Official Toyota Position on Charging Over MSRP

[silverbell]

I called the Toyota Customer service number at 1-800-331-4331 to find out it's official position on charging over MSRP. The representative said that dealers CAN charge over MSRP because they are independently owned and operated, and that the cars on their lots are owned by the dealers.

So there...

It's crocodiles market!

[lefat1]

[quote=silverbell;639955]

The representative said that dealers CAN charge over MSRP because they are independently owned and operated

true,

the cars on the lot are owned by the dealer

not true, but no matter

[richard schumacher]

If you don't like this complain to your state legislators. In most of the US it is illegal for manufacturers to retail their own cars; they have to sell through "dealers". Dealers pushed hard for these laws in the 1950s in the name of protection against predatory practices by manufacturers.

[ewhanley]

I understand that people feel like the dealers are "stickin it to 'em," which they are, but why wouldn't they? Auto dealerships aren't non-profits. It just makes sense that if you possess an item in high demand, particularly one which can be classed as conspicuous consumption, you would charge what the market bears. I think we all know that consumers have extremely short memories so I doubt the dealers have to worry much about people not coming back when the new models arrive. Hell, they should probably auction them. Such is capitalism.

[rfruth]

Agree dealerships aren't non-profits but a bad reputation is hard to shake (fool me once...) anyhow the banks "own" the new cars on the dealers lots don't they ?

[stevecaz]

Toyota does have say if a dealer is charging outrageous prices - they simply don't allocate that dealer any Prius. Oops, sorry, we have none for you this month.

Right now its hard, in 2010-2011 it will be easier I think, and hope, with perhaps more hybrids sold than straight ICE vehicles (not adding commercial truck sales).

[ceric]

As a customer, you can give them the lowest satisfaction rating after purchase.
Dealers do get some reward from Toyota for making customers happy. Not much money there,
but you can give them 0-star if you really need to vent!

[JimN]

Originally Posted by ceric

As a customer, you can give them the lowest satisfaction rating after purchase.
Dealers do get some reward from Toyota for making customers happy. Not much money there,
but you can give them 0-star if you really need to vent!

The dealer's job is to screw as much money out of the customer as possible. The customer's job is to squeeze as much out of the dealer as possible. Lie to me, waste my time and piss me off will guarantee that the customer satisfaction survey will contain the lowest grades possible along with commentary. If that ends up costing somebody some cash, good. If it happens enough maybe they will clean up their act.

[PriusSport]

I bought mine about a week before the big May rush--when dealers hadn't begun to think about price-gouging. I offered them a deal, and they accepted.

In today's climate, it would have been no deal. I would wait for gas prices to come down (it's just a matter of time) and Prius-mania to subside. Then I might get into the market for an 09. The next generation model in 2010 I might pass on until they get the bugs out.

[SW03ES]

Originally Posted by stevecaz

Toyota does have say if a dealer is charging outrageous prices - they simply don't allocate that dealer any Prius. Oops, sorry, we have none for you this month. .

And the dealer can sue them for lost profits under breach of their franchise agreements.

Sorry guys, this is business. Toyota doesn't care enough about you to risk opening itself up to liability with its franchisees. You gotta pay what the things cost.