[Dan Daniel]

Yes, the allocation system was how it was explained to me. Toyota does not build to customer orders, I was told; they churn out a bunch of vehicles, probably based on dealers' wish lists, what parts they want to get off the shelf, who knows? And then there is a mix and match game as they decide where to offer vehicles based on how close they are to the desired spec sheets from dealers. I was told to expect anything from 2-8 months. The salesman suggested that I do a barebones wish list and expect to have some unwanted items thrown in. This was drawn up on May 24, 2022.

I worked with a dealer in upstate New York. They did not make any 'market adjustment' or whatever other anodyne phrase they want to use for 'bend over and give us whatever we want or we go down the list.' I put a $1000 deposit down, fully refundable up to the point of final signing for ownership (they know they can sell it on quickly). On August 4, I got an email from the dealer with a spec sheet on a vehicle- do I want it or not? It was close; I wanted a bare bones XLE and the offered one had the heated seat package, a Homelink mirror, and those totally useless carpet pieces that I will always hate Toyota for. $1500 above the base. Oh, it was Lunar Rock, the color I really wanted, so...!!!

The dealer thinks that my car was actually supposed to go somewhere else but something fell through and it was offered to them. Something about the process was not typical.

I took it. Vehicle arrived in the US the last week of August (built in Japan). Was at the dealer and I picked it up the last day of August. So a couple of days over 3 months, and what I wanted plus a bit. No audio package, moonroof, auto liftgate, or other items that I very much did not want. The heated seats and steering wheel are actually supposed to be good with the hybrid- less demands on ICE when warming up if you use them instead of turning heater fan immediately.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Thanks,
Yes, i reached out to the manager who I had worked with for our prius and asked to put an order in. From the way it sounded though, from his response, it appeared to just be on a waiting list for a dealer stock model similarly optioned comes in. Which i am fine with generally because i am not overly picky. I was hoping to get something a little more concrete of an order though...

Not sure what is going on, of course, but you have a lot of 'sounded like' 'appeared' 'hoping to get something more concrete.'

When I placed a deposit, I was told clearly how the process worked. I was in line on the salesman's list. He would get me as close as possible, and if something was close and I was the 'top' person in his line for that model, I would get a chance to buy it. If I said no, I would stay on the top of the list for a better match. We actually had three 'dream' vehicles drawn up, one to be actively persued (what came through) and two that if one became available I would like a chance to buy.

When I first spoke to the dealer, I was offered a Venza coming in a couple of weeks. Obviously an allocated vehicle on its way to the dealer where the supposed buyer backed out or they just took it in when allocated, planning to be able to sell it. Later, another dealer offered me a Prius AWD (I was looking for one at the same time) where a customer backed out (the dealer wanted above MSRP and had some other warning signs for me).

Personally, I would push for more concrete information from the dealer. Salesmen are balancing a lot of people and desires and limited vehicles. They are competing with other salespeople at the dealership for actual vehicles to sell. Buyers are connected to more than one dealer hoping to see who delivers first. The dealer who offered me the Prius had no money from me, they just thought they'd give me a shot, and I never heard from them again.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Still dealing with a big dealer is your best bet. Prior sales numbers influences how many cars a dealer gets allocated. Even what region influences what models and options can be ordered.

Although I think that you are correct, I look at my experience and things are backwards. Although my 'big dealer' size is peanuts compared to real cities. I am in upstate New York and the Toyota dealer I used is in Plattsburgh, pop 15k, 80k metro area. I also spoke to the dealer in Burlington, Vermont, pop.43k, 250k metro area, and in St. Albans, 6k but connected to the Burlington metro area and through other non-Toyota dealerships.

The Burlington dealer offered me a number in line. Not much more. Well, they did offer to not expect anything for 12-18 months. I felt like I was trying to get reservation at a hot high-end restaurant and they were sussing me out to see if I was a worthy client. The St. Albans Toyota dealer had obviously gone on a used gas engine buying binge and had a lot full of any Toyota you would want, used, almost all gas. Any used hybrid that came through was being sold over MSRP for a new model (e.g. 2019 Rav4 hybrid with 30k miles, $4k above list price for a comparable new model). And they simply refused to discuss new cars. Very strange.

The Plattsburgh dealer had almost no used cars on the lot. Or new ones. Who knows, maybe they had a good customer base, they knew their market well, and were playing inventory just right for the times. No games, no attitude. I pretty well decided that I would bide my time and buy through them unless the perfect car dropped into my lap from another dealer (who I kept in touch with in a minimal way).

Find a dealer that you want to work with. Although size is an advantage, it isn't the only factor. There may be advantages to a smaller dealer in a smaller market.

 

[Dan Daniel]

I was at the St Albans Toyota dealer for a service visit on my 2021 RAV 4 Hybrid just today.
Been looking for a Highlander Hybrid, which wouldn't take a year

That 'bonus fee' is what I would expect from Handy's. Something in the genes, I guess....

Think about talking to Della Toyota in Plattsburgh. I dealt with Jon Peacock. He was informed, helpful. And certainly struck me as honest. He never made claims that were wrong. He never assured me a vehicle would arrive shortly; he explained what he knew and what he had been experiencing. I dealt with them in May, and he said that Della wasn't going to charge extra because they didn't want to treat customers like that. After a couple of talks, we drew up a desired car, along with some alternatives, and I put $1000 down as a fully refundable deposit.

I think that they even had a new hybrid Highlander out front three or so months ago. Or maybe it was gas. Either way, I'm sure it's long gone. They are a smaller dealer, but that also means fewer customers clamoring in their face. And to be real, this side of the lake is much more Chevy and Nissan country. Ferry, or the loop through Rouses Point or Crown Point is a nice ride, especially if you only need to do it twice.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Thanks, I followed your lead. Della Toyota in Plattsburgh, did have a Hybrid Highlander, but it was the "bronze" edition, very pricey. Just by chance, when I called, they had just had a Hybrid Highlander LE allocated to dealership in November. Put down a deposit, and car was delivered, 3 weeks later for MSRP plus mats. I drove home, to Vermont with a New York State transit Permit in back window.

Cash sale went through fine, Dec 9th, but the dealer insisted on handling the registration, paper work with Vermont DMV. Even though I had filled out all the paperwork (to register it myself) things got screwed up a bit.
Turns out sales tax was computed wrong, and a month later I still don't have VT registration or Title document for this Highlander. Still can't take car out of State or to Canada. Della say they will take care of this..

Nice to hear that they were able to get you into the car you wanted. Compared to St. Albans' Toyota dealer, it's not that long a drive for a much better atmosphere.And something about the size and market leads to decent speed on getting a car.

But too bad about the registration thing. You'd think that they would have that down smooth. And would want it to go smooth. I see Handy and Burlington dealer logos all the time in the Plattsburgh area; Della should court the Vermont market, not screw people over. I know that the guy who did the final cash out of my purchase at Della was relatively new. In fact, the first final sale price workup I got the day before picking up the Rav4 hybrid was ~$1500 less than it was supposed to be, as the new guy pulled an old workup for the deposit, not the actual vehicle I was driving out the door. Might be the same guy messing up your paperwork.