Dealer installed running boards

[Aurora85]

Hey guys,
Long story short I'm picking up my new TE next week. It came equipped with the SR5 running boards which I don't care for. Has anyone had any luck with dealers swapping them at time of purchase? I'm trying to get them to swap them out for the "Rigid running boards" that should come with the TE. Other TE on the lot even have them. I have offered to pay labor and have them swap them, but so far they are resistant to do this. I also asked for them to take them off and credit me back, but they say its a SE toyota region add on and they can't take that accessory off for credit. I think the whole thing is bogus.

Just curious if anyhow has been in this situation.

 

[ToyoDriver]

I just had this done the other day. If they are already on the vehicle, no, but mine weren't and they applied the purchase price of running boards toward TRD wheels. Relatively no hassle.

I am in SE Toyota as well.

 

[Aurora85]

interesting thanks for the response! I know they don't want to go through the hassle , but I haven't signed the papers for the truck yet so I'm going to keep trying to get them to swap them. Funny thing is they have 4 TE's on the lot and just about each one has a different style of Toyota running boards. I don't care for the silver side strip on the SR5 boards, that's why I'm trying to get them swapped out.

 

[ToyoDriver]

Yeah me too. I wanted running boards but the Toyota branded ones are just hideous. I like the angular looking Tacoma ones, but of course they don't have them for the T4R.

I don't see them taking them off a car with them already on and cutting you a check though. I don't even know if they'll take them off at all. They said they would install mine at a later date, and then saw them the day of install and was like nah. No. No way.

 

[Aurora85]

Yeah me too. I wanted running boards but the Toyota branded ones are just hideous. I like the angular looking Tacoma ones, but of course they don't have them for the T4R.

I don't see them taking them off a car with them already on and cutting you a check though. I don't even know if they'll take them off at all. They said they would install mine at a later date, and then saw them the day of install and was like nah. No. No way.

I guess I could deal with them and try to sell them down the road..just a pain.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

Hey guys,
Long story short I'm picking up my new TE next week. It came equipped with the SR5 running boards which I don't care for. Has anyone had any luck with dealers swapping them at time of purchase? I'm trying to get them to swap them out for the "Rigid running boards" that should come with the TE. Other TE on the lot even have them. I have offered to pay labor and have them swap them, but so far they are resistant to do this. I also asked for them to take them off and credit me back, but they say its a SE toyota region add on and they can't take that accessory off for credit. I think the whole thing is bogus.

Just curious if anyhow has been in this situation.

I have a similar story. Not with Toyota and not with running boards. But with Nissan and tires.
The '06 Xterra I bought originally had factory General tires on it.
I had just bought a set of Goodyear Silent Amor tires for my '03 Xterra put about 500 miles on them before seeing the '06 configured the way I like them. I asked the sales person to swap the tires from my trade in '03 to the new '06. They did at no extra cost. They kinda frowned though.

 

[codyHTX]

Mine came with the black tube style Toyota steps or nerf-bars or whatever. Toward the end of negotiating I politely told them I would purchasing frame mounted sliders/steps and that I would like them removed from vehicle and price ($650 for those???). They didn't have any problem with that, go for it

as arrived on the lot vs when i picked it up

 

[catrains]

Hey guys,
Long story short I'm picking up my new TE next week. It came equipped with the SR5 running boards which I don't care for. Has anyone had any luck with dealers swapping them at time of purchase? I'm trying to get them to swap them out for the "Rigid running boards" that should come with the TE. Other TE on the lot even have them. I have offered to pay labor and have them swap them, but so far they are resistant to do this. I also asked for them to take them off and credit me back, but they say its a SE toyota region add on and they can't take that accessory off for credit. I think the whole thing is bogus.

Just curious if anyhow has been in this situation.

since you did not pick it up yet I would say you want it removed.

my T4R pre came with no running boards . I was asked if I wanted them but said no. got my TE running boards pt938-89100 at toyotapartsdeal. cost 308 plus about 30 for delivery USD. IMO look better than the sr5 .

very easy to install no brainier ..

 

[philsey]

"Can't" is dealer-speak for "won't".

They CAN, but only if they WANT to. They CAN do any damned thing they want to ... you just haven't made them want to yet.

I always SMH at posts like these. You ARE the customer, aren't you?

What does your sales agreement say re RBs? I suppose you ponied up one of those "non refundable" deposits?

 

[philsey]

....Other TE on the lot even have them. I have offered to pay labor and have them swap them, but so far they are resistant to do this..

Missed this. Wow. I'm not sure I'd buy a vehicle from these turds.

 

[Aurora85]

"Can't" is dealer-speak for "won't".

They CAN, but only if they WANT to. They CAN do any damned thing they want to ... you just haven't made them want to yet.

I always SMH at posts like these. You ARE the customer, aren't you?

What does your sales agreement say re RBs? I suppose you ponied up one of those "non refundable" deposits?

I have not put any deposit down so far so you are absolutely right I can threaten to walk away from the deal currently. Best part was my salesman quoted me $1200 bucks to swap out . Obviously thought that would distract me enough to back down and give up. Now I'm just more pissed off.

 

[catrains]

I have not put any deposit down so far so you are absolutely right I can threaten to walk away from the deal currently. Best part was my salesman quoted me $1200 bucks to swap out . Obviously thought that would distract me enough to back down and give up. Now I'm just more pissed off.

the TE running boards cost me 340 USD. a 30 min job. a 5yr old could do it.

 

[Aurora85]

Exactly!

 

[CF_Machete]

Tell them you either want the correct factory running boards for your vehicle or no running boards & the cost deducted from the total or you're walking.

Its not your fault that the SE decided to "Frankenstein" their fleet. You have the cash and the power.

 

[SoCalOC4runner]

I had the opposite problem - I wanted to add the SR5 running boards and could not. Dealer was not able to get them because they are installed at the port and not an available add on accessory. They have to order them as individual parts for over $1000. Since they don't sell those running boards that's probably why they can't credit you for them, but hopefully you'll find someone who wants them like I did and sell them privately. That's how I found mine. Removal and install is easy.

 

[the4Rdan]

You're in charge here; I'd walk if they're not willing to cooperate. It's pretty disheartening to drive away in a new vehicle pissed off because the dealer thinks they're in control of your sale. Right now, you've still got your money.

 

[Yukon4Runner]

It would appear that if the dealership is holding firm, they've guessed (and probably correctly) that you won't walk.

Advice.

Walk. Begin negotiations with other dealers. Do not contact the current dealer. If the current dealer contacts you, mention that you are looking at other purchasing options. Once you get the deal you are looking for, see if the first dealer will match. If they do, great. If they don't, move along.

 

[philsey]

Hey guys,
Long story short I'm picking up my new TE next week. It came equipped with the SR5 running boards which I don't care for. Has anyone had any luck with dealers swapping them at time of purchase? I'm trying to get them to swap them out for the "Rigid running boards" that should come with the TE. Other TE on the lot even have them. I have offered to pay labor and have them swap them, but so far they are resistant to do this. I also asked for them to take them off and credit me back, but they say its a SE toyota region add on and they can't take that accessory off for credit. I think the whole thing is bogus.

Just curious if anyhow has been in this situation.

Update?

 

[Aurora85]

update to the situation..I backed out of that deal in the middle of last week. While I was getting nowhere with the running boards, I started emailing competitor dealers and found one with my exact truck that was arriving at the start of this week. Not only was their customer service night and day, but they beat the price by another $500. I took delivery Monday and couldn't be happier. I was able to order my running boards this past weekend and they deliver to my home today. I let my original salesman know why they lost a deal over something so simple. Ill have some pics up tonight depending on when I get time to install them.:rockon:

thanks for all the advice guys.

IMG_5919-2 by Diesel10Pilot, on Flickr

 

[Bikemedic]

Strong work, It's hard to walk away.... I did from one dealer when I bought mine because I did not like their business practices. So much in fact I was glad to pay $200 more at a competing dealership.....