Shaky Dealership Tactics...

I recently took my '23 1794 non-hybrid, non-TRD in to get my cracked seat panel replaced and the malfunctioning front camera checked out.

They checked me in, then I headed to the waiting area. I was there for only about 5 minutes when I got a text from one of their salesman saying my truck was in "high demand" and they'd like to "buy it from me". Now, I'm no rocket surgeon, but I can usually spot a scam when I see it, so I didn't reply.

I know it's just a sales tactic, but I'm curious, is this common practice these days, and have any of you entertained them to see their offer on your used Gen 3 truck? I've never had this happen while getting my previous Tundras serviced, and I especially find it odd considering the well-known devaluation of these Gen 3 trucks.

 

Just seeing if your interested in selling your truck for cheap so they can sucker you into another vehicle.

 

It's common and happened to me Wednesday when I had my truck in for service. It's a condescending bullshit move. There's nothing special about Toyota service or their dealer network anymore. It's in the range of Ford and Chevrolet. I like my truck and the dealer is OK but nothing about the whole experience is great. The text you and I got is an indicator of that.

 

Pretty standard. I get it every time during or shortly after service.

Salesman are desperate out there

 

Not desperate enough to discount them to enticing levels. They are still treating them like priceless artifacts from King Tut's tomb despite all the negative press on Toyota that is starting to disseminate out into the world.

 

Sold a 2013 Tacoma to em from one of those. I did actually almost break even on it after 3 years of ownership though.

 

Thanks for the replies, so far.

My front camera was determined to be faulty, but of course, they didn't have the part in stock, so I have to make a return trip.

If I get the same text, I'm going to play along just to see how badly they try to rape me. Should be entertaining.

 

Definitely play along.....tie up their time while you are there just for the pleasure of telling them you were just effing with them.

 

Go on a bunch of tests drives in all the different vehicles on the lot. Would be a good time killer while you're waiting.

 

I'm thinking I might get a free lunch out of the deal, if I play my hand correctly. LOL!

I bought my truck in 7/23 when demand was still high, and the engine fiasco hadn't surfaced yet. I paid MSRP plus the price of upgraded tires and the extended 10yr/125K warranty. Out the door, I was a little over $70K.

My truck has 19K on it. Any guesses what they offer me in trade?

 

$40-45k

 

I'm more optimistic. Closer to $55

 

I had to negotiate UP to $55k with a newer model (2024) with less miles.

 

Common……some people can actually get a pretty good trade in value on their trucks depending on trim levels and condition. But they do this to sucker people into getting newer vehicles at higher interest rates and longer loans. I am choosing to keep my paid off 2019 and run it until the wheels fall off. Literally every time I take mine for any type of service the salesman finds me in the waiting room and asks me to sell it back to him. The truck you could get for 40-45k a few years ago is now 55-60k. With higher interest rates

 

I haven't had a car loan in over 30 years. Interest rates don't concern me. I don't borrow to buy depreciating assets. That's just me, I know some folks don't have that luxury.

I know this whole thread is kinda snarky. But, a part of me want's a little restitution for my brand loyalty that I feel has been violated. My next trip will be my 4th for warranty work in 16 months of ownership of this truck. I never had a single warranty claim on my previous 2008 and 2015 Tundras. Those days are obviously over.

It is what it is. Might as well have a little fun with it.

 

I wish there were the case for all 3rd gen owners, but they got their financial pants pulled down and publicly spanked by Toyota with the way they've handled this recall. Based on current dealer listings of those vehicles in my area (GA,SC,NC), you could buy that vehicle from a dealer under $50k from a dealer.

 

I've never understood why Toyota owners feel entitled to loyalty from Toyota. In what world did that ever exist?
Asheville is small to mid-market town. The Toyo, Porsche, BMW, Ford and Benz dealers are all either rolled up by PE or part of a still large dealer group. Not one is locally owned and the management is distant in all cases. Back in the day, in Boulder, similar sized town, I knew the owner of every dealer in town. I was very loyal to those dealers but that was a long time ago. Toyota treats you as a transaction, I don't know why anyone would treat them differently.
To their credit, they know how to read the room. Tundra sales are great despite all the gloom and doom.

 

just imagine how much more you would have made if you sold it directly

 

This was just after/at the end of lockdown when prices went crazy. I'm pretty convinced I got a good deal.

 

so which Dealer was it - Corwin or ? And did they make you an offer ? I have not experienced that tactic, yet. I would just jack with them and tell them the number it would take - which would be what they want for a new one. Hey they asked. Give them some of their own medicine!

 

Yes, it was my first experience with Corwin. Overall, the service wasn't bad. I had my truck spotless when I went in, and they kept it that way while replacing the seat panel and diagnosing the front camera malfunction. The service rep was friendly and seemed knowledgable. I'll continue to use them for any future service/warranty work.

I ignored the text from the salesman this time, but I have to go back when my new front camera arrives. If I get the same text, I'm going to play along. I'm really curious to see what they think is an offer that's "worth considering" as the text said.

 

Why wait? Text him back now and play ball.

 

41k for my 56k msrp sr5, it only has 10k, i also asked if I could get more if I would do a trade in on a landcruiser, they gave me some gibberish that this is already market high or blah blah

 

Maybe it stems from and builds on other loyalties in life. Like the "loyalty" to your wife/GF all these years? I'm just spitballing here.

 

Dealership can have her too. back to the gym

 

Loyalty to family well placed and intended as a starting point. Loyalty to a car company is a fools errand. There is no quid pro quo.

 

I had my truck in for a oil change and I got a call from them a couple days later with the same pitch. I politely declined

 

Some places give out swag, that might just be because the ridiculous amount I spent in the parts dept though.

 

I've bought nuffinz buttz Toyotas since 1986. Nuffinz. Each successive purchase has reinforced the sound decision of the previous purchase(s). Wish I could find, say, a three word phrase to represent that relationship.

 

Let's go places.