Military Rebate - Need Help

I need some clarification...For the past 12 weeks I have been anxiously awaiting delivery on my 2012 DCSB (long story, but I wanted blue with Entune). My stealership has promised all along that I would not only get the $500 rebate for being in the military, but I would also get the $500 cash back that was in effect when I ordered the Tacoma back in May. The $500 cash back is not an issue. Today I inspected the Tacoma and am now being told I MUST finance thru Toyota Financial Services, even though I was approved for a rate that is 0.50% higher than my own bank. Smacks of a "bait & switch", and this isn't the first time either.

Everywhere I have looked on line (except one site) says the only requirement (aside from ID card and LES) is that one must get "approval" thru TFS.

Thoughts?

 

It is all about the "fine print" ... I am sure that this clause was there from the beginning ... nothing comes free ... they are going to recoup their rebate $$$ ... you had better read your contract with the military (USN - Ret.).

 

fine print my friend. it's stated in several places that you have to finance through toyota. i did anyways because toyota beat usaa's interest rate by about .60%.

 

the dealership did the same thing to me with the recent graduate rebate

 

Same thing happened to me last month when i bought my 2012. I'm active duty Air Force and over the phone they promised me both of those but when i went and bought it they told me the same as what you said.

 

I know all about "fine print", 20 years as an AF engineer, multiple contracts, etc...I read just tonight about the military rebate on Military.com and no mention of actually financing thru TFS was made. Couple that with the fact the TFS offer was higher than my USAA offer.

I think I will just stick to my guns and make them honor the original agreement that I had both verbally and in writing (to honor the $500 Toyota cash back and the %500 military rebate).

 

BTW, love your avatar. Go Sawx!
From New England originally, Sawx fan for life!

 

That is how the program works, Toyota appreciates the service that you provide the country but you must finance with them to get the military rebate. Seriously .5 percent may change you payment a few dollars but the extra $500 will more than overcome that. You can go to Toyota's website to verify that you need to finance with them as well. Good luck.

 

Take the contract to base legal and see what they have to say. Can't hurt to ask and then, refinance.

 

you can try. i worked over the phone and through email with my dealership from halfway across the world. they were honest and upfront from the start. every dealership has their faults and they should have told you that tfs was necessary for the rebate.

 

Best of luck Brother ... calm and soft spoken stands always have worked best for me ... if you go in ranting and raving they will write you off as being crazy ... customer service doesn't know how to handle cool and calm.

 

Use USAA discounts .... you can get your Tacoma for 1200 under invoice.

 

Agreed. I was calm and cool when I went in person 6 weeks ago, sources tell me I created quite the stir by NOT yelling & screaming and making demands. Will be calm and cool again Thursday and either I drive away happy, or I take my business elsewhere.

 

Used USAA and got the TRD sport DCSB 4x4 in Nautical Blue with JBL Entune, tow package, DRL, Skid plate AND TRD Exhaust for $31,878 (before rebates), well below invoice. That was 12+ weeks ago, it just showed up today....they even drove it 267 miles for me from the other dealership, which was nice.

 

I don't think you're going to find a dealership that will honor the military discount without using TFS, so it may be a battle you can't win. Probably not worth it in my opinion. I got both and TFS beat USAA anyway. What you may be able to get them to do is match the rates of the other bank, that is a fight you might be able to win.

 

+1 .... Make sure you use an approved USAA member dealership. I got mine for 4200 under MSRP - worth while to look into it if you can!

I got 2.69 for 72 months through USAA - dealership didn't care if I used TSF or USAA

 

If the cash back is okay (as you say), forget the military rebate. Get the dealer to knock that $500 off the price or add options worth that. Most are quite willing to sweeten the deal with options since they get those at wholesale prices and sell to you at retail (costs them less to get to that $500).

 

Why don't you finance through Toyota to get the rebate, then turn around and refiniance through your bank to get the lower interest rate?

 

excellent advice

excellent

btw, I'd run the numbers on the .50% and see what it really cost ya in payments and interest over the life of the loan.

it may not be worth the fight. even a calm cool & collected one.

Good Luck!

 

another excellent resolution