Is my dealer taking advantage?

So the TRD OR I ordered May 15 is finally due at the dealer next week. Today the dealer e-mails me with this:

“Upon arrival, when we do the pre-delivery inspection, we have been adding wheel locks to ALL of the new cars as a standard to help prevent wheel and tire theft. Wheels & tires have all been stolen off of our lots recently . . . The wheel locks are only $119, so it's a great peace of mind to prevent wheel/tire theft.”

1. I assume these are the same wheel locks Toyota sells for less than $50

2. sounds like they’re trying to have ME pay for THEIR security problem.

In any case it feels kinda shitty -

Thoughts?

 

Tell them to hire a security guard.

 

I would tell the dealer that it sounds like their problem and that if any thing happens to the vehicle that's in THEIR POSSESSION, it's on their dime.

 

I would let them know not a problem at all. Simply have them remove the wheel locks post PDI just before you take delivery of the vehicle. Dealer keeps the wheel locks and you are not on the hook for 119.00.

Unfortunately you have no rights to that vehicle if the dealer decides they can get a better price for the vehicle once it hits their lot. Unless you signed a purchase contract and the vehicle has already been paid off in full, the dealer is well within their right to keep that vehicle. Just because you special ordered it does not mean you own it until you have driven out of the dealers driveway.

It is very underhanded but the dealers are doing this time and time again as vehicle prices continue to climb.

 

I know. And it sucks.

Thing I don’t get is why they want to take an otherwise satisfied customer and make him leave feeling like a chump for $119.

in all the years of car dealers being despised for exactly this sort of thing, they still haven’t learned.

 

Sounds like a "their" problem, not mine.

 

Yeah, I'd have them pull them off. I mean, after shelling out the $$ for a new 4Runner, $119 more aint that much, but I'm stubborn. I'd walk away just because they tried to punk me. Now, if they want to put some kind of guard on the catalytic converter....I'd pay $119 for that.

 

Ask them to park the vehicle inside the dealership and call you for immediate delivery.

I did this anyway since I did not want a bunch of people looking at my vehicle since it was one of two delivered on an empty lot. They put it inside and I got it in the service area. I arrived at dealership early morning and yep it was parked inside.

Hope it works out

 

You can buy them retail online for $45. Dealer wholesale has to be much less than that.
https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2020_4Runner-Premium/69529133/ptr2734061.html

Thieves carry tools to break and defeat wheel locks. They provide very little added security.

Tell the dealer to remove each wheel lock and replace with the OEM bolts just before you pick it up.

Or tell them to kiss you while you’re getting f***ed.

 

Edit: This is not a direct response to Snickel Fritz’ post - we were both posting at the same time - thanks for sharing your insight.

**********

And to add insult to injury, they’re selling it as though they’re doing me some great favor:

“Wheels & tires have all been stolen off of our lots recently and catalytic converter theft has grown as well, so this will help protect you!

The wheel locks are only $119, so it's a great peace of mind to prevent wheel/tire theft (especially since those industries are lacking in materials so everything's backordered so there's not even any replacements right now which can be rough).”

They don’t even care that I know they think I’m stupid.

The sad truth is, and we all know it, there is no other vehicle that compares to a 4Runner, and there is no opportunity to order a ‘21 from another dealer, plus the fact that I’ve waited 10 weeks (others have waited much longer) and they can sell it for more 10 min after I walk away.

So I’ll probably do the deal and then I’ll just have to destroy them on their precious customer survey as soon as I clear their lot.

 

I would politely tell them you absolutely agree .. And have already purchased some.

Thank you, but I have to pass.

 

As much as it sucks I’d probably suck it up.

I don’t even care for those locks. Every time you rotate tires somebody loses the key or forgets etal. If you have it done at a shop anyway

I would definitely go get it as soon as it comes in. If you don’t it may get test driven even on a dealer lot etal. It’s happened.

 

So this dealer seems to have come through for you and gotten you the $40,000+ TRD OR you desired in this tight market. What's $119 man? Focus on the big picture and go get your 4Runner as soon as it's ready.

 

You are exactly right and I feel for you. As it is right now there are only 2 vehicles manufactured in the US (besides pickup trucks) with body on frame construction that are sub 50K 4wd with a low range. Jeep and 4Runner.

I really do wish you the best. If it is something you really want and the dealer insists they will not release it without the wheel locks, just pay the 119.00 and cut your losses. Before you do make sure you get the GM of the dealership involved and let him or her know you will never purchase or recommend to anyone another vehicle from them.

 

You both beat me to it. It is absolute BS but in the scheme of things 119.00 extra for a vehicle you have been waiting for is not that bad.

 

Of course you’re both right -

But why do this at all? (I mean the dealer)

They already have an opportunity to PLEASE a customer and - make no mistake - make bank on this deal. Why change it at the last minute? For $119?

I really just don’t get it.

I haven’t mentioned I’m driving 90 miles out of my way, passing other Toyota dealers, to do business with this dealer. They know this.

 

Why are you driving 90 miles out of your way to do business with THIS dealer? Is it completely altruistic and you could get the same (or better) deal from a dealer closer to you?

 

Personal recommendation and because, at the time, the deal we negotiated was slightly better than the nearby dealers. Not by a lot, but enough so that I felt they valued my business and we were partners.

I knew all along there was a risk that it might turn out not to be so.

 

Ironic. Initially I was going to trade in my 2017 SR5 when my order came in (which it did this week). They offered me more than I anticipated and I was ok with it. Over the course of the 8 weeks while waiting for my new one to arrive, I ended up selling my 2017 to Vroom (got $5500 more than what they offered for trade in). Out of courtesy, I did email the dealer to tell him, as no signed agreement was in place. He said fine and reminded me I may pay more taxes. When I picked it up, he was a different person. Total jerk and made a couple comments about me not trading in. Whatever. When with the finance guy signing the papers I noticed an additional $1000 charge. Turns out they ended up putting a Simoniz coat on it without mentioning it. The finance guy tried to tell me it was standard now, which I knew was BS. The fact that I had lined someone up to do a ceramic wrap for me next week pissed me off a bit as well. Anyway they were being stubborn, feeding me a bunch of BS until I pulled up the email they sent me with the specs that I had obtained from them when putting the $500 deposit down on my order. They eventually removed the $1000 but were complete @ssholes about it. Mind you, this was not mentioned to me at any point and I only found out by seeing an additional $1000 when looking at the bill of sale closely before I signed it. So if I were you, I’d pull up the spec sheet they gave you when you ordered it and tell them that’s what you put a deposit on.

 

hate hearing this situation you’re going through and hoping sealer cuts you the right deal and takes off those locks before handing the keys over to you

if they don’t, i’m hoping you’re still at least paying less than what you would’ve at a closer dealer

 

I agree with others. While it sucks, not sure that it is worth walking away over $119. I would definitely try to have them remove the locks or take the $119 off your price... ONLY once you are at the dealership picking up the vehicle.

 

So you got a better deal from them AND they have actually come through and gotten you the TRD OR you wanted. I'd say they served you quite well, and you have benefited from the relationship moreso than you would have from any other dealer closer to you...so just give 'em the (nearly meaningless) $119 for the wheellocks and enjoy your new 4Runner.

 

The acid test will be if every vehicle on the lot actually has the wheel locks as they claim AND if they don’t try any other BS

Ttime will tell . . .

 

only issue i have is why the dealer didn’t mention that to you if it’s something they’re stating as being put on all cars

 

Off topic but I remember we had a similar build date. When did your vehicle arrive at the port? I think I am about 1-1.5 weeks after yours. Mine landed at port yesterday 7/22.

 

Mine arrived in Long Beach 7/6 as scheduled, is still on rail but is now in-state (Colorado) scheduled for transfer to truck 7/25 and final delivery 26 Jul to 2 Aug

 

I mean, I’m not trying to justify what the dealer is doing but saying nobody steals wheels anymore is just plain incorrect, at least here where I patrol in NY. It’s a big problem. It just is.

 

They're $36 on Amazon..... (

$40 00276-00901

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...6&pd_rd_w=2E3dA&pd_rd_wg=5cBBE&ref_=pd_gw_unk )
Tell them no and that they should hire more security guards. Wheel locks DO NOT stop someone who wants to steal the wheels off of a vehicle.

Looks like they're asking you rather than forcing you though. Just say no. On the past few Toyota's we bought, they always say I have to pay for the alarm or they'll take it off even though it's already installed. I literally say no 5x and they just give it to us for free eventually. I don't need an alarm so either way, it's a win for me.

 

I still have the set I took off of my '16 SR5 within a week of getting it.

 

I saw a dealer last week that puts a “$400” unit in every vehicle on the lot to make the brake lights blink when you stop. For safety. BS.