A new dealer scam... new to me anyway

I've been browsing one of the local Toyota dealers that seems to be getting the most Tundras so I could go see one (did that) and see how the supply flow is coming along. Found a couple configured more or less as I would want and just for grins looked the fine print denoted by the *. It said that the price excludes (1) $500 dealer handling fee... which is common and typical... and (2) 2% commission charge. Basically just another way to charge over MSRP without saying it. LOL. Not much chance I'll go to these guys when the time comes.

 

Yeah, I've heard some people see different adders, Market markup, Commission. I think more with used vehicles though.

 

2% of a $60k truck is $1200. I wouldn’t pay it either, but that’s much less than some of these other $10k+ “market adjustments”.

 

My favs are $495 for nitrogen filled tires, $995 for door ding coverage and $5000 for "market adjustment".

 

I wonder how many people fall for the nitrogen crap. I remember the first time they tried to sell. Every time a came up with a reason not to buy it they came up with another reason I should. I said take it off the price or I walk. Problem is it is a sellers market right now.

 

This is why I bought a Costco membership and my tires from them. Membership comes with Nitrogen!

 

It’s not new. Gunn Nissan out here in SATX used to do that too. Still might, haven’t been there in a while. They don’t pay commission so that’s their price structure. Kinda dumb.

 

Especially when air is over 75% nitrogen.

 

I still see a lot of green valve caps. It makes me sad that people are stupid. On the other hand, if it makes them happy right?

 

Sad but this actually is not horrible. Local dealership is charging $1k Paint Protection + $1k Security System and wait for it…
then they send the trucks out to get a lift (not sure if only spacer lift or actual new shock set up?) and 35in AT tires and spray on bed liner and apparently those upgrades warrant an additional cost of $15k so the SR5 was selling for $72k and the Limited was selling for $81k and in CA it’s common knowledge to add about 10% for your tax and license to get a whopping out the door price of:
SR5 $79200 and
Limited $89100
And (yea there’s one more and) that’s before you decide to get the $3k extended warranty or not and they do mention that the engine is now a turbo engine and those turbos do occasionally go out… wowsie!!

I left saying: LONG LIVE THE V8

 

Every time I see a lifted truck with a dealer installed lift it is spacers. I see them on Fords all the time. When I bought mine I specified no dealer or port add ons. Before I took delivery I had them add the bed liner for $400.

 

Oh, this dealer might well also have additional markup and mandatory dealer added "options". I haven't talked with them or corresponded to get an actual price which is where that stuff might emerge. All they show is the MSRP and don't even post the window sticker.

I keep saying "Long live my 2009 Tacoma!" But I am getting the itch for something new.

 

LOL... even the local Chevy guys are up the ADM nonsense. As if I'd ever pay even MSRP for a Chevy. Not.

 

Why im not getting a flat on my bike with the slime in it.

 

That’s actually an MDA on that Chevy. Total opposite of ADM.

 

How is it a scam really?
It would be a scam if not clearly listed on the sticker which it sure seems to be.
It is terrible marketing and a stupid sales practice for sure but not a scam.

 

Yeah, I don't know about $495 for nitrogen. Helium maybe, but not nitrogen.

 

Except it's a Toyota not a Jeep. Have to wait 15 years and a 1/2 gen later to get half off listing price

 

And people thought I was crazy when I said the trucks are going to sell at 72K!! That much for an SR5 and Limited?? I up my guess for PROs to be 82K!!! It’s a mess out there right now for buying a new vehicle.

 

2 years ago they were offering 20 to 25% discounts off MSRP

 

It is a scam because it is not worth what you are paying for it.

 

Not my definition of a scam.

They are not misrepresenting it at all but just being greedy.

 

I’m sure you’re in the same boat as myself: Super happy we went with the ‘21 V8 proven weapon….

 

Sucks that so many dealers are doing this. Mine got me an inbound truck with no mandatory add ons or any of that bs. Cool dealership. I've bought about 6 cars from them in the last 10 years and it's the same thing every time. They know how to keep me coming back I guess, I never even shop anywhere else.

 

This is really the heart of the matter too I think.
How stupid is it to alienate customers by trying to just turn a fast profit while we are all down from a variety of problems with the car market these days?

They think they are just grabbing some low hanging fruit by raping anyone stupid enough to bite for insane amounts and I hope that after this people remember the ones who did this but if experience is any proof nothing will change as a Fool and his Money are easily separated as they say?

But as they also usually clearly list the upcharge on the sticker just how desperate does someone have to be to play that game and buy these?

 

I used to work in the industry, not sales specifically, but in Dealership operations. It's just all about finding a good dealer that takes pride in not screwing over customers and being able to rely on repeat business and word of mouth. Those are the places I like to deal with, and that get my money over and over again

 

When my kids were at Clemson there was a Michelin facility on I85 and in the parking lot they had a free nitrogen fill station. Thats only way I’d get N2