[tristanschaper25]

I noticed that my dealer's website inventory is slightly different from what Toyota shows for dealer inventory.
Both sites state "in transit" for units in transit. Toyota's site gives additional detail on ETA: Vehicle may be in transit. Estimated availability 12/19/22 - 12/24/22.

My question is how do dealers populate their online/website inventory? I'm wondering if they are selective on what they post on their website.
I'm wondering what Toyota shows additional units in transit to that dealer (and due to arrive in the next 1-2 weeks) when my dealer doesn't show this, but they show other units in transit.
I think I'm going to follow Toyota's website daily now, as well as my dealers, as Toyota's site shows an XSE arriving to my dealer, and my dealer told me I'm next for an XSE, but they haven't mentioned this unit arriving to them. Suspicious...

 

[Sienna9816]

My 0.02, dealers' and Toyota websites were setup for times when there were more cars than buyers. A lot of it is automated. Thus, they may show cars on their websites that were likely spoken for months ago. Website listings don't mean much for cars that have months long waiting lists. Car dealers aren't really known for their honesty so I would probably assume the worst of most of them too.

 

[pamhar]

In our neck of the wood they will advertise on dealer website as having X number of Siennas... BUT that is among all the dealerships that particular company owns!! So could be spread over like 5 dealerships.

 

[jareza]

I will get an actual call from my dealership letting me know that they have in stock siennas.....they invite me to come and finance one.

Just for fun I did go (in my sienna of course) and asked the salesman to show me the sienna I got a call for. His response?
"oh no, we dont have any siennas, but we can start the paperwork right now so that you can get in line for one"
At least they are now being honest on their website

 

[tristanschaper25]

I will get an actual call from my dealership letting me know that they have in stock siennas.....they invite me to come and finance one.

Just for fun I did go (in my sienna of course) and asked the salesman to show me the sienna I got a call for. His response?
"oh no, we dont have any siennas, but we can start the paperwork right now so that you can get in line for one"
At least they are now being honest on their website
View attachment 60166

I actually have been doing similar things, like clicking to "get more info" on Siennas listed on my dealer's website, and have their inside sales random people call me to get me to come into the dealership. I guess those people don't realize that I have a signed sales contract with a deposit.
So whenever they call me, I pretend to be really interested but I just have a few questions.... this is when I ask them specific questions about their inventory coming in, allocation look aheads, etc. They usually tell me much different things than what the Sales Manager is telling me.
Its all mostly lies, lies lies, unfortunately.
Still waiting after 11 months
My dealer basically admitted that while they have a "list" of people with deposits, that they are doing deals based on who is paying the most over MSRP. He said they are doing most deals at 17.5% over. That's roughly $8000. Insane. So they are taking advantage of me and stalling on getting me a car, since my buyers order is for MSRP.
What recourse do I have on this?

 

[jareza]

I actually have been doing similar things, like clicking to "get more info" on Siennas listed on my dealer's website, and have their inside sales random people call me to get me to come into the dealership. I guess those people don't realize that I have a signed sales contract with a deposit.
So whenever they call me, I pretend to be really interested but I just have a few questions.... this is when I ask them specific questions about their inventory coming in, allocation look aheads, etc. They usually tell me much different things than what the Sales Manager is telling me.
Its all mostly lies, lies lies, unfortunately.
Still waiting after 11 months
My dealer basically admitted that while they have a "list" of people with deposits, that they are doing deals based on who is paying the most over MSRP. He said they are doing most deals at 17.5% over. That's roughly $8000. Insane. So they are taking advantage of me and stalling on getting me a car, since my buyers order is for MSRP.
What recourse do I have on this?

Other things I noticed that they are doing is creating stupid mark ups on brand new vehicles and listing them as used. What they do is get a new car, put 300 miles or so on one and sell them used.
Used 2023 Toyota Tundra 4WD Limited Hybrid For Sale in Laredo, TX | VIN# 5TFJC5DB9PX015649 (toyotaoflaredo.com)
They dont list the price in the website. I asked for this specific tundra and the salesman basically told me to take the MSRP, add options and add a 45% markup from msrp........DAMN........

 

[tristanschaper25]

Other things I noticed that they are doing is creating stupid mark ups on brand new vehicles and listing them as used. What they do is get a new car, put 300 miles or so on one and sell them used.
Used 2023 Toyota Tundra 4WD Limited Hybrid For Sale in Laredo, TX | VIN# 5TFJC5DB9PX015649 (toyotaoflaredo.com)
They dont list the price in the website. I asked for this specific tundra and the salesman basically told me to take the MSRP, add options and add a 45% markup from msrp........DAMN........

45% markup???? Insane!

So I signed my buyers order for MSRP 1st week of Feb this year. Mid-August I stopped down and met with the Sales Manager. He told me I'm next on their list for a Sienna XSE.
Since then, I inquire about every Sienna that appears on their website and ask if it's mine. Nope, nope, nope. Each one has a special story behind it. Yeah, the special story is they have someone paying potentially 17.5% over MSRP, so they are pushing that person ahead of me. Real nice and honest. What is the point of a list? And what is their plan for me? Just keep bumping me forever?

 

[jareza]

45% markup???? Insane!

So I signed my buyers order for MSRP 1st week of Feb this year. Mid-August I stopped down and met with the Sales Manager. He told me I'm next on their list for a Sienna XSE.
Since then, I inquire about every Sienna that appears on their website and ask if it's mine. Nope, nope, nope. Each one has a special story behind it. Yeah, the special story is they have someone paying potentially 17.5% over MSRP, so they are pushing that person ahead of me. Real nice and honest. What is the point of a list? And what is their plan for me? Just keep bumping me forever?

The strategy behind this is to keep you from going to any other brand and have a sure sale once they have enough inventory to satisfy their demand.
Dealers will keep milking this cow as long as suckers keep paying the markups.. Thats the reason I got my sienna in Mexico.... Its absurd but I needed a van ASAP.

 

[WendSaturn]

In any case, there will always be differences. This is because it is not profitable for the company to provide the same information package as the dealers. Because then all customers would go to the dealers, earning more. This will happen at the expense of the markup on their work. But if you're wondering how knowledgeable a dealer is, they're doing their best. You can compare the information and arsenal on similar sites, https://zumroad.com/automotive. The more you cover, the more accurate your opinion will be. I never save time when choosing a car.