Dealerships refusing to quote - guess my allocation is a "surprise" price!

Toyota's entire global production was halted in the spring of 2020. Their N. American plants were shuttered for 8 weeks. Not a single vehicle was produced during that period. Pre-pandemic, Toyota liked to keep a 30-45 day supply of vehicles in the field, depending on the model. That field supply was quickly decimated during that spring. Demand turned out to be healthy. People simply bought on line instead of visiting dealerships directly.

As production resumed Toyota "put the hammer down" for a while. But supply chain woes quickly slowed that down. On top of that, they have had a nightmare lately with logistics. Just getting parts and vehicles where they need to be is a monumental challenge.

Demand is strong....but it always has been. Before covid you could walk on to any Toyota lot and choose from hundreds of vehicles even with strong demand. But for the last 2.5 years their production has been "behind the 8 ball". That's why dealerships lots have been empty. The last I heard it would take Toyota 24 months to fully recover the lost production globally.

And BTW, I'm in the industry. I don’t want people to think I'm just talking out of my ass. I know there's a lot of that around here.

 

Every Tacoma I called about was pre sold around me. The one i have was one that got offered to me that was still in the process of being built and I reserved it. Dealer said like 6 or 7 people had tried getting my truck. Just because its on the lot doesnt mean its actually for sale.

 

If you drive by lots here the only vehicles on the lot are presold and awaiting PDI or deliveries. So you might see 25 vehicles from the street. But pull in and you realize nothing is for sale. Hasn't been a vehicle on my dealers showroom floor in 2 years

 

Wild, bought mine off the lot and I suspect no previous buyers due to the dealer's market adjustment distortion. Build date was June '22 and I took delivery on Aug 29th so it was on the lot for a while... I had a pick of a few trucks within a 100 mi radius that met almost all my specs, all available on lots when I inquired about them. I think most of them sit because of these b.s. adjustments but I can only speak about my north east experience...

 

There might me the occasional Tacoma. But nothing else

 

I asked to be quoted OTD on an Off Road. The dealer either can't read or stroking me, hoping I don't notice that he was quoting me for a Pro

 

I highly recommend getting the specifics of your request in email. Be detailed about about the model, packages, etc. you want and the price you are willing to pay. Saves you and them time and money.

 

I bought a new Prius for my wife last week at Damian Lillard Toyota and it was literally the only new car available for sale on their lot. The salesman told me that they stand at the window looking for the delivery truck to pull in and as soon as they see it they start calling customers to get their butt down to the dealership before someone else buys what comes in. 100% seller’s market right now. The only “work” the salesman has to do to sell a car these days is to make one phone call, you are in a tough spot and are just going to have to get lucky or wait a long time for what you want.

 

The dealer said this the dealer said that , car dealers are full of shit.

 

Part of the problem is dealers pad the numbers listed on their website with cars that are already spoken for. Beaverton Toyota lists 34 tacos for sale, 7 being in stock. The reality, is none of those are actually available to buy because they all have a deal in progress when they arrive. If the deal falls through (customer walks, changes mind, etc) then they have an extended list of people to call and say get down here now. Until the deal is signed, and the new owner is driving out of the parking lot, that truck is still listed as available. It gives a lot of false hope to prospective buyers.

 

That's EXACTLY what i did! I specified it all through an email so there'd be a written reference to my request. I even specified what i'm not interested in and will pass on it. That's why i say this guy is either illiterate or hoping i don't notice he's quoting me for the wrong truck minus my requested options.