Costco Auto Program sucks

Avoid buying cars thru the Costoco Auto program. They directed me to Atlanta Toyota where I bought a new Tacoma with 11 miles on it. After they had my check, Atlanta Toyota delivered a different Tacoma with 734 miles on it. Apparently they substituted a demo for the new one I test drove. Since I bought it thru the Costoc Auto program, you would think Costco would go to bat for me and go after this slimey dealer that they directed me to.

No dice. Costco did everything they could to convince me that the dealer gave me a good deal and that the additional 734 miles did not mean much. When I insisted that they had been a party to Atlanta Toyota's scam, they just told me to pee up the proverbial rope.

I don't know who is less ethical, Atlanta Toyota or Costco Auto.

Anyone who does business with Costco Auto is settimg himself up for a big scam.

OK, I would not have even bothered trying to get Costco to do anything on this, I would have gone strait to management at that car dealer, and if they were not willing to give you the truck you thought you were buying canceled the deal.

That's absurd... I'm pretty sure that's illegal to mislead you into buying a car that you didn't test drive. Didn't you check the mileage on the contract before you bought it? Check the VIN#'s on the paper work as well.

I don't know how the program works, but I'm betting you signed on the dotted line AFTER you learned what kind of car you were getting, right? In which case, James is right -- your recourse was to NOT complete the sale. You went ahead with the sale, then thought you had recourse afterward -- that's never how it works with auto sales. All your power exists BEFORE you sign, and you have not a lick of it afterward.

Why use Costco at all?? We got the Costco quote first and then delt straight with the dealer and even knocked them down lower. You need Costco's quote to get you started with a negotiation price - you don't need Costco.. well, unless your looking for 30 lbs of mayonaise.

Some people don't like dealing with stealers at all, so they pay a bit more, but save time and the hassle. Not for everyone but programs like this exist for a reason.

Wow, that is ridiculous. I would have thought Costco would have handled that situation better. If you are not getting anywhere at the dealership, have you tried calling the corporate office at Costco?

That's a real bummer - I was thinking of buying a car through Costco. It's a good thing this thread comes up at the top when you search for "costco car sucks"!