Dealer Discount For TLCA Membership ?????

[45Kevin]

Here in Canada it seems that Toyota, both corporate and dealer level, are reluctant to support, and sometimes even acknowledge the land cruisers that are still here. I have one dealer in Calgary that is interested in helping us a bit, the manager is a friend and he does older cars/trucks. What type of discounts do other dealers give to TLCA members? What would be appropriate to ask for? My thinking is that as a group, the LC owners in our city of one million should be given the same discount that a decent sized garage gets. Maybe 20%?
Would it be possible for TLCA to approach the Canadian division of TMC NA and broach the subject. Do larger cities typically have one dealer that is TLCA friendly, or is the TLCA discount across the board at all dealers. I'm hoping for lots of feedback, fore armed is fore warned.
Thanks, Kevin

[Rzeppa]

Hi Kevin,

Typically, Toyota dealers in the USA give TLCA members 20-25% discounts on parts.

We have found that the price point that the discount comes off of varys from region to region and dealer to dealer, so it isn't unusual to hear that a given discounted price for the same part is different from one dealer to another, or from one region to another. Some cities have several dealers that are Land Cruier and TLCA friendly, some have one or none. In cities that have multiple Toyota dealers, getting the parts manager at one to give you a discount should help drive parts sales his way. At a minimum, RMLC should develop a relationship with at least one local Toyota dealer for parts.

Down here in the USA, we know that you guys haven't had real Land Cruisers in dealer's showrooms since the last FJ62, and are sympathetic to your plight.

BTW, I don't know if the dealer you are referring to is Stampede, but they have been helpful to me in the past.

[45Kevin]

No the dealer is not Stampede. Stampede offers a 15% discount. A few guys in the club here find it cheaper to buy from Pattison in Vancouver and pay the shipping and extra tax, than get the discount at Stampede. A few of us were talking last night and decided that we would tell the dealer that unless the discount is in the 25% to 30% range, it would not sway us to change practice. I will be diplomatic about, but I think that is what we need to ensure our loyalty.

[Rzeppa]

Best of luck Kevin. I have never seen a 30% discount from a Toyota dealer. There are quite a few around the US who give a 25% for TLCA members. In Denver there are two who give 25% and one who offers 20%. But don't necessarily focus as much on the actual discount number, but what your final price is. As I stated above, the "list" price that the discount is taken off of varies a lot, they are not standardized. In other words, getting 15% off a lower list price may end up being the same as 20-25% off a higher list price, eh?

What you might do is get a sample shopping list of common parts to do your comparisons. For example, air filter, oil filter, wheel bearings, axle seals, tail light lens, etc.

When I needed a brake master for my 1978 FJ45, I found that even with discount down here, Stampede was about the same even with no discount. Oh yeah...AFTER I made the non-returnable special order for that brake master with my local dealer, I found out that Spector had them on the shelf for less than either dealer.

[wesintl]

I think what Jeff is trying to say is that Toyota has different levels of pricing. So 20% off the high level price is still more than retail at the low level depending on the $. Ask me how I found that out

I would see if they can give you 20% off the low level rather than asking for a 30% off a higher tier

Good luck.

[grant5127]

In my area it's called MATRIX pricing....

[45Kevin]

I will be sitting down with the parts manager next week at Canyon Creek Toyota in Calgary. Today I bought a dis. cap, points and rotor and got 20% off no problem.Total of $56. I will ask about matrix pricing. I dropped off a photocopy of the FJ cruiser article from the TT and the GM asked about subscribing. I told him he could get TT by joining our club but he is not into attending meetings. What is the deal with business members?

[Chef]

Discounts vary by dealer. It can kinda depend on what level of business you and your chaptermates bring into the store...bring a lot of biz, and show them you support them, and you'll likley get help back. Details on associate biz membership from www.tlca.org (remember that?):
http://www.tlca.org/membership/


Associate (Business) Membership Information
As a TLCA Associate (Business) Member, you will be entitled to:

A subscription to TLCA's Toyota Trails publication.
Free publication of product releases, including pictures.
A listing as an Associate Member in each issue of Toyota Trails.
A listing as an Associate Member in the Member Businesses page of TLCA's World Wide Web site, and a link to your web site (if you have one and you provide it to us).
Display the TLCA logo in your place of business, on your vehicles, etc., including advertising (logos provided on request).
Business referrals from member inquiries.
If you'd like to apply for membership, see the downloads section at the top of this page. Membership is on an annual basis, beginning from the date of application acceptance. If you have questions you'd like answered, please feel free to contact our Membership Office.


thanks! alan

[45Kevin]

Thanks Chef, that's exactly what I will show him. Too bad you won't be on the River Shiver next weekend.

[Chef]

Kevin: I do actually have that weekend open...first weekend I haven't had a freelance TV job, or a band job, or something since Thanksgiving I think. Send me a plane ticket and I'll bring my sleeping bag

[45Kevin]

Great News. Canyon Creek Toyota in Calgary is offering a 20% discount to TLCA members. After a member has spent $250 in a year the discount is upped to 25%. That should be after a bearing or a set of wires. The parts manager indicated that he would track TLCA member business for a year and if he sees suitable sales volume a further discount may be possible. Calgary has one of the highest mark-up schemes in the Toyota Canada system so I'm not sure what the discount will mean effectively. They will deliver as well. The GM of this dealer is also considering Associate membership in the TLCA.

And Chef, did you get the plane ticket, River Shiver (it's -27C tonight) starts tomorrow.

[Chef]

Man, that's nice news!



Yeah, I got the plane ticket. I'll meet you guys by the snow pile near the pine trees at about 7am...

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by 45Kevin

After a member has spent $250 in a year the discount is upped to 25%. That should be after a bearing or a set of wires.

LOL! Sounds like a few dealers around here! :-)