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And in the Gulf States, do you know how hard it is to buy a Toyota that doesn't have added pinstripes (for a fancy fee), VIN etching (another fancy fee), and quite often some of the same needless crap in the Southeast Toyota Toyoguard package?
In both regions, these items appear as part of the MSRP on the Monroney sticker, because they are port-installed, NOT dealer-installed.
These items are put on by these two distributors on every car they sell (port-installed). IMO, only the Toyotas distributed by Toyota Motor Sales (the rest of the country besides the Southeast and Gulf States, including California thank goodness) are an honest deal. SET and Gulf States Toyota are "fluffing" their MSRPs to boost profit by making needless crap standard on all their cars which the buyer has no way to opt out of, and which do nothing to improve the value of the car.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
My suggestion, if that is the case, would be to either fly to a different region ($200 or less one way), and have someone from a dealer out there pick you up in the car (I would, even on a lowly Yaris deal haha) or have one shipped.
In fairness, I have never sold in the southeast region, but if that's what's really happenening the only way to change it is for people to STOP buying it.
T
Subaru has a similar situation with their Northeast distributor. These are outmoded systems that were put in place a very long time ago, before these companies had the wherewithal to do their own distribution..
Unfortunately, these contracts must be long-term and ironclad.. The consumer loses in every way.
But, it isn't realistic to suggest that every buyer in the SE USA quit buying Toyotas, or travel out of town to do it.. or, that it is their "fault" that the system is this way. This is a lousy system, but for most of those buyers, if they want a Toyota, they have to put up with it.
I think in the long-term, it hurts Toyota, as well.. It definitely makes them less competitive in that region.
regards,
kyfdx
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The admiring stares and comments I've gotten from people almost made up for the Toyoguard farce.
For example, everyone gripes about the FJ Cruiser being over sticker, yet people CONTINUE to buy it! If people stopped paying for the premium and we HAD some on the lot, it would no doubt go away.
The problem as I see it, is that if people are so outraged and upset, why not invest a little time and effort (possibly even a plane ticket) if for NO other reason than to stick it to their local stores that they got around the system?
IF enough people did it, it WOULD change. But instead, if we just keep complaining about it AND STILL BUYING IT ANYWAY, can you really blame the dealers for not wanting to cut their profits?
Stop paying for it. If you MUST buy something else instead of making a small sacrifice of going out of region (and don't give me the "it's not small" because we're talking about a day investment at MOST, and that's almost what you'd spend at a dealer anyway...) then do it, but don't fault the dealers, the only reason they charge it is because you LET THEM (true of most free market systems btw).
T
Even good ol' boys buy foreign cars from Gulf States Toyota (GST). One of only two US Toyota distributors not owned by Toyota Motor Sales (the other is JM Family Enterprises' Southeast Toyota Distributors), the company distributes Toyota cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Founded in 1969 by Thomas Friedkin and still owned by The Friedkin Companies, GST distributes new Toyotas, parts, and accessories to around 150 dealers in its region.
Founder and honorary chairman Jim Moran and chairman Pat Moran (Jim's daughter) make JM Family Enterprises a family affair. JM, owned by the Moran family, is a holding company (Florida's second-largest private company, in fact, after Publix Super Markets) with about a dozen automotive-related businesses, including the world's largest-volume Lexus retailer, JM Lexus, in Margate, Florida. JM's major subsidiary, Southeast Toyota Distributors, is the nation's largest Toyota distribution franchise, delivering Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs to more than 165 dealers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina.
And this from a dealer in Arkansas:
Thank you for your inquiry. The Vehicle Shield Pkg. is part of the MSRP and is installed by Gulf States Toyota before it arrives at our Dealership.
In all seriousness, go elsewhere. E-mail a few dealers closest to you out of the region and see what they can offer (heck, even I'd buy you a ticket if you were so inclined ).
First I've ever heard of Gulf States doing THAT, but the only way to change it is to not pay it.
T
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Even if you buy it at the dealer's cost, SET still makes profit from their own markup to the dealer. It has been marked up twice.
That just shows how small a fraction of the retail price the junk is really "worth."
Dealer was in SE US region. I can't reveal who did it since there were only 2 dealers in the entire region that would do it for invoice and they both told me that they were not supposed to do it and that SET has an eye on it(trust me, i had many dealers try their best to get me invoice price, but only 2 were able to produce it).
The one I bought came straight from the port in florida to me (pre-allocation before SET tried to add any of their fluff options).
Save your breath and call an attorney
I was lucky with my dealer. Their contract specifically states that the deposit is fully refundable. When I first test drove a Yaris Liftback (it was automatic in Blazing Blue, which is what I ended up ordering) I didn't realize that in my area (New Jersey) the dealer was being very honest with me in telling me that its near impossible to get antilock brakes etc..I could kick myself for not buying the car that I test drove since I fell madly in love with it. I ended up coming back a week later and placed an order for the Liftback in Blazing Blue with the CQ and All Weather Guard Package and floor mats. I didn't order it with the armrest and the bumper guard. When the car was delivered it had those features in it (the one I test drove did not) but I didn't complain since they ended up being excellent features. I ordered my car on May 20th and it arrived on July 6th and my salesperson kept me informed at least weekly of progress. I paid MSRP but I really felt it was worth it (I came from owning a Saturn) and as it turns out, there has now been a price increase so I did ok. I love my car so very very much. I also discovered I don't care about the loss of the power package (power windows, door locks, remote keyless entry) and loss of antilock brakes. We have had lots and lots and lots of rain and the car does great in it. I don't think I will ever go back to power windows/door locks and antilock brakes. On this car, I don't see the need for them.
Good luck in getting your money back....and in finding a reputable dealer.
I would call and ask to speak to the general manager of the dealership. The uglier you make it (Toyota hotline, lawyers, et.), the more difficult the process will become, because you open a can of worms that has a certain protocol that has to be followed. Just ask the man/woman in charge of the store and THEN if you don't get your deposit back, take drastic actions.
Just call the GM, be polite, and it shouldn't be an issue at all. I know several GM's of Toyota stores locally that would much rather refund a deposit than have the headache.
Hope that helps
T
I am not a lawyer, but here are a few thoughts: It may depend on your jurisdiction, but generally what somebody "says" means little. Did you sign anything that states in writing that the deposit is non-refundable? Does your jurisdiction have a small claims court? If so, and your deposit is within the realm of a small claim, you could tell the salesman and/or sales manager that you have no problem spending half a day sitting in small claims court over your deposit. Chances are the they will not share your enthusiasm for that experience. In some jurisdictions you can go down to the court house and file a complaint yourself without the expense an attorney. Don't get scared if they use the words "legal action" or "legal department." Just tell them, fine, you have an attorney, too. If you, or someone in your family, or employment, has a lawyer that they use regularly you can often "consult" with him or her on the phone at little or no cost just to find out what your options are. If you still can't get anywhere with the dealer sometimes a lawyer will make a phone call or send a letter for a small fee. Sometimes that's all it takes.
You should be able to get your deposit back. It would look very, very bad for the dealer to keep it over something they could not deliver. Chances are they will not want you sharing such a bad experience far and wide. They would be smarter to give you back "your money" and maybe you will come back again in the future.
Excellent!
"The salesman said their policy was that it is non-refundable."
Yeah, well tell him it's your "policy" that you receive your deposits back on items you don't receive. You haven't asked for their policy, you've asked for your money.
"I called toyota and they said they would find out the dealerships policy and would get back to me."
That's a runaround. Again, who cares what their "policy" is. What you are interested in is your money.
"I then spoke to the general sales manager who avoided my question and said he thinks he can get me a car this week."
My, my, what a surprise! BTW--in case you didn't notice...he blinked.
Thanks again. I'm anxious because it's been a little over 5 weeks since I put in my "order" with the sales guy in Nashua.... they have been running into trouble checking for my liftback with power package because the computer won't let them enter that option in to check what's coming in... One minute I hear they won't be getting any in New England with power package, then I chat with Toyota.com and they verify that indeed the power package is an option here... then I hear that it is, but none/not many are shipping here... I don't mind waiting but if I wait 5 months and my current car depreciates so much I can't get the trade promised somewhere else I'm fu%^$$#.
It has now been over 8 weeks from placement of my order. Not only is my Yaris not here, but the salesman and manager say they can't tell me ANYTHING about my order. The company on the verge of becoming the top seller in the U.S. can't tell me ANYTHING about my order. This would have been the first new vehicle and first japanese car I have bought and my estimation of Toyota is starting to sink. Computers, robots, internet, cheap long distance and they can't even communicate. 2 more weeks and we're done.
I am a little dismayed at Toyota's apparent lack of communications with their dealer network. I agree, with as easy and 'free flowing' as data is to send around the world today, one would think the dealer network would be kept a little better informed as to what is arriving and when. Perhaps they are informed and just unwilling to put their necks on the line - in which case it still is a reflection on Toyota as a company.
I was quoted a max wait time of three months by the dealer and when (and if) that time is reached and I don't physically have my car, the deal is off and Toyota will have lost my business forever. (They ain't got the market cornered on style, price, quality, performance, etc., etc.).
dumb AND insulting !
I usually engage "bright" people like that for the entertainment value. In this case, I would've asked him to explain why Toyota would waste their money taking out the back cover ad on Time magazine (about a month ago), specifically marketing that model car to the American public if Americans "don't want them". Oh! I see, that is why they paid for that ad: to convice us to buy something we don't really want... I get it now....
The "ordering" they did wasn't really ordering at all. It's referred to as "preferencing", and as frustrating as it is, it usually works out within 4-6 weeks...
Unfortunately NOT with the Yaris, at least thus far.
The good news is, we are in production run B already (you'll see 1421B now instead of A on your MSRP), so we've (at least at my store), started seeing a few more in the last couple weeks.
If the fibbing got to you though, personally I'd yank my deposit. I NEVER claim to be "ordering" a car for a customer, and if they ask what "preferencing" is, I'll gladly explain it to them.
T
Shouldn't be long before the Yaris is as least as plentiful as the Echo was (even though there weren't 15 on the lot, we could still FIND one from time to time haha)...
We probably have enough demand right now (based upon the leads I receive), to sell the next 20 within a couple days or so (long as they don't all hit at once lol), almost regardless of equipment.
This is somewhat good news!
T
I think the reasoning is, if Toyota makes it somewhere, and in some point in time, then technically it IS available in your area...
Keep in mind this is coming from a jaded Toyota Internet Manager that still thinks very highly of his product/company... just not so highly of the red tape in order to get specific options in specific locales.
If you'd like, let me know what specifically you wanted and I'll see if it's even being built anywhere on the Toyota radar...
Otherwise, the longer you wait, the more likely one will come accross that's "close enough".
T
www.autotrader.com
with your ZIP, you can choose how far you want the search, you can even look for specifics like the color, tranny,price range, etc.
I find it to be very useful when shopping for a car.