President's Message
AAA Members’ Car Buying Benefit Threatened by Arizona Legislature

At AAA, we take great pride in our commitment to provide you with a variety of consumer oriented services and benefits. Our programs cover a wide spectrum of services – travel discounts, financial products, insurance coverage – and, they all provide members with savings, convenience and peace of mind.

Unfortunately, one of our most popular programs, the AAA Car Buying, is being threatened by the Arizona Automobile Dealers Association, which has asked Representative Gary Pierce (R-Mesa) to introduce legislation in the Arizona Legislature the would curtail the AAA and other related car purchasing programs.

The AAA Car Buying program exists because not everyone enjoys going to a new car dealership and engaging in negotiations with the salesman. There seems to be a high level of consumer mistrust and apprehension about going to car dealers – evidenced by the fact that nearly 70% of our AAA Car Buying customers say they came to us to avoid going to a dealer.
In clear contrast, the AAA Car Buying program eliminates the frustrations that many experience when trying to purchase a vehicle from a new car dealer by giving our members an expert auto buying consultant to make all the arrangements, including locating the vehicle, arranging for a convenient test drive, negotiating the best price, securing financing and, of course, all of the paperwork. Best of all, the entire transaction is accomplished without ever having to set foot in a dealership.

If the new car dealers have their way, car purchasing programs, like the one offered by AAA, will be significantly restricted, thereby limiting Arizona consumers, including AAA members, to just one choice – purchasing your new car from a dealership.

From AAA’s perspective, the current system works well for everyone. In order to find the best price for our members, we purchase our cars directly from new car dealerships throughout Arizona. While our members benefit from the competitive price, the new car dealership still makes a profit, as the transaction still moves a vehicle off their lot. It gives them a profit and gives you a choice.

I encourage you to contact your legislators (go to www.azleg.gov and click on ‘Members’) and express opposition to any legislation that would limit consumer choice in purchasing a car. AAA opposes the new car dealer’s legislation, but the most effective voice will be yours – for many of you have benefited from the AAA Car Buying program and many more plan to use it for their next car purchase.

Our ability to continue with this effective service is being threatened by powerful and well-financed lobbying interests. Your opposition will make the difference. It’s your choice.

Read more about Car buying Legislation

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