I know I"m not the only one and there have been posts about this, but I wanted to add to the growing list of people who are done with Toyota and their dealerships. When dealerships take advantage of customers on a large scale (I’m looking specifically at Toyota who has added dealer markups of $12-15K for a Toyota Rav4 Prime), all the decades of being a customer and advocate goes away. Yes, you can take advantage because of the supply situation, and Toyota can lose lifetime customers in the process because of the dealership and Toyota not doing anything about it when customers complained.
I will consider Lexus without giving them the benefit of the doubt, but not Toyota because of the actions of just about every Toyota dealership I have seen over the past two years. I’m just one person, but I’ve got to think there are more like me who are done with Toyota for their dealerships’ actions.
Corporate Toyota has little, if any, legal means of forcing franchised dealers to behave, which is why the US needs dealership regulations. Currently they vary by state and nothing prevents dealers from adding additional profit, especially when demand outpaces supply.
Not every dealer is fleecing, there are many who have maintained their reputations by not exceeding MSRP. I understand the sentiment and inconvenience of having to shop for a decent dealership in addition to the vehicle. There are Facebook groups “no mark up Toyota” that helps customers find what they’re looking for even if it’s out of state.
For the first time I’m in the area unenviable situation of living in a place with only one dealer. I’ll definitely be shopping beyond my area when the time comes.
Yes the legislation is at the State level rather than national level. One of the places where economy of scale does not seem to work. State legislatures are much less expensive to “lobby” than US congress.