Outrageous Dealer Add-Ons and Fees - When Will They Learn?

[zzyzzx]

That looks like the Toyota website. I remember years ago this was discussed by Toyota. The typical person today does not, nor do they know how, nor are they even allowed on say toll roads, to change a tire for a vehicle. And as such, there's no purpose to including it. But to your point, imho the argument is invalid, if it's available as a cost option....for the first time ever we drove around on a donut for 3 weeks on my wife's GM SUV. As a result, I purchased an OE rim for $70 shipped and a 9/32" Michelin Cross Climate 2 for $87 shipped, and created my own full sized spare to keep at home (it took Costco for the 2nd time, 3 weeks to get a tire replaced under road hazard, there is a reason and someone out there likely knows, like it's treated differently).

p.s. my 2007 BMW has never had a spare nor any jack (unless it was stolen by a dealership, they did steal a tow hook adapter and I believe a spare lug bolt, because most customers don't take their cars to the dealer then check if they stole anything)

So your point is that some OE manufacturers that don't include a spare are charging too much for it, and you are better off sourcing your own full sized spare.

 

[John105]

So your point is that some OE manufacturers that don't include a spare are charging too much for it, and you are better off sourcing your own full sized spare.

Not at all. In our case, I don't want to use the compact spare next time. But mfgs. that don't provide a spare at all, are justified. Adding it as an option, is not.

 

[Sierra048]

Our 2021 Edge didn't come with a spare. Just a can of foam and a small DC inflator. Now we have a full spare tire on a perfect match OE rim I got from a guy on Ebay. It does take up about 40% of our cargo area but that's something I will have to live with. Up here in the mountains help is not right around the corner and cell service can be non-existent at times. I bought the rim and tire to make a spare because Ford wanted almost $350 for a donut.

 

[hrv]

When will they learn??? When they say no to add ons and walk away...

 

[97prizm]

Shopping for a new 2024 Odyssey, as we just found out we're expecting our 4th child, and, by the end of the year, we'll have 4 children under 4 years old!

My SOP is to treat the car-buying process as a bid, emailing multiple dealerships to inquire how much they're willing to discount their stock.

Our closest Honda store, Darrell Waltrip Honda in Franklin, has several Odysseys, and every one of them has over $3000 in dealer added garbage, including "LoJack Connect", a $1500 system for locating your car if it's stolen (Apple AirTags are $29), $300 for door cups (clear film under the door handles), $500 for window tint (that much for only the front windows!). And their doc fee is $750!

When will they come to the realization that most people don't want this stuff, and recognize that it's simply a profit-padder for the greedy dealerships? And it just aggravates the customer and creates ill will.

After contacting about a dozen dealerships, I will say that I've found one dealer - Classic Honda out of Galveston, that proudly advertises zero add-ons, and has the lowest price I've found - about 8% off MSRP on a Touring model after local Texas taxes and fees (not including my Tennessee taxes), and a (reasonable for 2024) $150 doc fee.

I guess Tennessee dealers are just extra greedy. I've bought 3 new vehicles since 2007 (2007 Tacoma, 2016 WRX, and 2021 4Runner), and I had to go out of state to find a dealer that would sell for a fair price on all 3 of them. Got the Tacoma and the WRX out of AR (Central Toyota in Jonesboogie and the WRX out of Little Rock), and the 4Runner from Vandergriff out of DFW. And it's looking like that's going to be the case again.

I've had a couple of closer dealers offer discounts of 2-3 grand, but they had a bunch of add-ons that are sinking their offer.

Glad the new vehicle market is softening a bit after the craziness of MSRP and "market adjustments" of 2021 into 2023.

If you're in the market for a vehicle (depending on what it is), don't be fooled into paying markups and paying for silly dealer add-ons that just serve to line the dealer's pockets. Just don't buy from those dealers. EVERYTHING is negotiable, as long as it's not a model that's super in-demand (yes, of course, demand sets price - that goes for anything).

Have you looked at CPO as an option? Alot of dealerships even add extra warranty. Some are. Very lightly used with the initial deprecation out of the way.

 

[97prizm]

I had a similar experience purchasing a Honda CRV Sprt Touring. Most wanted 2-3k in add ONS. Found a dealer that gave it to her for about 2k off MSRP and no add Ons. One dealer wanted to add Propack for $1999.00 which consisted of floor mats, mud guards and wheel locks!!!!

Crazy dealer add on

My daughter looking at purchasing a new Honda CRV hybrid. One dealer had an accessory of $1999.00 for propack. Propack consists of wheel locks, mud flap and a cargo liner. I asked him 3 times if he forgot a few other items. Needless to say we didn't bite. I am trying the Costco vehicle...

bobistheoilguy.com

Costco car purchase experience.

In a previous thread ( link Below) I stated looking for a car for my daughter. Costco deal on a 2024 CRV sport Touring MSRP 42,005 was about $700 off MSRP and $600 doc fee and $400 DMV which are pretty much standard honestly there are many charging upward of $900 on doc fee in this area...

bobistheoilguy.com

I keep hearing how the corporate offices are cracking down on this as it makes them look bad, yet I'm not seeing much in the way of anything being done.

 

[SC Maintenance]

So your point is that some OE manufacturers that don't include a spare are charging too much for it, and you are better off sourcing your own full sized spare.

My Toyota came with an expensive donut spare which I threw out and replaced with a full size spare.

I never understood the concept of not owning a full size spare, but I posted how I made this work on the Rav4 boards and million people chimed in that it was stupid and who needs a spare anyway.

I suppose if you never go more than 20 miles from home it doesn't matter, but I have driven hundreds of miles home on my spare and will never own a car without one unless its my sunday goof off car only.

 

[SC Maintenance]

When will they learn??? When they say no to add ons and walk away...

This will be the only time it ends. However even in 2019 shopping for cars it was clear most dealers were set up for the hard push / extended warranty buying / sub prime borrowing crowd. Weren't interested in selling to anyone else.

 

[Astro14]

My Toyota came with an expensive donut spare which I threw out and replaced with a full size spare.

I never understood the concept of not owning a full size spare, but I posted how I made this work on the Rav4 boards and million people chimed in that it was stupid and who needs a spare anyway.

I suppose if you never go more than 20 miles from home it doesn't matter, but I have driven hundreds of miles home on my spare and will never own a car without one unless its my sunday goof off car only.

My Sunday goof off car has two spares…factory option.. but roads weren’t very good back then…

 

[97prizm]

I think his point was that it has the most entertaining powertrain for the minivan class.

The most entertaining minivan had to be the Honda Odyssey that Rutledge Wood drove in top Gear many years ago. Bisimoto made a 1,000 horsepower Honda Odyssey with a 6spd manual transmission.

 

[John105]

I keep hearing how the corporate offices are cracking down on this as it makes them look bad, yet I'm not seeing much in the way of anything being done.

How about the C8 Corvette and the $75,000 over list for a Z06 a couple years ago. They made buyers sign something saying they would not sell or warranty voided or something like that

 

[loneryder]

It happens in GA also. I found a Ridgeline that was the color and trim package I wanted. When the dealer wouldn’t remove the $3000 dollars of garbage, I left and purchased one at another dealer nearby that doesn’t do the add on garbage.

You should have driven your new vehicle thru the original dealer’s lot and made sure they saw you. I had a friend do that and they gawked at him. He had a bid smile on his face.

 

[loneryder]

I loathe SET/GST Toyota cars
Weird port installed options, odd trim levels/special editions
Worse, they find their way up to me in NYC, with screwy Audiovox alarm systems and fire prone add on heated seats
Camrys with carriage roofs and gold trim
A handover from when Toyota first set up shop in the US
I thank the good Lord I only have to get screwed over by the actual TMC US distributor
View attachment 206866

A number of years ago, the owner of the distributorship for the southeast had a yacht(ship) at Ft. Lauderdale. It was so beg and impressive the water taxi guys would point it out. Guy said it rarely leaves the dock, he just entertains on it.

 

[Finklejag]

I’m surprised Toyota hasn’t tried to buy them out and take control of all their US markets.

 

[blkwtr]

To the OP -- how do you make this happen, ie. the distance if I got my map data corrrect is about 13 hours by car ?

Do you drive a car down for trade or fly and drive up, assuming everything is pre-negotiated and dealer makes no last minute "oops. we just sold that car an hour ago..." ?

I bought a new 4RUNNER from Savannah Toyota even though I've never been there. They are 500 miles from where I live. They brought it to my house.

 

[dlundblad]

They got me.

Our 4Runner had a non negotiable $200 or $400 fee for a blinking brake light. Unfortunately, I wasn’t prepared to walk as they were nearly impossible to find at that time and it was exactly what we were looking for and at MSRP.

I am not saying I regret the purchase, but next new car, I’ll be prepared to walk over it.

 

[fdcg27]

WRT the thread title, I'd say they have learned well.
Tacking on junk fees and charging for crap buyers don't want, like pulsing brake lights, has helped them to pad their margins.
Customer satisfaction seems of little concern since so many transactions are one-offs anyway.
Word of mouth isn't a concern since not many buyers are going to brag to their friends about how badly they got hosed in the F&I office.

 

[MCompact]

As I've said before, adding those idiotic flashing brake lights is an absolute deal-breaker.

 

[SC Maintenance]

My Sunday goof off car has two spares…factory option.. but roads weren’t very good back then…View attachment 216313

I am extremely envious. Built when people had smarts.

I remember my grandfather telling me about pulling the tube on the side of the road and patching a leak was a common occurrence back in the day.

 

[fdcg27]

My Sunday goof off car has two spares…factory option.. but roads weren’t very good back then…View attachment 216313

Looks wonderful.
A car from the quality era of American manufacturing, when paying more got you more and not simply better interior trim.