Am I obligated?

Not obligated at all - not even remotely...

 

They have given you multiple reasons to walk away from the deal. I wouldn't feel bad.

 

I think you know by now, but no, you have no obligation whatsoever. Since no paperwork was signed, that tells me that you didn't even put down a deposit, so really, no truck was ordered at all. The dealers I know, will ask for a $500 deposit when ordering a truck, and by the way, that deposit is completely refundable, at least, here in CA. I know, I did just that when I ordered my truck almost two years ago. Go get the truck you want!

 

Nope...no deposit/no paperwork.
There is no way I would accept a different color etc from what I wanted. I'm assuming I was allocated that truck, but the changes were never accepted or weren't forwarded to Toyota by the dealer in the first place. Just a little communication would have been nice.
If I can get a good deal, I'm going with the new dealer. Especially with the how scarce the trucks seem to be right now. At least I know this one is on the way. I hope!
I'll just call the original dealer (assuming I can snag this one first) and tell him I've decided to move forward with a different option.
Thanks everyone.

 

Its clear to me that the original dealer did nothing because you didn't do anything yourself! You didn't sign any paperwork offering to purchase, nor put down a deposit. Now, having said that, it seems to me that the dealership completely lost their minds on this one, as they clearly lost a sale because they didn't follow protocol in "signing up" the customer when he clearly wanted to order a truck! What a crazy deal this was!

 

Did you pay a deposit? If so, you will lose it. But, if it is not what you wanted you are not obligated to buy. He offered to get you a setup and could not deliver. Even if it was from a friend of a friend it was not what you agreed to. I will also tell you that the best way to get financing even if the dealer said they would obligate it is to get pre approved through a bank. I did this and held that card till they dealer offered me their financing. At the time I had locked in at 1.9%. the dealer offered 3.5%. Best they could do. Then I said I have my owe and gave them the paperwork. All of a sudden they could do 1.8%. This is where the dealer makes most of their money. They are paid for the loan even if you don't pay. The more interest the more money they make. That and the insurance rip off.

 

Sounds like your "connection" meant squat...
Move on and I would suggest you never take your truck there for service.

 

Nah, can get the deposit back.

 

OP stated:

I'd nope. Wrong color, not as agreed upon, perfectly acceptable to walk away.

 

If you were required to put down a deposit, it is typically up to the dealer's discretion as to whether they give it back, at least in my state. Otherwise, you say your situation has changed and you can no longer make the purchase. They can't force you to buy the truck. For example, let's say you lost your job in the waiting time and had no, verifiable income when the truck arrived. The dealer would have no obligation to sell you the truck, if you now don't qualify for financing, just because it was a special order.

 

OP had it right with Ordered in quotes. Toyota and many others just specifically direct a vehicle in their pending allocation to a particular customer. If the customer is lucky AND if the vehicle is at the right spot in the queue, the dealer MAY be able to tweak the color and options a bit.

OP said it right. A truly 'ordered' Toyota is a rarity. Not impossible, but typically just what I said above.

 

Shit, you're being nice! I'd just go buy the other truck, and if/when they call, I'd let them know, or just not answer,,, you know, basically the same way they have treated you.

 

I would think that you are only obgated if there is a contract and a non refundable deposit. Still if the vehicle don't match up with what you asked for you should still be able to get the deposit back. They didn't deliver as promised. If you didn't put down a deposit or it's refundable go get the truck you want and don't worry. As others said it's just business and they will be able to sell it easy since these days they hardy sit on the lot long.

 

Or go buy the other truck, and show up in person to let them know, just be sure to park right up front so they can see your new ride!!

 

Haha I actually considered doing that at the dealership that offered me nearly nothing for my trade and would not neogotiate anything from msrp with or without a trade in. Even considered asking for the sales person but I didn't have the time or energy for all that. Never going back there is enough.

 

Haha yeah, I know, you get to the point- F em not worth wasting anymore time.
Now, if you still need to stop by to pickup your deposit?????? Hell yeah!

 

It's a large purchase, get the truck you want, in the color you want or you will have to think about it every time you get in it.

 

just be honorable and cancel the truck. don't start ducking their calls when the truck comes in.

 

No don't go leaving money on the table like that. If you happen to pull up with your new Tacoma gotten elsewhere oh well.

 

OP,

As others have stated, you are under no obligation -- legal, technical or otherwise. I think you know that.

So it depends on how you choose to deal with people ... what kind of person you are ... and what kind of values you have. Absolutely feel free to pursue the other truck. Frankly, until you have locked down the truck that you want you have to assume nothing is final! Especially with the market for these trucks. So pursue the other truck that you want ... but, hey, you never know that could follow through.

No harm in leaving a voicemail or sending a note to the GM letting them know you found a truck and you wanted to give them the courtesy of letting them know. You can also mention that you didn't want to be a bother and noticed the truck was not in the color you requested so you figured it would be best to not bother them and go about your business.

Personally, I don't worry if all people are terrible, all salespersons are evil, all dealers are stealers and what not. I can only control what I can control. Doesn't sound like you had any level of a firm commitment ... so by all means move on ... but also close the loop ... you never know ... your paths may cross again and if the don't there is no harm in always taking the high road.

But that's just me ...