Posted on 11/21/2021 10:05:27 AM PST by SilvieWaldorfMD
My husband and I went to our local Toyota dealership here in Southern Maryland - one of the largest Toyota dealerships on the East Coast - looking for a new 2022 Camry. We've owned several Camry's since 2000 and I've owned Toyota vehicles since 1980. My husband just comes along with me. He knows that I'm capable of detecting bullsh*t and cockamamie stories from sales staff, so he just sits back and listens. (He's trained me well, I must admit!)
We arrived a few minutes before the dealership opened, so we took a drive in the lots in the back to check out the vehicles. To our amazement, there were absolutely NO NEW TOYOTA CARS in any of the lots. Only employees' cars. We drove around and saw a few Used Cars and 2 Highlanders, and that's it. The dealership also has a lot across the street from them and that lot was also empty. This dealership has lots as large as airport lots, so the empty spaces shook us up a bit. We entered the dealership and were met by the assistant manager. I asked: "Where are your new cars?" and he, wanting to make a sale nonetheless, downplayed the situation by saying that "Some models are being built right now in Ohio and Kentucky." He said that the supply chain situation and delayed shipping has produced a scarcity of new Toyota products and parts that we might have to endure "for another year or so." I wondered if this idiot had voted for Biden.
Suddenly, a new 2022 Camry LE appeared as another employee drove it to the front for us to look at. I murmured to my husband that "I wonder how many people have sat and touched this model" because it looked like it was the town taxi - fingerprints and dirt all over the place. It didn't even have that 'new smell' to it anymore. I took one look inside of it, closed the door and said "No, thank you!"
I told my husband that I wanted to leave and the manager came out running saying that he had an unbelievable deal. Nothing - absolutely nothing - will make me change my 'poker face' and I will never show my cards to anyone, but I wanted to be entertained, so I said: "Ok!" The guy started talking to my husband when he detected that he couldn't get through to me, and hubby just said: "She's the boss; talk to her!"
He gave me an invoice that he said was a great deal. The invoice had jacked up the price of the Toyota we had just seen by $3,000, but then he noted that he'd give me a $1,000 discount. The somewhat scary part too is that someone must've researched us from the time we entered the lot (by looking up our license plate, perhaps) because the guy knew a lot about us. He even went insofar as to say that he'd give me another discount "in honor of all the children who suffer from autism." There are articles on the Internet about me and Special Education as I work for the school system and I used to work in that field. That's when I started getting pissed off. I slid his piece of paper across the desk and told my husband that I was ready to leave. I told the salesman that we were there to "look" but that there was "nothing to look at!"
After we pulled out of the Toyota Dealership, we went to the Ford, Honda, Nissan, Subaru and Chevrolet dealerships in the same corridor and the stories were exactly the same there as well. No cars - only some trucks. Lots were empty. I told my husband that I'd keep our current Toyota and change the transmission fluid and the 4 tires soon because chances are we will not be getting a new car for a few months.
Maybe this is the plan as devised by the Democrats and the Biden Administration. They want to shove hybrid/electric vehicles down our throats so bad that they'll deliberately delay shipments. It all makes sense now; this is part of the plan! Soon, we'll all have our Vintage Toyota Vehicles like Cuba has their vintage Ford's from the 1950s. It's truly unbelievable and eye-opening. Along with high gas prices, again, THIS IS THE PLAN! This is what Democrats want and they're on the path to getting what they want. FJB!
I have a 2001 Oldsmobile and a 2005 Silverado.
After 2009 the government mandated so much frivolous crap that I will keep these until they die.
If I ever buy anything else, it will be pre-2010.
The Democrats’ Plan is that ordinary people not have vehicles at all. Mass transit only, on a schedule of their choosing, to destinations of their choosing. You will not be able to live in rural or low-density areas — only urban hives. It will take hours to travel short distances, but that’s a feature because you will be too exhausted to protest.
Tip on tires.
Douglas tires from Walmart, made in the USA, very reasonably priced and good quality.
Right you are. I’ve not been in the business, but I understand that dealerships are largely financial and not sales instruments. That is, the money is not in the retail sale (which is why the push “extras” so hard bc that’s the profit in the sale) but in the way it is financed between the factory, dealer and banks. If so, then with low inventories, the dealers are moving around a lot less money to skim off of.
It’s the chip shortage. That’s why there are no new cars.
The BS from the dealer is common practice for almost any dealer except me. I’m honest with people and they don’t really know how to respond to that.
I’m reading this thread with fascination because though there were times I could have afforded a very nice new car I could never bring myself to do it. Years ago a friend told me that the most prudent move financially was to buy a two year old car with average mileage on it. Ever since then I’ve bought cars that were at least ten years old and did my own wrenching on them. 30K for a decent, midrange new ride? Never. A little time here and there spent cussing and spitting while on my back on a cement floor slinging a wrench or two is still more attractive to me then a $400 per month car payment for 4-6 years. Eff that!
Cars have been following the razor blade model for a while now.
It’s another reason why, with only 1 exception, we buy the base trim.
I purely hate being hosed.
The higher price is two things. Supply and demand and bidenomics
It’s all been crappily planned by government planners. That’s why you see gas stations like Bucceeeeeeeees sprouting in the Southeast. How will folks spend their time while waiting for their electric cars to charge? Gotta build a sprawling “gas station” for now. Easily converted to electric charging stations eventually. Give the masses a novel shopping experience with decent food while they wait. (I’m just guessing this.)
What a mess!
I saw the same thing at my Subaru dealer when I stopped in for a oil change… it’s funny I keep getting emails that ask me if I would take a cash offer for my “very desirable” 2013 impreza with 340,000 miles….
Just look at it this way. That guy can get in and out of that vehicle without opening the doors.
Yes, they want (and plan) to eliminate gas-powered cars and force everyone into electric “self-driving” community vehicles.
It’s worse now. Some companies are using soy based insulation on their wires to be more green.
Mice love soy.
I sell used cars but it’s the same thing
I price fairly (normally at or less than book)
In this market dickering is pointless. You don’t like the price. The next guy will.
Been more than once someone who didn’t like the price came back to buy but I sold it while they were gone.
Give up on Toyota and move to Suburu you can thank me later.
I heard the same joke with a different punch line: “The plumber’s coming in the morning.”
contact roundtree-moore toyota in lake city florida...
was out there yesterday and there’s plenty of new cars on their lot...
“Wife did buy a 2019 Ford Escape and that has more crap in it than I could imagine.”
My 2019 Ford Fiesta ST (manual transmission) has none of the ‘features’ you mentioned except for the auto headlights which I don’t mind.
I need a new truck, but it’s got to be something big enough to be comfortable for Beau, because we’re going to share it for everyday use. I LOVE my Ford Escape, (2008!) but we need a step up.
I’m not even bothering to call a dealer. My local guy has NOTHING available on-line, and not much in the lot, either.
I’m thinking it’s the chip-thang, too.
So, I tell my ‘Black Beauty’ to hang in there! I can’t put her out to pasture quite as soon as we had wanted. (I’ll be ‘gifting it’ to the teen twin boys on the next farm over; it’s in good mechanical condition but needs body work and those boys are always around if I need help when Beau is off hunting.)
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