketing affiliate members the opportunity to purchase or lease new Subaru vehicles at2% below dealer invoice cost.

Eligibility:

Any VIP Partners customer must be an active member of the SOA marketing affiliate for a minimum of 6 consecutive months. The VIP dealer visit authorization forms are issued only to eligible affiliate members and their spouse or domestic partner residing in the same household (address verification required).

The VIP Partners Program offer is non-transferable and does not extend to the member’s relatives such as parents, siblings, children, etc.

VIP Partners customers are limited to two (2) new vehicles within a 12-month time period.

The Dealer Visit Authorization form does not obligate the member to purchase or lease a new Subaru; it does, however, inform the dealership that the member is entitled to VIP pricing.

Procedures

To participate in the VIP Program:

1. Marketing affiliate members must receive an approved VIP Dealer Visit Authorization form PRIOR to visiting a participating Subaru dealer.

2. Members must contact their affiliate’s membership office to request a dealer visit authorization form.

3. The affiliate membership office will verify the customer’s membership status.

4. The member will be asked their name, membership ID number, address, telephone number and choice of participating dealer.

5. The affiliate membership services office employee will log on to the VIP website at http://www.vip.subaru.com using their affiliate e-mail address. The membership services office will complete the Dealer Visit Authorization form on line and submit it to the VIP Partners Program at SOA for processing.

Upon receipt, SOA will mail the SOA approved Dealer Visit Authorization form directly to the member. As an introduction to the dealer, SOA will also fax a copy of the Dealer Visit Authorization form directly to the dealer. The authorization form is non-transferable and will expire in 45 days from the date of the letter. The member must take the form to the participating dealer indicated on the form. We ask that the member wait until the form is received before visiting Subaru dealers. The form must be presented to the participating participating dealer contact person (Noted on the Dealer Authorization form) upon entry into the dealership.

Dealer Selection

VIP customers select the dealer of their choice, generally based upon customer proximity and convenient servicing. Should the customer not have a dealer preference, SOA will select the closest participating dealer based on the customer’s zip code. Customers may visit the Subaru website at http://www.Subaru.com to locate their closest dealer.

All VIP sales must be conducted by an authorized and participating Subaru dealer. The VIP Program is available in all states except Hawaii.

Pricing

VIP pricing for purchase transactions is based upon 2% below dealer invoice cost for the vehicle and factory installed accessories as invoiced and delivered to the dealer by SOA. This is the non-negotiable base price for all customers with proper VIP Program authorization.

The VIP price is further reduced by all applicable regional dealer or customer incentives or dealer cash, if applicable.

The special pricing under the VIP program cannot be combined with any other Subaru of America, Inc. promotional offers, coupons (such as auto show or internet coupons) or direct mail offers or vouchers (except Subaru MasterCard® points).

The VIP Partners customer will be responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes and license and municipality registration fees. Any customary dealer administrative, advertising and/or trade fees are additional.

Leasing

Capitalization cost is 2% below dealer invoice cost for the vehicle and factory installed accessories, less any regional customer or dealer incentives or dealer cash, if applicable with current lease program. Dealers cannot mark up the rate. The lease can be structured with a zero down payment for applicants with an acceptable credit history. A security deposit and first month’s payment in advance is required.

Accessory Pricing

For accessories that are added to the vehicle at the factory, the price to the VIP customer is 2% below dealer invoice. The dealer will determine the price of any accessories that are added after the vehicle has arrived at the dealership, as the dealer will incur procurement and labor costs to obtain and install such accessories.

Vehicle Availability

All new Subaru models are included in the VIP Program, subject to availability and dealer discretion. At the dealer’s election, the Subaru vehicle may be secured from the dealer’s new vehicle inventory,located and procured from a nearby dealer’s inventory or ordered from SOA. From time-to-time, new models may be temporarily held from the VIP Program until dealer inventories are sufficient to accommodate VIP customers. During these time, dealers are asked to place a sold order.

New Subaru vehicles are those never titled, not previously reported sold and generally have less than 100 miles. Dealer demos and used vehicles are excluded from the VIP Partners Program.

Trade-ins

Generally, most dealers will accept trade-ins. The participating dealer determines the value of the trade. As you are purchasing or leasing a new vehicle at dealer cost, you should expect no more than a wholesale offer for your trade. VIP customers with trades should consider the benefit of selling their trade privately.

-continued-

Financing

Financing arrangements, if any, will be determined in the usual manner with the dealer and will be subject to the standard credit approval practices at the dealership. From time to time, SOA does offer low rate financing on select Subaru models. VIP customers are eligible to take advantage of any special low rate financing offers in effect at the time of purchase should they be available.

Subaru Added Security

The cost of Subaru Added Security contracts will be determined by the dealership and agreed to jointly by the participating dealer and the VIP Partners customer.

Disclaimers
The special VIP Partners pricing does not apply to sales made prior to receipt of the approved dealer visit authorization form.
In order to obtain VIP Partners pricing, the member must follow the procedures as outlined herein by possessing a VIP Partners Authorization Form prior to communicating with a dealership. It is not the intention or purpose of the program to interfere with any pricing negotiations currently underway between a dealership and a customer who has previously visited the dealer without the form. In such situations, the VIP Partners Program does not apply.
Participation in the VIP program recognizes the relationship between Subaru of America, Inc. and the VIP participant. Inclusion in the program is a privilege and accordingly, at its sole discretion, Subaru of America, Inc. may at any time exclude an individual from the VIP program.
The VIP Partners Program will remain in effect until such time as modified by SOA.

FAQ

Q - What is the VIP Partners Program?

A - The VIP Partners Program is a Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) corporate program designed to allow eligible members of SOA marketing affiliates the ability to purchase or lease new Subaru vehicles through a dealership at a no-haggle price of 2% below dealer invoice cost.

Q - How does the VIP Program work?

A - To participate in the VIP Program, an eligible member must request a dealer visit authorization form PRIOR to visiting a dealer. To request a form, the eligible member must contact their membership services office. The membership services office will verify the current membership status of the participant and then forward the request to SOA headquarters for processing. Within a few days, the VIP dealer visit authorization form will be mailed directly to the approved member. The form will include the dealership name, telephone number and contact person. A copy of the VIP form will also be faxed to the participating dealer. The form does not obligate the member to purchase a Subaru. The intention of the form is to alert the dealership to the fact that the customer is entitled to VIP pricing.

Q - Who is eligible to participate in the VIP Program?

A - Any VIP customer must be an active member of the SOA marketing affiliate for a minimum of 6 consecutive months. Immediate family members, including spouse and domestic partner residing in the same household are also eligible for VIP pricing, subject to dealer verification of member status and address. The VIP Partners Program offer is non-transferable and does not extend to the member’s relatives such as parents, siblings, children, etc.

Q - Are used Subarus also included in the VIP Program?

A - No. The VIP program only applies to new, unused vehicles. New Subaru vehicles are those never titled, not previously reported sold and generally have less than 100 miles.

Q –Can I visit more than one dealer?

A – Under the VIP Program, pricing from dealer to dealer is standardized at 2% below dealer invoice, so there is no need to shop around - just choose the participating dealer that is most convenient for servicing.

Q – Will I be able to purchase accessories at 2% under dealer invoice price?

A – For accessories that are factory-installed on the vehicle, the price would be 2% below dealer invoice. The dealer will determine the price of any accessories that are added after the vehicle has arrived at the dealership, as the dealer will incur labor costs to install such accessories.

Q - Can I lease a new Subaru under the VIP program?

A - Yes, the capitalization cost of the vehicle on the lease will be 2% below dealer invoice. Leases can be structured for our VIP customers with an acceptable credit history with a zero down payment. However, a security deposit and first month’s payment are required.

Q - Will dealers accept my current vehicle as a trade in under the VIP program?

A - Yes, most dealers will accept trade-ins. The participating dealer determines the value of the trade. Because you are purchasing a new vehicle at dealer cost, you should expect no more than a wholesale offer for your trade. Customers with trades should consider the benefit of selling their trade-in privately.

CONTACT INFORMATION

PHONE: 1-800-VIP-0933 (1-800-847-0933) Hours 8:30 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time
FAX: 856-488-8545
E-MAIL: 
POSTAL:
Subaru of America, Inc.
c/o VIP Program
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
08/2006