Find The Car You Want To Buy: Check To See If It Is Available
When you’re looking to purchase a vehicle, the excitement can be overwhelming. You’ve done the research, found the model you love, and located a dealership that lists it in their inventory.
However, one critical step you should never overlook before hopping in your car and driving to the dealership is verifying the vehicle is actually available. It’s not enough for a vehicle to appear in the dealership’s inventory; you must confirm that it’s physically present on the lot and ready for you to test drive or purchase.
Skipping this step can lead to frustration and wasted time, and in some cases, dealerships may use this confusion to their advantage.
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Why You Should Always Verify Availability
Just because a vehicle is listed in a dealership’s online inventory doesn’t guarantee that it’s sitting on the lot and waiting for you. Inventory systems often have delays in updating, or the vehicle may have been sold, traded, or held for another buyer.
I’ve seen many vehicles populated in the current inventory feed based on being in transit or allocated to the dealership, which makes it confusing even for the staff to know if a vehicle is physically on the lot. Suppose you don’t confirm the vehicle’s availability beforehand. In that case, you risk arriving at the dealership only to hear the dreaded words, “We don’t have that vehicle in stock.” I’ve said this exact statement many times in the same day to potential customers on the lot.
This is why it’s essential to not just check the dealership’s website but also to pick up the phone or send an email to verify that the car is truly available for purchase. You should confirm not only the model but also the specific features and options you’re looking for.
Common Dealership Practices
Some dealerships use a common tactic of saying, “It’s available,” without fully disclosing whether the vehicle is physically on-site. This can happen either intentionally or due to system delays, but the result is the same: customers arrive at the dealership only to find out that the car they wanted isn’t there.
Dealerships know that once you’ve invested time and energy into visiting their lot, you’re more likely to settle for a different vehicle or spend additional time looking at other options. While the dealership might claim that it was an oversight, the inconvenience is yours to bear.
Honest Mistakes vs. Intentional Practices
It’s important to understand that not all situations are deliberate attempts to mislead. Sometimes, a vehicle truly did sell the night before or was traded to another dealer after you saw it online. Unfortunately, inventory updates aren’t always immediate, leading to the vehicle appearing available when it’s not.
However, whether it’s an honest mistake or a deliberate tactic, the end result is the same: you’ve wasted your time. That’s why it’s critical to double-check with the dealership before you make the trip.
Protecting Yourself From Wasting Time
To avoid disappointment and wasted time, there are a few key steps you should take before visiting the dealership:
- Call the dealership to confirm the vehicle you want is in stock and available for purchase.
- Ask for recent photos of the specific vehicle via email or text to verify its condition and existence.
- Confirm the details, such as mileage, trim, color, and features, to ensure that what’s available matches what you’re looking for.
These simple steps can save you hours and prevent unnecessary trips. Dealerships are more likely to give you accurate information if they know you’re an informed buyer.
The Pricing Trap
Another trick dealerships sometimes use is to give you a very attractive price quote for a vehicle they don’t actually have in stock. Why? Because if the vehicle isn’t there, they don’t have to honor the price they quoted.
Once you’re at the dealership and have invested your time, they might try to upsell you on a different model at a higher price. To avoid falling for this tactic, make sure the price they’re quoting you is tied to a vehicle that is physically available. Otherwise, you risk being pulled into a pricing game where the “deal” you thought you had doesn’t really exist.
I’ve seen my competitors play this game without fail: They quote you a much lower price than everyone else just to keep you out of the market. Meanwhile, you think you have the best deal, but often, the dealer will not be getting that vehicle, or it could already be sold to someone else, so they do not have to honor the price for you.
I’ve seen customers wait a year because they were promised a specific price on a vehicle. When the year time limit was up, the vehicle never came in, nor did the dealer honor that price on a similar model. If you are going to play the waiting game with a dealer, ensure the vehicle has a specific VIN number and get documentation of when the vehicle should be delivered to the dealership.
If you can, get them to write a contract with you at the price that was agreed upon. If they are unwilling to provide documentation or a contract, just understand that it could be a way of keeping you out of the market from buying elsewhere, so be careful.
Recap: How to Find The Car You Want to Buy
In conclusion, always do your due diligence and verify a vehicle’s availability before making a trip to the dealership. By taking a few extra steps, such as calling the dealership, requesting photos, and asking specific questions, you can avoid frustration and protect yourself from misleading tactics. Stay informed, save yourself time and energy, and ensure that when you arrive at the dealership, the vehicle you want is ready and waiting for you.
Stay tuned for the next part of this series, where I’ll explore pricing tactics and how to Never Trust A Verbal Promise From A Car Salesman. We will also discuss the importance of getting everything in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s crucial to verify availability because dealerships may list vehicles in their inventory that aren’t physically on the lot. Without confirming, you risk wasting your time and energy going to see a vehicle that isn’t actually there.
Not necessarily. Dealership inventory systems can lag behind, meaning a vehicle that has been sold or traded may still appear as available online. To avoid disappointment, always contact the dealership to confirm the vehicle’s presence.
Call the dealership directly and ask if the vehicle is on the lot and ready for a test drive or purchase. Request recent photos of the vehicle via email or text, and confirm specific details like mileage, color, and options to ensure everything matches what’s listed online.
Politely ask for more proof. This could include photos of the actual vehicle, confirmation that it’s on the lot, and asking for the specific Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This extra information will give you peace of mind before making the trip.
Some dealerships use this tactic to attract customers to their lot. Even if they don’t have the exact vehicle, they hope to sell you something else once you arrive. It could also be an honest mistake due to slow inventory updates.
Sometimes, vehicles are sold quickly or traded to another dealership. If this happens, it’s likely an honest mistake. To prevent this, ask the dealership to hold the vehicle for you or update you if anything changes before you visit.
If a dealership offers you an unusually low price, be cautious. Ask for the VIN and confirm that the vehicle is physically present at the dealership. Avoid committing to a price on a vehicle that isn’t on the lot, as they might not honor the price once you’re there.
When you call or email, ask the following questions:
- Is the vehicle physically on the lot?
- Can you provide recent photos of the vehicle?
- What is the exact mileage, color, and trim level?
- Can I have the VIN for confirmation?
These questions will help ensure you’re dealing with the right vehicle.
If you arrive at the dealership and find out the vehicle is unavailable, calmly discuss the situation with the salesperson. If they don’t offer a reasonable explanation or solution, consider leaving and finding another dealership that values your time.
To avoid wasting time, always call the dealership to confirm the vehicle’s availability before visiting. Make sure to get details like photos and VIN information. Also, be cautious of low-price offers that may not be tied to an in-stock vehicle.
Note: Always refer to the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for more detailed information about your specific vehicle. Safe driving practices should always be followed. For more details, contact your local Toyota Dealer or visit Toyota.com.
Cedric Jackson
Cedric is a Sales Pro with 20+ years of experience. He is currently a Sales Consultant at Toyota of Riverside. He aims to share his passion for product knowledge of the Toyota brand here on his blog. Cedric writes content here and produces short-form videos on YouTube, Instagram & TicTok. Connect with him here or on all social media @ cedricthecarguy 🙏🏾🤙🏾
Cedric Jackson
Cedric is a Sales Pro with 20+ years of experience. He is currently a Sales Consultant at Toyota of Riverside. He aims to share his passion for product knowledge of the Toyota brand here on his blog. Cedric writes content here and produces short-form videos on YouTube, Instagram & TicTok. Connect with him here or on all social media @ cedricthecarguy 🙏🏾🤙🏾
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