Toyota Employees Not Knowing Anything About Their Own Products... Again...

When I was a tech I worked with a few parts people (can’t say guys, two were women who knew their shit) who knew their shit. One dude had the most common 100 or so part numbers memorized

 

Yet again the random joe working at the counter doesn't know as much as the enthusiast.

This is typical across many industries and hobbies and is nothing new.

 

Also worth considering they sell parts for the Yaris, Corolla, Camry, Avalon, Sienna, various Scions?, RAV4, Matrix, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, FJ, Sequoio, Tundra, Tacoma. A lot easier to be familiar with the parts of a tacoma when you drive one everyday.

 

No one at my work calls 16+ tacoma's 3rd gens.

Get over yourself and learn some patience with people.

 

Just love it when I walk into a parts store/dept and ask for a part by name and number, sometimes even saying for my <Vehicle model>. I know we have all had the following experience once or twice.

Just to have the same conversation with the clerk... something like:
Clerk: You need a <part name>?
Me : Yes I need a <part number> <Part name> for my <Vehicle>
Clerk: What make is the car?
Me: {rolling eyes} Toyota
Clerk: Model?
Me: <model>
Clerk: Year?
Me: <year>
Clerk: Now what is the problem with the car again?
Me: {exasperated sigh} Still just need a <part number> <Part name>
Clerk: Hold on let me look it up.
Me:
Clerk: What engine is that?
Me: 3.5L Auto
Clerk: Manual or automatic?
Me: Still an auto.
Clerk: Ok did you want the <part number> or the premium version?
Me: <Part number>
Clerk: The premium is on special for the same $
Me: Can I please just get the <part number> that I asked for 20 minutes ago?
Clerk: Sir I am just trying to do my job.
Me: So, I should just wait here for you to go get it in the back?
Clerk: It says we are out of that part but I can have it here tomorrow for you at no extra charge.
Me: Fine
Clerk: How did you want to pay for that?
Me: When I get it
Clerk: We have to get a credit card number or cash before I can place the order because it is a part we do not stock in the store.
Me: It's not like it is an unusual part, it fits damned near any Toyota and several Lexus models. It should be a stock item
Clerk: Sorry but corporate says we can not stock it so we have to get paid first
Me: {under my breath}
Clerk: Excuse me?
Me: Here's my credit card
Clerk: OK.. just a moment
Me:
Clerk: It looks like we missed the deadline for ordering today. It will not be here for 2 days.
Me: You said tomorrow
Clerk: That was before the deadline, but for an extra $xx.xx we can have it expedited and it will be here in 1-2 days
Me: How does that help
Clerk: It might be here tomorrow
Me: Do I get money back if is not?
Clerk: no the guarantee is 1-2 days so same price if it takes 2
Me: {under breath again}
Clerk: Sir?
Me: No need to expedite it, normal shipping is fine.
Clerk: Here is your receipt and credit card, is there anything else we can help you with?
Me: I highly doubt it.
Clerk: Great! Thank you for coming in, have a good day.
Me: Yeah, yeah, not much chance for that now, is there?
Me: {in parking lot}


Edit: OK I feel better now, that was somewhat therapeutic. Thanks for reading along.

 

I was told my SR5 was a TRD Off Road because they put the TRD Off Road sticker on the side of it.

I had to explain to the salesman that it was just an SR5 and that they need to lower the price to that of an SR5.

 

@TC_Mic literally me every SINGLE time i walk into a dealership or auto part store....its not that some people feel that they are better than others but clearly when you know exactly what you are wanting ( even having the part number specific to the effin part you need) and got there in time to skip the extra day waiting period or paying more just to get it faster...sometimes in life its better to just order what i'm buying and skip the bullshit back and forth game and i can explain what it does after i order it

 

Patience goes a long ways most of the time but sometimes people push my limits in the patience department.

On my 2013(gen2) SR5, i wanted to add the dodge look alike heated mirrors with turn indicators. The signalling wiring is already there just needed to add the wires for the heat elements and a timeout switch so they turned off automatically. the switch is the one used on the Highlander i think. so my visit to the dealer parts counter was strange.

parts guy: "hi, what can I help you with today?"
me: " i want to order the timer switch for the rear defig on a 2010 highlander."
parts guy: "whats your phone number?"
me: "555-6543"
parts guy looks up my profile....
parts guy: "sir, you don't have a highlander on file, why do you need this part"

I explain I'm adding heat to my mirrors...

parts guy: "the Tacoma's don't have heated mirrors"

I explain that I'm installed aftermarket mirrors with heat and signals lights

parts guy: "how are you going to connect the mirrors heat elements and the switch?"
Me: "wire"
parts guy: "we can't warranty the switch if you do that"
Me: "really, wasn't looking for Toyota to warranty my work, 33 years as a electronic tech, I think I can handle it"
parts guy: "nothing but silence"
me: " you know what, I'll just order it online. have a nice day"

I ordered it from a dealer in Alberta.

 

To the OP. Skip the BS TRD skid plate and go with real skid plate. Those TRD ones are nice, but as soft aluminum as they are they will bend if you as so little just breathe on it.

To everyone else talking about the parts guys with the back and forth crap, I HIGHLY AGREE!!!

 

Canadian $$$

 

I'm debating between the TRD Pro and Mobtown Off-road in aluminum. Mobtown like $30 cheaper. I just like the look of the TRD Pro one better .Never going to do any heavy wheeling. Just need something strongers than sheet metal.

 

This.
Dealers are completely clueless in my experience. I've had to explain basic things, option configurations, etc to them numerous times.
It can be fun to ask basic questions and see what kind of ridiculous answers they make up when they don't know ...but also pretty sad how little they care to even try to do their jobs correctly.

The most depressing thing in my opinion though, is how many people don't do their research and just rely on whatever the salesmen tell them...

 

i feel the same way and there trying to fix are issues i dont feel good about recalls when you take it in for repaires the service department same way at most dealers