A taped sign on a desk might be the only warning your Toyota will get nearly $4,000 more expensive.
Car shoppers who see a great online deal from Schaumburg Toyota in Schaumburg, IL take note, what you see on their website might not be the price you haggle over.
A Facebook post from user Highboost Akon warned other car shoppers that he wasted his time driving over to Schaumburg Toyota and felt scammed after finding out the car he wanted would have a $3,994 aftermarket package added, no ifs, and, or buts.
Check out Akon’s post below (It’s also linked here.)
“They’re forcing a $3994 “Aftermarket Package” on all new vehicle. Online price does not mention any of this. We wasted our time coming in just to get scammed for a package that isn’t even on the vehicle.”
The photo shows a sign that’s supposedly been taped there for close to a year.
The sign reads,
“As of September 8th 2022
Schaumburg Toyota New Car Pricing Disclosure
Due to current market conditions regarding inventory, and in the interest of retaining all current employees. We have had to increase our new car and truck pricing as follows:
All new cars and trucks are sold at MSRP plus a minimum of $3,994 in pre-determined aftermarket products.
Ask your sales professional or sales manager for additional details.
We hope you understand our circumstances, and your loyalty is very appreciated during these difficult times.
Warmest Regards,
Schaumburg Toyota Management.
To Akon’s point, inventory on their website does not disclose these additional mandatory accessories.
As shown above, even the most affordable cars like a $23,477 Corolla’s price will automatically increase by 17 percent ($23,447 to $27,471.)
“I ran into this at another dealership, Ginash Georgee commented.
“Essentially, this is a markup disguised as a forced option package. The same thing happened to me. The dealer wanted to force an “exterior protection package.”
“When I refused, they then gave me another “option,” this was “the interior protection package.” At the end of the day, they just wanted xxxx more money for the vehicle and didn’t care which option I picked.“
“Schaumburg Toyota should stop playing games and just call it a markup and be transparent from the beginning. Stop wasting everyone’s time.”
While Toyota’s inventory levels have improved, they’re still far below the national average compared to other car brands.
According to Cox Automotive, in November 2022 Toyota dealerships only had 26 days supply, the national average being 52 days.
Inventory’s improved since, but not by much, with Toyota third to last with 30 days supply as of July 2023 compared to the national average of 56 days.
Few industries, if any, have not been severely impacted by the pandemic and its effects on the economy
American shoppers are unfortunately accustomed to price increases.
Regardless, it’s the fact Akon had to go to the dealership to find out about the mandatory add-ons when Schaumburg Toyota could’ve disclosed it as such from the beginning or, as some have suggested, call it what it is, ADM (or additional dealer markup.
Then again, how they went about it is not surprising.
Do you think what Schaumburg Toyota is doing is right, or should’ve they handled the price increase differently?
Let me know your .02 in the comments below.
