My dealer experience today

On the day I bought my truck in 2013, I had already stopped in and test drove the Tacoma, but I didn't buy it. I had my eyes on a F-150 because I wanted more room in the cab, I spotted a prior year left over fully loaded and I demanded a price I could afford but they weren't buying it. The salesman convinced me to buy a plain Jayne XLT. I literally just signed my name and my phone rang. The Toyota dealer offered me a $ 1,000 off the price and a set of nerf bars installed. You probably won't believe it, but I literally tore up the Ford papers and walked out the door and drove 5 miles down the road to get my new Taco. Best decision I ever made. To top it all off I applied to get a refund of the extended warranty I purchased when I bought my previous vehicle. I ended up with $2,000 which paid for my color matched tonneau cover. I have purchased several new cars over the years. I got screwed on every deal, but somehow on this deal I felt like I had the upper hand. Of course it was sad to see my Genesis Coupe go, but it really wasn't suitable anymore.

 

I worked at a large new car dealership for many years and still have friends in the business....as well as a close friend who is the new car manager at a Toyota dealership. I can assure you that if a dealership had to survive on new car sales profits alone, the doors would be shut in a month. That's why there is no such thing as a stand alone new car dealership. There's no money in it. They all have large used car lots for a reason. Also, ever noticed how many used car only lots there are? That's because they can survive independently from new car lots. That's where the money is

 

That takes every model but SR & SR5 I4s off your list...

@YellowFootPrints

 

This. Or people will have to trade down, lease vs buy, etc..

Oh there is money, only a fool would deny that. Just that it costs a lot to run it as well to be sure.

It also depends what else they do besides new cars. Be it used, mechanical, body, rentals..whatever. I say that b/c for instance, my local Toyota dealer doesn't do any body work on the premises..they just farm it out to an independent shop. They don't do anything with rentals except hook the customer up through the Enterprise Rental around the corner.

 

You need to find a 2nd gen on here for sale and snag it. Way more dependable in opinion

 

Oh... if we are having a pissing match then I've worked at three new car dealerships, for years... so I've got you there. And of course new car sales are not their single source of revenue. That would be silly when there are so many other ways to improve profit margins.

They still make plenty of money on sales. After all, they are in business to make money aren't they?

 

Ok

 

I recently traded my ‘17 SR v6 ACLB with sx package in, got a really nice trade in value, and I got $1,000 off on my new ‘21 SR ACLB SX Package. My truck sold 3-4 days after I traded it in, for more then what sticker was new. Crazy times.

 

Any idea the how much, or what percentage a dealer makes off the mfg sticker price?

 

The videos you guys posted about dealer fees was really helpful. Thanks very much!

 

Yup. This is why on a new car you pay $900 for scotchguard protectant, $1,200 for window tint, $1,000 for paint sealant, $300 for rubber floor mats, $2,500 for the useless extended warranty etc etc..
Let's not forget the money making service department. This is where true dealership rape happens.

 

yeah that’s how they get around it, $500 for “paint protection” but at least we can refuse that stuff and have them knock down the price. Tougher to get away from when it’s legitimately just a straight up markup

 

I don't but I do know those other things at least about my local..I say that b/c my brother in law works at an independent body shop and the dealer sends all their body work to his place. I recently brought my 2010 in for the frame replacement and they had Enterprise come bring me a vehicle.

 

Last truck I looked at was listed $2000 over MSRP. I called them on it and talked them down to MSRP. Then all the sudden it had $2000 3M, a $2000 tonneau, plus $600 admin fee. GTFO with that.

 

Good call. There is zero chance I would pay markup on top of their already largely inflated destination charge, and the other arguably worthless add ons they try to gouge you for. Folks that are ballin outta control might not care, but I’ll be smart with my money. IMO, mark ups just because supply is low should be an insult to absolutely everyone. Best way to vote is with your wallet.

 

I don't want a power seat on a AC. Toyota is eliminating options.

 

@batacoma very true. There are still two AC options but they are both especially bare bones.

 

I can reluctantly buy a Ford Ranger, or any other truck which does not have a power seat.

 

Obviously could set power seat & forget it or pull it & replace it. Bet someone would buy it to retrofit theirs...

 

That's a possibility. There's still that push to start button on the trims that are equipped with the power seat.