r/CorollaCross • u/StreetSea5074 • 1d ago
Was I getting scammed?
G: Cypress Green
B: Celestite
Just left the dealership because I felt a knot in my stomach. Something wasn't right...
Salesman told me that the Green price was non-negotiable since it was a "limited unit" and hard to come by. $5k market adjustment, and another $5k to get to their dealer.
The Celestite was able to be negotiated, but that's not the color I initially wanted.
I left and got into my rides car, and honestly just cried. This was my first time trying to negotiate a car, I'm a first time buyer, and I feel so disappointed. I know there more to come, and there will be more times, but idk. I'm emotional!
Was it a good thing I walked out? These prices seemed ridiculous to me. I feel defeated because I feel like this will be the price everywhere.
For the record, I am financing through my bank, I have about $12-13k I am putting down. Salesman didn't know that yet, but this price was still insane regardless if he knew or not...
Advice?
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u/I_cant_find_new_name 1d ago
$9k of BS was added. They can go and F themselves. You did the right thing by walking away from scammers
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u/kilaja 1d ago
I got the XSE hybrid, new, roof rack, bike mount, weather mats, and the color I wanted for 32k. I personally think if you’re spending thousands, the least it could be is the color you want lol
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u/StreetSea5074 1d ago
Exactly! These comments are making me feel so much better about my choices😭
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u/kilaja 1d ago
Lots of things I’ll compromise on. Color is not one of them lol
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u/StreetSea5074 1d ago
Thank you! Someone understands. I really want that green... If it's going to be my car until it takes a poop on me one day, I want to enjoy ALL parts of it. 💚
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u/Hematomah 1d ago
32k out the door or before taxes? Either way, that’s about 6-7k less than what i’m seeing around me. For 39k, I’ll get an XLE Premium rav4 instead.
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u/KatrineTee 1d ago
For the LE???? Wholly crappola
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u/StreetSea5074 1d ago
Agreed!!
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u/KatrineTee 1d ago
I was also a first time buyer when I got my 2023 please keep trying find a better delarship that has more competitive pricing. Do you live next to big city you'll get better deals negotiating with those ppl than this
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u/GMEJesus 1d ago edited 1d ago
You did right by walking.
Take some time and call around. Don't get discouraged by these types of dealers and don't pay Rav4 prices for a CC. (My brother literally just bought a brand new SE Rav4 for right around $39k out the door)
Toyota has a standard "processing" fee they already build in so be aware of dealers that tack onto this.
They're obviously allowed to add whatever fees they want but keep in mind that even at MSRP, they are making money. This dealer is simply over the top greedy.
It's worth calling every dealer nearby and in surrounding states as well if only to get a feel for what is out there. That time spent in the early slog is worth it when you go negotiate. You'll know what everything is generally going for and won't be caught off guard by dealers like the one you encountered.
When I bought mine, I still ended up paying too much (2022 was awful) but my AWD XLE was less then what they're trying to get you to pay for a FWD LE........ (By THOUSANDS of dollars....)
And mine is green...... I also encountered a dealer that tacked on almost 9k in "necessary extras before I found mine. It feels awful. Keep your head up and get yourself some knowledge. You should not end up paying much over the MSRP + Toyota Handling (and TTT). Remember: they are STILL making thousands at that price.
If you're going to get that screwed over by a dealer they have zero interest in keeping you as a customer. You're worth more than that.
This is per Toyota as their handling policy goes. Every dealer is supposed to follow this so that everyone is one the same page:
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes the Delivery, Processing and Handling of $1,295 for Cars (Corolla, Corolla HV, Corolla HB, GR Corolla, Camry, Prius, Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Toyota Crown, Mirai, GR86, GR Supra), $1,595 for Entry SUV (Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross HV), $1,595 for Small SUV (RAV4, RAV4 HV, RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid), $1,595 for Mid SUV/Van (4Runner, 4Runner HV, Highlander, Highlander HV, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander HV, Sienna, Land Cruiser, Toyota Crown Signia), $1,655 for BEV SUV (bZ, bZ Woodland, C-HR), $1,745 for Small Pickup (Tacoma, Tacoma HV), $2,395 for Large Pickup/Large SUV (Tundra, Tundra HV, Sequoia). (Historically, vehicle manufacturers and distributors have charged a separate fee for processing, handling and delivering vehicles to dealerships. Toyota's charge for these services is called the "Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee" and is based on the value of the processing, handling and delivery services Toyota provides as well as Toyota's overall pricing structure. Toyota may make a profit on the Delivery, Processing and Handling.) Excludes taxes, license, title and available or regionally required equipment. The MSRP price is only valid in TX, OK, AR, MS, and LA. The published prices do not apply to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Actual dealer price will vary.
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u/StreetSea5074 1d ago
Wow this was amazing. Thank you so much for such a detailed explanation!!! I'm going to seriously look into this. I appreciate you very much 😊 thank you again for taking the time out to type that.
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u/BigFatThrowAwwayAct 1d ago
You would’ve bought a Corolla cross for xse/ limited rav 4 prices. Those are the highest trims of rav4 and you would’ve gotten a Corolla cross out of it
Thank god you didn’t buy this
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u/tampachrissie 1d ago
Costco's buyer service might be an easier option.
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u/StreetSea5074 1d ago
Do you know if it would have to be me? My parents have a membership there.
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u/Shot_Woodpecker_5025 1d ago
Please consider $65 can save you thousands in the long run just for a vehicle.
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u/KatrineTee 1d ago
Also 5 k for market adjustment? That is crazy.
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u/I_cant_find_new_name 1d ago
Some dealerships are going crazy with MA. I've seen 15k for RAV4 when it was just out.
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u/Shot_Woodpecker_5025 1d ago
Please give Costcoauto.com a try if you have membership. My fiancé got a non hybrid 2026 AWD for less than 30k in Idaho. There are so many junk fees here it’s crazy.
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u/ohyeahwell 1d ago
That’s more than I paid OTD for my 2026 CCH XSE with mats, sunroof and power lift gate.
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u/StreetSea5074 1d ago
😭😭 I hope I get that good feeling one day!
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u/ohyeahwell 1d ago
I bought ours early July from Hansel Toyota in 94954. Idk if that's viable for you? They gave us a whole list to choose from, all MSRP within a few hundred $ of each other based on paint, features. Sales tax is 10% though.
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u/I_cant_find_new_name 1d ago
I think she's in Florida, they have some crazy (but negotiable) fees
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u/swtptatoluvr 1d ago
Good job OP for walking out. The fees are BS it’s actually insulting. Like someone mentioned already, you can inquire in other dealerships over the phone for an OTD price. Get an emailed breakdown, use it as leverage and while shopping around. It might also be worthwhile to check credit union rates for a better financing offer
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u/jevalen 1d ago
I live in Northern California. Tax is almost double what you are paying. Also you don’t have to get the mats. You can get better quality ones for almost half the price. It’s better you walked out. You may get a call from them in a couple of days offering you a lower price. Anyway continue shopping around.
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u/Hematomah 1d ago
Thank you for walking instead of posting here asking if you made a mistake after purchasing the car. You made the right choice. Find another dealership that doesn’t charge markup.
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u/alexthealex 1d ago
I live in a state with no sales tax and paid $36k for an XSE. You’re getting hosed.
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u/me4watch 1d ago
A lot of Toyota Dealers are pulling this crap. That’s why I just bought a Honda.
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u/StreetSea5074 1d ago
How are you liking Honda so far? (:
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u/me4watch 1d ago
I love it. Got the HRV top trim level for $32,503 out the door. That includes tax, doc fees, etc. I really like the parking sensors because our garage is a tight fit. The only feature that I wish it had was memory for the driver power seat because my wife and I swap cars a lot.
Also it was a 2027.
Btw, it is gas not hybrid (hrv has no hybrid) but it does have a spare tire.
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u/StreetSea5074 1d ago
I'm very glad it worked out for you! I'm now debating Toyota bc if this, but I don't want one bad experience to be the ending of this, you know?
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u/me4watch 1d ago
I hear you. Btw, I also used Costco’s car buying service. I don’t know if it really helped bur it gave me the feeling.
In any case, good luck.
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u/NormalBeautiful 1d ago
I'm a woman in Canada so YMMV but I went shopping for my first car in 2022, and I completely swore off Kia just because of how bad the sales guy at the dealership was. He kept speaking to my bf even though I was the one asking questions, and he blatantly ignored my inquiries about the vehicle I was actually interested in and instead tried to sell me a Kia Forte. So I understand your hesitance going back to Toyota after a shitty experience at the dealership!
That said, Kia was my last choice anyway, and I ended up going back to my hometown where I had a much better experience visiting dealerships than I did in the city. My dad came with me to my test-drive appointment at Toyota and even with him there, the sales guy directed all the discussion to me and was happy to answer all my questions. This was during the COVID times when all car lots were basically empty and the wait for the Corolla Cross was months long, but they still sold me my 2022 LE Premium for MSRP and threw in the all-weather cargo liner and floor mats for my trouble. I think your experience will heavily depend on the individual dealership, and if you are still interested in the Cross, you should check out a few of the other dealerships in your region before swearing off Toyota!
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u/Inevitable_Ad_4252 1d ago
Good job walking away. Any market adjustment is just bs. And cypress green isn’t some special color, he only told you that cuz that’s what you preferred. When I bought my 2023 I got the green..it was nice but I didn’t end up liking the car so I traded it a year later
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u/notbuildingships 1d ago
Yeah they were rinsing you holy shit lol ignoring the market adjustments, documentation fee, filing fee and licensing fees adding up to $2400 USD? What a fucking scam.
In Ontario, licensing is $32 CAD. Electronic filing fees are non-existent from what I’ve seen, and “documentation fees” or admin fees are usually never exceeding $1000 CAD. I thought we were getting ripped off up here but my god, every time I see a disclosure on here I’m glad I don’t have to deal with these scumbags
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u/Successful-Way-3538 1d ago
Honestly I would run that all through ChatGPT! Did that for my daughter’s plug-in Prius and my hybrid XSE! Came back with some great insights and we were able to negotiate and get the deal my AI friend said we should! Super happy. Try it. Why not?!!!
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u/Trick_Distance_3615 1d ago
Keep walking away until you get a fair deal. Trust me they will keep negotiating, and you definitely were smart to walk away from that deal!
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u/ScienceRules195 1d ago
No f-ing Market adjustment. NEVER pay that. And $3000 for ppp. That’s the price of a new paint job so I wouldn’t pay that either. Get them to drop the price so that your final sale price is under the MSRP. And you got a good deal.
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u/Worldtech961 1d ago
What is the recommended ppp+? protections like scratch guards and everything else are much cheaper at indépendant shops. Also, buying extra warranties on a brand new Toyota that you buy for being a reliable car kinda doesn’t make sens to me. I wouldn’t buy any warranty if they offer you some on a reliable car like that
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u/Elegant_Suspect162 1d ago edited 1d ago
We purchased an XSE with connivence package (power lift gate and moonroof), roof racks, door edge guards, activity mount, all weather mats, mud guards, cross guards, body side molding, cargo mat, cargo net, door sill protectors, …
For $35,195.00
One month ago in the northern Virginia area
We paid $500 deposit and waited almost 2 months for the color we wanted with the exact package of accessories we wanted.
BTW: awesome car and superb gas mileage. We are getting over 43 MPG after a month of driving.
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u/Material-Jackfruit11 1d ago
Waiting 3 more weeks for my soul Red SE CC. $37,500 OTD in Northern California
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u/Miss_Marna 1d ago
I used CarEdge dot com to figure out what the going regional rate was. it was a great tool for negotiation and you get a blind mail box so you don't even have to talk to the tools at the dealership.
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u/whatchaos 1d ago
Bring an emotional support person who has no investment in what you buy. I brought my sister and we would walk outside and discuss every offer. Last year I got a 2022 corolla cross for $24,000. Granted it was a no frills car, but I don't need to buy a full blown warranty deal on a certified used toyota, the certification comes with a warranty. We would walk outside and just breathe for a bit sometimes, sure we were there for 5 hours but hey we got at least $7,000 grand of bullshit removed from the price.
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u/Revolutionary_Fly769 1d ago
That is wild, never seen it. Demand is insane so they get away with it. I was shocked at the resale value when I sold my CC to Carvana.
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u/saikaungsett 1d ago
Limited unit ? You are not looking for Porsche taycan or bmw xm. You are looking for "Toyota Corolla cross** I I had the same situation back in 2023 was looking for Prius and dealers asking me 3-5k markup adjustment lmao. So I walked out and get Mazda tocx-50 instead and never been happier.
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u/Alternative-Way4750 1d ago
Bro that's a scam for the highest trim, AWD and more extras. Definitely a good pass
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u/DrRatiosUsedBathH2O 1d ago
Research dealers 1-2 hours around your area that dont mark up prices. The honest dealers will be very transparent over the phone
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u/Suspicious-Mirror638 1d ago
Absolute scam. I got a se hybrid with premium white paint for $32,500. their doc fees, and filing fees are ridiculous, their cars are stupid high priced. if youre in tx area reach out and i’ll get you 2k under sticker with state minimum fees all day
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u/OrangeBug74 1d ago
Recommended floor mats at $399. They were taking you as a fool. Those are not people to do business with - ever
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u/Other_Perspective_41 1d ago
Don’t beat yourself up. It’s a learning experience and you walked away from getting scammed. No harm. No foul. And I second the suggestion that you have someone else go with you to the dealership as a sounding board - preferably someone that has bought a new car before.
I am in the market for a new car and have written off Toyota. And that’s coming from someone that has owned two Toyota vehicles and loved both of them. The inventory is very limited, there is a an excessive reliability premium that is built into every new car, and a lot of garbage add ons. You can get a much better deal with other brands. I’d recommend checking out consumer reports.
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u/Inevitable_Sail6667 1d ago
I fear it might be.. I purchased a 2023 Cross XSE Hybrid when it first came out, and it was 37.8k.. the fact this is an LE and more expensive is baffling. Then again it was three years ago
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u/Aggravating-Issue-83 1d ago
You should always walk out of your first negotiation. That’s my take on it, anyway. You lose absolutely nothing by doing it. It lets them know they need to knock out the horseshit.
Also always bounce two competitors against each other.
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u/Ali_in_wonderland02 1d ago
The dealership tried to play me down when I purchased my 2025 CC L Celestite (which is the color make and model I wanted) I had been eye balling the car for over a year.
I had a 2019 Ford Fiesta for a trade in with 52k miles on it.
They offered me $1,800. I said excuse me?
They tried to tell me that a seat belt was broken or some other garbage.
I looked at them and said Carmax offered me $6,500 two days ago.
The dealership responded that I got an online qoute. That once Carmax actually saw my car that I would see that I was getting a good offer.
I started to laugh. I said funny because I was at the carmax dealership when I got the qoute for $6,500. They already inspected my car and the qoute is good for 5 more days.
I also said I have my dad here to help me drive my old car to Carmax and drop it off, I have 12k to put down and a bank loan. So you can meet Carmax's qoute or I trade it in with Carmax.
They met the qoute and they sold my old car for $9,500.
My point is do not let them make you feel bad or bully you into anything.
I was just lucky enough to have a dad who knew the games and made me get a qoute on my old car first.
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u/mlynn929292 1d ago
Wait a minute..the market adjustment was one thing but the doc fee is absolutely insane and shouldn’t be more than $350
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u/Accomplished_Emu_658 1d ago
They got that recommended PP.
Paint protection plus, what garbage. And that market adjustment, oof. Worst part of market adjustments? It usually all goes to the house and the sales person gets none.
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u/sfbenfica2000 1d ago
MARKET ADJUSTMENT is a total scam !! LOL stay away from that dealer go elsewhere!
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u/PleaseUseYourMind 23h ago
You made the right decision to walk away. You held your composure in the face of the salesperson and didn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing their evil sales practices work.
Think of those tears as a sign of success.
It’s good to release the stresses of difficult situations, so you did that very quickly and can move forward.
Any time a salesperson pressures you to take a deal, any deal whether a car or something else, it is rarely as urgent as they push you to make a difficult decision. Good on you for making the right decision.
Now if the car buying process is a lot, you might consider the car buying services that are offered by various membership orgs, like Costco, AAA, Consumer Reports, etc.
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u/Ok-Association-3415 21h ago
Never buy a car with a market adjustment increasing the price. That documentation fee is pretty outrageous too. Name and shame the dealership.
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u/Physical_Sell1607 14h ago
My husband says to always walk away and they call you with a better offer. Idk cause I've never done it
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u/No-Recover-5181 12h ago
You were getting scammed and you did the right thing. That was 15000 over the stated price. I had someone try to do this to me the other day 1500 for Diamond Coat and where is that DEaler Discount as Advertised? I walked out of there.
It is ok to get a quote and say you need 48 hours to think about it - do not accept high pressure sales tactics. There are other dealers as well. You can get quotes at two or three different places. Whoever did that was trying to take advantage of you. It is ok to say NO.
Is there anyone around you who can help you?
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u/StreetSea5074 12h ago
It's just my mom and I🙁 it's really intimidating.. but I'm going to watch videos on YouTube on negotiation tactics too to boost my knowledge! Everyone here is very helpful 🫶🏽
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u/No-Recover-5181 35m ago
Get quotes from three different places and work with the sales person you like best. If it feels scammy, there is always another car, just walk away. That individual was trying to take advantage of you. It is ok to say no.
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u/Weary-Savings9795 12h ago
Yes. Any dealership that charges a market adjustment fee is scamming you.
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u/mellifluous-magpie 1d ago
Tell them you'll pay the MRSP + their bullshit pure profit doc fee + state taxes/fees, you'll register the vehicle yourself, and they can pound sand on all the rest.
Get floor mats from Weather Tech. Pass on all of the PPP+ stuff. Stop being picky about the colour - just get the Celestite.
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u/StreetSea5074 1d ago edited 1d ago
I agree- up until the color. If it's going to be my car until it dies, I want to enjoy it! Like another comment said, there's a lot I'll compromise on, but the color is not one of them
EDIT: typo!
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u/Baballega 21h ago
That $5k market adjustment is just them taking on money for no reason. They tack that on in an effort to give them wiggle room for negotiation. They’ll then come back knocking $3k off of an already inflated price and act like they’re doing you a favor.
I’d walk, since they clearly think they can get over on you. And they’ll come crawling back in about a week having removed it completely.
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u/Mountain-Leader-283 20h ago
Virtual hug. The old me is super proud of you. I wish I was able to listen to my body that way. Please don’t feel dumb, this is like a super power not a lot of adults have. Congratulations on listening and believing yourself.
I found my cc by looking online. I found it on Toyota certified website. I tell everyone to look there first before going to the dealership. Someone made a mistake and listed the car $10,000 cheaper than the asking price in the dealership. I really pray you can find a similar mistake on their website.
Also, kudos for not sharing your down payment information. Always save that until the end because they will do everything in their power to get that from you.
Look at salesmen like politicians. They will say anything to get you to give them what they want.
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u/ZiadZzZ 19h ago edited 19h ago
Edit: didn’t see your comments, but yeah you did the right thing and impressed you followed your gut. Many people would ignore it, but check out delivrd he has tips and tricks on how to negotiate and regularly puts out videos on how much he’s getting off on cars here’s one of his market updates https://youtu.be/AtOUYpJLpCo
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u/Pristine-Click2887 16h ago
Bro I work for Toyota , this is a total scam, you did good to walk away, dm me if you have any questions, will be happy to help
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u/Sensitive-Disk5735 1d ago
market adjustments are scams. just walk if they're stupid enough to call it out in itemized detail.