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What does LIO stand for?

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jmstrawn

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm in the process of buying a new RAV4 from the same dealership I bought my last two from. I put in an order 2 months ago and I got a call yesterday saying it would arrive in September. They salesman sent me some information about the car and all of the accessories they're trying to add to it. None of which I have asked for. Some of the accessories have FIO next to them which obviously means Factory Installed Option. Those were bench seats instead of captains chairs and 50 State Emissions. There I on line item for Nitrogen, Tint, Wheel Locks, and Resistall which I will not pay. That line item is listed a DIO which means Dealer Install Options. There are a bunch of accessories listed as LIO which I have no idea what that means. These include a Connectivity Kit, Mud Flaps, Running Boards, Cargo Net, Vehicle Protection Package, Cargo Cover, Premium Floor Mats, Iluminated Door Sills, Vehicle Fueling, and PDS - With Texas State Inspection. Most of these I don't want and plan to turn down. Anyone have a clue what LIO means? Thanks in advance!

Mike Strawn
 
#2 ·
On Toyota spec sheets, factory options (FIO) are listed first, then distributor options (LIO), then port installed options (PIO), then dealer options last (DIO).
 
#5 ·
Yeah, you don't get to choose your options now -Toyota is building a car they think people want then ship it to the dealership.
It is the job of the salesperson to find the person that wants the car being delivered, not the buyer finding the car they want.

I got car #2 from a list of 2. The first car had $1000 of factory options that I would never buy. Car number 2 was a bit less optioned -it didn't have the graphics pack or blacked out emblems -I save a couple hundred bucks.

If your dealership is like mine, your options are take the car they have your name on or don't. My local dealershiop has a list of people to call, when the first person says "I don't want that option", the salesperson says "Okay, I'll call the next buyer".

It's not a ploy or tactic -it's called 2022 car buying and salespeople are selling what they have available to them.
 
#6 ·
jmstrawn said:
Wow! Thanks for the fast reply! I know that the factory options can't be negotiated but what about distributor options? Who is the distributor?
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Depends on location. In the South we have Gulf States Toyota and Southeast Toyota. In Hawaii the distributor is SERVCO, and in the rest of the US, Toyota acts as it’s own distributor.
 
#7 ·
JuneBug said:
Depends on location. In the South we have Gulf States Toyota and Southeast Toyota. In Hawaii the distributor is SERVCO, and in the rest of the US, Toyota acts as it’s own distributor.
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South East Toyota distributor is the only one that has it's own options, that I know of. All their options begin with the part number 00016- :
 
#8 ·
FKHeath said:
South East Toyota distributor is the only one that has it's own options, that I know of. All their options begin with the part number 00016- :
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Yes, I bought a bumper protector from a dealership in Florida and it was a Southeast Toyota product that was different from the ones we got here. My RAV4 came from Gulf States Toyota and has a Gentex auto-dimming mirror with compass as a PIO.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
I spoke with my salesman about removing some of the accessories that I didn't want and they, plus two managers, basically said take it or leave it. I am never one to pay for something I don't want so I cancelled my order. I don't mind waiting till it becomes a buyers market again even if it takes a few year. This is a horrible way to do business and I believe it will bite them in the ass. I think future customers will avoid those that tried, or did, screw them and will go elsewhere for their next car purchase. I heard from a friend that Subaru is the on company that's not charging extra or forcing customers to pay for accessories they don't want although I don't know if that's true.
 
#10 ·
jmstrawn said:
I spoke with my salesman about removing some of the accessories that I didn't want and they, plus two managers, basically said take it or leave it. I am never one to pay for something I don't want so I cancelled my order.
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A dealer cannot remove factory or distributor installed accessories because they are listed on the window sticker and may be installed before the dealer gets the car; i.e. mud flaps, door edge guards, PPF, and body side moldings. But you can certainly demand that the dealer not add dealer installed accessories on an incoming car that has your name on it.
 
#11 ·
jmstrawn said:
I spoke with my salesman about removing some of the accessories that I didn't want and they, plus two managers, basically said take it or leave it. I am never one to pay for something I don't want so I cancelled my order. I don't mind waiting till it becomes a buyers market again even if it takes a few year. This is a horrible way to do business and I believe it will bite them in the ass. I think future customers will avoid those that tried, or did, screw them and will go elsewhere for their next car purchase. I heard from a friend that Subaru is the on company that's not charging extra or forcing customers to pay for accessories they don't want although I don't know if that's true.
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Considering they have multiple buyers lined up before the car is shipped, it is not going to bite them in the behind.
You are one of a few that walked away. You may choose never to buy Toyota or from the dealership in the future, but you are one person.

When more people start walking away, nationwide, is when things can go back to a little more like the old days of pre-2020.

The next option, if you plan on trading a vehicle, is negotiate a high trade. They can make their money on their markups and make less profit on the vehicle you sell them. Other than that, the dealership, today, isn't wrong saying take it or leave it.

My salesman told me effectively the same thing "Your vehicle has a value that the manager will look up the book value for, it is what it is. If you don't like the offer then you don't have to buy the car". Fortunately we negotiated another $1500 on the trade anyway so it was all good.

The market is in an odd place right now. Not sure what other automakers are doing the same, but Toyota has buyers where they want them. Add in things that don't sell well and tell the custom to take it or leave it. Customers are taking it since you can't find one to buy. Manufacturers can only build so many complete vehicles now so we sort of have to be happy with what is offered. Ford and GM and selling incomplete vehicles.... would you rather buy a vehicle that doesn't support the gadgets you really want or would you rather pay for floor mats that you didn't think you wanted? Keep in mind those gadgets are removed and the manufacturer is offering you a very tiny discount. $500 off your order since we can't include navigation. Your resale value just went down as well.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
FKHeath said:
A dealer cannot remove factory or distributor installed accessories because they are listed on the window sticker and may be installed before the dealer gets the car; i.e. mud flaps, door edge guards, PPF, and body side moldings. But you can certainly demand that the dealer not add dealer installed accessories on an incoming car that has your name on it.
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The dealership added $1495 for Wheel Locks, Tint, Resistall (Scotch Guard?), and Nitrogen in the tires. I asked them to remove it and they said no. I asked to speak to the highest manager in the dealership and he said no. Basically what I got was take it or leave it. I've gone to 3 other Toyota dealerships and they are all doing the same things. Some of them are adding $3k to $6k dealer markups plus forcing you to buy all the accessories as well. The whole experience has left a sour taste in my mouth and I will make it my mission to rake them over the coals when it becomes a buyers market again.
 
#13 ·
jmstrawn said:
The dealership added $1495 for Wheel Locks, Tint, Resistall (Scotch Guard?), and Nitrogen in the tires. I asked them to remove it and they said no. I asked to speak to the highest manager in the dealership and he said no. Basically what I got was take it or leave it. I've gone to 3 other Toyota dealerships and they are all doing the same things. Some of them are adding $3k to $6k dealer markups plus forcing you to buy all the accessories as well. The whole experience has left a sour taste in my mouth and I will make it my mission to rake them over the coals when it becomes a buyers market again.
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Sounds like the car had already arrived at the dealer or the options were distributor/port installed and are shown on the window sticker. If you make your deal before the car arrives at the dealer, you can ask that they add nothing beyond what is on the window sticker. I was able to view my window sticker (PDF file) long before it arrived at the dealer, and thus control what the dealer added. The only things I asked my dealer to add was PPF and ceramic coat on the paint.

I have a good relationship with my dealer, having bought three cars from them over the years. If you are a loyal customer, they will go out of their way not to screw you over. Because of that, I've placed a deposit for a fourth car (a Prius) for my son. If the car is an allocation, the dealer has no control over what options or accessories come from the factory/distributor/port. But once the car arrives at the dealer, they can add what ever they want and charge whatever they want.
 
#14 ·
As written above, I had a similar situation.
I was under contract when the vehicle went to F status. I was offered all the paint protection/interior protection thing, warranty etc. I opted to turn down everything -the important one to me was the security that add to the car. If it arrives on the lot first, it is applied and the customer pays the price. I paid for nothing that wasn't on the build sheet which is normal Toyota stuff like floor mats, etc.

People on all the forums have the same anger/rage. It isn't worth it to get worked up. For one, there is not a single custom who can 'rake them over the coals'. Sure, they can make less profit but in no way does the customer ever win. Subjective of course because a deal of X may make the customer happy, however the dealership still made money, just less of it. I pushed hard for a vehicle I bought several years ago. I left happy but they didn't lose money on the sale.

If a person saying they will take advantage of a dealership in the future feels better and has less rage because of it, so be it. The customer never wins though.
I wasn't happy to have about $800 of add-ons that I'd likely buy myself for $400 but it is done and over. If I paid cash, so I paid $400 more than I would after I spend my time looking for some of the accessories. If financing, the monthly payment may change but $9 dollars and overall interest may be $65 dollars more. Big deal. I know, it's principal. To stand on ones principal today means going without the vehicle. And many are okay with that which is fine.

I do need to text the salesman to find out if I was supposed to have carpeted mats too -I only have the all weather mats. I like carpeted ones for road trips where I won't be dirty -nice clean environment to enjoy that way.
 
#15 ·
NoMoreDomestic said:
I do need to text the salesman to find out if I was supposed to have carpeted mats too -I only have the all weather mats. I like carpeted ones for road trips where I won't be dirty -nice clean environment to enjoy that way.
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Both carpet and all weather mats are optional accessories. Both are never put on the car unless they are ordered that way. Seems strange that carpet mats are not standard equipment, but that is the way Toyota does it.
 
#16 ·
The dealers are taking advantage of the situation, and the rage toward them is completely justified. I was told that the wait for a Hybrid Limited was 4-6 months. Then they somehow found an allocated car 2 weeks out that was a close match with a bunch of junk added, which I declined. Then the next allocation there was an exact match with a bunch of junk added, which I also declined. If there REALLY was a 4-6 month wait list, how do they keep finding cars to offer me? What happened to the months of people ahead of me? If I can jump ahead of someone who has been waiting a longer time, can someone who has been waiting for a shorter time jump ahead of me?

In reality, for the dealers near me, there is no waiting list. Each salesperson has a list of prospects. When the allocation list comes out, there is a mad dash to contact the prospects and get a car sold. It is strictly a "first come, first serve", regardless of the mythical waiting list.

The salespeople will tell you that the dealer is only getting allocated units. This is true, but is leaving out two important details. First, the dealer is not willing to submit a custom order, so they can only get whatever comes down the allocation pipeline. Second, if they did submit a custom order, it would become one of the allocated units for the dealer. The dealer is not letting the salespeople take a custom order because it would guarantee that one salesperson a sale when the car was delivered. The other salespeople would be locked out from the potential mad dash on that car. With the reduced production volume, there could be allocation windows where all the cars were custom orders and potentially some salespeople could be without the opportunity to sell a car for that allocation window.

I completely understand why a dealer would want to have this policy with the current market situation, but it is dishonest to claim that Toyota is not accepting custom orders at this time. Just be honest with us and you will gain our trust and respect. On the other hand, I will avoid the dealers that dishonest and misleading their customers.

I was able to find a dealer (not local, but not too distant) that did accept a custom order from me. I am waiting for my car to get on the build schedule. It will be my car with only what I ordered and no extra factory, port, distributor, or dealer add ons. It is even at a slight discount below MSRP. If the car does arrive without any extra junk, I will know that the dealer was really being honest with me.
 
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#17 ·
Sometimes vehicles become available from people like yourself waiting. You've turned down 2 vehicles, that moved 2 people up the list.

I was in the right place at the right time. I went in clueless about if/what I wanted.
The salesman determined I'd like an XSE. He put my name on one of them. Never got the call (but I think I saw it driving around town).
About 1.5 weeks later got the call that one was due to arrive and wanted to know if I was still interested.
I went under contract 3 weeks before it arrived then did the deal.
From the day I walked in to the day I drove the new hone home was 2 months. June 12-14th (forgot which day) I discussed, 8/16 I drove home. I was told the day I was meant to pick it up "if you don't want it just let me know, I've got 4 people to call if you pass".

Most of what you said above seems to be very similar to the dealership here as well. I don't know if they are allowed to custom order -you commented that the dealership refuses to order. Like you say, time will tell if the car you are dreaming of actually arrives.
Is it possible the 'custom order' is more of a "we will let you know when a car like this arrives", or did they give you an estimated date.
 
#18 ·
NoMoreDomestic said:
Most of what you said above seems to be very similar to the dealership here as well. I don't know if they are allowed to custom order -you commented that the dealership refuses to order. Like you say, time will tell if the car you are dreaming of actually arrives.
Is it possible the 'custom order' is more of a "we will let you know when a car like this arrives", or did they give you an estimated date.
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When at the first (closest) dealership the salesperson indicated that I needed to act quickly on that initial car, because thr other salespeople would be contacting their prospects. Either they use the mad dash approach instead of a unified waitlist, or the salesperson was being dishonest to instill urgency on my part. They only succeeded in instilling distrust.

I do not yet have an estimated delivery date, and do not expect one until my car makes it onto the production schedule. I did express that I strongly preferred a MY23, so they may be waiting for the ordering guide to be published. As I originally stated, if the car comes exactly as ordered without the additional factory, port, and distributor added junk, then I will know it was a custom order. I have not seen any random allocation unit without some level of added junk. The dealer cannot remove the added junk afterwards, so it would have to be ordered without the junk.
 
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