Dealership Rant

I got my chance to get back at the dealer that serviced my Tundra. I did not buy from them because their sales people were jerks. I used them for free oil changes on the Tundra and previously 2 Tacomas. I won't even go into the issues here. Toyota sent me a survey after they noticed that I have not been to the dealership in several years. I normally do not fill out surveys but I did this one. It was fairly long and detailed. Dealers do not like getting bad scores on surveys.

 

Ditto. Going back to GM after this truck. This entire thread is referring to sales. Did we forget that half of the dealer is service? Toyota dealers are absolutely morons when it comes to the 3rd gen. They do not know their own product.

 

Raptor R by chance? I’m interested in one.

 

I just ordered a Tundra this week. Salesman was no-nonsense very easy to work with. No allocation issues with you have to take what we have coming (although that was an option) and no additional dealer markup. I told him exactly what options and packages I wanted an he placed the order. Now waiting time is out of their hands of course.

It's possible. Other than me talking through options and stuff, their process would have been no more than 15 minutes.

 

Nope not an R. They were 30k over msrp for the Raptor R. Allocated 3.

 

@2017TundraNC Did you try this method?

https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-want-to-buy-a-tundra.10671/

 

You do realize that dealerships are not Toyota, right? They are independently owned and operated, so it's not Toyota that is doing it. It's THAT dealership and their owners. Because of stupid laws we cannot buy directly from Toyota, so any issues in the purchase process shouldn't be laid at the brand's feet. Not saying some companies aren't shit, but when it's a dealership experience it may not be anything they know about. If you truly had an awful experience you can raise the issue with Toyota to see if they can put pressure on the dealership to behave better.

 

100% true. BUT if these manufacturers actually cared (lol, they don’t) about their customers (or potential customers) then there are ways they could put pressure on these dealers with the market adjustment, etc.
Stop allocating vehicles to them, stop offering them other incentives. They have ways in which they could get some act-right in these dealers if they really wanted to.

But of course we know they don’t care as long as the vehicles keep getting sold.

 

While I agree with you, this does not address the entrenched market-wide corruption. Making them compete with another player outside of their model (i.e., the manufacturer) seems to me like it would be a great start.

In the meantime, I am keeping a short list of honest dealers I’m willing to travel out-of-state to if needed. Also, my experience somewhat supports the OP’s; my very worst experiences have been at Toyota dealers. Maybe it’s different in other areas.

 

Same here. Not that many allocations though. I didnt even bother getting on the list.

 

I can name a local Chevy dealer that will treat you like dog shit if you ever want that experience.

 

First new car I bought was a 2001 Toyota Highlander. Currently in a 2018 Tacoma. Was really, really interested in the Tundra - local dealerships are cracked charging $5 to 15k ADM. Finally gave up and did a factory order on a GMC Sierra 1500, crewcab, short bed, 3.0 diesel, SLT Premium Plus Pkg, X31 Off Road Pkg. and sunroof. I'm price protected at MSRP at time of the order (4/4) - same truck is now around $3 to $4k higher due to mid year price increase by GM. Truck is built but "missing parts" since July. If it ever shows up I will end up paying less than local Toyota dealers are asking for an SR5 with a truck that has a number of features not found in a SR5 - like an autodimming rear view mirror lol.

Here's a local dealer - https://smartpath.sunrisetoyota.com...5EC2NX009243&source=t3&zipcode=11769&type=new $64k for a SR5. Heated steering wheel that doesn't heat for $320 - lol -

Here's a GMC with most of the same options I have on order - stickered $67k At least GM let's you do factory orders and lock in pricing at the time of the order - for the same money I feel like I'm getting more value. Going forward I wouldn't be surprised to see more car makers pursue direct to consumer sales. Factory order - aside from not getting it yet lol - was relatively painless - maybe I got lucky with the local GM dealer. Walked in said I want to order a truck from the factory and walked out about 30 minutes later with an order number and build sheet showing pricing.

https://www.gmc.com/view-inventory/...URLEY BUICK GMC&primarydealerphone=7325851953

 

Have you told Toyota that these dealerships are doing this? How would they know if customers don't complain? Do you really think they can monitor hundreds of dealers across the country?

 

I saw something in the news that Toyota instructed dealers not to markup over MSRP. Apparently it did not have any teeth

 

Never know unless you let them know. Ford slapped some dealers that were being shady with F150 Lightnings, so some will take action. I'll agree that "care" is a strong word for a business, but they don't want to go out of business either.

 

Toyota does not have too much say into what the dealers charge. In fact, Toyota has a unique 3-tier system. Toyota deal with regional groups like Southeast, Gulf etc. and then the Regions deal with the local dealers. MSRP is just a suggested price.
My local dealer told me they had to add the markup to survive. The dealer in the next town over where I ordered told me they don't do a markup because they want to survive. i.e. sell more cars at lower profit but gets turn over. It's up to dealership owner & management.

 

Everything else aside, how does the steering wheel not heat?

 

I can tell you nightmare stories about Va dealerships, from their misleading and unethical business practices to incompetent mechanical staff who were trained on Youtube... I do agree with OP regarding the Toyota brand, it's solely based on the reputation of that brand and this gives the seller leverage over the buyer as the demand for this brand is high. Thankfully I'm done with new car purchases at least for the next 4 years, Just got a new GX460 and a Hybrid Camry. I did all my negotiations and talked numbers via email and made sure I did not speak to anyone on the phone from these "stealerships". Bought my cars way below MSRP around October of 2021, at which time prices were way bonkers for all used and new cars.

 

From a previous thread somewhere the heating element is only running through a certain part of the steering wheels, so there are hot spots, but not consistent heat everywhere.
I am in Florida, so mine is pretty hot all over in the summer afternoons when I get in.

 

I've always seen in the advertising "this is the MSRP. Dealer may sell for less.". I've never seen "dealer may sell for more."

 

Yes. You said it: "advertising"

MSRP = Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. It is a Suggested price, not a maximum price.
A 12oz Pepsi has a suggested price of about a $1. If you buy a 12-pack at Costco it is about 50 cents each, but if you buy it from the refrigerator at the checkout line it will cost you $2.50. At Disney or a concert venue maybe $4. Pepsi has no control over what the end dealer charge. Same effect.

Disclaimer: I am in no way trying to defend the pricing. Just saying that's how it works.

 

EXCATLY!!!
And let's all be honest...this is not a "Toyota" issue...this is a "every manufacturer" issue...

 

I agree with you 100% on the Hampton Roads dealerships. I ended up buying in Richmond and the three dealerships I contacted did not charge over MSRP. There is a fourth I never asked, but I would assume they didnt because it would be hard to keep up with the other 3.

 

Mine seems to work fine.

 

It was actually ordered with all the exact options you want? Unless someone was pulling my leg I thought Toyota didn't do that? Once a vehicle is allocated to the dealership that is a close match to what you want the dealership can submit a change order requesting some things be added or removed to get what you want, but it's not always approved and still relies on the dealership getting an allocation that is similar to what you want.

It's not an actual custom order like Ford offers.

 

Toyota doesn't offer custom orders, but if what you want fits an allocation then you're golden. Also, lots of the accessories, depending on package, are things that can be dealer added.

 

I agree, true and valid points. This is where the buyers can control pricing, to a point. Just don't patronize the dealers with crazy mark ups; they will have to choose, mark it down or don't sell. In the end, we, the buyers, are our own worst enemy. There are people desperate enough to get a Tundra that they pay these prices. On the flip side, if I could sell an item for $5 or for $20 I would sell it to the guy paying $20.

 

Yep, same here. Drove up to NOVA and found a decent Lexus dealer that was upfront and honest about their prices and did not treat people like they are careless about money just because they were looking at a luxury brand. I had allocated a Lexus in Va Beach and these A$$holes sold the car right under me the same day my car arrived because they found a sucker that would fall for this market adjustment scam. The sad part is they were willing to lose their reputation for only $1K the difference between what we negotiated and what they sold my car for to some other sucker.

 

You're smart!

 

Did I say in my post it was only Toyota dealers?

Since when did a good ole Tundra forum end up with so many trolls?!