Dealer Website Vs In Person Parts

I know this is somewhat common knowledge but just another example of why they are called stealerships.

Had to get a new air filter for the tacoma. Wanted oem. Looked up my local Toyota dealer's website, went to their parts page, confirmed part number and that it was in stock and, most importantly, the price.
I was local so instead of placing the order online figured I'd just stop in the parts dept and grab the air filter.

This very dealer's online parts page showed the air filter for $21.75

I ask for the part, guy grabs it off the shelf from right behind him, rings it up and says "that'll be $39.95"
Huh?

I said 'your own website for this dealership says $21.75'

All 3 parts guys start huffing and puffing saying 'as a courtesy we'll match the price this one time, but for future reference if that's the price you want you have to order it online for pickup'.
What?
I say 'but this is THIS dealerships page and price'.

Response: "oh the parts manager handles the online pricing and sets the price but we get paid differently up here (motions his hands to the counter area) so our price is different than online".

So.. same establishment, same part, coming from the same place, 2 prices depending on whether or not you are wise enough to think they parts counter might be ripping you off.

Literally double the price is coming off, to me, as rather scammy.
Not good business practice.

Guess I'll be placing my order online to pick it up at the same desk that charges double the price if you walk in off the street.

End rant.

 

There’s a chance a different company actually runs the online sales, but regardless, your dealer is scumbag.

I would add that going to the parts counter in person usually involves the guy staring through you for 10 minutes and ignoring you while he clicks through 40 pages of exploded diagrams or is arguing with somebody how a part from a different generation of their vehicle is not going to fit.

 

Yes, lots of fuckery at the dealer.

 

This happens in many lines of business that operates brick and mortar and e-commerce.
Even Walmart has different pricing for items in-store vs pickup.

If you're just noticing this at the end of 2024, you haven been paying attention.

 

What does “we get paid differently” mean.

If it means they make commission off the parts. And the online parts guy doesn’t. Yet he gets paid the same. I’d be giving out the biggest discount I can, while actively looking for a new job.

Because ultimately, like you, people will realize they can order it online. Pay less and I won’t be making any money off commission.

Sounds like a poorly run business. One I wouldn’t want it be a part off.

 

I recently visited a dealership & while I was waiting I noticed a TRD wheel display. The display was Toyota but the wheels were Replica. Price was right up there with TRD wheels though.

 

When you buy online you are responsible for entering your vehicle info and selecting the correct parts, when you go to the counter the employee is responsible for making sure its the correct part. As such when you order online the company doesn't have to pay a knowledgeable employee thus the cheaper price. Its like how at Walmart the online price is often cheaper then the in store price, they don't have to pay someone to mop, to put away discarded clothes, go throw out spoiled meat left in the toy section, to sweep and mop.

If you want knowledgeable dealership parts people then you need to be ok with paying for that knowledge or the good ones will leave and thats why people here complain that the parts people are stupid. My old dealer had a parts guy who had been doing it for over 30 years and was amazing, he was being paid $80K+ before he left for another dealership paying much high.

Honestly I think it should be asked why the hell would you pay for a OEM air filter.

 

I get that, but it wasn't a generic Toyota website, it was that specific dealers website. The parts guy took a total of 6 steps and 5 mouse clicks to retrieve the part and check me out. I also understand that brick and mortar has an overhead higher than online, but double the price? I probably wouldn't have said anything had they said 24.95, even $29.95.. but $39.95 compared to their own website saying $21? Hard to justify double.

Anyhow, I actually prefer oem with certain parts of the truck. Standard maintenance items like air or oil filter, I stick with oem most of the time.

 

Based on that online price it wouldn't surprise me if they only make 10-15% profit for online sales, they have to compete with the low price threat of every other online retailer so they go as low as they can but still make a profit. Only making 15% works cause they pay someone minimum wage instead of $30-$50 a hour.

 

I recently seen this also. I am getting ready to do a transmission drain and fill. The parts counter charging about $16 a qt for WS fluid, or $13 online and pickup at same dealership. Something like a $19 saving on 4 qt., 2 crush washers and an O-ring.