Hooray.....Lexus Dealerships FINALLY Start Listing New-Vehicle Inventory.
05-01-12, 10:30 AM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Hooray.....Lexus Dealerships FINALLY Start Listing New-Vehicle Inventory
Well, it took a lot of complaining by me and others (both on and off CL), but it looks like Lexus dealerships, after years of only listing their used-vehicles on their web-sites, have finally started to post their new vehicles in stock as well, at least here in the D.C. area. Lexus (apparantly) based that policy on the their idea of "Personal Service" ...the notion that they wanted Lexus reps to do the work (and searching) for you. Fine, but, in my case, it could be a PITA if I was looking for a certain type of new Lexus in the D.C. area for someone. Or if just wanted to see what each dealership had in stock for reviews, without having to bother with sales-reps, formal commitments or making appointments, schedules, etc.....(often I didn't have time for that). Now one can easily see, with a couple of clicks of the mouse, instantly what's available and what isn't....without tying up the reps. This is the way, IMO, that it should have been years ago....just as it's been all along for Lexus used-vehicles and CPO's.
Even new-car-search organizations like http://www.everycarlisted.com (which I often use), had trouble searching for brand-new Lexus products........there just seemed to be a block on them. Now it's a lot easier to search on them, too.
Even new-car-search organizations like http://www.everycarlisted.com (which I often use), had trouble searching for brand-new Lexus products........there just seemed to be a block on them. Now it's a lot easier to search on them, too.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-01-12 at 03:19 PM.
05-01-12, 05:03 PM
#4
Driver School Candidate
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It looks like they are using some sort of shared inventory data base. Lindsay Lexus of Alexandria and Lexus of Silver Spring are showing the exact same new inventory for the ES-350.
05-02-12, 12:30 PM
#6
Well, it took a lot of complaining by me and others (both on and off CL), but it looks like Lexus dealerships, after years of only listing their used-vehicles on their web-sites, have finally started to post their new vehicles in stock as well, at least here in the D.C. area. Lexus (apparantly) based that policy on the their idea of "Personal Service" ...the notion that they wanted Lexus reps to do the work (and searching) for you. Fine, but, in my case, it could be a PITA if I was looking for a certain type of new Lexus in the D.C. area for someone. Or if just wanted to see what each dealership had in stock for reviews, without having to bother with sales-reps, formal commitments or making appointments, schedules, etc.....(often I didn't have time for that). Now one can easily see, with a couple of clicks of the mouse, instantly what's available and what isn't....without tying up the reps. This is the way, IMO, that it should have been years ago....just as it's been all along for Lexus used-vehicles and CPO's.
Even new-car-search organizations like http://www.everycarlisted.com (which I often use), had trouble searching for brand-new Lexus products........there just seemed to be a block on them. Now it's a lot easier to search on them, too.
Even new-car-search organizations like http://www.everycarlisted.com (which I often use), had trouble searching for brand-new Lexus products........there just seemed to be a block on them. Now it's a lot easier to search on them, too.
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05-02-12, 04:32 PM
#8
Pole Position
05-03-12, 02:35 AM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
Not so fast people. One has to wonder why dealers avoided doing this for so long, as their inventory was already logged into a computer system. There are reasons for this delay, and my main guess is they were afraid if they didn't have the exact model you were looking for, you would not bother coming in. At least with the old way when someone was searching and couldn't find a model, it forced them to phone the dealer or make an in person appearance. And we all know how much a dealer wants you to come by so they can work their hook.
I have a feeling dealerships are cringing at having to list inventory online, as it could keep potential buyers away by not having the right model in stock. It also gives competing dealers the opportunity to adjust their inventory/orders to out-do or match other locations. Retailers do not like airing their laundry for others to copy.
Also beware, these inventory lists are often outdated and inaccurate. A dealer will likely show cars he had in stock weeks ago, but have since sold. I don't know of any legal agency that regulates inventory accuracy and you can bet a dealer will play tricks online just as they do in person.
I have a feeling dealerships are cringing at having to list inventory online, as it could keep potential buyers away by not having the right model in stock. It also gives competing dealers the opportunity to adjust their inventory/orders to out-do or match other locations. Retailers do not like airing their laundry for others to copy.
Also beware, these inventory lists are often outdated and inaccurate. A dealer will likely show cars he had in stock weeks ago, but have since sold. I don't know of any legal agency that regulates inventory accuracy and you can bet a dealer will play tricks online just as they do in person.
05-03-12, 05:36 AM
#10
Lexus Champion
Not so fast people. One has to wonder why dealers avoided doing this for so long, as their inventory was already logged into a computer system. There are reasons for this delay, and my main guess is they were afraid if they didn't have the exact model you were looking for, you would not bother coming in. At least with the old way when someone was searching and couldn't find a model, it forced them to phone the dealer or make an in person appearance. And we all know how much a dealer wants you to come by so they can work their hook.
I have a feeling dealerships are cringing at having to list inventory online, as it could keep potential buyers away by not having the right model in stock. It also gives competing dealers the opportunity to adjust their inventory/orders to out-do or match other locations. Retailers do not like airing their laundry for others to copy.
Also beware, these inventory lists are often outdated and inaccurate. A dealer will likely show cars he had in stock weeks ago, but have since sold. I don't know of any legal agency that regulates inventory accuracy and you can bet a dealer will play tricks online just as they do in person.
I have a feeling dealerships are cringing at having to list inventory online, as it could keep potential buyers away by not having the right model in stock. It also gives competing dealers the opportunity to adjust their inventory/orders to out-do or match other locations. Retailers do not like airing their laundry for others to copy.
Also beware, these inventory lists are often outdated and inaccurate. A dealer will likely show cars he had in stock weeks ago, but have since sold. I don't know of any legal agency that regulates inventory accuracy and you can bet a dealer will play tricks online just as they do in person.
05-03-12, 05:47 AM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Doesn't it cut both ways? You can look at another dealer's inventory, and tell your dealer "I know dealer X has the model I'm looking for, but I want to buy from you--can you do a swap?"
05-03-12, 06:08 AM
#12
Lexus dealers should show inventory just like Audi,BMW,Benz etc does.
I was looking for a ES w/UL pkg.I called many dealers and they didn't have any.Wasted my time and then try to sell you something else with a big discount yadayadayada.
Cars.com and autotrader.com does well,though.
I was looking for a ES w/UL pkg.I called many dealers and they didn't have any.Wasted my time and then try to sell you something else with a big discount yadayadayada.
Cars.com and autotrader.com does well,though.
05-03-12, 09:21 AM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
With Lexus, for years, it actually went beyond that. Unlike most automakers, it was official company policy. Lexus felt, right or wong, that it was the sales-rep's (or customer-service rep's) job to do the new-vehicle searching for you. They also blocked independent new-car-search websites from most of the Lexus new-vehicle data.
05-05-12, 10:27 AM
#15
Lexus manufacturing and technology from Japan is amazingly good. Lexus business decisions and marketing and sales practices from their US headquarters is amazingly stupid. Glad to see complaints about it on here led to positive change for Lexus and its current and potential customers.