Portions of the post that previously appeared in this space have been deleted. I would provide you with a reason why, but doing so would likely be against the TOS.

let's say it is. are you going to return a 30 day old master cylinder to the dealer? returning a 30 day old automobile is slightly different than returning a few dollar (or few hundred dollar) part.

Portions of the post that previously appeared in this space have been deleted. I would provide you with a reason why, but doing so would likely be against the TOS.

Having been a sales manager in 4 Ford dealerships since the late 80's I can assure you dealers won't like a credit purchase. many times folks would put 5K or 10K down and want to use a miles card for that reason. The problem is the fees on that much money comes right out of the car deal and the answer will be no unless you pay the credit card fees to the dealer!

With everyone knowing the dealers cost today, why would a dealer absorb the credit card fees on a short deal? Your going to beat the salesman up for an invoice deal and then want to use a credit card to pay for it? Won't happen

Check for TCP (total cost of purchase). Living just north of Detroit, I've had plenty of chances to purchase a Canadian car, yet the paperwork and misc issues didn't make it worth the time (even for some of the hard-to-find vehicles that have come my way). I'm not sure it would add up to $7000, yet I suspect "importing" the car will cause some issues. Oddly enough, 5-10 years ago, it was the other way... the Windsor dealerships were showing that they could save someone $2000 if they drove over the border, bought in Canada, drove back over the border, and the dealership would help with paperwork. Some people just didn't want to deal with the "hassle" of the crossings, and would rather pay the $2000 locally. It's an odd market we live in.

Having to pay the merchant fees, to use the card, would be a deal-breaker (or, maybe that's the point). A $2000 deposit netted 2000 miles, which cost the dealership $120 (at 6% fees?). I can get 2000 NW miles with SuperSize for $20, so it's not worth it for the extra $100.

Steve B.

The dealer will absorb the credit card fees for one reason: because, after you take the manufacturer's holdback into account (let's not pretend that "invoice" is really what the dealer pays, OK?) the profit on the deal is better than he's going to get any other way. His alternative is to let the car keep sitting on the lot accruing floor-planning charges. If he's got the only BMW 7 Series Alpina within a thousand miles he has some leverage, but if it's a Honda Civic, and all I care about is it has a five-speed transmission and it's blue? I can get a dozen others like it inside a twenty-minute drive. He takes my deal or he gets no deal, and he knows it. That's why.

Give 'em Hell Efrem!!!

LOL

This issue never seems to die. We all agree the dealer won't LIKE it. If your intent is to be popular with dealers, don't try to buy a car with a credit card. But as has been said many times, dealers are contractually obligated to VISA/MC/AMEX to accept their cards. If you choose to complain, the credit card company will make them accept. They can't make them like it, but if you want to get the miles this way, you can.

I wanted to pay cash for my last new car purchase, and the dealership would only allow 5k to go on the AMEX. The rest was a check...

I think you missed my point. If you ask the dealer, that's what he will tell you. But if you negotiate the price, then call AMEX and report the dealer for refusing to to let you put it on AMEX, the dealer will give in or risk losing AMEX privileges. There may be valid reasons not to want to report him, but you have that option.

I think not. In 2006 we received a coupon from American Express offering a Saks giftcard if we would buy a Mercedes. The offer required that we use an American Express card to make a minimum downpayment ($500?), but explicitly stated that the dealer was allowed to limit the amount charged to the card.

i was able to charge 3grand rest they wanted to charge me 2.5%. Can't see why anyone would want to buy miles for 2.5%...

AMEX will allow this. But not if Visa and MC doesn't.
Since Visa and MC don't then AMEX won't if that merchant accepts Visa and/or MC.

No, I didn't miss your point. Your point is just wrong... ;)

Call AMEX if you like. They will tell you what they told me on this when I wanted to make another large purchase and the merchant didn't want the whole thing on the card. According to AMEX - EVERY merchant reserves the right to limit the amount they will allow for a card purchase, and it in no way violates their user agreement with AMEX.

depends on the dealership...I know the VW dealerships in Arizona won't take card because of the fee's associated.