[Lemon]

Hello Everyone!
I'm new to buy a new car. I just had a bad experience with the dealer because of my ignorance. (We went to dealer twice but he never showed us real build sheet . The dealer told us he doesn't do any markup at his place. A month later he suggested $3000 higher price and told us the $2000 package comes with every toyota car and he can't do anything about accessories. I didn't know that was markup....anyway I got my deposit back.)
Now I finally found a real MSRP(no hidden mark up) price dealer and want to buy.

But now I kinda started to worry the same thing might happen in the end.
I got a build sheet from this dealer and asked the final price. He didn't give me a break down paper for the final price but I at least got the final price.
Is there anything more I should ask or make clear or better to do?
It's 2 hour and 30mins far from me. So I was planning to deposit in without visiting there.
Do you think it's secure?
This dealer is on toyota's dealer list so the store is exist.
Can I bring any toyota my car if anything happens and get fixed with warranty for 3 years or does it have to be the dealer I bought?

I still wonder how this store can make money without markup since most other store do mark ups.
How is it possible with them?

If anybody can give me a tips I'll appreciate.
Thanks!

 

[ccstl2008]

Do they have a current allocation available for you to claim? If the answer is no, then it makes sense that they can't give you a price yet. With the chip shortage, Toyota is just building whatever they can build at the factory. Before the cars are built, Toyota rations the incoming vehicles to dealers (allocations). For instance a dealer might get assigned four XLEs, three LEs and two Ls that will be delivered in 2 months or so. Some of those might have different factory options that would affect the MSRP (like a moonroof, JBL audio package, etc). Once the dealer gets assigned an allocation from Toyota, a buyer can claim that vehicle if they want. If they have an allocation for you to claim, they should be able to not only give you the final price, but the temporary VIN for the vehicle and a printout showing the pricing breakdown.

The dealer I bought my Cross from in St. Louis said they do MSRP because not only does it impact their reputation locally, it means buyers are more likely to come back to them for maintenance and service. Between those two factors, they recoup what they would have charged for a markup.

 

[Lemon]

Do they have a current allocation available for you to claim? If the answer is no, then it makes sense that they can't give you a price yet. With the chip shortage, Toyota is just building whatever they can build at the factory. Before the cars are built, Toyota rations the incoming vehicles to dealers (allocations). For instance a dealer might get assigned four XLEs, three LEs and two Ls that will be delivered in 2 months or so. Some of those might have different factory options that would affect the MSRP (like a moonroof, JBL audio package, etc). Once the dealer gets assigned an allocation from Toyota, a buyer can claim that vehicle if they want. If they have an allocation for you to claim, they should be able to not only give you the final price, but the temporary VIN for the vehicle and a printout showing the pricing breakdown.

The dealer I bought my Cross from in St. Louis said they do MSRP because not only does it impact their reputation locally, it means buyers are more likely to come back to them for maintenance and service. Between those two factors, they recoup what they would have charged for a markup.

No I don't think there is any car for me now. The salesman told me the car will be there in 2 -3 month. But it sounded like they always get the car with same accessories. He sent me an build sheet and estimated final cost.
Some of other dealers showed me the detailed statement of the final cost such as tax, title, lisence, and doc fee , so when he didn't send me that paper I worried if the place might do something shady.
But his responce are always pretty short and doen't fully answer my questions. ( His answer is only 1 line and shorter than you .... I choosed to talk over only email since I can use it as proof in case anything) So it might be he is just lazy.

Your dealer story makes sence. I might not have to worry much, maybe?
I just don't want to waste my time again like being told " O you have to buy this package" in the end.

Anyway Thank you for your advices! Any comments help me. I wish I can go St Louis which is bit too far

 

[ccstl2008]

You can read through a few weeks of their recent reviews to see if anyone is reporting any kind of bait-and-switch shenanigans. Also check this website that has crowdsourced reports on what dealers are doing with their markups:

Markups.org

Technology that enables transparency, keeping markets free and competitive. A crowdsourced listings site made up of consumer posts sharing non-markup, markup

markups.org

The other thing that might impact prices now is we're at the transition time between the 2022 and 2023 model years. It could be that your Cross will be a 2023.

When I went to my dealer, they showed me their July allocations that were still unclaimed. I put a deposit down on one and at that point, the car was mine unless I chose to back out. I just had to wait for it to be built and shipped. I would ask the dealer if the car you want is actually in the allocation stage and is in line to be built. If it isn't, then they would just be waiting for Toyota to allocate them a Cross for you. That could be several months depending on how specific your requirements are (trim level, color, AWD vs FWD etc). The more stipulations you have, the longer it will take for an allocation to come in that matches. Longer still if there are others in line ahead of you who want the exact same specs.

I have also read that salespeople are much more amenable if you go in person as opposed to email or phone, since that is a sign you are more serious about a purchase. So it might be worth taking a trip to see the dealer.

 

[Lemon]

ccstl2008

Markup.com is how I found this new dealer.I guess I was pretty lucky to find actual no markup dealer. I contacted several places that stated no markup but others were wrong. I think most ppl doesn't know it's markup when they add it on MSRP or lie these options comes with a car.
Well I haven't purchased it yet so I just have to wish this dealer isn't like others in the end ...

You were right about the review. I checked the old dealer and then found couple ppl complain the same thing so it was bad place....
It seems there is only 2 ppl who complains about the new dealer and it even sounded like their fault or misunderstand. So I'm pretty much up to try with this new dealer.

And Thanks about the allocation and year model change. The sales man told me it could be 2023.
Allocation will be made after we turn the order in. I want just basic one so I hope it won't take too long.
The dealer said 2-3month. I guess it sounds usual?

Was there anytime you had to go back to the dealer you bought? The dealer said there is only one free checkup 2 years later, is it usual? or less than usual? Have you ever had trouble with carolla cross or ever heard it ?

Anyway Thanks alot for your advice.

 

[ccstl2008]

I only went to my dealer twice, once to put down the deposit and the second time to complete the purchase when the car arrived. In my case, they had an allocation for me to claim right away, so I didn't have to wait for that part. Once they get an allocation for you, it should be only take couple of months after that unless something drastic happens to the supply chain between now and then. After it is built, it will be shipped by train from Huntsville, Alabama, so yours might have about the same rail transit time as mine did.

 

[Lemon]

ccstl2008
I checked on the dealer in Alabama and noticed their delivery fee is a little bit cheaper. Now I understand the reason.
What I don't understand is how the dealer get an allocation.
Fitst dealer said they have to wait until the allocation get there and until then they don't even get deposit.
Second dealer said they could get an allocation right away if i deposit and they could even swicth allocation from other dealer and they could get a car in 2 weeks.
Third dealer said we need to deposit in then they can get allocation in month later.
Is the allocation system such diferent by dealers? I contacted 20 dealers and I could categolize them into those 3 types.
Most of the dealer said they can't take "order" at this time and they said those accessories come with the car and they can't take it off. But the dealer I ordered didn't even need any accessories. So I basically "ordered" like how I wanted. I'm guessing the other dealer was lying and maybe those dealers just putting accessories on the car at the store??

Anyway that was nice that you already had an allocation when you wanted. I deposit in and am waiting for the allocation.
So I hope the car will come soon and nothing unexpected happens.
Thank you for the information!

 

[ccstl2008]

Dealers all have their own ways of handling customer waiting lists and allocations, some are more transparent about what they are getting from Toyota than others. The better ones are just straightforward about Toyota’s system and will even show you the tracking status for the vehicle.

 

[Lemon]

@ccstl2008

Some of the dealer here didn't even say the real price nor give the build sheet. Somehow they treated it like top secret so I couldn't even imagine they gonna show tracking system. I wish there is nice dealers like yours.
Thank you so much for all the information!!

 

[ccstl2008]

Here is a screenshot from another forum of what Toyota's tracking system looks like:

https://tnstatic.net/attachments/latest-jpg.778323/

The salesperson has access to that system. so you could show that screenshot to them to let them know you're aware of its existence. It might nudge them to give you some more info.

 

[Lemon]

@ccstl2008
Thank you. Once he says he get allocation I'm gonna ask about that!
I'm wondering if I need to get a connectivity kit $59. If you know anything about that ,Can you tell me what's that?
I know it's 2 usb cables and cigarette lighter into usb port.
Is there no usb port inside the car? Can't you get any connect without that cigarette lighter into usb cable thing??
I was wondering what's so special about that.

 

[ccstl2008]

@ccstl2008
Thank you. Once he says he get allocation I'm gonna ask about that!
I'm wondering if I need to get a connectivity kit $59. If you know anything about that ,Can you tell me what's that?
I know it's 2 usb cables and cigarette lighter into usb port.
Is there no usb port inside the car? Can't you get any connect without that cigarette lighter into usb cable thing??
I was wondering what's so special about that.

There is a USB port in the front for charging/CarPlay, and another 2 at the back of the center console for the back seat passengers. I have a $20 usb hub in the back port so I can plug in my front, side and rear dashcams.

 

[Lemon]

@ccstl2008
Thank you! So I guess I don't need it then...

 

[wheelspinner]

Hello Everyone!
I'm new to buy a new car. I just had a bad experience with the dealer because of my ignorance. (We went to dealer twice but he never showed us real build sheet . The dealer told us he doesn't do any markup at his place. A month later he suggested $3000 higher price and told us the $2000 package comes with every toyota car and he can't do anything about accessories. I didn't know that was markup....anyway I got my deposit back.)
Now I finally found a real MSRP(no hidden mark up) price dealer and want to buy.

But now I kinda started to worry the same thing might happen in the end.
I got a build sheet from this dealer and asked the final price. He didn't give me a break down paper for the final price but I at least got the final price.
Is there anything more I should ask or make clear or better to do?
It's 2 hour and 30mins far from me. So I was planning to deposit in without visiting there.
Do you think it's secure?
This dealer is on toyota's dealer list so the store is exist.
Can I bring any toyota my car if anything happens and get fixed with warranty for 3 years or does it have to be the dealer I bought?

I still wonder how this store can make money without markup since most other store do mark ups.
How is it possible with them?

If anybody can give me a tips I'll appreciate.
Thanks!

YES......before you go behind closed doors ask this........WHAT IS THE INTEREST RATE ON THIS LOAN,? why do I say that.....because a friend of mine got a real good deal on a camry. He gave the dealer, at the end of the negotiations, an ultimatum. Drop the $3500 price adjustment for inflation or I walk. The dealer caved and said "OK"
Well....they got down to the signing table and to his surprise he left with the deal he asked for but was hooked with a 6.9% interest rate financed with no less than TOYOTA WORLD OMNI CORP out of Mobile Alabama. So what they did is take it off of Toyota and then give it back at the end in interest rate. This guy has a 789 beacon score. No way he would get that high of a rate. But he was not looking close enough. All he can do now is go to his favorite bank and ask for a refinance loan on his new Toyota Camry