Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sought!

Re: Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sou

I do not think either of these is worth the money the dealer will charge you for them. At many dealers these are simple $8 and $20 bottlers of scotch guard/leather care produce or wax that you can apply yourself and the mark up is several hundred percent over what the dealer paid. Plus you don't know what exactly was applied, just some fancy name that is unhelpful. I would not pay for either of these at the dealer. Better to do it yourself and know exactly what products you've used to care for your car.

Best,
Jonathan

 

Re: Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sou

Interior and exterior protectant are an absolute waste of money, and I'm a manager at a Toyota dealership.

 

Re: Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sou

The tint might be worth it, and since it would be installed prior to delivery, it would save you the hassle and I assume it would still be under warranty.

 

Re: Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sou

You have to ask yourself why dealers add these "options" to cars before buyers ask for them? Seems to me, it has to be because they are highly profitable to the dealer if they get away with it or if not, allow them the illusion of discounting the car for a buyer when the dealer options were grossly inflated to begin with. They are no where near worth it. I never want to buy a car with any dealer adds, I did have to take a $70 rear bumper applique on our TCH, but got the car at a substantial discount vs mfg MSRP.

 

Re: Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sou

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What is the normal charge for this? I think it's called Toyota Guard,
right? My car is on the lot, waiting for the Senate to pass the extra
money for Cash for Clunkers. When my sales person was getting me
the car (it was at port), he said he called too late and the Toyota
Guard was already applied. (He knew I was not interested in getting
this add-on.) He said he was giving me a 50% discount and only
charging me $200 for it.

Thoughts?


-Mark Zmyewski
Soon-to-be-owner, 2010 III, Blue
Huntsville, AL

 

Re: Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sou

I'm nervous my dealer will do that when mine arrives. I would say no on principle to this.

 

Re: Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sou

I hate the Toyoguard game. This is a $699 add-on that is pure profit for the region (SET). What sucks is that the Prius is so hard to find that once your car is that close, its hard to cancel the order because of that one add-on. If they stand their ground and do not remove that charge, don't feel bad for paying $200. Ideally, you don't pay anything because Toyoguard is a waste.

 

Re: Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sou

Thanks, jestoy7. If Obama signs the bill, I should be picking up my
car today!


-Mark

 

Re: Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sou

I'm picking my Black one up tomorrow. The dealer is offering the paint/interior guard for $300. I'm not thrilled about paying that, and probably wont for now, but I've never had a black car before. In this case, does anyone think it's worth it?

 

Re: Dealer Add-ons: Any Worthwhile @ at What Price? Dealer & Salesperson Input on Typical Costs Sou

I think the value depends on the color of the interior and paint (dark gray and black interiors are easier to clean and white exteriors are kind of whatever : ) your lifestyle, how much time you want to spend babying your car, your budget, and the dealer. I always get all weather mats anyway so don't worry about the rug but do about the exterior paint and seats. There seem to be only few products out there but more than a few companies that back them. Does not matter to me if the co. goes bust; I would go back to the dealer to clean, fix, or replace. Generally, I have paid $450 to $600 over the years, esp. with my CRV that I now lease for my business. I wanted no hassle at the end of the lease so I chose to spend $450 vs hear at the end, there is acid rain on the car, or that stain is not normal wear and tear. Undercoating has not been as important to me since I don't live hear sea air or in snow any longer (it was included on the P). As for if it really is put on; one time they oversprayed so yes.

I also purchased on my Prius for $599 (I never pay what dealers ask but at least 50% less), undercoating, exterior (and interior even though I will replace the seats). The reason is that I have never have had to have a car waxed or detailed since I started buying exterior protection. So snake oil or not, my exterior paint looks as good (ok 95%) 5 years out as when I purchased with nothing but washing. I don't wax so it would cost me $100 in the NW to have it done each time which means, even once a year here (less sunny than other places I lived), I break even. I do concede that having a covered, enclosed garage for my auto helps.

So in closing this novel, to me, if one is considering purchasing the key is 1) take at least 50% off the asking price as your dealer's price and READ the warranty before signing to figure out if it's the dealers, a national company, and what is really covered. Happy test driving!