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Looking for a non-SET dealer

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by BrianG, Feb 4, 2011.

  1. BrianG

    BrianG Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2005
    27
    5
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    Location:
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I am a resident of North Carolina considering replacing my '05 Prius. I have an aversion to franchises of Southeast Toyota Distributors because of the added extras by SET that appear to be out of the dealers control (ToyoGuard, additional option packages, admin fees, etc.). Anyone have any thoughts about whether looking for a dealer in southern Virgina or eastern Tennessee would be worthwhile? Heck, I have family in New England so would even trade up there if I could negotiate a deal from here.
     
  2. jim256

    jim256 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2009
    317
    69
    0
    Location:
    Eastern NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    All of them around here will be SET dealers, that's the franchise, but the cars don't all have the extras and packages. I just searched my local dealer--has a 2011 1223 with just mats, has a 1225 with sunroof package and also just mats. No Toyoguard in either. Admin fees are all at the discretion of the local dealer, and just about universal on all makes. If you do a Build Your Own and then search all inventory in SET you can even exclude items you don't want. Also, fyi, when I selected mine I waited about a week+ to get the options I did and did not want, and they worked with SET to get one the way I wanted it from the port rather than as a dealer trade.
     
  3. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2009
    5,131
    1,338
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    Location:
    Wilmington, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Brian,

    I did the same as Jim256. I searched the internet and found the vehicle that I wanted in the pipeline to Hendrick Toyota in Fayetteville when I could not find the one that I wanted at Toyota of Wilmington.

    The car I found had not reached the port of Jacksonville yet so I was able to select only the options that I wanted. I had to wait about two weeks for the car.

    Dwight
     
  4. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,347
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    My experience if it helps. Gulf States is the Regional Distributer where I live and my thoughts were just like yours. My way, my options, my color,ect... Going through the Fleet "Manager" I found that vehicles coming from port are sent to a "make ready" at regional with options earmarked and destinations determined. If a Dealership wishes, they can grab one of these, Level, Color, ect., and do it your way with or w/o the non-factory options. Talk to said "Fleet Manager" and tell him what you want. They don't always like to, but they can do it. They did it for me and at a price considerably lower than the "sales guy". They just prefer talking you into buying what is already on the lot because the owner is already vested in this inventory. It's your money. I shopped 12 local dealerships and had only 4 offer this, and 3 actually competed with the price. Good Luck!:cool:
     
  5. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2010
    1,605
    148
    0
    Location:
    Mt. Pleasant, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I used Toyotacertified.com and found many cars throughout the country, including North Carolina. I eventually bought from a dealer in Toledo, OH as the pricing beat out anything in my area.
     
  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
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    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Brian, you can punch in different zip codes at www.aaa.com where you can build a car & get up to 3 dealer quotes. Around here 2010's are under invoice & 2011's are at invoice.