Tip when buying parts from local dealer

[sakoluvr]

When replacing ball joints today (purchased from camelback toyota) we noticed a bad outer tie rod on the passenger side. Boot was torn and bolt would spin.

My son called a local dealer that had one in stock. It was $75.00 over the counter but the parts guy said it was $55.00 If we ordered online and picked it up. Not bad considering that price was within a couple of bucks of camelback's price.

Something worth considering, and no down time too.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

When replacing ball joints today (purchased from camelback toyota) we noticed a bad outer tie rod on the passenger side. Boot was torn and bolt would spin.

My son called a local dealer that had one in stock. It was $75.00 over the counter but the parts guy said it was $55.00 If we ordered online and picked it up. Not bad considering that price was within a couple of bucks of camelback's price.

Something worth considering, and no down time too.

Not a bad deal... IDK why some dealer stick it to the man when it comes to parts when u can order them cheaper....

 

[BrianSD_42]

olice: Heres a friendly tip ........ DON'T. olice:

I've posted this before and am glad to do it again. Most local Toyota dealers are happy to straight up rip you off in person. It isn't the guy behind the counters fault, its his job to make money and the owners have set the business guidelines.

My # 1 tip for you is to ALWAYS CHECK Camelback Toyota Online Parts website because even if you don't buy online, they list out the Toyota MSRP by part #. MSRP is set by Toyota and is the same in every state. While in person the local dealer likely will not show you MSRP but you can look it up in 30 seconds online.

---> https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/parts/?action=&siteid=214329&make=Toyota&model=


Here is how it works in San Diego:

Part MSRP price: $15
Local dealer part price: $20
Camelback Toyota Online Parts: $11

I have experienced this time and time again when trying to buy parts locally in San Diego. The local dealer ALWAYS adds $$$$ on top of the MSRP price. It really adds up and can cost hundreds of dollars extra that you are throwing away to local stealership.

There is already a lot of margin in MSRP and each time I have told the local dealer "I won't pay that but I'd like to buy it at MSRP of X" they have always said ok no problem. This happens when some parts I need the dealers help to figure out and I feel like throwing them a few $s but still not willing to be ripped off. They overcharge you because THEY CAN. You are already there and you don't have access to the MSRP nor will they show it you. I have even heard plenty of parts guys are paid on profit margin so there is no incentive to help you out.

:sadwave:

 

[nc-grayson]

Great tip Brian.

FWIW my local stealership refuses to match camelback or other reasonable dealership pricing, hell even negotiate on parts pricing - they'd literally rather lose the business.

Curious which the local dealership is near where the wild things are....I don't remember that page in the book???

 

[fblainen11]

My local dealer ship typically works we with me on price.
But Camelback Toyota is where it's at!

 

[Hepar]

My local dealer will match any price + shipping as long as the part is OEM.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I should add .... Ask your local dealer if they have an online site or internet sales department. Unfortunately in San Diego that is not the case with the Toyota dealership. My Lexus dealership has an internet sales department which sells below MSRP and yes at the counter they add on top of MSRP. Acura in Clairmont sells at straight MSRP which I consider fair. Unfortunately none of the 3 Toyota dealership here in SD sell at MSRP or have an internet site that I have found.

For Toyota parts I usually just get them from The Truck Shop anyways at a pretty fair price.

 

[pluton]

:

The local dealer ALWAYS adds $$$$ on top of the MSRP price. It really adds up and can cost hundreds of dollars extra that you are throwing away to local stealership.

My local dealer (Toyota Santa Monica....no reason not to name the sleazoids) has somehow finagled their parts computer displays to show the "list price' as their 40% to 150% inflated fake MSRP. Then they give you 15% "discount" off off of that!

 

[LittleCaesar]

I should add .... Ask your local dealer if they have an online site or internet sales department. Unfortunately in San Diego that is not the case with the Toyota dealership. My Lexus dealership has an internet sales department which sells below MSRP and yes at the counter they add on top of MSRP. Acura in Clairmont sells at straight MSRP which I consider fair. Unfortunately none of the 3 Toyota dealership here in SD sell at MSRP or have an internet site that I have found.

For Toyota parts I usually just get them from The Truck Shop anyways at a pretty fair price.

For me I find it Brian that such parts pricing really depends on the ownership of the dealership. Some owners in the past have jacked up prices 50% and above for people who come and buy parts otc. One used to sell the non mixed coolant at $50 per gallon. Now though most Toyo parts are MSRP, which is tollerable.

 

[TheDurk]

You have to figure that one reason is the dealers want to maintain pricing consistent with the rip-off prices their service departments charge for parts. You don't want service clients looking at their bills and then asking the parts guy how much he charges over the counter and finding out it is 20% less for "take-out" as opposed to "eating in."

I just want to reiterate that East Coasters should consider Conicelli Toyota in Pennsylvania, on Toyota, Scion, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai Parts | parts.conicellitoyotaofconshohocken.com. They will match Camelback on price including shipping (and sometimes they beat them right off the bat.) Ship times for me are far less than Camelback, so I use these guys.

 

[sakoluvr]

Let me just repeat my original post. I bought the ball joints from camelback. I am aware of the better prices there compare to dealer over the counter prices. They are my go to parts source.

I NEEDED a tie rod ASAP. My dealer parts dept. gave me a counter price, which was high. He gave me an online price which was essentially the same as camelback. I ordered it online and picked it up at the counter 45 minutes later.

We all know over the counter prices are high. Just thought I would post a tip if your dealer has an online ordering option.

Durk, thanks for that link.

 

[AnotherCO4Runner]

I recently did a round of maintenance and was visiting the local dealership a few times a week. I learned a couple things:

1 - I have a tax ID so I can get "shop pricing", which is 20% off the walk up price.

2 - If I order online the prices are better than shop pricing, here is the website I go to that directs me to my local dealership's parts website - https://parts.toyota.com/Toyota_2001_4Runner-SR5-34L-V6-4WD-AT.html

 

[I'mStock]

It isn't the guy behind the counters fault, its his job to make money and the owners have set the business guidelines.

As a parts guy this speaks to me.

<3

 

[thezentree]

When replacing ball joints today (purchased from camelback toyota) we noticed a bad outer tie rod on the passenger side. Boot was torn and bolt would spin.

My son called a local dealer that had one in stock. It was $75.00 over the counter but the parts guy said it was $55.00 If we ordered online and picked it up. Not bad considering that price was within a couple of bucks of camelback's price.

Something worth considering, and no down time too.

I hadn't even thought to look at my local dealer's website for parts, but they appear to be pretty close to Camelback. I'm so glad you posted this.

 

[pdaddy]

Thanks for the heads up, I can definitely see that info coming in helpful.