Trail Edition Dealer Markups?

My quest for a 23 Tacoma might have finally come to an end. I agreed to a decent trade in for my truck and price for a Trail Edition at one of my local dealers. They originally wanted $6500 over MSRP for the trail edition. The truck is expected to arrive within the next two weeks. When I found the truck at this dealer it did not include a dealer markup. It wasn’t until I went to the showroom that they revealed they wanted the markup. Once I walked out the salesman followed me out and said let’s talk. Now I curiously went back on their site after signing paperwork, and paying a deposit (I did not do a credit app yet since he said let’s wait till the truck is almost at the store) and now the truck is advertised at a whopping $53k!

I must say I’m a bit concerned that this is some sort of a last ditching effort to see who would pay a dealer markup of $8864 despite the fact I signed paperwork and paid my deposit. Am I paranoid?

 

What paperwork did you sign, was it a contract with a stated price? They can’t change the price on you if it was a contract.

 

I was looking for an Off-Road last month at the dealer by me. They didn’t have one, but there was a trail edition on the lot. It was available at MSRP, and the salesman wasn’t even trying to sell it. He was talking about the useless storage in the bed, and the fact that it wasn’t as capable as the less expensive off-road. A few days later I found the exact off-road I was looking for at another dealer in my area. Bought it for 2,250 below MSRP. If a dealer pulled that BS you mentioned, I’d be gone.

 

Definitely check your paperwork. Not sure if they’re listing the same VIN number you were given or if there’s really anything you can do about it (probably paperwork dependent).

Either way, it sounds like you’re dealing with the dishonest, know this, and need to go elsewhere, despite them having this unicorn.

 

Yes sir it was. And I’m not worried about them changing the price, but rather them waiting and seeing if anyone crazy enough to offer the dealer markup will come along and buy it out from under me.

 

VIN and stock are listed on the paperwork. Just wondering why it’s listed as a higher price now.

 

Because they are trying to find a sucker to pad their pockets.

 

because they’re attempting to sell for more. I feel like you’re asking what you already know.

Look at the paperwork or better yet, move on, don’t feed the animals.

 

I figured as much. I put a deposit down on a Colorado a month ago that was “in transit” a week later I get a call that it was a mistake because it was custom order for a customer. I’m almost getting the vibe it’s a similar situation. But I guess we’ll see. It arrives before the end of the month. If I get the call and come in no issues then I’ll be happy.

 

Instead of waiting to see what happens, go to the dealership when they open today, ask to speak with the general manager, and ask WTF!!! You have a signed contract, don't keep stressing for 3 and a half weeks, find out today. At the very least, you put them on record that both parties have a legally binding contract. If they still give you the run around, move on to a more honest dealership.

 

I've had vehicles (including my current truck) that were listed as available on the dealer's website for a week after I drove them off the lot. Dealership vary on how frequently they update their websites, so the fact that your truck is on theirs isn't necessarily a cause for worry. If you are really concerned, have someone you know call the dealer to find out if your truck is still available and see what happens. Hopefully they will get "I'm sorry, that truck is sold".

 

I just bought a trail last week. On the test drive the salesmen mentioned their 2k market adjustment. I promptly turned around and told the salesmen, I won't buy this truck with any sort of adjustment. It was the last day of the month and they ended up getting rid of that and knocking off $500 of msrp.

 

Like mentioned above, have someone call and see if it’s available.

 

Not sure why the salesmen would tell you a trail is less capable. It comes with a factory lift and rear locker. Never heard of a salesman trying to talk someone out of a sale lol.

I don't understand it but in my area the trail editions seem to sell faster than the TRD models right now. Maybe it's the factory lift, TRD pro grille and wheels.

 

I ran into several dealers like this until I found a good one. It's unfortunate there are so many out there taking advantage of people.

 

I'm not really sure, but I had told them I was set on a TRD Off-Road and they said they had one in transit. He was hoping to get that sale, but I found one elsewhere for less than they could do. The salesman was also trashing the Toyota Crown, so it wasn't just the Trail Edition!

But more on topic for the OP--at least in the northwest, the dynamics are starting to shift back in favor of buyers. Toyota dealers are competing with each other and selling Tacoma's below retail. As the weeks dwindle on, I think the new vehicle markets are going to further normalize, so if this sale doesn't work for you, waiting a little longer will probably save you some cash.

 

Because it technically is. The trail edition has a mild lift (the TRD lift kit is more "aggressive" and can be added to a TRD OR) but doesnt have crawl control or MTS. It also didn't have a rear locker at first. The TRD OR also can be had in manual with better gearing too

 

this, walk in there with the add (even if it's que'd up in your phone) and your paperwork (whatever that may be) and talk about it.