Buy through Costco - no mark ups! If you don't know - now you know!

Hello fellow Tundra Owners...I'm here her and this is my first post!

I live in San Diego and just purchased a 2023 Limited Crew Max 4x4 with the Platinum Package. I was looking for a few months and everywhere I went they were marking up the trucks $2000-$12000+ and the Sequoias were even more! Highway robbery if you ask me.

My mechanic (If you live in SoCal I'd suggest using James @ The Truck Shop in Miramar - simply the best in town and honest as the day is long. I have 2007 FJ and an 84' FJ60 that he services.) suggested that I go through Costco! I forgot about that! I bought a Nissan Maxima in 2000 via Costco.

You get $750 under invoice. NO MARKUPS at all and I believe 15% off all dealer additions if you want them.

I was able to find my truck up in Nampa, ID for roughly $6000 cheaper then any dealership in San Diego! Overall, it was the best way to go. The dealership I used in Nampa was great - well, except for the finance guy trying to hose me with a 8.99% rate. But once I pointed out to him that his very website was advertising a 4.29% on ALL MODELS of Tundras, regardless of trim, the next day he was "able to get me the 4.29%". I laughed at him. I'm 800+ credit, zero debt and he was "able to get me" the 4.29%. Needless to say, but I let the manager of the dealership know he was full of sh!t and I didn't appreciate the run around - and that is exactly why car dealerships get a bad reputation!

The only real downside to buying in Nampa is that I now have to fly there this weekend to drive her down to San Diego. Not really an ideal time to find an honest car transporter that would bring it down for less than $1200. So I get a nice little road trip right away to see how she does! And the wife and kids get to see some snow and do a little sledding!

Cheers - Travis

 

Welcome…and glad it worked out for you indeed.

Now that the car market is changing from what it was 6-12 months ago I guess deals through auto programs like Costco are to be had…good reminder.

Enjoy the truck (drive back down), area and your ski trip while there.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome.

Edmark definitely plays fast and loose with a lot of things. They were prime candidates for buying new Tundras, and then relisting it tens of thousands over MSRP as new. Overall, I'd say you got lucky but hey, congrats on the new truck.

Enjoy your time in Idaho and the trip back. And Congrats!

 

Welcome & congratulations!

 

In the past, we have received a call from Toyota after our buying experience asking us to rate the dealership. The salesperson has always been concerned that you give them a high rating and there was a bonus for the Dealership based on survey results. The sales/finance relationship can be very much a good cop/bad cop ploy. I think Toyota does the survey now via e-mail. Their web site says, "Surveys sent from Toyota will come from MyToyotaVoice.com, ToyotaDurability.com, Toyota@Express.Medallia.com, ToyotaQuality.com or VOCSurvey@Toyota.com.

I have purchased a number of vehicles through Costco including my 2017 Tundra. Suggest you give Costco some feed back. Their website says, "The Costco Auto Program goes to great lengths to ensure our members have a no-haggle, no-hassle car-buying experience. Our Member Advocacy Group was created to assist you whenever you have a question or concern with one of our participating dealers or any aspect of your vehicle purchase. Member advocates can be reached Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., PT.

Surveys are typically sent to members within 3-5 business days of a dealer visit and/or after purchasing a vehicle. If you contacted our Call Center to locate a dealership, your survey will be administered over the phone by one of our Member Advocates. If you used our Web site to find a dealer, your survey will be sent to the e-mail address you provided. If you feel you may have missed your phone call or your e-mail, don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-800-556-4730, or e-mail us and we’ll be glad to give you a survey."

 

Navy Federal Credit Union has a buyers program that works in the same way. Saved us around $5000 when we got the 2019 Tundra

 

Congrats on the new ride!

Visit the war museum in Nampa! If you're a war buff it'll be a great experience! When I went there was hardly anyone there so we had the place to ourselves.

 

Thanks! Edmark was great - overall! I'm happy with them outside of the finance guy!

 

I literally wanted to slap him through the phone. He tried so hard to sell it too! As if there was nothing he could do and this was the best chance. Oh, and "just refinance it it after one payment! That's what I told my cousin!" he said!

 

I am - thanks for the suggestion!

 

Congrats on your new truck and Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! I can't believe buying services such as Costco have not been brought up previously on this site as people talked about the crazy dealer markups.

 

I always pre-arrange my own financing through a local credit union. You’ll typically get much better rates.

 

I agree with you. But the dealership said it was a requirement since I am buying out of state so they keep their numbers up. I thought to myself that makes no sense at all. I am buying a truck regardless of who finances it, so their sales numbers just went up. But I figured 4.29% was pretty legit in the current economy, so I rolled with it.

 

They do used cars too!

 

Not all dealers will honor Costco, PenFed pricing. They are not required to do so. Many would not during COVID bull market.

I drilled my dealer to chisel prices on accessories installed and BS charges which they did. They drew the line at mandating I finance with Toyo finance at a screw you rate and sign to make 3 payments. Got the Setf account setup in 2 weeks, scheduled 3 payments on 3 successive days and refi'd it within first 30 days.

 

Costco has agreements with a selected number of dealers so you are right. There may not be any in your area that are in the program. Also, the ones that are may exclude particular models.

 

Just like Ford plan pricing which was a Ford program. Nobody took it during COVID for in demand vehicles because they had 10 buyers for every vehicle allotted.

 

If they are in the Costco Program, then it is my understanding they have to owner their agreement with Costco to be in it. Now, they can say what cars/trucks qualify. So if they dealership has a model listed you are interested in, then it has to follow the rules!

 

So you think a bunch of dealer sold a hot vehicle at least a year ago at list instead of 5-10k over so they could maintain a stream of list buyers? Nope

 

I think there was only one dealer around me that was back to working with Costco some months ago. However, that just got you MSRP with that dealer which everyone was pretty much doing at the time. Now some dealers are below msrp so maybe more dealers are going back with Costco as well. Guess I'll have to check.

 

I'm not sure it's legal to require you to finance through them. But when I bought my truck, there was a $500 incentive to finance through them. I got a decent rate and paid three payments, then refinanced through my bank (USAA) at a much more favorable rate.

 

I was wondering about that too.

 

I think smart business owners have to make smart business decisions all the time. Or not - then they lose out in the long run. I know I personally walked from the dealership I bought my FJ from over their markups on Tundras. I could make 15% more all day long on my best customers, but then they'll become a customer to someone else that is will to take less but gain more! Business 101!

A buddy of mine that sold cars for Toyota moved over to Ram b/c he was losing so many customers due to the markups! Again - poor business decisions just cost that dealer customers and employees! Trends come and go - loyalty last a lifetime, if honored and respected - IMO!

 

This happened when I bought my 2012 Tacoma. They wanted a perfect score. Other companies do the same thing, and I simply won't respond to their survey. How is it helping them if they are not getting honest feedback. Just me.

 

My last purchase I made was on my 2020 tundra. Toyota was giving for 2.9% for 36 months. My CU was at 3.9%, but after talking to the CU manager he gave me 2.9%, he did not want to lose my business.

 

Enjoy the trip, Travis! Should be a great way to break the truck in. I was in the same situation. Couldn't find anything transporter wise I was comfortable for under $1300. So, flying off to Boston and a nice long drive back to ATL.

 

I am not a lawyer or a car salesman. I was a home builder for a decade that pursued buying many lots. What you find out is that somebody that owns something is under no legal obligation to sell you anything for any reason as long as it does not involve race, gender etc. Even if you consent to pay the advertised price. No one has an implied right to buy. I even had couple instances of signed contracts for lots when seller ghosted the closing. For redress my only option was to file suit for beach of contract and damages.

 

I found a 1794 at 3k under msrp using the Sam’s car buying service. Dealer was about an hour and a half from me and over email/text/talks it was all good. Drove the 100 miles and first thing he says is that his boss denied the savings. I was like so maybe 1.5 off? He goes no 5k over msrp lmao…walked out without saying anything to him.

 

It definitely isn't all sunshine and roses being a business owner!