I just called 3 dealerships in the NY/CT area this morning for a part number. All of them refused to give me the numbers saying it was their policy. Eventually I found one in upstate NY that would. Still has anyone experienced this before? Just wondering if its just the NYC market that is keeping these things so close to their chest.
I agree that it is rude of them, however it is also self preservation. If they provided you with the part number then you could order it online or shop around for the lowest price. If you want into their parts department then just how likely are you to leave w/o the part? While I never know about the site Pat posted I've gone to online Toyota parts dealers and clicked until I found the part numbers I needed.
I was thinking of it in the context of my job. As a helicopter blade design engineer part numbers are so vital to my job and to the customers I work with. It would be absurd if we refused to give out the part number for the things we engineer. I guess you can't really shop around for helicopter blades though.
+1 and... I'm not a great fan of dealerships, but will comment that people calling for part numbers take up the parts departments time with a low probability of making a sale.
oh definitely agree with that but the way I see it is I spent $27,000 on a car from Toyota, part of that deal should be telling me what I need to know about it. aka if you want me to spend that much again you'll provide this support which doesn't cost you anything.
Labor isn't free and not giving out part numbers is a common response at many if not most parts counters.
