Toyota dealerships completely useless for anything beyond first purchase...
I have been researching transmission coolers for my 2004 4WD 6cyl Tacoma. I called 3 different dealerships today and only one of them had any reply. This tech's reply was "Toyota does not make a tranny cooler for the Tacoma that can be acquired once it leaves the factory". Meaning - if the truck does not come with a complete "tow package" from the factory you can only get an aftermarket transmission cooler.
It is my belief that ALL dealers, regardless of what brand they sell, are pretty useless for any purpose other than talking you into buying a different vehicle.
Performance Products lists a auto tranny cooler.
Its made by a company called "Perma-Cool" and they offer 2 different size coolers. One is 5" x 15 1/2" that sells for $40 and the other is 7 1/2" x 15 1/2" that sells for $54.
Cap'n
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vmax2007
Toyota is not any more "special" than every other company the media has targeted in the past.
'07 Toyota Camry LE
Toyota: Like other cars, only better.
I would have to say you are both wrong in your opinion. Dealers(like the one I work for) do more than just sellcars. We service them, sell parts for them and accesorize them as well. Unfortunately the general consensus of the American people just do not know any better. That's how Sears, Wal-Marts, Jiffy Lubes and other independent shops stay in business. I kind of enjoy that they are around because all their mistakes lead to me selling more parts. Maybe when you call the dealership, what you are looking for we don't make. Permacool is NOT a factory Toyota Part. But if Im not mistaken TRD makes an external transmission cooler. Maybe not all employees are educated enough. And stop acting like it's a bad thing to go to the dealership. When guys like you walk in, with your I KNOW IT ALL ATTITUDE, I just bump up the price just a tad. If you were nice maybe I would give you a discount. And just because, stop being a SOURPUSS.
When guys like you walk in, with your I KNOW IT ALL ATTITUDE, I just bump up the price just a tad. If you were nice maybe I would give you a discount. And just because, stop being a SOURPUSS.
I'd really like to have a relationship with a dealer where I feel like I'm getting honest answers and fair prices. Because of some bad dealers out there -- I know not all of them are like this -- we feel like it's necessary to over-educate ourselves in an attempt to prevent getting sold something we don't need at an unfair price.
You reference another annoying fact - the price of parts and services are variable, based on how nice the customer is or isn't, time of day, progress against this month's quota, the weather, or whatever. That fact makes customers very defensive before they even walk in.
If I felt like I had an actual partnership, where all of the staff at the dealer was working in my best interest to service my vehicle, I'd gladly spend more money there. (Sometimes that means you *don't* sell me something today that I don't need.) Unfortunately, too many folks - usually sales people or service advisors - are way too worried about maximizing the sales opportunity that's immediately in front of them, rather than building a mutually beneficial, long-term relationship. That's what's damaging the relationship between dealers and customers, and that's why we have Jiffy Lube and other places.
I work at a chevy dealership. If you bring in your rig,and have problems in areas where aftermarket parts are involved(ie, the tranny with an aftermarket cooler) we(not ME)like to void any warranty that may be present,on behalf of the dealer.While it may be best to order a brand new ride all optioned out for optimal usage,not a lot of us can afford that luxury.I recommend being aware of this possibility before modifying you vehicle.doing the right things for the right reasons,can still bite you on the butt if your not careful.
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05' Tundra Doublecab 4x4.Gold & been Rolled
When guys like you walk in, with your I KNOW IT ALL ATTITUDE, I just bump up the price just a tad. If you were nice maybe I would give you a discount. And just because, stop being a SOURPUSS.
People like you who work at dealerships are 90% of the reason most people avoid 'stealerships'. You take people for their money...and charging people extra based on their "know it all attitude" is completely unethical and it is very strong grounds for a discrimination lawsuit.....if you worked for me I would fire you the second I found out you charge different people different prices for the exact same products.
__________________ 2004 Toyota Tacoma (Xtra-Cab, 4wd, TRD Offroad, SR5, 3.4 V6, Auto...)
Flowmaster 50 Deltaflow Series
Deckplate Mod
Grey Wire Mod
More to come!!
my toyota dealership is soso for the sales department...but the service and parts are awesome.....any damn TRD part I can think of...they'll find it, and their guys will make it a point to find even abscure parts, such as broken interior trim parts. PM me with what you want and I'll give em a call for ya.
i would like to add to this forum. First, I would like to apologize for calling the person who posted a sourpuss. Secondly, I am just tired of hearing how bad dealerships really are. I hear lots of horror stories about dealerships and such, but I happen to work for one and only know that we have a very huge customer base becuase of our service. If you get to know your dealership as my customers have, you will see that they really are resourceful and willing to help. I know I try, sometimes to the point where I lost money in the transaction, but at least I know my customers are happy. And third of all, I dont discriminate. I would like to think I treat my customers very well. Every now and then you gut a guy who knows it all and is fighting you on prices of touchup paint for $3.00. My point was to just give your parts people a chance. Some are better than others, some not so good. And by the way, if I can help anyone on this forum with information or pricing I will be glad to so.
You're not jacking up the price for me, I only buy based on a % of invoice price. I paid $200 below invoice for my 04 Taco. The dealers make money from the distributor kick-back in addition to what they can get from the customer of course.
You must work for an extremely rare dealership. As you know, most people hate the dealerships because of the sales people and jacked up prices. I can list so many examples. Duraliner bed liner was over $125 more expensive at the dealership compared to the truck accessory place I bought mine. Exact same bedliner. Same goes with a trailer hitch, and basically every other accessory.
In terms of the sales experience, they do not want to even talk to you unless you plan to sign on the spot. If you go in as an informed customer to price shop they give you a hard time.
Today I received a call back from one of the three dealerships I called the day I posted the first note. 3 - days later to give me a price on a tranny cooler. The message also said "we have never installed one before". I would not dream of getting this work done at any of these dealerships.
It's encouraging to hear there are other types of dealerships out there, it's hard to believe.
i would like to add to this forum. First, I would like to apologize for calling the person who posted a sourpuss. Secondly, I am just tired of hearing how bad dealerships really are. I hear lots of horror stories about dealerships and such, but I happen to work for one and only know that we have a very huge customer base becuase of our service. If you get to know your dealership as my customers have, you will see that they really are resourceful and willing to help. I know I try, sometimes to the point where I lost money in the transaction, but at least I know my customers are happy. And third of all, I dont discriminate. I would like to think I treat my customers very well. Every now and then you gut a guy who knows it all and is fighting you on prices of touchup paint for $3.00. My point was to just give your parts people a chance. Some are better than others, some not so good. And by the way, if I can help anyone on this forum with information or pricing I will be glad to so.
Dealerships are to expensive for parts and repairs. If I could affor the shit, I would LOVE to go to the people who know my truck best. You jack up the price on people who know things about their cars? Maybe they act like that precicely because of people like you. If you DON'T act like you know what you are talking about, you might get ripped off. Now it's assholes like you that make me want to learn everything about my truck, so I don't have to take it to a rip-off artist such as yourself. On behalf of all the people who have had their heads cracked by crooked dealerships/repair shops-BITE ME!
Last edited by lakechewbacca; 04-06-2005 at 01:07 AM.
man, you're at the WRONG Toyota dealership, guys! mine sounds more like the one knailgun works at!
my dealership is great as far as support is concerned. not only in the parts arena either! my dealership sponsors me when i go road racing at various tracks or whenever i organize a car show or other event.
i think TRD had a tow package.
hey rad toy maybe thats why people think the way we do about the dealership
When guys like you walk in, with your I KNOW IT ALL ATTITUDE, I just bump up the price just a tad. If you were nice maybe I would give you a discount. And just because, stop being a SOURPUSS. cause the dealship did all bs talk they have managed to put off my head gasket job untill it was no longer a recall thanks for truley caring
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If you bring in your rig,and have problems in areas where aftermarket parts are involved(ie, the tranny with an aftermarket cooler) we(not ME)like to void any warranty that may be present,on behalf of the dealer.While it may be best to order a brand new ride all optioned out for optimal usage,not a lot of us can afford that luxury.I recommend being aware of this possibility before modifying you vehicle.doing the right things for the right reasons,can still bite you on the butt if your not careful. 
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