I may have been just a little confused. My 65th birthday is in mid-April. My sister-in-law’s 65th birthday is today.
For my birthday, I planned to trade my leased vehicle in on a newer model. Perfect timing, as my boss gives employees a paid day off on the employee’s birthday. (I may hate the job, but there are some nice perks.)
Anyway.
I was home sick on Friday and with nothing better to do, I decided to go on the dealership website and decide what color I want for my next Ford Escape. I love my 2014 Escape, but my three-year lease is expiring. I decided on a color, and then looked up the manufacturer rebates and dealer specials. There were excellent discounts, but they expire on April 3 – well before my birthday.
Since I have no idea what programs might be in place after April 3, once I got up Saturday morning, I emailed my wonderful saleslady, Valerie, and suggested that if she could get me into a brand new Ford Escape and get me lower payments, I would definitely consider turning my car in now. I envisioned that Valerie would punch some numbers and set up an appointment for the following weekend.
Puppy Cody had a vet visit at 10:30 for a nail trim (ain’t no way I’m clipping those dark nails!). While waiting for Cody to get done, my phone rang (my bad, those phones are supposed to be off in the clinic).
Anyway, Valerie was calling to let me know she definitely could get me into the vehicle of my choice with lower monthly payments – and in fact, she had one on the lot in my chosen color and would have it cleaned up and ready for me to look at when I came in … today!
Say what?
Well, I’m not one to pass up a good opportunity, so as soon as Cody was home again, off to the dealership I went. Normally, I would take time to clean my car inside and out before turning it in, and I would get all that crap out of the back, but hey, this was urgent!
Photo (cropped) from http://www.ford.com (click on photo for link)
No dickering needed – after getting $5,300 in discounts, waived lease payments, and rebates, I came home in my brand new 2017 Ford Escape AWD in white gold, with my monthly payments reduced by $32. I think it was the quickest sale Valerie’s ever made.
Win-win for both of us.
SUCH A SOCIABLE LITLE TEDDY!
And Teddy Rosalie made a new friend while I filled out paperwork.
Another Saturday well spent.
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Images by Cordelia’s Mom, except where noted differently
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
Congratulations on your spiffy new ride! I’m jealous. My kids have trashed my Honda Pilot beyond recognition.
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That’s the biggest advantage to leasing – a new car every 3 years, and it’s always under warranty.
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Let’s go for a spin, CM! ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
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I’d love to, NBC. Come on over!
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Congrats on your shiny new purchase. A woman after my own heart for getting a good deal!
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Ha! Even better than I said in the post – once the paperwork was signed, I discovered it didn’t come with all-weather floor mats like the last one did, and I joked with my saleslady about how those floor mats were always my last negotiating point (“Throw in all-weather floor mats and we have a deal!”). She laughed, and said she’d throw them in – and got them out of one of the other cars on the lot. I love my saleslady!
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It works doesn’t it. I got such a good deal on my Peugeot 206 I’m convinced the salesman cried.
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Very nice, and I’m loving the “white gold”.
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It is pretty, isn’t it? I first saw it on the lot last summer when the 2017s came in, and I told the saleslady then to set one aside for when my lease ends.
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Nice ride.
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I loved my 2014 Escape, and this is one identical except for a few upgraded features. I’m looking forward to 3 years of great rides.
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A good day, a good deal and a teddy-friend. Sound like a perfect day. Now, on your birthday, yu can go for a ride in the sunshine.
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Ha, ha. I think I’ll tell my sister-in-law that on MY birthday, SHE should go out and buy a new car in my honor!
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There you go.
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Nice! I REALLY need a new minivan, but it’s going to have to wait a little while longer. I might have to ask you for some negotiating advice!
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I love buying cars. I love it so much that at one point I even applied to that same dealership for a sales position, but then I got my current new job – which in hindsight might have been a mistake. Cars are much more fun than legal crap.
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Yay! Congrats on the new vehicle!
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Thanks, Vic.
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Oh, it was a meeting with an ‘automotive’ dealer, cuz New York hasn’t legalized marijuana yet. 😉
Is this one going to be any harder to chase across town? 😆
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Ha, ha. This one seems a little faster, actually.
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