Bait-and-Switch Rant

saturna

This is really just a rant. I went to a huge Toyota dealership the other day and brought in an internet ad for a 2015 Corolla LE. The salesman took it to his manager, and came back saying they would honor this deal even though it ended yesterday (I printed it out that day). So we took a test drive of the LE. He also had me test drive a 2014 L, which was ok with me because it was less expensive.

In the end, I liked the 2015 LE because I preferred the CVT transmission and it had a backup camera. The salesman led me to the finance room. When I saw the paperwork, they had tacked on a $1,000 dealership fee, $1000 electronic filing fee, and $350 nitrogen tire fill fee!!! I said no, I wasn't going to pay that.

The sales manager (not the original salesman) came in and started the "What if I knock off..." spiel. I kept saying no. Finally he got it down to a price that worked for me. I said I'll buy it. Then I went outside with the original salesman to decide between two colors.

After I decided, I came back in to sign the papers...very exciting! Suddenly, the sales manager came up to me and said he couldn't sell me that car for the price he had just given to me moments earlier. He said he had to add $1,000 back to the price. But I could get the 2014 L instead. WHAT???

So I walked out. Never heard back from them. I'm still shopping for a car.

stever

$350 for nitrogen? That's a hoot.

Feel free to write up a Dealer Rating and Review.

kyfdx

saturna said:

This is really just a rant. I went to a huge Toyota dealership the other day and brought in an internet ad for a 2015 Corolla LE. The salesman took it to his manager, and came back saying they would honor this deal even though it ended yesterday (I printed it out that day). So we took a test drive of the LE. He also had me test drive a 2014 L, which was ok with me because it was less expensive.

In the end, I liked the 2015 LE because I preferred the CVT transmission and it had a backup camera. The salesman led me to the finance room. When I saw the paperwork, they had tacked on a $1,000 dealership fee, $1000 electronic filing fee, and $350 nitrogen tire fill fee!!! I said no, I wasn't going to pay that.

The sales manager (not the original salesman) came in and started the "What if I knock off..." spiel. I kept saying no. Finally he got it down to a price that worked for me. I said I'll buy it. Then I went outside with the original salesman to decide between two colors.

After I decided, I came back in to sign the papers...very exciting! Suddenly, the sales manager came up to me and said he couldn't sell me that car for the price he had just given to me moments earlier. He said he had to add $1,000 back to the price. But I could get the 2014 L instead. WHAT???

So I walked out. Never heard back from them. I'm still shopping for a car.

I would say that your experience is more typical than unusual.