Am I being "played" by the dealer?

I've been searching for the new '18 Taco that I really want for a bit now. Been at it pretty hard core as of late.

Of course, my favorite color choices aren't available in my area, so it's been an online hunt, spanning most of the nation. It is soooo fun contacting so many dealers, and searching for what seems to be an elusive truck. I "might" have found it though, and have negotiated what I think is a good price..., but is it for real?

I'm wary of the dealers that only use stock photos, or no photo. I guess because I recently contacted one, with that situation, and was told it wasn't on his lot, but he could get it... and two more similar, but different colors. Turns out he couldn't get any of the three. Seemed like a really nice and helpful fellow, but in the end, it didn't pan out and I'm kinda feeling "played". You know... how it seems the dealers like to do with you. Maybe I was, but maybe I wasn't. He could have been doing his best.

Now for the new deal. I found one just like I want, and have the price where I need it to be. But again, it's not on the lot... yet. Supposedly in freight...

Here is what has me thinking something may not be right... the dealership website shows something like 80 Tacos for sale, with only a handful actually showing an actual picture. The others show something along the lines of "pics coming soon", or in my case, a stock photo of a different colored Taco, and description of what I actually looking for.

I've received the Vspec sheet, and it looks fine as to what I am wanting to buy.

So let's assume they have actual dealership photos of 20 (probably a high number), that would mean they have about 60 being delivered, which they are already attempting to sell.

I just kind of find that a bit unrealistic.

GoogleEarth of the lot doesn't look like a huge dealership, but who knows? Still, 60 Tacos coming, not counting all the Tundras, and other models?

I'm kinda left wondering, is this for real? At the same time, what would be the gain of the dealership for doing such a thing? Am I actually gonna wait for a week or so, just to get some excuse as to why it didn't show up, or if it does, that it's not as listed on the Vspec?

How does one verify that it is actually in freight, and not just some dealerships "game"?

Thanks, and sorry if I posted in the wrong forum.

 

They're probably posting what they have allocated. Request to get a build sheet with vin. Run the vin in the Toyota owners site to verify for yourself.

 

...so what is the truck you want to get and hard to find? Color, trim. package...

 

A build sheet is different than V spec (List all the standard and optional equipment w/ prices). It included a VIN. So that's all I need?

 

There are Vins for vehicles that haven't been built yet. On the Toyota owners site I believe there's a spot that states when it was built. It's been awhile since I checked though.

 

@Dacon I'm keeping things close to the chest, so I don't jinx it,... but let's just say I like access cabs, those are in short supply compared to the doubles. Taking all my personal preferences into account, the list appears to get short quick...

 

They're selling over 20k Tacoma's a month right now. They're probably not lying when they say it's difficult to get a particular model.

 

I know I wouldn't want the job if taking pics of every Tacoma that was delivered then doing it all over again every week.

 

@toyotatacomaTRD Thanks, I knew it would be tough to find when I started, especially as there are literally NO access cabs in my state.

By the way, (I haven't looked at the Toyota site yet) is there a way to see if a particular truck/vin is actually in freight, and where it's going, scheduled delivery, etc? Am sooo tired of the "hunt" but need to keep at it if this is an "emotional play".

 

Tell us what you're looking for. We're here to help.
Here's some feelers....
https://www.hoseltontoyota.com/inve...d-offroad-4wd-4d-access-cab-5tfsz5an3jx122706
https://www.hoseltontoyota.com/inve...acoma-sr5-rwd-4d-access-cab-5tfrx5gn3jx116125
https://www.hoseltontoyota.com/inve...acoma-sr5-4wd-4d-access-cab-5tfsz5an9jx140465
https://www.lebruntoyota.com/invent...-sr-4wd-extended-cab-pickup-5tfsx5en4jx060149
https://www.lebruntoyota.com/invent...-sr-4wd-extended-cab-pickup-5tfsx5en7jx060680
https://www.lebruntoyota.com/invent...sr5-4wd-extended-cab-pickup-5tfsz5an1hx110418
https://www.lebruntoyota.com/invent...sr5-4wd-extended-cab-pickup-5tfsz5an2jx143062
https://www.lebruntoyota.com/invent...sr5-4wd-extended-cab-pickup-5tfsz5an6jx136504
https://www.lebruntoyota.com/invent...ort-4wd-extended-cab-pickup-5tfsz5an2hx112470
https://www.dorscheltoyota.com/new/Toyota/2018-Toyota-Tacoma-4b59a2840a0e0ae913244a279af15ffa.htm
https://www.dorscheltoyota.com/new/Toyota/2018-Toyota-Tacoma-aaae63360a0e0adf2bd1b787d8aff014.htm

For starters, what color are we talking about?

 

I think only the dealership knows that info. You can see when it's actually built though I believe.

During my search, I had the same thing happen. I was looking for a unicorn build apparently. But I got in touch with an honest dealer. They told me how many were in the country. And how long it would take to get. If you're patient, you'll get what you want. Negotiating right now is possible, but it did seem to be more difficult than when I did it a couple years ago for my wife's car. I did it 100 percent online and phone conversations.

 

Made in Texas.
Ordered 3/18.
Everything matches the Vspec.

I know it was at least built... It didn't state the selling or servicing dealer.

I guess I can relax 'just a bit' now.

Yes, I found they were willing to deal a bit. This guy actually knocked a bit more off of the price than I had indicated I expected. Almost a too good to be true thing, which also had me worried.

 

Ok, just please post the actual specs of your mystery truck once you're comfortable. It's killing me.

 

Well, get the deal done..... tonight for Christ’s sake

 

Vehicles in F status show up on the dealers site. No choice in the matter.

 

Just hammering out some of the finer points, concerning interstate purchases... registration and taxes (seems to be a bit complicated, depending on the two states). Covering my butt so as not too end up paying twice. Everything else is set.

I wonder though, how long does it take to build one? Does an 03/18 order date sound about right for a late 04/18 delivery date?

 

You pay taxes based on your home address zip code. No issues purchasing out of state, I've done it several times.

A more accurate date would be production date rather than order date. But if they're saying they have it, I'm sure they do. It's not a ploy just to get you there, or else you would leave. Tell them you're looking at a very specific model and have the salesperson shoot you a few pictures so you can verify it's the one. Good luck.

 

I'm guessing it's an SR, in Super White with the Orkin/Ecolab prep package

 

Hey, SR guys need love too...

 

Cement AC 5 lugger. Edit: just a guess