APA says they have no dealers to refer

A friend subscribed to APA so he can get a quote for a Honda Fit hoping he could avoid the dealership charade. APA did not give him the dealer's name but instead, asked him to call "FindACarCanada.com" (FACC), a car broker. According to the broker's site, they require $360 fee to do all the legwork.

In summary, if he goes with this arrangement, he pays/paid:
- $ 65 (APA membership)
- $360 (broker's fees)
- $ 65 (APA referral fee, added if financing or leasing)

Something is wrong here. What's stopping the APA from pushing business to the broker, instead of referring dealers who will honor their quote?

Has anyone heard/experienced this. Please share your insights. Thanks in advanced.

Does your friend live far away from an urban centre? Maybe ask APA to refer him to the closest dealer geographically. If necessary, s/he can ship the car on a flatbed, although at additional expense.

Originally Posted by Anonymouse

Does your friend live far away from an urban centre? Maybe ask APA to refer him to the closest dealer geographically. If necessary, s/he can ship the car on a flatbed, although at additional expense.

He's in the GTA, so that won't be an issue.

that fee won't apply to you if you are coming over from APA. i was in the same situation few weeks ago. for some brands (ex. acura) you have to go through a broker instead of going directly to the dealership.

Originally Posted by hOrnizuka

that fee won't apply to you if you are coming over from APA. i was in the same situation few weeks ago. for some brands (ex. acura) you have to go through a broker instead of going directly to the dealership.

You mean he doesn't pay the $360?

Can you please add some more details on how the mechanics of FACC works referred through APA. Just a short recap of what happened to your purchase. Thanks for your help.

Confirmed. I got an Acura through APA via findacarcanada. findacarcanada will charge you the APA quoted price. You provide findacarcanada with all the details on the make/model you want. They locate one and then meet you at the dealership (official) to complete the sale. To me it seemed like they were a substitute salesman.

Originally Posted by hOrnizuka

that fee won't apply to you if you are coming over from APA. i was in the same situation few weeks ago. for some brands (ex. acura) you have to go through a broker instead of going directly to the dealership.

APA has a good rep, everyone that uses them say they've been helpful. They're a consumer-based organization.

Edirol, thank you for sharing your experience with FindACarCanada. I will inform him right away.

@p110232, please post details what comes out at the end cause my family would like to get the Fit also, like which dealer & how much total cost your friend.

Thanks.

so do you have to still pay th $360 findacarcanada fee or just the $65 APA fee?

Originally Posted by p110232

A friend subscribed to APA so he can get a quote for a Honda Fit hoping he could avoid the dealership charade.

Honda does not allow its dealers to associate with organizations like the APA which is why they refer people to a car broker for Honda vehicles.

You only pay the APA quote price. You're not paying the broker's fee.

Originally Posted by MrDisco

Honda does not allow its dealers to associate with organizations like the APA which is why they refer people to a car broker for Honda vehicles.

You only pay the APA quote price. You're not paying the broker's fee.

was this just recently? because i know i've gotten APA quotes for a honda before

Originally Posted by p110232

A friend subscribed to APA so he can get a quote for a Honda Fit hoping he could avoid the dealership charade. APA did not give him the dealer's name but instead, asked him to call "FindACarCanada.com" (FACC), a car broker. According to the broker's site, they require $360 fee to do all the legwork.

In summary, if he goes with this arrangement, he pays/paid:
- $ 65 (APA membership)
- $360 (broker's fees)
- $ 65 (APA referral fee, added if financing or leasing)

Something is wrong here. What's stopping the APA from pushing business to the broker, instead of referring dealers who will honor their quote?

Has anyone heard/experienced this. Please share your insights. Thanks in advanced.

I'll do you one better. I will send you a PM. My best friend is a General Sales manager of a very large HOnda Dealership in the GTA!!!!!!

Originally Posted by ElvaSoShexai

was this just recently? because i know i've gotten APA quotes for a honda before

you misunderstand. the apa will send quotes like normal, however when you phone them to ask for the name of their preferred dealer for Honda they will send you to their preferred car broker.