Toyota dealership needs ALL my info before test driving new Tacoma

Is this policy at your dealership? They need every bit of my info except my SS (name, email, phone, copy of drivers license) to even do a test drive. I told the salesman, politely, that I’m not interested in them having all my info if I don’t want to make a deal on the truck. He said sorry, it’s company policy. I said last time I did this y’all sold it to all kinds of scammers because my phone and email blew up the day after I walked in there and I wasn’t interested in that happening again. He denied that they sell our info but he didn’t show that to me in print. So I walked.

More details: Last time I bought a vehicle from a Toyota dealership, I went along with this BS and got numerous spam phone calls and emails offering me all kinds of stupid products and subscriptions starting the next day even though I walked after they denied my offer (they ended up accepting it 5 days later).

I just test drove a new Silverado Trail Boss at the GM dealership down the street from the Toyota dealer with no hassle, no logging all my info into their system, or anything. I have the Chevy salesman’s card. He has nothing more than my name. Isn’t that the way it should be?

 

Try another Toyota dealership?

 

It's their insurance, not the dealer. I would 100% do the same thing if I ran a dealership.

Also, the test drive deductable is usually 5000-10000$ so read the fine print.

 

At all the dealerships around here they ask for your driver's license so they can make a copy before driving any car.

 

I had to provide my drivers license when I test drove my truck. I think that’s reasonable. It ensures you’re indeed a licensed driver, and they “know” who they just handed the keys to a brand new vehicle to. The amount of spam I’ve received since hasn’t changed (it’s still too much!).

 

Even on a short ride-along year drive?

I agree that it’s reasonable but selling my info to others is not.

 

There was no fine print to read at the test drive stage. Handed the salesman my license, he went inside with it, came back with my license and the keys to the truck. I jumped in an took off. Didn’t sign anything until we made a deal.

 

Salesmen didn’t go with me. Handed me the keys, and said “see you soon!”. Drove it for about 25 minutes or so. Even pulled over in a parking lot and popped the hood, and crawled around underneath it and looked it over good for 10-15 mins.

 

Did you get blown up with spam (mostly car related) for a week afterward?

 

I didn't notice any increase but I also didn't provide them a phone number on any test drive. The only time I gave them a phone number was when we were finalizing the deal.

 

Test drove mine without the sales lady even asking for a DL. I remember consciously thinking about the fact she should have.

No spam after the purchas, btw. (except sirius)

 

Yes

 

its worth the hassle

 

I walked on the lot with a friend around the time I was looking to buy, but not from this particular dealership. Didn't take long for a saleswoman to come over.

No license check, no info exchange other than first names. She rode with us and that's about it...

 

Drivers license & other info is legit. But I had a dealership want to run my credit even after I told ‘em I’m payin’ cash. They insisted & I walked.

 

I just bought my Tacoma yesterday. I pulled up to the dealership, walked in as my salesman was waiting for me and we just walked out to the truck and went for a drive. He didn't look at my drivers license or anything.

 

Dealers are independent franchisees so they can set their own policies

 

Here are a couple of solutions to the OP's situation. I have a separate email address I give out to people I don't want to have my main email. I rarely check it and most of the time just log in and delete everything in there.

Also, look into getting a free Google Voice phone number. There again, I give out my different Google Voice number to people I might want to have contact with but don't want them to have my main phone number.

https://voice.google.com/about

 

I still have a landline number because it is packaged with the cable. I don't even have a phone plugged into the line. I use that number as well as the junk email address.

 

Every bit of your info is in an email address? Your phone number?? A driver's license??

Who knew?