Dealer shenanigans?

I have a deposit on a allocation. Dealer called me and let me know I had a VIN (ie truck has been built) on a Pro, and I need to come in ASAP to “contract”. The problem is, they originally told me I would contract once truck was delivered. When I pushed them on this, they said they’re requiring anyone buying the higher trims to contract at the point of build instead of delivery.

im generally annoyed that they are changing the rules mid-process, and I have some reservations about buying a truck that I haven’t physically laid eyes on. Im wondering if they are having some sellers remorse (I locked in at MSRP). Am I being paranoid here? Should I just grin and bear it?

 

What a bunch of shit. Meet with the general manager, get his/her name and have him tell you in person, to your face. And if he does then walk away. Cussing at him and creating a scene in the dealership >>>> optional.

 

Can’t hurt to go talk with them to see what exactly they are wanting. You are still in control of what you do. At least then you’ll know what they are trying to pull before you fall in love with the truck sitting there.

 

There are a lot of dealers in Texas doing this. They tried to get me to do this but I told them they had my deposit and that’s good enough. That’s the whole point of the deposit. It shows you want the vehicle and it guarantees it’s yours when it gets there. Good luck.

 

No. If I ordered a truck and put down a deposit, it’s mine. Especially if I have a signed document showing I locked in a price and put a deposit down.

 

I mean, locked in at MSRP on a Pro is a pretty great position to be in. If it were me I’d be comfortable signing the paperwork and waiting another couple weeks for delivery. Worst case scenario, you could certainly sell the truck to another dealership and make out just fine. In reality, you still have some negotiating power as you take delivery and if there are flaws they still have a responsibility to correct them. Additionally, I’d call around to a bunch of dealerships and try to get a test drive in on another Tundra. The hybrid and Pro suspension does have a different feel to it, but you can certainly get a grasp on the general concept from other trims. Good luck!

 

Thanks, I’m going to talk to the GM, but all in all its hard to complain too much. To the point above I can prob resell it to any other dealer and at least breakeven. I can’t wait for the day when we break the dealer model and move to direct from manufacture sales.. buying will be easier for my great, great, great grandkids…

 

I think that is BS from your salesman.
HE/SHE wants the commission on this vehicle sale.
If you decide you don't want it, any other salesperson could sell the truck.

Personally, if he doesn't want to honor your deposit as a hold on the truck, then he can piss off.

You'd be better off waiting a year anyway and getting a 2023 if you must have a PRO.

YMMV.........

 

Buying will be easier for our kids. I think dealerships are in their death throes.

 

@nephets personally I'd expose the dealership to youtubers like YAA (Your Auto Alliance) and Scotty Kilmer, I'd contact toyota corporate and complain to them too then see if they stick to the practice. This seems unethical and impractical.

 

Tough spot to be in.

You can tell them to F off - but do you have any prospect of finding another at the same price?

Yiu can tell them “I have a contract” and threaten to hold them accountable to it - but reality is you likely don’t - or even if you sued and won - you would also have to prove “damages” and the only way to do that is by telling the dealer you would only commit to payment in delivery - having them refuse and canceling the sale and then going out and purchasing at another dealer for a marked up price and seeking the difference in MSRP (price you agreed to at dealer one) and marked up price from dealer two. Even then - you might have trouble.

It’s well established to have a valid contract you have the basic tenets (the 4 corners of a contract square) - and one of those is CAPACITY. If for some reason the dealer can support not being able to source the item - they can seek relief from a contract. There are basic clauses built into a boilerplate contract to give them this escape. All they have to do is say - we told the customer we could only guarantee the order of they paid on build - otherwise are distributor might pull the allocation from us - and they would be relieved of responsibility. It would then be on you to PROVE the dealer actually DID get the truck you were allocated and sold it anyway at a marked up price (again if they sold it to someone for exactly what you would have paid - they made no extra money so no damages likely to be awarded).

What are we talking here time between build and delivery weeks? Is it worth fighting and losing to save paying a month early for delivery ?? KeepIng in mind supply is tight and it’s not like if you say no - there won’t be a buyer ready to jump on your spot. Ultimately it comes down to who is in the stronger negotiation position and that unfortunately isn’t you here. Either walk away or suck it up and agree to their terms to get the truck you wanted.

 

First thing I thought of. Subject to watching this at my house, aren't you?! Seems like they never make it.

 

Agree, more to the story on this, dealership and/or salesman is likely trying to hit a number of units sold for the month.

 

It’s ultimately an “ethical” issue - and day 1 of auto sales you learn ethics and success are parallel tracks -you can go down one or the other.

Ethics will earn you a million friends - but you will be broke come month end. It comes down to working for an employer who pays the most per unit - and ethical dealers overall pay much less while trying to convince you they make it up in volume. Fact is it’s only humanly possible to sell to a certain number of people per month - you can’t field 150 leads a month without working 99 hour weeks and you can’t sell every lead you field. Would you rather make 200 a unit selling 20 cars a month “ethically” or 450 a unit selling 15 cars at a mark up of 2500?

Keep in mind the competition for those ethical dealer jobs is higher too and it’s harder pleasing the bosses there too. Bottom line the dealer is a for profit enterprise - and if the competition is more profitable - eventually they will swallow you up.

Dealerships going away - nah. I remember 1996 - everyone said Amazon will destroy retail - no one will visit Walmart/Target/KMart etc - funny thing happened - Walmart and Target learned to compete. Kmart/Sears JC Penny thought the fad would pass and refused to change their models radically. Eventually- the laggards tried to adapt but it was too late.

With dealers - the model has changed. No more haggling - it’s one price no haggle. No more pouncing on browsers on the lot it’s all online and scheduling visits and home test drives and now it’s “here’s your payment” bs “here’s your price. Times and technology change - but the dominant players will always adapt to competition.

 

This statement is the textbook definition of rationalization. This guy didn't want to face the idea that you can be successful and ethical and take the time to strategize to get there, so instead they make the oversimplification that you can't have both. That sounds like it came out of the mouth of a sales trainer that took no time to actually reflect on what they were saying because their goal was to make money not treat people well. If your goal is to make the most possible money, then of course there are shortcuts in being unethical. Success doesn't necessarily mean making the most possible money.

 

I bought my Pro before it was delivered. It wasn’t like an arranged/ blind marriage. Thats a bad analogy. I had a vin and knew what she would look like on our wedding day.
You either want it or you don’t. It’s contractual paperwork that says it is yours. I’d especially jump on it before they hand you your deposit back, claiming you didn’t hold up your end, then turn around and mark it up and sell it.

 

One of the local Toyota dealers (not the one I bought from) told me that if I wanted a truck (despite them not having any to test drive or even look at in the trim I wanted) I'd have to put down a deposit and that they could "maybe hold it for 24 hours once it arrived". Somewhat inconvenient since I lived two plus hours from that dealer. And, oh by the way, if I either didn't make it there in 24 hours, or didn't like the vehicle once it arrived, deposits were non-refundable and could only be used towards another vehicle.

 

The non-refundable deposit is total BS on their part, but I get the rest.

 

That's disgusting, @Fitzf15E! That would be a great red sign for me to stay away from that dealer, which you did and kudos for doing so.

Human being should never be taken advantage of when it comes to buying a vehicle.

 

Never said it did - just giving the POV from how a GM at a dealership looks at these things - and the people at any manufacturer.

As far as success not equaling making the most. No it doesn’t - but when asked to describe a “successful” person - most people consider someone who is employed or engaged in a business earning money to be more “successful” than someone who is unemployed with no income. While your view of “success” might be different - the majority view it as someone who is earning as much as they can while balancing their other needs. My point is an “honest” car dealer doesn’t stand a chance amongst those you’d judge “unethical” - you can’t sell at a livable profit AND be everyone’s friend in this market. It’s tough enough just trying to sell at MSRP with limited allocation and the online services buying up used inventory resulting in more customers buying without trades (taking away your opportunity to at least acquire used for a decent price to offset the tiny margin selling new at sticker nets you).

Toss in buyers from out of town who will never step foot in your showroom again - just trying to save a few bucks because your lowest on the model they want - and doesn’t take long to see why so many “no markup” dealers have adopted a locals only policy and some prioritized those with trades when supply was really tight late in 2021.

 

Unfortunately it’s the current environment where dealers hold all the cards with such limited inventory. You can surely pass but good luck finding another truck.

I hate this market where everything is in short supply and are lucky enough to even find a truck and pay MSRP, what a privilege!

 

We must all make a stand. No more buying overpriced vehicles. Let it all burn down!

 

It’s yours, do it. Sell it later (at a profit) if you don’t like it.

 

I don't understand why the dealer is so worried about it. Why rush signing the contract? With the situation right now, they shouldn't sweat one bit. You won't buy it when the truck comes in, someone else will.

 

It may have already been said, but *most* states have laws requiring dealerships either physically have the vehicle in possession or at a minimum have the factory MSO on hand, which Im sure they do not. Id call BS.