At least my local dealer knows why I laugh at their pricing...

[19963.4lsr5]

I used Amayama a few years back to get an actuator for my Tacoma rear locker...800+ everywhere stateside, got it from them for half.



If I recall...really did nothing on my side other than order and wait...shipping took a few weeks but that was all. Part has worked great for years now.

I just looked on their site for the rear hatch outside handle assemble. ToyotaParts wants 60 and they want 48. I was hoping a bigger price difference. To me it should be a 20 dollar part.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[octanejunkie]

In the USA, each Toyota dealer invents it's own 'list price' for each item.
3 dealers, 3 different claimed list prices, these for spark plugs: $3.13 at Camelback Toyota(in Phoenix, AZ), $4.00 at Toyota Santa Monica(crooks), $4.25 at Toyota Marina Del Rey(bigger crooks). Oh, and the Camelback selling price was $2.29.
I goofed when ordering from Camelback and had to buy 5 spark plugs locally. I couldn't bring myself to finally cave in to the crooks for about 24 hours.

Toyota Santa Monica are bonafide crooks, 100%

I rather get from Keyes Toyota in Van Nuys or order online.

 

[octanejunkie]

FWIW, here is an order I just received fromToyotaPartsDeal.com

I assume they picked from bulk stock and packaged for my order

Parts I got from my local Toyota dealer were similarly packaged

 

[Nate_GB]

Not sure if this has been mentioned already, but OP, your dealer is straight up scamming you. They are just pulling the list and retail prices out of their ass. The parts guys are probably making bets about how high they can markup a part from list before the customer says anything. If you need parts fast, find a local shop that's been around and has a good reputation, and buy the parts through them. You'll be more likely to only get charged the normal 20% markup from the list price because a dealer won't try and pull the same shit when they're selling parts to a shop.

Honestly, that's a really slimy move. The dealer should be a reliable place to get a fair price. They are simply robbing you.

 

[Roamed YT]

Not sure if this has been mentioned already, but OP, your dealer is straight up scamming you. They are just pulling the list and retail prices out of their ass. The parts guys are probably making bets about how high they can markup a part from list before the customer says anything. If you need parts fast, find a local shop that's been around and has a good reputation, and buy the parts through them. You'll be more likely to only get charged the normal 20% markup from the list price because a dealer won't try and pull the same shit when they're selling parts to a shop.

Honestly, that's a really slimy move. The dealer should be a reliable place to get a fair price. They are simply robbing you.

So, funny backstory about this dealer... they have a, um... reputation of things like this.

I run the parts department for a fair-sized municipal government. I'm a Red Seal Journeyman Parts Tech. I have been in the business for 14 years at some level... my first gig was actually at a Toyota dealer.

This dealer doesn't discount, and when they're called out on it, they just say "That's the retail price. Sorry".

It's a really crummy way to do business, but when you're the only dealer within 1000 miles you kind of have the opportunity to take advantage of people.

 

[Nate_GB]

So, funny backstory about this dealer... they have a, um... reputation of things like this.

I run the parts department for a fair-sized municipal government. I'm a Red Seal Journeyman Parts Tech. I have been in the business for 14 years at some level... my first gig was actually at a Toyota dealer.

This dealer doesn't discount, and when they're called out on it, they just say "That's the retail price. Sorry".

It's a really crummy way to do business, but when you're the only dealer within 1000 miles you kind of have the opportunity to take advantage of people.

Interesting that someone else hasn't seen the opportunity to put another dealer in the area and operate in a better way and steal all the customer base. That place needs some competition.

 

[Mark_BC]

Interesting that someone else hasn't seen the opportunity to put another dealer in the area and operate in a better way and steal all the customer base. That place needs some competition.

The Whitehorse Toyota market is only so big.

 

[Roamed YT]

Interesting that someone else hasn't seen the opportunity to put another dealer in the area and operate in a better way and steal all the customer base. That place needs some competition.

Yeah, there's a lot of businesses up here that have an entitlement mentality. I can buy parts for class 8 trucks and heavy equipment for 30-40% less in Alberta or British Columbia and have them shipped up for free or cheap.

Unfortunately we have 35,000 people in an area that's over 186,000 square miles. Most businesses won't justify the investment!

 

[Renegade_Medic]

Depending on how you feel about that morally, you could always take the parts that you order online back with your receipt to the dealer. This allows you to get your parts now, but get most of your money back when the other ones come in.

I told my local dealer part counter person this when I went in to get my wheel bearing and seal stuff as well. He told me over the phone they would price match other dealers, then I showed him the prices for Toyota of Dallas (about 5 hours away, Texas is a huge state) and he laughed and said no. I explained that I could just return the parts I order online and they would essentially be out of any money, then he relented and gave me the price match.

Just saying.

 

[SaxAndLiz]

Local Business SMH

Having been a genuine local and independent (non-franchise) business (ice cream and chocolate truffles), I have been on both sides of the "buy local" debate. I closed down my business recently. My experience with other local owners was mixed. Very few followed through with seeking out the local businesses.

After trying the "buy local" as best as I could I settled on my current formula.

There are those who genuinely care about what they do, and will bend over backwards to stand behind their product or service. These businesses I will support even if there are cheaper options available. For example, my local coffee roaster and book seller. My coffee roaster has a wealth of knowledge about coffee. I love coffee. I get the knowledge for free, so I am happy to pay for his time through the higher prices he charges.

Then there are businesses who are only acting as an unscrupulous middle man, like OP's local parts department. If I am spending the time to find out all the information myself about which parts to get, why would I be happy paying 2-3 times the average retail? Internet is changing how business gets done. It's a fact of life. I have no qualms about saving my money and buying on the internet. When the service is good, I will buy generously and tip well.

 

[liquidnails]

Canadian parts prices in general are crazy. No Toyota dealer in my area gives anything but the retail price. Even Toyotapartsdirect.ca is pricey, especially once you factor in the (what seems like) $50 minimum shipping charge.

It is cheaper for me to order out of the US even with the 40% the exchange rate adds. I guess that's one perk of living where I do.

 

[Kanoe]

How did you order, online? Did you set up an account?

I just ordered from their website. Just added stuff to my cart and then checked out. No account to set up. One odd step they do is that they email the next day to confirm you actually placed the order (not a scammer) before they process the order. It all was pretty painless.

 

[BrianSD_42]

In the USA, each Toyota dealer invents it's own 'list price' for each item.
3 dealers, 3 different claimed list prices, these for spark plugs: $3.13 at Camelback Toyota(in Phoenix, AZ), $4.00 at Toyota Santa Monica(crooks), $4.25 at Toyota Marina Del Rey(bigger crooks). Oh, and the Camelback selling price was $2.29.
I goofed when ordering from Camelback and had to buy 5 spark plugs locally. I couldn't bring myself to finally cave in to the crooks for about 24 hours.

Yes it is true that "LIST" "ONLINE PRICE" "PRICE AT COUNTER" are all something the dealer just makes up.

But the Toyota MSRP (which I believe is set by Toyota) is shown on Camelback Toyota Online Part's website for every part.

Here is an example of my experience:
* Part MSRP: $10
* Counter price at local dealer: $14
* Online price Camelback Toyota online: $7

Also combine this with the fact that in person most parts guys at the counter won't show you the Toyota MSRP you will need to Google it or use Camelback's website.

I was able to convince the local parts department to sell me ATF for MSRP of ~$10 instead of what they originally asked for at $14 / bottle. They only changed the price when I said I know the MSRP and want them to match it. I hardly call this method a hook up but hey $10 is still cheaper than $14.

lane:

 

[I'mStock]

Depending on how you feel about that morally, you could always take the parts that you order online back with your receipt to the dealer. This allows you to get your parts now, but get most of your money back when the other ones come in.

I told my local dealer part counter person this when I went in to get my wheel bearing and seal stuff as well. He told me over the phone they would price match other dealers, then I showed him the prices for Toyota of Dallas (about 5 hours away, Texas is a huge state) and he laughed and said no. I explained that I could just return the parts I order online and they would essentially be out of any money, then he relented and gave me the price match.

Just saying.

Toyota ships parts with dealer codes on them, if you came in to my department trying to return a part with a different dealer code on it, I couldn't take it in.

ainkiller:

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Toyota ships parts with dealer codes on them, if you came in to my department trying to return a part with a different dealer code on it, I couldn't take it in.

But his packaging WOULD have the correct dealer code.

 

[I'mStock]

But his packaging WOULD have the correct dealer code.

lol, I'm just now having my coffee, the logistics make sense now. :flypig:

 

[Tyler James Inc]

lol, I'm just now having my coffee, the logistics make sense now. :flypig:

I wouldn't go through the hassle of actually doing it, but I can see it working, and kind of enjoy the "middle-finger" factor. Not that the counter guy has anything to do with pricing. [emoji6]
My local Overland group has a 25% off parts account at a local dealership, but I've never used it, and not sure if it even ends up being a good price [emoji23] I believe a guy in the group is a manager of parts or service there.

 

[I'mStock]

I wouldn't go through the hassle of actually doing it, but I can see it working, and kind of enjoy the "middle-finger" factor. Not that the counter guy has anything to do with pricing.

Yeah, as a counter person who's limited to 10% off of matrix list price (who also had the freedom of discretion to go a far as to match Camelback's pricing a year ago) I totally understand wanting to give the middle finger to a dealership.

I also appreciate it when customers realize I don't make the pricing up as I go.

FWIW, while we're on the subject of returns - the online -> dealership parts swap trick can work for bagged/boxed items but there are instances where Toyota will place the sticker directly on the part, making it difficult to remove and transfer (believably) onto the online part. Also check your local dealer's return policy as we do not take returns on electronics, period.

 

[octanejunkie]

Yeah, as a counter person who's limited to 10% off of matrix list price (who also had the freedom of discretion to go a far as to match Camelback's pricing a year ago) I totally understand wanting to give the middle finger to a dealership.

I also appreciate it when customers realize I don't make the pricing up as I go.

FWIW, while we're on the subject of returns - the online -> dealership parts swap trick can work for bagged/boxed items but there are instances where Toyota will place the sticker directly on the part, making it difficult to remove and transfer (believably) onto the online part. Also check your local dealer's return policy as we do not take returns on electronics, period.

Some dealers charge restocking fees and don't take returns on "special order" parts that they had to bring in - and not just Toyota dealers, my local Chevy dealer was just as bad with parts pricing.

All in all, probably not worth it, but frustrating as heck :mad2:

 

[nobb]

Never realized you could ask dealers to price match. Canadian dealers are a huge ripoff here, some local dealers vary by as much ad 20% between each other here.

I'm guessing there's a minimum the dealer is willing to go vs online prices. Are dealers typically willing to even match special order parts?