Offer to buy my truck from the dealer--scam???

I recently took my 01 DC to the dealer for them to diagnose some electrical problems, and I just got a letter in the mail that said something about how used car stocks are low, I have a high-demand vehicle, and they want to buy my truck. They said they used a Black Book to come up with a value of ~$11,000 for my truck (saying that Blue Book can't keep up with used car values). For reference, Blue Book lists my truck at $6,000 for private party sale (2001 DC SR5 in good condition and 225k miles). They then say they'll give me $3,000 more (~$14,000) total. They have all the info of the truck in the letter (VIN, year, etc), and a mechanic was all over the truck (they gave me price quotes for every little thing that was wrong with it so it would pass inspection [a side note, the local mechanic passed my truck the next day, no work whatsoever having been done]).

I have to assume this is a total scam--anyone have any experience with this? I envision going into the dealer with the letter asking the SIMPLE question "is this quote accurate--will you really give me $14,000 for my truck?" and they give me a run-around answer, saying they would need to inspect the truck, work up some numbers, etc and waste three hours of my time. I imagine them saying "we'll give you $7,000 if you put it towards this $30,000 2011 Tacoma over here on the lot."

Advice, input, comments?

 

Yeah, it's bullshit to get you to come in and buy a new one. They might give you an inflated price for your truck but they will make it back on the price of the new one or on the financing side. I get that shit all time for a truck I haven't owned in 4 years.

 

I dont know if I'd go as far as to call it a scam, but more of a way to get you into a new vehicle. You are right that it is meant to be a trade in, not an outright buy. Also, with them giving you so much "extra" on your trade in, I believe they're hoping you'll be grateful and wont try to talk them down on the listed price quite as hard.

 

do you want a new truck? If not then who cares? If so, then come up with a price and stick to your guns. It's not like you're under obligation to buy anything. If they offered you $14k trade in, don't settle for less and ask for dealer invoice on the new one. It's really not hard to get a good deal on a new vehicle these days. The internet has given you all the tools you need to get the deal you want.

 

Yeah, I see that. But if I go there and they say "oh, we can't give you $14,000 for an 01 with 225k on it. We're thinking more like $7,000" I would NOT be happy they wasted my time--and at that point I'd call it crossing into 'scam' territory.

I know I'm not, I was just putting out feelers to see if anyone had this experience and if the dealer was untruthful about how much they would actually give you on a trade in. If I go in there, spend three hours while they look at my truck and negotiate and research blah blah blah and say "we'll give you $7,000" it's a complete waste of my time. If they REALLY would give me $14,000 for a 10 year old truck with 225k on it, I think I have to think long and hard if I should take it and run. I'd love to keep it, but if I can save $8,000, it's something to think seriously about.

 

Toyota does have a buy back program.