Topic: How to buy advice

[Sterling]

I never said there was anything wrong with it. People can say whatever they want.

I'm just pointing out the double standard when people decribe what your 20 year salesman says is lies and deception but when a someone says to a salesman, "No, I have no idea what my trade is worth", they are just looking out for their best interests.

Most people that have been involved in business usually understand the give and take that occurs in negotiating - from both sides. They understand it's not personal. It's just business. Of course, there are lots of people that have had no exposure to the business world (government bureaucrats and teachers come to mind as examples). Thses sre usually the people that have trouble with the negotiation process.

[spid]

OK, firstly thanks for all your advice up to this point, I feel I am now armed with a lot of the facts when dealing with these people.

I have come to terms with the fact that toyota dealerships will not budge on price. And they are not exactly falling over themselves to throw in extras, so is is largely a lottery which dealership I buy from. (it will probably be decided on the basis of the least greasiest salesman (so three dealerships down already)).

Also I cannot find the truck I want on a lot and all dealerships say that I must factory order, which is fine, but they also want $500 as a deposit (supposedly returnable).

Is this standard practice or even ethical?

If I am handing over $500 then I want a cast iron guarantee that we have already decided the walk away cash price for the vehicle, I do not want to be hit up for extra fees on delivery. Should I have a lawyer draft an agreement to be signed when I hand over the deposit that states the remaining cash due and the exact vehicle (mother in law is lawyer so would be free). If I did would they sign it?

They also want me to fill in credit authorisation form before they will order the truck, but I want none of this as will arrange own financing and less have to do with dealership the better.  

Thanks again for all your advice and let me know what you think

[articsteve]

If it is special order truck that has options that are not usually in demand then $500. is resonable.  Nothing much wrong with them checking your credit file either.

You can arrange a document that states the car must be delivered by a certain date regardless of delays.  You will sign a contract that will spell out the final cost anyways.

In the end, the only authority to force a dealer to return your deposit is a Canadian court.  That is the bottom line.  Ceratinly one of those 3 Toyota dealers must be decent.  Dealerships owned by investor groups often suck.  Owner/operated dealers usually better. Check into that.

[Accordingly]

Nothing much wrong with them checking your credit file either.  


I agree with the deposit (hey, I recently ordered some furniture and put up a 50% deposit – and the total was only $2500). So $500 on a 30K vehicle appears more than reasonable.

But I don't know if I would want to provide credit check information if I intend to pay cash or, as above, "arrange my own financing." The less info in the hands of strangers, the better.

[articsteve]

I suppose your right on that.  But my home insurance checks me out, the Pilot Insurance for my vehicles did make me sign a release of privacy and the super computers of 2 major credit scorers are located in the US and thus fall under the Patriot Act, so we are all done for.

That is why I was so pissed with myself that I registered my long guns. Not usually a wimp, but I was that day.

[Accordingly]

Right, I guess I feel that car dealers are in the retail sales business...they sell cars in storefront outfits to consumers. I don't give permission for a credit check to Future Shop when I want to buy a TV, so why a car? Possibly, Spid’s dealer’s request was an automatic reaction, since many car buyers finance their purchases, but I suspect ulterior motives…perhaps others could provide their opinions on this.

AS, why don't you just sell those damn guns and then buy three unregistered illegals!? Save us from your belly-aching and self-recrimination, fer cryin' out loud!

[articsteve]

Sell to who?  I need proof that they went to registered gun owners and I don't know any

If you buy from illegal sellers, if the get caught on anything, they will rollover on you in a plea.  That's how cops and the government screw people over these days.  No, I screwed myself and will keep belly-aching over it forever.

[Sterling]

I don't really understand why a dealer would ask for credit information in this situation unless they suspected that the customer's own financing arrangements may turn out to be more fantasy than reality. If a factory order is necessary it could be that the vehicle is not in a configuration that the dealer would normally order. If they order a truck from Nissan and the customer can't secure a loan then the dealership is stuck with an expensive truck they never wanted anyway.

[barrie1]

I think $500. is fair for ordering a truck from any dealer. You want something they don't normally carry so that is a normal request on a large purchase. The other info is your business as you paying from some where else.

[k4kman]

I have to things to say I don't like that you pay more when you have the dealer order you the truck you want instead of one from the lot. First you pay for it as soon as you get it and they are not holding it for any time that should be saving them money not costing them?  

OK now on with questions for the Tacoma 2005  
I live in Canada like most on here and was really looking at this truck but have some really big problems. I wanted to get a fully loaded 4x4 double Cab with automatic but if I do that the truck is 222" long (6’ Box) mind you if I get the same loaded truck in Standard it's only 208" (5’ Box) it's funny some of the things the dealers have to say about why. Most say it's do to fitting it in and stuff.  

Then I go over to the US website .com and there it is the truck I want just as I want it why can't I get it in Canada.  

the I want the shorter 5' box so it will fit in my garage  

ok I have gone on long enough lets hope they have it with a sunroof and 5' box 4x4 sport double cab towing pkg all shinned up and ready for me to buy in 2006....  
Mark me down if they do I want one ASAP

[rickpsyguy]

I have to agree with Spid.  In BC Toyota dealers will not budge on price.  I faxed/emailed 12 toyota dealers in the Vancouver area asking their best price on the Corolla.  Only a few responded, and those that did provided me with the MSRP.  I had a totally different experience with Mazda - immediate response by several dealers and they were very willing to negotiate price.

(Message edited by Rickpsyguy on May 27, 2005)

[tenpenny]

"Then I go over to the US website .com and there it is the truck I want just as I want it why can't I get it in Canada."

Well, because Canada is not the US.  In case you're confused, it's a different country.  And Toyota Canada is not Toyota USA.  And Toyota Canada decides what vehicles they will sell in Canada.