Trivett car dealer values QFF point at 1.6c

[doctork]

Just tried to negotiate a purchase price on a new vehicle with the Trivett dealership in Sydney. They offer 1 QFF point per $2 spend (on their ads and via the QF website)

I negotiated hard, but not unreasonably so. One of the things that slipped out during the bargaining was that they effectively charge for QFF points in new car sales (by effectively, I mean that once a certain discount level is reached, they start saying that they can't include the QFF points in the deal). Being honest in my bargaining, I asked what a point would cost for me to effectively buy it through them. The salesman was, to his credit, quite forthcoming with an estimate of 1.6c.

Because I have cheaper avenues for buying points outright, thanks to AFF (and especially the tips on tax payments on credit card = 0.65c), I said no. I mainly spend my points on domestic JASA, domestic upgrades, and the occasional international upgrade lottery, which, from this forum, I have estimated my usage value at somewhere between 1.5c and 2.0c per point (please correct me if I'm far off the mark)? Of course, since there's not much negotiation on service costs, I'd gladly take the points if buying a service/parts later on.

It made me value AFF all the more, since I could make a properly informed choice about the value of a QFF point, and how I would rather buy them. So, thanks all. Much appreciated. I've gone from newbie points-mug-punter to thinking consumer in less than a year!

 

[MrJetset]

I would NEVER buy a car from Trivett. They attempted to make me take delivery of a vehicle in a different exterior and interior colour than I ordered. They are scammers to say the least, and even with emails clearly stating what colours I wanted, they refused to budge.

I ended up enabling my solicitor to agree for them to keep the deposit just to get past the whole issue, and ended up buying a vehicle from a different dealership.

 

[moa999]

I ended up enabling my solicitor to agree for them to keep the deposit just to get past the whole issue.

Why would you do this if absolutely in the right?

 

[N860CR]

I had the same issue buying a Jag from them. Intentionally didn't mention the QFF points until the end (because I suspected they'd try to get out of it) and then dropped my QF Gold card next to the credit card with the deposit. They tried the "oh no, you'll have to pay extra" but I simply told them that I'm sure Qantas wouldn't approve of them selling points as it defeats the purpose of having them as a partner. They didn't argue... I'd suggest quickly emailing Qantas to let them know. I dare say it's in breach of their agreement.

 

[ozmille]

Why would you do this if absolutely in the right?

This does sound a little bit weird, knowing the prices of cars at Trivett...


Sent from my iPad using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[casanovawa]

Is that right, paying your tax by credit card works out at 0.65c per point???

Not sure if i am having a night where the brain isn't quite working but would that make 140,000 QFF points cost $910???

 

[cove]

Yes if you have a Visa or MasterCard that earns a point per dollar then paying any Australian Taxation Office account will produce points at 0.65 cents per dollar. Some bills can have the fee tax deductible which are detailed on the ATO website so you can get as low as 0.33 cents per point in that circumstance.
BankWest,HSBC,Citibank,Woolworths Everyday Rewards and others have cards that produce a point per dollar off either a Visa or MasterCard and Qantas have a helpful list on their web site.

 

[casanovawa]

Apart from the fact that i guess i would need to pay $140,000 worth of tax bill and my CC limit is nothing like that, the main problem is that each year i actually get a decent size refund...

I guess I need to find a business or someone with big tax bills and get my credit card limit up...

 

[pshepvic]

Apart from the fact that i guess i would need to pay $140,000 worth of tax bill and my CC limit is nothing like that, the main problem is that each year i actually get a decent size refund...

I guess I need to find a business or someone with big tax bills and get my credit card limit up...

Make a sizable payment on June 30 and it will be refunded with your tax return. I do this even on my personal tax each year even though I get a refund. Maybe do it around the 27th though just to be sure the payment registers for that year's tax!

 

[casanovawa]

If not too personal, when you say sizeable do you mean low or high 4 figures or more?

And you get it all back (minus the cc surcharge) and the points??? That's not a bad trick....

Sorry for hi jacking post a little...

 

[MrJetset]

Why would you do this if absolutely in the right?

The sales contract ommitted the colours of the vehicle, and the terms of the contract meant that once signed, I would be liable if they sold the car at a lesser price, and I would have to pay the difference. I had the emails to and from the salesman stating that I wanted a Silver vehicle with Black leather.

Frankly, losing $1,000 deposit (thank God I didn't pay $5,000 like they requested) to be washed of the while debacle, and less legal fees, in my mind was better than a lengthy legal battle. I didn't feel comfortable purchasing another vehicle with this hanging over my head, and I needed a new vehicle.

My solicitor said that I had driven the vehicle off the lot, there was nothing I could do, so the lesson learnt is to always ensure all of your preferences are in the contract, and never take delivery of a vehicle if it's not 100% what you wanted.

In the end I bought a Mercedes instead of a Volvo and am absolutely glad that I did.

 

[pshepvic]

If not too personal, when you say sizeable do you mean low or high 4 figures or more?

And you get it all back (minus the cc surcharge) and the points??? That's not a bad trick....

Sorry for hi jacking post a little...

I paid $10k - the surcharge was added on top, so $10065 appeared on my CC. In my tax return the $10k was refunded on top of my return, which i received before the cc statement was even sent. Total cost $65 for 10,000 points which I value at least 4c each gives me $400 worth of points. Next year I'm going to pay more.

 

[kyle]

I had the same issue buying a Jag from them. Intentionally didn't mention the QFF points until the end (because I suspected they'd try to get out of it) and then dropped my QF Gold card next to the credit card with the deposit. They tried the "oh no, you'll have to pay extra" but I simply told them that I'm sure Qantas wouldn't approve of them selling points as it defeats the purpose of having them as a partner. They didn't argue... I'd suggest quickly emailing Qantas to let them know. I dare say it's in breach of their agreement.

But that's essentially what Travelex does too, isn't it? To get QFF points by clicking via the Qantas link, you pay a higher commission.

 

[N860CR]

Not really (well I don't think so, just my opinion). Travelex make it clear that you only earn via one specific link. For Trivett to say you can't have them unless you pay X price is a little different. Bit like one of the QF partner restaurants deciding to charge an extra 1% or something if you want to earn points after your meal. I'm sure Qantas must have some clause in the agreement that prohibits activly selling points.