How much should I demand from a dealer who screwed up?

Only thing I can add (possibly for others' information), is that Toyota doesn't take "orders". So either OP was confused, or his salesperson buddy was misleading (could be a little of both).

The only thing they can offer is to look for what you want out of what's available, so there was no order to lose. So realistically, the deal you are getting is exactly what you asked for.

The only negative I see for OP is he had to remind the dealer to keep looking (which, if I have a deposit with the dealer, I'd be calling every two weeks when they get their allocation).

Finally, private party the old pickup. You can easily get $6k (probably more) if a dealer will give you $4k. The dealer will probably sell it at a profit within 24 hours to an auction yard.

 

Car dealerships are the bottom of the barrell. Move on

 

See if they'll give you one of those free half-size bottles of filtered water.

 

That's pretty much what dealerships want you to think. It's what they tell people. Does it make anything they tell you true? Nope...

Dealerships don't own cars nowadays. They "floor" them. This new sales strategy of "allowing" people to order trucks that are pretty much identical to every other ordered truck (they are ALL "loaded") is just a way of creating an artificial "shortage" and getting people to think they might miss out on something. It's smart marketing and consumers are swallowing.

 

What dealer? I’m sure there is someone else who would appreciate a good deal while you play nonsense games. You do realize that brand new third GEN Tacoma’s will soon be extinct.

If you don’t like the deal, present them with an counter offer, and if they don’t take it, move on.

The dealer doesn’t really owe you anything, even though you think, making a mistake like this warrants retribution.

 

The last new vehicle I bought was a Turbo Subaru with the baby wrap still on it. I got it for 25% under dealer asking price OUT the DOOR. The same for the last brand new Taco I bought. Both "popular" vehicles that were "in demand". And yes, lately I've been buying branded title vehicles because they are even better financial deals than new vehicles. Over time I've evolved by learning. I don't blame people for buying too high when they are indoctrinated in believing everything dealerships tell them, and they haven't any examples of successful negotiation. And you are correct that negotiating will become easier when lots fill. Look for vehicles that have been on the lot for over 90 days.

 

When a dealer (or any business) makes a mistake you are only entitled to what it takes to compensate you for what you lost. In this case, not much. You were inconvenienced, but this didn't cost you anything. When you are inconvenienced there is stuff you can ask for. Straight up cash by way of doubling your trade value is hard for even a dealer that wants to make you happy to do. The Sales Manager and GM get graded by the money they make and taking a $3k bath on a Dakota is rough.

But focus on what you can ask for that benefits you and doesn't cause them heartburn. You wanted some dealer add ons like a roof rack, running boards and a bed mat. Ask them to sell them to you at dealer cost. That doesn't cost them money on a balance sheet.

 

Don't listen to any of these idiots.

They OWE you bigtime. Drive through the plateglass of the showroom, march into the General Manager's office and piss on his desk. Then tell them you're not leaving until they give you a brand new TRD Pro for the original purchase agreement.

They'll cave immediately in awe, a few will want to have sex with you. One might be female.

 

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Toyota actually places orders for a vehicle to be built to your specs. I believe it's more of a tell them what you want kind of thing and they redirect inbound units that are as close to what you want as possible to that dealership. I used to sell Hyundais and I know that this is how Hyundai does it, I believe Toyota does the same thing.

My point being, they most likely looked at what's coming in and didn't see anything close to what you were wanting at the time so they forgot about it. Now there is something close to what you want that they can get, so they want you to come buy it, and they got you to put a deposit down, so they think they've got you on the hook. They definitely will not give you $2K more for your trade, they may even try to give you less now that some time has passed. In my experience, the sales managers are the ones As others have said, the truck will sell and it will sell quick, so I wouldn't count on them budging an inch. As far as customer loyalty, unfortunately it doesn't mean much anymore. Even seems like return customers are MORE likely to get hosed these days.

 

So let me get this straight:
Truck 'ordered' [and no paperwork]
Dealer screws up
OP waits 50% longer than he should have, then follows up, catches mistake
Dealer promptly tries to make it right
OP then demands a 50% increase on his trade in because -mistake-

How does this even make sense?
Maybe try keeping your eye on the ball next time around so you don't get hit in the face

But since we were not 'supportive' and 'affirming'
I am guessin' OP will not be returin'

 

Ok folks, lessons learned on my end. My delivery was bad and I look stupid. I tried to fit 10 pounds of stuff into a 5 pound bag.

I just have a deep dislike of dealerships, and I fight for the best deal I can when I have to go to one. It's my old competitive streak.

Anyway....

 

Well that's going to be a problem sir. Around here we love dealerships, never fight for the best deal and we aren't very competitive

 

Great! I must be in the right place!

 

One of the biggest speed bumps in how the world turns these days. Everyone thinks they can demand something.

It's your turn to negotiate. Ideas. Same truck, same trim or a touch better, same deal as original. Surely if you put down $500 you have some paperwork that outlines the deal. (If not, shame on you.) You could request them to throw in a Platinum Toyota Warranty on their nickel to compensate for your stress and suffering.

Seems like the best plan you've come up with so far.

You can't require anything. You can ask, hope and walk. That's all you control.

 

Thanks for the reply. My original post came across as way more intense than I intended, as I can see.

Believe it or not, I'm very actually calm and reasonable with the dealer.

I don't intend to walk. I want the truck. But they don't have to know that

 

Your response, if you care to put the time in, is the same as square one. Spend an afternoon calling every dealer within a 2 hr drive or as far as you’re willing to go and see what the best price they will offer you is. Some won’t give you a price on the phone, some won’t give you a price on the trade in, some will. Have your credit card ready and tell them you’ll put down a deposit on the phone right now if they can get you at a 4% overall discount using the formula in the thread below, 4% off seems to be at the high end of very good deals currently. That could be in the form of more money on your trade-in or discount from the new vehicle, whatever, doesn’t matter as long as the bottom line reflects it. To be honest though it sounds like you’re ready to pull the trigger on this current truck so see if they’ll give you $250 off for your inconvenience then just buy it either way. Four years down the road you won’t notice the difference anyway.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2023-price-thread-what-did-you-pay-for-your-tacoma.788660/

 

I’ve lived in small Podunk southern towns with one Toyota dealership, and I assumed that they acted like assholes because there was no other competition, now I live in a place where there are at least 15 within driving distance of my house… and they act exactly the same way.

 

get your $500 back move on. if it makes you feel better leave them a crappy Yelp review

they don't need your business like the old days. the trucks almost sell themselves.

 

Back in 2007 I put a $2000 deposit on a new BMW 1 Series - the deal included a trip to Kentucky ( ? I think) anyway to where they manufacture them to pick it up and a two or three day driving school and a stay in a nearby hotel. I was going to be deployed so they were setting this up for the end of August upon my return. When I got back the salesman told me - get this - "I" missed "my" 2007 build date but no problem I would get the same car but it would be a 2008. The only glitch was that I would have to pay $2500 more since it was a 2008. He acted at first like I could not get my money back and I was just going to have to pay $2500 more for the car I agreed to buy. Man I was pissed . . . coming off a deployment maybe my attitude was not the most congenial. But I had the paperwork that stated I deposited $2000 for a 2007 to be built a certain way. I told him I was going to come over there the next day and one way or the other I was getting my $2000. Later I got a call from the sales manager apologizing and telling me they credited my CC with the $2000. That was good for everyone because as my Drill Sargent used to say "I didn't want to go to jail over his ass."

I did that whole deal on-line which may have been a mistake - there is a lot of value in meeting the sales people face to face and sizing them up.