Almost got caught in a Bait & Switch at a Wisconsin Dealership

[ModernDay4Runner]

Yesterday, I found a Black TRD Pro with "cockpit red" interior. Since my preferred dealer has not received a second allocation, I thought I would take a shot at this one. The Dealership - Russ Darrow Toyota in West Bend Wisconsin, had the vehicle listed at $69.8K with a few accessories bringing it up from the MSRP. I contacted the dealership and set an appointment for today to come in and put 1K down on it and was excited to have found my TRD Pro.

About 2 hours later, I revisited the dealership website and noted they raised the price by nearly 2K. They had added a Compressor and another couple hundred dollar accessory which raised the cost up to close to 72K. I compared the VIN# to the printout I had made previously and it was indeed the same vehicle.

I contacted the dealership this morning and spoke to a sales manager. I was told that "Oh, I must have added the other items before it was posted online" at the current price of $71+K. I was told he would remove the compressor and other item to bring it back down to the original price they listed. At this point I specifically asked for assurance that the cost was back down to the 69K number and was told it was. I then jumped in my 4runner and set out for West Bend...70+ miles away.

Roughly 20-30 minutes later, while flying down the Interstate I recieve a call from the dealership. The guy then tells me that they are adding another $3,400K to the 71K. He said I still could come in and talk some more, but I had heard enough. I told him I was out, and no longer interested. He specifically mentioned that they were raising it due to the few allocations and because it is a TRD Pro.

So, lesson learned on my part but I will NEVER do business with Russ Darrow at ANY of their multiple dealerships. I would advise all of you to do the same and regardless of who you're dealing with, watch out for these Bait and Switch unethical dealerships.

You can go to Google and search on that dealership and just list the facts in a review and let others decide if they want to deal with them or not. Give them no stars. LOL

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

When I put in my order the salesman told me that the wait list was mainly for Limiteds, Trailhunters and TRD Pros. It seems like the most popular version is the Off Road trims, all of them show pending sale in my area. SR5s and Sports seem to be pretty easy to get. It also shows that although people say they want cheaper vehicles they buy the more expensive versions.

Everybody wants those Off Road Trims to look cool and outdoorsy but they don't plan on using them for that rough off roading stuff.

So that desire to have the tough looking Off-Road, it leads to the shortage of available inventory and hence, higher prices.

All you people out there trying to get an Off Road that you don't even need, back off and let only those that will be going off road buy that trim.

Being sarcastic now, of course. But these poll numbers seem to back up what I am saying?

 

[et2041]

Everybody wants those Off Road Trims to look cool and outdoorsy but they don't plan on using them for that rough off roading stuff.

So that desire to have the tough looking Off-Road, it leads to the shortage of available inventory and hence, higher prices.

All you people out there trying to get an Off Road that you don't even need, back off and let only those that will be going off road buy that trim.

Being sarcastic now, of course. But these poll numbers seem to back up what I am saying?

As I have many times with my Trail edition, my TRD Pro will head out west this summer and future off roading next year. Some of that will also be in Virginia as well. There's nothing more exhilarating than off roading in the heart of Grizzly country in Wyoming.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

As I have many times with my Trail edition, my TRD Pro will head out west this summer and future off roading next year. Some of that will also be in Virginia as well. There's nothing more exhilarating than off roading in the heart of Grizzly country in Wyoming.

Okay great but my post was directed not to people like you but to people like me who will be driving to the mall LOL

 

[HVLA]

When I put in my order the salesman told me that the wait list was mainly for Limiteds, Trailhunters and TRD Pros. It seems like the most popular version is the Off Road trims, all of them show pending sale in my area. SR5s and Sports seem to be pretty easy to get. It also shows that although people say they want cheaper vehicles they buy the more expensive versions.

The people ordering 4runners to be the first to have them arent the people who say they want cheaper vehicles.

 

[LLL1990]

The people ordering 4runners to be the first to have them arent the people who say they want cheaper vehicles.

I think most of us (definitely me) order one because we like them not to be first.

 

[Cityzen10]

I think most of us (definitely me) order one because we like them not to be first.

I'm in the PNW where 4Runners are EVERYWHERE. Like more popular than Teslas in SoCal lol. I've had it for 2 days and already feel like I'm swatting people off of it like flies. It's nice to be one of the first.

 

[rdk654]

Yesterday, I found a Black TRD Pro with "cockpit red" interior. Since my preferred dealer has not received a second allocation, I thought I would take a shot at this one. The Dealership - Russ Darrow Toyota in West Bend Wisconsin, had the vehicle listed at $69.8K with a few accessories bringing it up from the MSRP. I contacted the dealership and set an appointment for today to come in and put 1K down on it and was excited to have found my TRD Pro.

About 2 hours later, I revisited the dealership website and noted they raised the price by nearly 2K. They had added a Compressor and another couple hundred dollar accessory which raised the cost up to close to 72K. I compared the VIN# to the printout I had made previously and it was indeed the same vehicle.

I contacted the dealership this morning and spoke to a sales manager. I was told that "Oh, I must have added the other items before it was posted online" at the current price of $71+K. I was told he would remove the compressor and other item to bring it back down to the original price they listed. At this point I specifically asked for assurance that the cost was back down to the 69K number and was told it was. I then jumped in my 4runner and set out for West Bend...70+ miles away.

Roughly 20-30 minutes later, while flying down the Interstate I recieve a call from the dealership. The guy then tells me that they are adding another $3,400K to the 71K. He said I still could come in and talk some more, but I had heard enough. I told him I was out, and no longer interested. He specifically mentioned that they were raising it due to the few allocations and because it is a TRD Pro.

So, lesson learned on my part but I will NEVER do business with Russ Darrow at ANY of their multiple dealerships. I would advise all of you to do the same and regardless of who you're dealing with, watch out for these Bait and Switch unethical dealerships.

Toyota of Runnemede NJ did this to me. Trd sport was listed at 58k after the test drive I told them I wanted to sit down and go through all the papers. The salesman went to his manager the. Came back to tell me they were raising the price for market adjustment. I didn’t even ask how much I just walked out and say absolutely not. Amazing they tried to add on after the window sticker and the listed price went out.

 

[Timmbo23]

Yesterday, I found a Black TRD Pro with "cockpit red" interior. Since my preferred dealer has not received a second allocation, I thought I would take a shot at this one. The Dealership - Russ Darrow Toyota in West Bend Wisconsin, had the vehicle listed at $69.8K with a few accessories bringing it up from the MSRP. I contacted the dealership and set an appointment for today to come in and put 1K down on it and was excited to have found my TRD Pro.

About 2 hours later, I revisited the dealership website and noted they raised the price by nearly 2K. They had added a Compressor and another couple hundred dollar accessory which raised the cost up to close to 72K. I compared the VIN# to the printout I had made previously and it was indeed the same vehicle.

I contacted the dealership this morning and spoke to a sales manager. I was told that "Oh, I must have added the other items before it was posted online" at the current price of $71+K. I was told he would remove the compressor and other item to bring it back down to the original price they listed. At this point I specifically asked for assurance that the cost was back down to the 69K number and was told it was. I then jumped in my 4runner and set out for West Bend...70+ miles away.

Roughly 20-30 minutes later, while flying down the Interstate I recieve a call from the dealership. The guy then tells me that they are adding another $3,400K to the 71K. He said I still could come in and talk some more, but I had heard enough. I told him I was out, and no longer interested. He specifically mentioned that they were raising it due to the few allocations and because it is a TRD Pro.

So, lesson learned on my part but I will NEVER do business with Russ Darrow at ANY of their multiple dealerships. I would advise all of you to do the same and regardless of who you're dealing with, watch out for these Bait and Switch unethical dealerships.

That’s interesting, I am in WI and saw that vehicle pop up the other day when I was looking. I was slightly shocked to see it available. Super crappy they are not allowing you to customize the options the way you want. They have full capability to add or subtract the port installed options. Yikes!!!!!

 

[HDryden]

Just an FYI to anyone that is interested, First Team Toyota of Va Beach Virginia is having an invoice sale on their 4Runners. I know this includes at least the Off Road Premium trim as I just put a depost down on one and will take delivery at the end of this month hopefully.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

Just an FYI to anyone that is interested, First Team Toyota of Va Beach Virginia is having an invoice sale on their 4Runners. I know this includes at least the Off Road Premium trim as I just put a depost down on one and will take delivery at the end of this month hopefully.

I did not know there was a First Team Toyota in Virginia Beach.

 

[HDryden]

It's actually in Chesapeake - 3400 Western Branch Blvd. Chesapeake VA, 23321

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

I called them. They said there's no such deals at invoice price. What's the name of your salesperson there?

 

[et2041]

That’s interesting, I am in WI and saw that vehicle pop up the other day when I was looking. I was slightly shocked to see it available. Super crappy they are not allowing you to customize the options the way you want. They have full capability to add or subtract the port installed options. Yikes!!!!!

It was not just the unwanted additions that they piled onto the car after I made an appointment, it was also the fact that they were going to markup the price an additional $3400 because it was a TRD Pro.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

It was not just the unwanted additions that they piled onto the car after I made an appointment, it was also the fact that they were going to markup the price an additional $3400 because it was a TRD Pro.

It sounds like you did not ask them to specifically confirm the price before your visit. Is that the case that you did not ask and went with the assumption that what they had advertised was still accurate?