Dealer wants non refundable deposit on a factory order. Is this standard practice?

Non refundable is not standard practice, my deposit and agreed upon price for both my 2016 in October of 2015 in NJ and my 2021 LR in IL October of 2020 were refundable, even decided to not take the LR when it showed up and recieved my deposit back that day. I'd find another dealer to place your order with.

 

You cannot order to much of an 'odd' Tacoma - you cannot have metallic Pink color paint from the factory, or alligator trimmed seats. Toyota builds what it planned to build... and not much else.

Whatever Tacoma comes out of the factory will sell these days...

The trims sitting on the lot currently (Days - if at all) are the basic trims - the work trucks...) most higher trims are pre-sold.

And not to make too fine a point on it - Most manual gearbox Tacomas are sold way before they hit the lot... I struggled to find one to test drive! And when I did - it was by chance.

 

Depends on region, here in IL plenty of TRDs and premium optioned trucks, even LR Pro's sitting, but Jeeps and Silverados are more popular here.

 

Yes, the deal has been made.

 

That was my next step.

 

I don't see your deposit in there. Did they throw it at the "discount"?

 

Manual transmission access cab 4x4 trd sport. Only LED headlights added as an option. I live in Florida, so this is a rare configuration.

 

I’m supposed to go in today to give it to them as they said that deal is only good for 48 hours.

 

How would I go about ordering it online?

 

You'd have to go to another dealership. Maybe one day, in the near future, we'll be able to actually order a vehicle online to our specifications and have it delivered.

 

I've done it on several vehicles and it's ALWAYS been refundable if you change your mind.

 

Your deal looks decent for a trd. I would still tell them that you would like the deposit to be refundable and you will go with the deal. Mine was the first time buying new ever and my understanding was that is how it's done. One Ford dealership did tell me if I was thinking about ordering a 4x2 they wanted 50% down to ensure that your serious and they don't get stuck with it. Even they didn't say it was not refundable.
You will most likely buy it anyway when comes in but still it you should be able to get it back if you need to IMO.

 

yup. It is. That might be part of it.

 

Dealer i ordered my truck from didn't request any deposit. They only asked for my bank to verify i had enough in an account to cover the trucks cost. After negotiating, and giving me the total otd cost, they said it was ok to bring a personal check when i pickup the truck.

 

Sounds like another pressure turn off. Are these the same guys that want $800 doc fee?

 

Dealer wants non refundable deposit

Hell no to a Non refundable deposit

 

I'd be concerned about the predelivery service charge?!?! Has anybody seen that before? Is that a local market thing that dealers do in your area? In CA that's unheard of and we're the king of taxes and fees.

 

Note that the document provided by the OP is not a contract to purchase and is only for "informational purposes" and "not a contract for offer or sale". In other words: Completely useless since it isn't binding but to uniformed customers it probably appears to be a real contract. Agree that the "pre-delivery" charge is a joke. The prep kid in the wash bay makes $15/hr...charging $800 seems.....insane.

I would insist on a legit "purchase and sale agreement/contract" before I gave this sleazy dealer a dime and I certainly wouldn't give them a deposit. Sounds like maybe they need the money to keep the lights on in the showroom ;-)

 

I did $500 for mine. Not a factory built one, one that was allocated to be brought to my dealership. Was applied to the purchase.

 

Damn you’re right. I just looked within all miles of your location and not one with your configuration. Two by me in Nashua NH but no LED headlights.