I’ll be the first to admit when someone asks where they should go to buy a vehicle the last place I would have suggested is going to a dealership. I have become biased over the years in dealing with some sales persons that really left a sour taste in my mouth. It seemed that if you were not smart enough to know the value of your position and what you could afford you can wind up paying thousands more than you have to. Some dealers are in the business of making money. Others want to turn over as many vehicles in a month no matter how satisfied the customers are. I can safety say that neither of these methods are used at Basil Toyota.
Thursday morning I decided it was time to start searching for a replacement vehicle for my truck. The truck was still in great shape but I was at one of those points where it is still worth something for trade and I had recently fixed some general maintenance items that would make it desirable to resell.
With most vehicle purchases I started with my favorite source; Autotrader. For me, it has been the best tool for tracking down what is in the area. Sure you can drive to 15 dealerships, waste time, money, and energy but you can very easily accomplish the same thing from your PC.
For my search criteria I used “Toyota Tacoma” and hit the 25 mile radius button. There were a number of hits close to my house but the one that caught my eye was at Basil Toyota in Lockport. I have seen recent postings about positive experiences with Basil and it seemed that the fleet of dealerships really has been a standup outfit in WNY.
I began to layout my “attack” from the normal position, I phone the dealer to speak with the seller listed on the Autotrader page. When I was informed that particular person was out that day I asked to be transferred to a sales person that could answer a few questions about a listing I saw online. I was immediately transferred to a gentlemen named Fritz. I mentioned I saw a truck online and wanted to know if was still for sale and if I could come take a look at it either that evening or the following day.
Fritz took my number down and he said he would verify if the Truck was there before I “wasted my time coming to see a truck that may not be there.” This was the first time I ever heard a salesman try to stop me from coming in to see something if it may not be there. Sounds small but it’s huge in the scheme of things…
Approximately ten minutes later my cell rings and it is Fritz. He informs me that the truck is still there and he advised me to come in at my leisure but suggested I do it in a reasonable amount of time as they cannot hold the vehicle for me to look at it. Sounds reasonable, but most dealerships schedule “appointments” at the customers request (If you’re that asshole that will come in either tomorrow or the next day you are whom I am referring to. They will say anything to make you feel like you are in charge). They never tell you that if it sells before then you are SOL…so another point for Fritz. I tell himI will be in that evening around 7 to come look at the truck.
After feeling pretty good that the truck is still for sale I wonder on here to check out the action. I notice another Basil thread by jay_g. I posted about how I would be heading to a Basil branch later that evening and will report back on my experience.
As if I wasn’t already looking forward to meeting Fritz I was tracked down via PM by Beck, who is the Sales Manager at Basil Toyota. He tells me that if I do stop in he would like to meet with me to go over the truck. I can honestly say that is the first time I was pursued by someone to aide me in buying a vehicle. I had to “fight” with West Herr to get more information about a Trade-In letter they sent me. I spoke with three people and not one of them had any idea why I had recieved the letter.
I finished out the rest of my day and found myself heading up to Lockport a good hour before I said I would be there. I figured I would hang out in the lobby or walk the lot before 7. I didn’t mind. As I said I made the time to meet Fritz.
I arrived at Basil Toyota and immediately spotted the truck parked in the lot with all the fresh clean vehicles in the front lot. I found it strange that it was on the end row…did they put it aside? I doubt it. So why was it there? I looked closer and the damn thing didn’t even have a price. Meaning, they JUST got it. Talk about timing. Chalk that up to good luck. I drool over the truck for a few minutes then decide to head towards the showroom. About 15 ft from the door a gentlemen steps out and greets me “You must be Lucas. I saw you checking out that Truck. Boy is that a sharp Truck.” I respond with the pleasantry and we chit-chat about Truck a little. He takes me inside, seats me down, offers me a beverage, then excuses himself to get papers. Meanwhile I’m thinking I show up a good hour early like an ass and he greets me like a relative. Sales pitch? NO. Good salesmanship.
Fritz comes back with a STACK of papers. He hands me the Trucks information sheet, a brochure, his business card, and a current Carfax. Now think about this; I didn’t drive the Truck. I didn’t even sit in it. So, why is he handing me all this stuff? What is the #1 thing you do during a test drive? You think. You think about what’s wrong. Was it hit. Is it a repo. Was it a lease. You cloud your mind wiht BS questions and you forget about the damn vehicle you are driving. I did not realize this until after the fact that this is a very smart tactic. Whether is was done on purpose or not it was VERY satisfying to get those questions answered first.
Moments later Adam (Beck) comes over and introduces himself to me. Never met the guy before. I have heard about him in general on the forum but I thanked him for taking the time to meet me and also for personally tracking me down.
Fritz grabbed a plate and we go for a drive. I’ve test driven a number of cars before and I would saying that this was only the 2nd test drive I had that wasn’t designed to stay in traffic. I’m in lockport and I am driving down twisty hilly and bare roads. Imagine trying to feel a vehicle driving 20 straight minutes in stop and go traffic. Again, it’s that extra little push to make you feel better about what you are getting yourself into.
By the time we had returned to the dealer my mind was made up I was buying the truck. Now it was only a matter of price.
Without going into detail I will say I did my fair share of research on what I could afford as a payment, what my down payment was, and what I wanted as value on my trade. I can’t stress it enough how important it is to have this information on hand before you go to the dealer.
Adam came to me with a fair price on my trade and he worked diligently for me on my payment plan while a number of associates came in to talk with me about other options that Basil offers; service, accessories, and just coming in to see who bought that “White Truck.”
Early Thursday morning I had no intention on buying a truck. Thursday evening I had a different one sitting in my driveway. I can honestly say if it wasn’t for the effort put forth by the Basil Toyota staff I would not have purchased the truck.
I would like to extend my gratitude to Fritz and Adam for their help. If you go there please make it worth your time by getting in touch with them. Also, if you mention my name, Lucas Lorentz, I get a pretty nice referral.
Ask for:
Fritz Tyrrell
Adam Beck
Basil Toyota
6157 South Transit Rd.
Lockport, NY 14094
2011 Toyota Tacoma TRD TX Pro
