Anyone use Costco auto program and have issues with the dealer not cooperating?

I'll try to make this long story short and I'll post the specs of my tacoma at the bottom. But I priced out my Tacoma through Costco and it said MSRP: $39,458 and Invoice: $36,333

I live in CA so tax is .750%, so total price would be $36,333 x .0750% = $39,058

Costco sent that to my local dealer and then they called me and said they have the exact truck I want, color and package, but it didn't have the predator steps or the blackout emblems I requested so they would have to order them.

First, they tried to charge me MSRP price for both those things before I corrected them and said they had to give me invoice price. They agreed but said they have to charge me labor...then they said that the costco program is invoice price + $500.

Can someone correct me here but it says on the costco authorization form that I'm supposed to get everything at invoice prices plus the dealer can't haggle with me and I feel like that is all they have been doing.

Shouldn't they just order a brand new vehicle if they don't have what I want down to every single upgrade?

SPECS

Toyota Tacoma, Cavalry Blue, 4WD TRD Off Road Double Cab 5' Bed V6 AT

Technology Package - $686
Black Chrome Exhaust Tip - $65
Predator Tube Steps - $479
Truck Bed D-Rings $35
Blackout Emblem Overlays - $110
Black Tailgate Insert $59
Bedmat - $80

*All prices are invoice prices that Costco is showing me

 

I think they need to go by the costco format. Tell them you're walking away and going to a different dealer.

 

I'll have to go out of town then, only one in my town

 

When I inquired about Costco pricing (and was refered to closest shady dealer, by Costco's website).

They tried to sell me a rig that didnt have what i wanted.

Long story short, went to another dealer that was not part of the Costco program (as i kept getting referred to that first one by their online tool), and they gave me a better price than "Costco Pricing", after chatting with them about the program and why they didnt participate in it was that the $500 was off of MSRP, and not Invoice. Which is what Dealer A was discounting truck from (MSRP, not invoice).

So basically dealer could mark it up by $2,000 but as long as $500 are deducted from their MSRP, then that "qualifies" for "Costco" pricing.

That was just my experience though...

 

Yup, COSTCO program is $500 over dealer invoice. If the dealer gives you any flack, call COSTCO and complain that the dealer isn't honoring their end of the deal. Under normal circumstances, you should have a cooperative dealer within 48 hours. That said, don't let the dealer install your predator steps or blackout overlays. You can get those cheaper aftermarket new or through TW and install them yourself for a fraction of what the dealer will extract from you. If you're nervous about doing it, local TW members in your area should be willing to help for a 6 pack of beer or lunch. If you plan on doing any moderate level wheeling, those predator steps are going to get caught on something and cause more damage beyond the steps. Be extra sure that's what you want. I personally went with 5" nerfs vs sliders because they suite my current intended use.

EDIT: You may want to contact their Customer Retention salesman. They advised me that Toyota no longer pays based on commission per vehicle, but by volume sold per month. So the the right sales folks are mostly interested in making their bonuses based on monthly volume sales and if there's a commission incentive, it's probably driven by that dealer.

 

My trucks MSRP was ~$33K and the Costco price got it to like $29.8 or something like that. I ended up haggling that and telling them I'll drive it off today if they get down to invoice which they did.

 

And they know it. Shop a 150-250 mile radius with email and the phone. You’ll be glad you did.

 

@Shikokaon good tip, thank you.

@Norsemanvike thanks. I'll just have to call and complain or drive an hour or two out of town to the next Toyota dealership and see if they will honor everything correctly.

 

Try TRUECAR. You just set up an account, price a car, and dealers will contact you.

Found out the TRUECAR pricing was less than COSTCO on a 2019 Acura MDX. Worth a shot.

 

I just added another note to my comment.

"EDIT: You may want to contact their Customer Retention salesman. They advised me that Toyota no longer pays based on commission per vehicle, but by volume sold per month. So the the right sales folks are mostly interested in making their bonuses based on monthly volume sales and if there's a commission incentive, it's probably driven by that dealer."

 

What dealer is this?

 

Bill Wright Toyota

 

Costco has a contract with Toyota on pricing...dealerships are independent franchisees so they are under no obligation to honor the price even though they should...is my understanding.

 

Seems like this Costco program isn't worth it then and more of a hassle. It may just be my local dealer because I've tried to buy this truck from them months ago before I tried costco and they said the best they could do was $39,500 + taxes. So $42,462

 

Costco pricing didn't do shit for my wife at https://www.townetoyota.com/ in NJ when shopping for a Rav4 several months ago. Sales douche gave her/us the runaround and refused to show us the invoice for pricing. I asked him some questions about some features like the diff lock(?) button on the dash and he starts explaining (again) about the stereo and bluetooth bs. I finally lost it and told him that's not what I asked about and no matter how great the stereo is today it is it will be obsolete in 6 months like any other electronic. Long story short we walked out pissed off and she ended up buying a Kia Sportage which we both like very much at our next stop. I went back to Costco and got my membership refunded (I joined specicically to use this benifit, went back and complained about the treatment at the dealership and was given a refund).

 

I got jerked around through the Costco program. I knew the dealer was playing games and I walked. I called Costco and they hooked me up with another dealer who I purchased from. Unfortunately I think some dealers abuse the program to bait people in. If they don't show you the prenegotiated Costco price sheet up front then you need to walk.

 

My local dealer honored a price from a Costco dealer and two others said no.
From what she told me is the dealers pay $3k a month to be in Costcos referral program.

 

This. I asked repeatedly and the saleguy refused.

 

Find another dealer.

 

It's just a 'shopping tool' that may or may not work well for you.

It's not a guaranteed deal. Do some Google-fu and you'll find folks who beat Costco numbers and some who could not get the Costco numbers.

Just like we don't use their travel program (cruises) because there are other sources that are much better.

OTOH they usually do come up with some solid rental car deals. And the rotisserie chicken is a great value, as well as the gas. And tires, if they have the model you want, and the Interstate batteries.

So you still need to be a savvy shopper and consider all options to know if you are getting a good value or not.