Question regarding dealer trade

[Black Majik]

Hi everyone...

I have a quick question regarding dealer trades. There's a dealer that has located a 4 Runner that fits my specifications. However, the salesperson I'm working with told me that they won't bring over the car until after negotiations and a deal has been made.

I understand their point of view for tire kickers and adding miles trading cars between dealer lots.

My question is, how likely is this? Personally, I want to see the car I'll be potentially buying before any paperwork.

Thanks.

 

[aso432]

Beware!

I guess they want to discuss money first. Hmm I would waive on the side of caution. I just bought a used 2004. I discussed the price for the 4runner and then discussed the trade.
They are going to figure out how they can sell you the 4runner while getting as much money from you including the trade. I
bought my 4runner for 12000.00 with the trade. No one could even come close. The local toyota dealer ship wanted an additional 5k for the same vehicle.
I got a hell of a deal at this dealer ship. Here is the dealership that i puchased the 4runner from.
Rock bottum prices.
Goodluck.
I do not trust sales persons, they are worst that the crooks on the streets.

http://www.southeastcaragency.com/

 

[Black Majik]

Hi aso,

Thanks for your reply.

I think there might be a slight confusion, I was inquiring about dealer trades between dealers exchanging 4 Runners.

For some reason, I have my uneasiness about this but I'm curious if this process is the norm or not?

 

[toto]

I would think that it is the norm. There's a lot of paperwork involved in transferring ownership of the vehicle from one dealer to another. If you walk away, both dealers spent a lot of time and money for no reason.

If your dealer is willing to trade to get it, then maybe the other one is close by. I agree with you about wanting to see the car before buying it, even if it's "the exact same thing" in a different color or whatever. I've been known to drive to every dealer in a 50-mile radius to find what I want in stock, but I'm crazy. One thing is for sure - the dealer who has it in stock could potentially make you a better deal than the dealer you're working with now, just because of the added hassle involved in the trade process.

 

[BamBam]

I was working on a deal like this. The local dealer was just being a dork about everything and acting similar to the way your dealer is acting.

I finally just called the other dealer directly and bought it straight from him and saved around $1000 by doing it that way.

The problem is that the first dealer doesn't want you doing just that. He is afraid you'll go deal directly with the second dealer and he will lose his commission. He wants you to sign on the dotted line and give him a deposit. That way if the other vehicle he is trading for sells before he can get it then he still has you tied down. You have given him $1000 or whatever the deposit is and to avoid losing that you will buy whatever he decides to sell you or get nothing at all.

My advice is to not play that game. Just tell him "I'll go ahead and go to a dealer that can get me the vehicle I want. Thanks for your time."

 

[Bookmonke]

If it is new I would use the toyota site and find where it is my searching inventory and if close go deal with them, if used you have to do a web search for each dealer to check used inventory.

 

[toto]

Toyota doesn't offer that search yet for all regions of the country. In Illinois, I have to go dealer-by-dealer and hope their Web sites are current.

That's a great suggestion if you have access to it.

 

[Barefoot]

The last 2 cars I've bought have been dealer trades.

I agreed on a price and gave them a deposit before they went and got it.

 

[Black Majik]

Thanks everyone for your responses and insight.

So, this does seem to be the norm. Unfortunately I'm unable to find out which dealership has the specific truck I'm looking for, and I went to 9 dealerships over the weekend.

Searching online for dealer inventory has been unsuccessful, and even when I call to ask about my specific model, I get lied to finding out they didn't have it when they said they did.

Well, we'll see what happens next..

I appreciate all your help, thanks!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

If the dealership is under the same ownership the deal may be ok.

In Florida we have 3 days to back out of any major contract. Check and see what Calif does. An option might be to proceed and if it arrives and is different than represented or it's banged up on the way you can back out. Good Luck!

 

[Jeff Kleb]

You are referring to what is known as a "DX" or dealer exchange. They'll do it to make a sale, but bear in mind that there is some minor headache with paperwork for them, and they also have to pay an employee to drive Vehicle A from one dealer to another and then have them take Vehicle B (as an exchange) from the second dealer back to the first one.
:bash:

Depending upon the make of the vehicle, they also may lose what is known as the "holdback" from the factory. This could mean a net loss of up to $600 to $800.....which they would rather have you eat instead of them.

My g/f works at a dealership and it definitely is a slimy business. It has been said that when car salesmen die, they are reincarnated into IRS agents.