What is "TDA" fee?

Im I'm the market for my 3rd Tacoma. The dealer brings me this sheet that lists a TDA fee ($443) on top of the invoice price I can research online. Between this and his other bs documentation profit fee this raises the cost a total of an additional $832. Can anyone tell me what this TDA fee is? Does everyone pay this TDA fee? Delears "invoice price" isn't close to what the online sites publish. Thanks.

 

Have never seen that fee in Southeast Toyota region....Might be hidden here. but I went from the same invoice sheet as was presented in this forum (and attached) I added destination to the Invoice plus $500 Then added $300 Tax and $75 title.

That $500 over invoice INCLUDED the Doc Fee and any "extra fees" I did not see.

That was my only (and final) offer to the dealership when I ordered and they accepted it and found my truck allocation.

No TDA fee listed anywhere. First I have heard of it.

 

TDA...Toyota Dealer Advertising Fee and from what I've seen they're pretty much non-negotiable,at least here in the n'east.

Mine is $467 TDA + $395 Doc fee + $900 Destination fee.

My dealers invoice was exactly what was published on here and I had it printed out just in case. Because of some earlier problems with my salesman I'm getting mine at invoice + all the BS fees above.

 

That TDA Fee is nonsense and the Doc. Fee should be 250. at most. Take a stand and they will back off, because they want the sale. If not tell them to reduce price by that amount. Gouging you!

 

Shop around. Most likely all the dealers in your area charge the advertising fee (because they are all part of the same dealer's association), so you don't really have a choice but to pay it.

By definition, if everyone paid invoice price, the dealer wouldn't be able to make a profit and keep the doors open. Instead they make money through the other fees, sales bonus from Toyota, extended warranties (easy 100% markup)...

 

My Honda dealer said they would make money selling every car at Invoice. I believe them since margins between MSRP and Invoice have been cut in half the last 10 years, There is a lot of backend money we do no know about. Bonuses especially. They are making money at invoice at least 2% in Holdback then bonuses for vehicles sold. The sales people are hurt because they get paid on gross margins which are slim between MSRP and Invoice.

BUT they get bonuses as well for vehicles sold so car sales profit has turned to the back end to keep the consumers knowledge of actual cost away from them and which is why I will ONLY offer Invoice plus $500 on any vehicle and less when there are rebates.

 

Yes Toyota's holdback or floorplan is an additional 2.5% across the board for each car sold. The dealer's invoice sheet has this bs TDA fee. They want to add $400 above that not including $389 doc fee. Ive bought many cars but this one clearly doesn't match my online research. Thanks for the input.

 

TacoBella - I've seen a few threads where you mention that southeast Toyota does not have TDA - this unfortunately is not correct. Southeast toyota has a $925 TDA/ Admin fee. It's stupid high. You would only see it on an invoice print out. Now that said, I didn't pay it.

 

I don't see any TDA on my buyers order. I used the attached Toyota Cost Sheet (No TDA there) for my invoice and added $500 plus Tax . $32517 was the Invoice price according to the sheet. add $935 Thats the dealer invoice. Add $500 (profit) plus tax and title....No TDA anywhere unless it is built into invoice but that would make TDA the same for everyone,

 

Correct, it would not be on the buyers order- that is only showing MSRP and a discount. If you get the dealer to print their invoice sheet (they won't give it to you but they will show it to you if you insist) - you would see it there. I promise you, it's there. You were in a bit of a unique situation in that you ordered the truck before the trucks were on lots, so perhaps they overlooked the TDA when they agreed to the deal.

I walked out on a deal from a local dealer that offered $800 over invoice...only for me to find out there was a +$925 TDA fee added into the invoice. Every other local dealer added the $925 when I offered $500 over invoice. When I said I wouldn't pay it, they said "we have to pay it so we have to pass the cost to you, otherwise $500 over invoice without TDA would actually be $425 UNDER invoice for the dealer."

By the way, I also dealt a bit with Sparks, they are awesome. Unfortunately they didn't get me the deal quick enough, I ordered from town and country Toyota In Charlotte. Sparks offered to match the price (which would have waived the TDA- essentially selling under invoice) but Charlotte is closer and Town and Country includes a "lifetime warranty" and door edge and cup clear shield.

By the way TacoBella - I have to thank you, your info is what kept me holding my ground on the price and not giving in to the "we are not motivated to sell under MSRP when someone will come in here and pay full price". Your info really helped.

 

Glad to know it helped. They call MSRP buyers "lay downs" Its a name used in sales for someone who does not blink at MSRP The reason pay MSRP is because OTHERS are paying MSRP and they think they have to. WE really don't know what the guy last week bought for. So some people lay down early and give in because they are emotionally involved at that point. New car smell...Dealer smells blood.....Buyer lays down

IF Sparks has a TDA It has to be buried in the Invoice number. This is my fifth vehicle from them. Always at or $500 above The invoice number I find. Thier Invoice may be different. I did not seen TDA on Anderson Toyota, Charleston where I bought a Toyota quit a few years ago.

 

Maita Toyota did not include TDA. Stockton dealer and others would quote me $250 over invoice and then add between $630 to $800 in TDA fees. I just laughed. As TacoBella wrote, it is not always added.