Second Keyfob

The dealer has people waiting in line for any new car especially a hybrid. The popular Prime models usually have a $5k - $10k market adjustment plus $5-$7k of accessories, all pre-installed. Your negotiating position is better on Craigslist.

Usually the online listings show "available" cars that are already assigned to a waiting list customer. Some are listed as in stock but are being built for or transported to that dealer. The online pricing shows msrp but the buyer pays more. So online shopping just gets you on the dealer's prospect list and allows them to minimize advertising.

Every once in a while, a hybrid buyer may walk away when hit with a low trade in price, high interest rates or too many accessories and that baby blue Rav4 might be scooped up by another customer sooner than expected.

A seemingly new and odd tactic is to list a 300 mile hybrid or Prime as used. Still with the markups and accessories but now with higher used car financing! I saw a 2023 Rav4 XLE hybrid and a 2023 Rav4 XSE Prime at a dealer last weekend using this sales strategy. Overall I am convinced the dealers are the bad guys right now.

Some models like the Rav4 have been shipping with two fobs since March.

The parts department generally has no stock, they have to order from their distributor. Those parts are intended for "lost or broken" fobs where the car is incapacitated. Some dealers will sell and program one, some follow Toyota's instructions and won't if you have a working fob.

 

I'm in no rush and I'll wait for the second key fob and Hula girl...
m

 

I almost had to chuckle at the relief in my salesman's posture when I cut off the start of the "one keyfob spiel" and told him I already knew I was only getting one. The dealerships haven't liked this shortage either; lots of angry customers to deal with.

 

you can buy one from the parts department at your cost, but not at their cost

 

Thanks to this thread I won't be blindsided by the one fob.