Fishy Dealership?
 

I was going to go to a Toyota/Scion dealership 2 weeks ago to put a deposit on an FRS that they told me will have an ETA of July. Before I left, another Scion dealership from around the area called me.(I called a bunch of scion dealerships inquiring about the car). They told me that they have a black frs automatic up for grabs "that will be here in a couple of weeks". I couldn't believe what I heard and asked them if they have a VIN. The saleslady told me "yea we can provide you the VIN as a matter of fact the car is already in the San Diego port". So I then cancelled my appointment to that dealership I was going to go first and went to theirs instead.

When I came in the dealership, I told them my situation that the reason why I decided to put a deposit on an FRS is that my BRZ pre order is still wait listed and if the time comes that the FRS gets here first and there is still no updates about my pre ordered BRZ, then I might as well go with FRS. So to cut the story short, I dropped a 500 refundable deposit and they provided me with a VIN and an ETA of "a couple of weeks". They told me that they will update me if the car is already on a train and when the car is on freight on the way to their dealership. A few days later the Toyota/Scion dealership manager I was gonna go to first called me and asked why I chose the other dealership over theirs. I told him that they were getting an FRS that is black and automatic in a couple of weeks that's what tempted me to go to their dealership and drop a deposit. SO he told me he'll check the system that every dealership has and they have the ability to check other dealerships upcoming inventory also. He told me that he saw an upcoming FRS(black) on the other dealership's upcoming inventory but it has no VIN! So this made me suspicious and I called the dealership I dropped a deposit on. I told them that the other dealership's manager told me that they saw it on their system that you guys will get that black frs but he told me that it has no VIN, so what was the VIN you guys gave me? The saleslady told me that they gave me a "temporary vin" because they have two black frs's coming. One that was built on May 10 and is still on Japan and one that is already in port in San Diego. The reason why they gave me a temporary vin was that she told me they don't know which one will arrive first.(?????) What I don't get is that, why can't they have given me the VIN of the car already built that is in the port instead of giving me a temporary VIN? And isn't it common sense that the first car that should arrive first is the one at port instead of the one that was built on May 10?

Sounds fishy. It sounds like they're just telling you what you want to hear to get your business.

Ugh, temporary VIN... That's... interesting.

I think somebody just tried to steal your business. Could be wrong. It's happened before. Once.

The dealership I reserved with also gave me a temporary VIN but mine hasn't reached the port yet. Yours did so I don't understand why they can't give you the actual VIN. It does sound fishy and you should try to get a clearer answer from them.

If it's in shipment, it will only have a TEMP VIN of 8 digits. The full VIN is assigned once it's prepped and ready to ship to the dealership...

Remember guys, there are a few dealers out there doing it the right way...

Ah, I guess that's why the Americans are getting their VIN's later than some Canadians.

I'm starting to wonder if my car was one of the first to be on the continent but is going to be one of the last to be delivered... :(

Yea I was going to call them again and ask but I figured my pre ordered BRZ has an eta of May 29 so I didn't bother. The scion dealer wasn't clear about the ETA of the FRS plus I wasn't too pleased about them doing a credit check on me. Their reason was that to know whether i can afford the car.

The salesguy I talked to wrote the VIN on paper after I deposited the 500. I think it was more than 8 digits. I'll check

thanks

Wait, they did a credit check on you without your written or verbal consent?

Ugh... Please say that's not the case.

They didn't ask me that they were going to do a credit check. Which didn't please me at all. I overheard him say the word credit check and so I asked him why do you have to do a credit check? He told me don't worry it's not going to affect ur credit score etc. etc.

But I insisted on askin him the question "why do you guys have to do a credit check" and then the manager told me that they have to know if I can afford the car.

DIBS ON THE BRZ IF YOU GIVE IT UP!!! 219 WHAT! unless my GBS gets here before that...

also they are not aloud to run your credit without consent. IF you did NOT fill out paperwork or a credit app, then that was illegal. PERIOD... I'd be pissed enough to call Scion and make sure they heard about it. Contact the local paper and name drop the hell out of them. thats some BS in my opinion.... There even may be a way that you can report them to the FUZZ...but that dirty business practice shouldnt go unheard...message me which dealer so I know who not to do business with...

Not all credit checks affect your credit rating. Depends on whether or not they did a soft or a hard inquiry. What he said leads me to believe he did a soft pull but I wouldn't take his word for it.

If they are lowering your credit score with a credit check you didn't authorize then that's pretty bad.