Thank you for this. About the test drive…how do you do that without getting into a hassle between the Costco Salesperson and the test drive salesperson at the dealership.dealership
Thanks for the question and yes, this can be tricky. Basically, I do my best to have my mind made up on a model before I submit my request to Costco, so that I'm in buying mode rather than shopping mode. That normally means that I've gone around and done test drives and finished my comparisons first. Then, I submit the request to Costco - and depending on the city where you live, they may or may not match you up to the same dealership for that brand you have decided to buy as where you did the test drive. Costco only selects one dealer per brand to pair with a warehouse store, and your zip code does some of the selection on where they send you. In any event, proceed with your costco request and if they do send you back to the same dealer, you should still meet the costco specified contact and let the dealer sort out commission splits if that becomes an issue for them. It only gets messy if you don't follow costco's guidelines which clearly tell you only to meet their authorized contact. Good luck!
I went for a Toyota test drive at a local dealership because the Costco participating dealership was an hour away. I asked if they were a member of the group, and they said no. They don't have to pay Costco to participate, but could give me the same rate. From what you say, it is a benefit to just stick with one of the Costco dealers. If I went to the dealer further away though, wouldn't I be missing out on any dealer perks given by the local dealer to his customers?
Thanks for your question. Sometimes, people get a Costco price from a participating dealer and then use that price as a shopping guide with a non-participating dealer. That's the only way that you will truly know if the non-participating dealer is matching their price. It is true that the participating dealers have to pay a fee to Costco for sending you over (if you buy), and that does give the non-participating dealer a little extra room to give you a better deal, but you have to have done your homework to know that their offer is a good one. At the end of the day, there is no wrong choice here and I can certainly understand your wanting to buy from a local dealer. I'm not certain what perks you are thinking of from the local dealer, but you can also clarify that with them and take it with you as research when you visit the Costco participating dealer to get a Costco price on the car. A little time and legwork invested may get you the best deal and perks too. Good luck!
Hi - I used the program to purchase 2 MINI's and a Range Rover Sport (different years). All of the deals were basically at invoice plus about $500 and that was good for the market at that time. I felt that I got a fair deal as I chose top end models within the range. MINI had a previous owner rebate, and a military rebate (I didn't qualify for that one).
Thanks for your comment! I am surprised to hear this, but perhaps Toyota dealers in Greater DFW area think they don't need the customer boost that the Costco Auto program gives them - that may be changing soon as oversupply is coming back. I might suggest that you call the Costco Auto program on the phone 800# and ask them to help you find the nearest Toyota dealer in your state and then you can determine if it's worth a drive. You might also see if other programs have local participating dealers such as the Auto Club. Good Luck!
The internet pricing was less than the Costco Auto pricing by $100. It makes me wonder what the program really does and how sure you can be that there is actually some discount!
Good point! Costco generally has a pre-negotiated price for a vehicle and it doesn't necessarily fluctuate according to market demand (or lack of). But if nothing else, it helps to give you a feeling that you are getting a pretty good price. Do remember that dealers have to pay a "finders fee" to Costo for bringing you in as a buyer, so that could also account for a minor difference. Thanks for your comment!
Sorry to hear this. If you're not in a hurry, contact Costco Auto program on their 800 # and share your dilemma and ask them to either intervene, or to connect you with a different dealer that may be a little further away. They tend to only have one dealer per area, but if you have alot of costcos in your area, each one can be linked to a dealer for a given brand, so know other costco zip-codes to provide and see if they can find you another dealer to work with. Also, since you've now seen this pricing it may be helpful in going to another non-costco dealer. Don't settle for a lousy deal unless the car you are trying to buy is a true unicorn. Good Luck! (and thanks for commenting)
It would depend on the brand and vehicle and amount of dealers in your region. Dealers do trade cars, but you would start the costco process and have them connect you with a dealer who could give you pricing and help you find the car you're looking for.
Costco selects one Toyota dealership per area and will connect you with that dealer's Costco representative. You can always submit a 2nd request and supply a zip-code for a different area served by Costco and they may connect you with a different dealer. They say that they select one based on customer satisfaction scores, and other measurements. But if you live in a larger city served by many Toyota dealerships, you can try submitting a couple of requests - however, you might find out that they have the same pre-negotiated pricing. Good Luck!
I agree that it's a little be overwhelming. I think I begin by noticing what cars on the road catch my attention and then start investigating them - many times, I have decided what brand/model of car I want to buy by the time that I start actually shopping. The best advice is to take your time and don't let anybody rush you. Good luck!
Thanks for your comment. You make a valid point, but remember that some people can be intimidated by the whole process of buying a car, so it can be a help to those who don't want to go it alone. Of course, there are other ways of going about the process besides Costco, but it is helpful to many.
Not trying to be a smart ass, but don't buy a Rav4 then. Buy a Mazda CX 5. Great vehicle. Try a CRV. People get obsessed with one thing, then fall for dealer scams and greed.
Thanks for your question. No, Costco has you go to the dealer to meet and at that time you will be shown pricing. It's part of their deal with the selling dealers that they bring customers in the door, so expect to go into a dealer in order to see pricing. That does mean that you can do a little homework regarding pricing online before you arrive, so that you'll understand how good (or not) the Costco negotiated pricing is. Good luck!
@@MyAutomobileObsessionI visited the Lexus dealership in Mesa, AZ which is part of the Costco auto buying program, & they told me that they cannot give me my price until they have a VIN. So, if I order a car, they will build it, and I guess that the VIN will be assigned after it is manufactured.
You may be correct, but don't let them take advantage as a VIN number is assigned very early in the manufacturing process. I have experience with mainly European car dealers and they usually would quote Invoice+$500 or something along those lines and it would apply to a car that I order. Also, don't let that be a tactic to get you to settle for something in-stock that you are less interested in. Car dealers like selling what they already have and are sometimes frustrated by those who want what they want with only a little waiting. Hold your ground and know that they will have a VIN several weeks before that car arrives to their dealership. Good Luck!
Thank you for this. About the test drive…how do you do that without getting into a hassle between the Costco Salesperson and the test drive salesperson at the dealership.dealership
Thanks for the question and yes, this can be tricky. Basically, I do my best to have my mind made up on a model before I submit my request to Costco, so that I'm in buying mode rather than shopping mode. That normally means that I've gone around and done test drives and finished my comparisons first. Then, I submit the request to Costco - and depending on the city where you live, they may or may not match you up to the same dealership for that brand you have decided to buy as where you did the test drive. Costco only selects one dealer per brand to pair with a warehouse store, and your zip code does some of the selection on where they send you. In any event, proceed with your costco request and if they do send you back to the same dealer, you should still meet the costco specified contact and let the dealer sort out commission splits if that becomes an issue for them. It only gets messy if you don't follow costco's guidelines which clearly tell you only to meet their authorized contact. Good luck!
@ thank you!
very in interesting i will definitely look at that option
Thanks for watching!
thank you for the tips.
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!
Excellent advise!
Thank you!
I went for a Toyota test drive at a local dealership because the Costco participating dealership was an hour away. I asked if they were a member of the group, and they said no. They don't have to pay Costco to participate, but could give me the same rate. From what you say, it is a benefit to just stick with one of the Costco dealers. If I went to the dealer further away though, wouldn't I be missing out on any dealer perks given by the local dealer to his customers?
Thanks for your question. Sometimes, people get a Costco price from a participating dealer and then use that price as a shopping guide with a non-participating dealer. That's the only way that you will truly know if the non-participating dealer is matching their price. It is true that the participating dealers have to pay a fee to Costco for sending you over (if you buy), and that does give the non-participating dealer a little extra room to give you a better deal, but you have to have done your homework to know that their offer is a good one. At the end of the day, there is no wrong choice here and I can certainly understand your wanting to buy from a local dealer. I'm not certain what perks you are thinking of from the local dealer, but you can also clarify that with them and take it with you as research when you visit the Costco participating dealer to get a Costco price on the car. A little time and legwork invested may get you the best deal and perks too. Good luck!
What vehicle did you purchase and what type of dealers discount did you get? What type of manufacturer rebates did you qualified for?
Hi - I used the program to purchase 2 MINI's and a Range Rover Sport (different years). All of the deals were basically at invoice plus about $500 and that was good for the market at that time. I felt that I got a fair deal as I chose top end models within the range. MINI had a previous owner rebate, and a military rebate (I didn't qualify for that one).
I want the new 2025 Camry. There isn’t one Toyota dealer in or around Dallas that participates in the Costco program.
Thanks for your comment! I am surprised to hear this, but perhaps Toyota dealers in Greater DFW area think they don't need the customer boost that the Costco Auto program gives them - that may be changing soon as oversupply is coming back. I might suggest that you call the Costco Auto program on the phone 800# and ask them to help you find the nearest Toyota dealer in your state and then you can determine if it's worth a drive. You might also see if other programs have local participating dealers such as the Auto Club. Good Luck!
@@MyAutomobileObsession Thank you sir I’ll do that !!
The internet pricing was less than the Costco Auto pricing by $100. It makes me wonder what the program really does and how sure you can be that there is actually some discount!
Good point! Costco generally has a pre-negotiated price for a vehicle and it doesn't necessarily fluctuate according to market demand (or lack of). But if nothing else, it helps to give you a feeling that you are getting a pretty good price. Do remember that dealers have to pay a "finders fee" to Costo for bringing you in as a buyer, so that could also account for a minor difference. Thanks for your comment!
Looking pretty good for 63... ;^)
Thanks! Some times I feel it, however...
I can tell you one thing I don’t like. I see a 2500 dollar discount but I can’t remove the dealers delivery fee. So it’s not really 2500 off.
Sorry to hear this. If you're not in a hurry, contact Costco Auto program on their 800 # and share your dilemma and ask them to either intervene, or to connect you with a different dealer that may be a little further away. They tend to only have one dealer per area, but if you have alot of costcos in your area, each one can be linked to a dealer for a given brand, so know other costco zip-codes to provide and see if they can find you another dealer to work with. Also, since you've now seen this pricing it may be helpful in going to another non-costco dealer. Don't settle for a lousy deal unless the car you are trying to buy is a true unicorn. Good Luck! (and thanks for commenting)
Do you know if they can get one from a local dealers lot.
It would depend on the brand and vehicle and amount of dealers in your region. Dealers do trade cars, but you would start the costco process and have them connect you with a dealer who could give you pricing and help you find the car you're looking for.
If I want to purchase a toyota. Does Cisco contact multiple Toyota dealerships in my area or only one?
Costco selects one Toyota dealership per area and will connect you with that dealer's Costco representative. You can always submit a 2nd request and supply a zip-code for a different area served by Costco and they may connect you with a different dealer. They say that they select one based on customer satisfaction scores, and other measurements. But if you live in a larger city served by many Toyota dealerships, you can try submitting a couple of requests - however, you might find out that they have the same pre-negotiated pricing. Good Luck!
There’s too much info online in 2024 to walk into dealerships and not know what car u want
I agree that it's a little be overwhelming. I think I begin by noticing what cars on the road catch my attention and then start investigating them - many times, I have decided what brand/model of car I want to buy by the time that I start actually shopping. The best advice is to take your time and don't let anybody rush you. Good luck!
Find true value of the car u want. Offer it, if they say no, leave. Pretty simple
Thanks for your comment. You make a valid point, but remember that some people can be intimidated by the whole process of buying a car, so it can be a help to those who don't want to go it alone. Of course, there are other ways of going about the process besides Costco, but it is helpful to many.
Not trying to be a smart ass, but don't buy a Rav4 then. Buy a Mazda CX 5. Great vehicle. Try a CRV. People get obsessed with one thing, then fall for dealer scams and greed.
Does Costco give you an out-the-door price before you go to the dealership in person?
Thanks for your question. No, Costco has you go to the dealer to meet and at that time you will be shown pricing. It's part of their deal with the selling dealers that they bring customers in the door, so expect to go into a dealer in order to see pricing. That does mean that you can do a little homework regarding pricing online before you arrive, so that you'll understand how good (or not) the Costco negotiated pricing is. Good luck!
@@MyAutomobileObsessionI visited the Lexus dealership in Mesa, AZ which is part of the Costco auto buying program, & they told me that they cannot give me my price until they have a VIN. So, if I order a car, they will build it, and I guess that the VIN will be assigned after it is manufactured.
You may be correct, but don't let them take advantage as a VIN number is assigned very early in the manufacturing process. I have experience with mainly European car dealers and they usually would quote Invoice+$500 or something along those lines and it would apply to a car that I order. Also, don't let that be a tactic to get you to settle for something in-stock that you are less interested in. Car dealers like selling what they already have and are sometimes frustrated by those who want what they want with only a little waiting. Hold your ground and know that they will have a VIN several weeks before that car arrives to their dealership. Good Luck!