[VernSchillinger]

Originally Posted by Heatwave3

What a rip-off. I'm glad I'm not in the SET selling region. It seems surprising that Toyota would let this region treat their customers this way. If it were me, I'd give Toyota a rip-roaring evaluation in the post-purchase satisfaction survey. If enough customers did the same, maybe Toyota would cease this unscrupulous dealer behavior.

Here's the background on SET. Jim Moran the founder of SET was well respected (he passed away at the age of 88) -- as well, he should be. It was because of SET that Toyota was able to make an entrance into the USDM in 1968. Moran was a self made from nothing person. The recent SET activity is probably the result of what happens when an organization gets too large and has so much control over a manufacturer.

Here's a post I found from another forum when I was doing my background research on SET's role in the the buying process.

" Other car makers sell directly to dealers. Toyota sells through regional distributors to dealers, adding a level of cost, and fees. Toyota would love to ditch these middlemen, but they can't. Here in Florida and the Southeast states, we're served by Southeast Toyota Distributors, started by Jim Moran in the 1960's to sell Toyota in the US. He was already famous in Chicago as owner of Courtesy Ford. He also owns JM Lexus, #1 Lexus dealer in the US, where I bought my SC300. He was also responsible for coaxing Toyota to create Lexus, and formed AutoNation with Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga, who founded Blockbuster Video. Southeast Toyota sells to over 160 dealers in the Southeast and represents 20% of Toyota's business. Due to these distributors, your Toyota may have useless Port Installed Options(PIO's) you may not want. Southeast Toyota adds the overpriced $250 "environmental coating" in the wheel wells called "Toyoguard" on most Toyota's, including Camry, Supra, Celica and MR2. So you are stuck with it, and other wasted admin fees. They tack on huge ad fees, too. Always ask to see the original Toyota invoice to verify these fees."