Buying a car can feel like navigating a maze — especially when online quotes seem to vanish once you step foot in the dealership. This was the frustrating experience of TikTok user Olivia (@sylver.witch), who recently shared her encounter trying to purchase a Toyota Sienna, highlighting what many see as common yet troubling tactics used by some dealerships.
Olivia’s video begins with three pronouncements: “Car salesmen are liars,” “They don’t like being caught,” and “Watching an Italian man get mad is hilarious.” Her lighthearted tone masks the core issue she encountered. Olivia and her husband had diligently gathered multiple quotes for a Sienna, including one directly from this particular dealership’s online team. This quote offered a specific price — yet, when they arrived to meet with a salesperson in person, things took an unexpected turn.
The salesman insisted that there was “no negotiating” on the Sienna’s MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) and claimed their dealership prided itself on “honesty and integrity,” stressing that this was the only price they would offer. This immediately set off alarm bells for Olivia’s husband, Justin. He calmly but firmly pointed out the discrepancy to the salesman, pulling up the dealership’s own online quote on his phone.
Olivia describes the scene: “He goes, ‘You told me when we first started that you value integrity and honesty. That’s not what I’m seeing right now.”
The situation escalated when a manager intervened. He acknowledged the discrepancy by stating that their sales development representative had “made a mistake,” asserting they weren’t authorized to offer the discount reflected in Olivia’s online quote. Despite this, the manager ultimately decided to honor the initial lower price — adding an extra $200 as “good faith.”
Olivia accepted the additional discount but remained unconvinced by the “mistake” explanation. “I think they got caught,” she states in her video, expressing empathy for the sales development representative who seemed to have been reprimanded publicly for offering a more competitive price.
The video concludes with Olivia questioning her viewers: “What do you think?” The comments section erupted with shared experiences and opinions — many supporting Olivia’s skepticism of the dealership’s explanation.
Some commenters highlighted similar tactics employed by dealerships, emphasizing that internet quotes often offer better deals than in-person negotiations. They pointed out that while no-haggle pricing has become increasingly common, the online quoting process can still be manipulated to funnel customers toward less advantageous prices once they arrive at the dealership.
This incident shines a light on the challenges car buyers face when navigating complex and often opaque pricing structures. It underscores the importance of careful research and scrutiny when engaging with dealerships. Experts like CarEdge advise buyers to remain wary of common sales tactics, such as artificially inflated urgency, claims of loss-making deals, or vague assurances about vehicle history. They emphasize that thoroughly vetting a car’s condition through independent inspections is crucial, regardless of the dealership’s pronouncements.
Olivia’s video serves as a reminder: while online car buying tools offer convenience and price comparisons, they aren’t foolproof. Vigilance and informed decision-making remain essential when stepping into the world of dealership negotiations.
