Good / Bad Dealer Experiences

[tcBob]

This thread is for people to talk about any positive or negative experiences at their dealers. Please put the city, state and name of the dealer, then talk about the experience you had.

Long Beach, CA - Toyota of Long Beach (Hooman Toyota)

Went in to get approved for the rear spring TSB, expecting a fight or at least some hassle. Instead the service manager saw the TSB (first time he was aware of it), check out the numbers on my truck and approved it just like that. Ordered the parts and scheduled me for a few days later.

[ChrisDeSoup]

Bought my 08 sport double cab at Palo Alto Toyota in well...Palo Alto, CA.

I live in San Jose and wanted to get something local first went through Costco then through AAA but they all were about $100 to $500 over invoice! I found one in Fremont for $500 under invoice but Toy of Palo Alto gave it up for $600 under! All of the dealerships I talked to in San Jose said that it was BS and not to waste my time going over there. Well if you live in the bay area I recommend Toyota of Palo Alto best price in the south bay! I have not had to service yet, but I will go to a local place for that.

my two cents! or twenty four thousand sum odd cents

[concrete jedi]

Dorchel Toyota, Rochester New York, I went to buy my truck there but did not have one, so I went elsewhere. Then I needed to get some service done and they treat me as if I did buy there. God forbid something happens to my truck, I would buy there without question. Service is awesome, prompt, kind , and polite.

[luk8272]

Hampton Toyota in Lafayette Louisiana Two thumbs down
Purchased 2 trucks from there both times had a hassel and misscomunication they didn't know the year of the truck I was buying therefore had trouble with the price.

Musson Patout Toyota in New Iberia Louisiana Two thumbs up Very knowledgeable people also extremely helpful.

[350TacoZilla]

younger toyota (hagerstown MD phone 301-733-2300) is a SO-SO one... had one or two problems there but have purchased 5 vehicles there so with the amount I see them they are pretty good.....

OURISMAN (chantilly VA) was good but I found vehicle online called with offer and bought cash in hand...so not much could go wrong except they kept forgetting to send me the title (had lien from previous owner) but they kept sending free temp tags till title showed

[AUDITECH]

Not sure if tacomaman will agree but i have had good luck with Harrelson Toyota in Rock Hill sc got my taco and the wifes sienna there

[tacomaman06]

Originally Posted by AUDITECH

Not sure if tacomaman will agree but i have had good luck with Harrelson Toyota in Rock Hill sc got my taco and the wifes sienna there

my luck there has been so/so. people are nice......but the service dept. is really slack sometimes. i can say though, that some people over there are better to deal with than others.(people in the service dept.)...............Holly is awesome to deal with, and you get results when you deal with her. not going to name this other guy.....but he really shouldnt be a service writer/advisor. the main service manager there, Mike Reidy is a good guy. and parts is ok.......although they happen to be out of things that are pretty common alot(touch up paint and crush washers).....buts its closer, so i go there when needed.

one i dont really like too much is scott clarkes toyota city in charlotte.........way too busy, no parking really, and i dont like driving that far for them to make something worse than it was when i brought it there, then have to turn around and wait 3 more hours for it to be fixed.....never again.

[jhodge83]

i had a great sale experience w/ James Ervin Toyota in Lugoff, now Lugoff Toyota

[luni]

Bought my 2007 Access Cab TRD Sport at Bernadi Toyota in Framingham?, MA.

Second vehicle my family has bought from them, amazing service and an amazing deal. I literally took my truck and moved half way across the country with it as fast as I could pack and they were still making follow-up calls to check in and make sure everything was going good.

I had to make all the arrangements over the phone and they were very patient and when I finally flew home on leave I went straight from the airport to the dealership still in uniform with my backpack in the trunk, signed on the dotted line, and we were rolling. It was my first new car and I couldn't have been happier with my experience.

[joedirt]

I bought my 2005 access cab in November 2004 from Miller Toyota in Manassas Virginia.

I have had nothing but excellent service from all parts of the dealership, from the salesman who sold me the truck, Sam, who still sends me a birthday card every year, to the parts department, who gives me 20-30% off each purchase even though I don't have a coupon and to the service department who are very straight forward with any repairs or services that I need. They'll even wash the truck and clean the interior for you if you ask and they don't charge you for it. If you are early enough, you might even get a dealer car to use while yours is in the shop. They don't charge for that, either.

[springdrl]

Some time ago I took my older Camry to Gullo Toyota (Spring, Texas) to have the timing belt replaced. I decided to give them a try after getting one of those "Timing Belt" discount coupons they send you in the mail. I soon learned they're just a ploy to get you into the shop so they can try to run up your bill with unnecessary work. In this case, they told me I needed to have my coolant replaced and that two seals were beginning to leak. Taking extreme care of all my vehicles, I went ballastic. That was more than 60,000 miles ago and I'm still looking for the oil they said was leaking from those seals.

I later wrote a letter to Gulf States Toyota (the distributor for this area) and told them such tactics were a disgrace to the Toyota name.

[danusa]

My dealer is Steve Low @ midwestToyota.
I know where he lives.
I expect extreame satisfaction.
And I will get it.

[tcBob]

Watch out for Lakeside Toyota.

[genxer36]

The Good - Atlanta Toyota (Duluth,GA) Service dept is great. Prices are the lowest in town.

The Bad - Mall of GA Toyota (Buford,GA) Coupons sent are not what the actual price will be. They are a rip off. I had my brakes done recently & went here instead of Atlanta Toyota(Atlanta Toy is in the process of building a new facility next to the current one. Getting in and out is a pain). I had a coupon for $104 front brakes. When I get there the service guy said that turning the rotors is $50 extra. Turning the rotors is part of the brake job. I have never changed brakes and not turned the rotors. Even when I did my own brakes. When I paid the bill it was $169(even more than quoted,WTF). I complained to the service manager that the coupons are a little deceptive. She is mailing me a $25 certificate, yeah what a deal.

The Ugly - Mall of GA Toyota (Buford,GA). I went out of town after my brake job. Got to my destination 325 miles away. My Son noticed a missing lugnut on the right front.1 missing, 3 loose, 2 holding wheel on! I was furious. I called the dealer, they said to get a lugnut from the local dealer & they would pay me back for it.
I went to Brunswick,GA Toyota & they ended up giving me the lugnut Free.

Then Toyota sent me a survey to find out how my service was. Big Mistake!

From now on, when someone takes the wheels off. I will be checking the lugs.

[sprouse70726]

Originally Posted by luk8272

Hampton Toyota in Lafayette Louisiana Two thumbs down
Purchased 2 trucks from there both times had a hassel and misscomunication they didn't know the year of the truck I was buying therefore had trouble with the price.

Musson Patout Toyota in New Iberia Louisiana Two thumbs up Very knowledgeable people also extremely helpful.

I agree with the Two thumbs down for Hampton Toyota in Lafayette. I bought my truck from them and they really tried to screw me during financing. I guess they figured I was young and dumb. Boy they were wrong. I did get a good price though and now I will deal with the local Toyota shops here in Baton Rouge for service.

[Robbie]

Prestige Toyota, Kingston, NY. I purchased my truck here and met Cara who was excellent in sales. I was very happy with this end of the deal. However, they were a bit "sloppy" with the paper work. First I was told the dealership will issue new plates for the truck rather than use my old one's from the trade-in. OK. New Truck, clean new plates. Cool!
When pickup ay came, was advised they were going with the old plates. Hummm. It was all set with my insurance people to hand in the old plates to DMV that afternoon.
To make it short, I had to do additional calls and fax letters to clear it up. Then the problem of the NYS reggie came--was advised by the dealer they would renew it for as it was to expire in a few months...they didn't. More calls to the dealer...they fixed it and all is good.
The dealer offers the 5,000 mile service for free. Made a app't at time of purchase for three months later...Two months later, realizing I am not near 5,000 I call to change app't. Okay, October that should do it. Several days later I get an app't card in the mail stating August!!! WTF!!! Another call to the dealer and it's fixed! Poor paper work. Let's not mention, they misspell my last name.
This dealer is an hour and change away from me. So, when I hear a slight rattle, I make an app't for service at a closer dealer...Empire Toyota, Oneonta, NY. (about 20 minutes). They spend an hour and half, do a test drive, treat me well despite the fact I purchased elsewhere. Was told by service the middle of the week my new shocks will be in. It's Thursday night as of this writing, no word. Okay, I didn't sign anything, pay anything, or give them my first born...we'll see how it goes. So I painted the porch and tomorrow I'll stain the deck, and hunt for firewood.
So, to rate these two dealers? C- for Prestige (spelling & neatness counts ladies!) B for Empire for helping me with the rattle, but they should have called on Wednesday or Thursday to update me. Hey, in my former line of work--communciation was key!
It's all still new, love the truck and could live with the slight rattle. "Hey, it's a truck!" my wife says.

[mherb3]

Northampton Ma Toyota

I brought my 2000 taco in the service dept yesterday 7/19/08 for my frame inspection. I bought my truck used 4 yrs ago from a southern no salt source, so I was very doubtful that it would fail. They looked at the truck and failed it because they were able to create a small hole in one portion of the frame. I looked under to find it, but couldn't. I was celebrating with beer so that could be part of the problem. I was told that a rep from toyota would call me in 1 to 3 weeks with a buyback number. I understand they will offer 150% of the blue book value, but there are three different #'s depending on the type of sale. Trade in value, private sale, or suggested retail. Anyone know which they use?
Regardless at the end of the day I have to ask myself if there are any other companies that stand behind their product this firmly, and the answer is no. Thanks

[Taos1]

Prime Motor Group, Dedham Massachusetts.

So so experience. I'd give them a 6 out of 10. 10 being the best. At least they were able to locate a 2008 TRD Sport package #1 in silver for me when 3 other local dealers did not. I'm surprised Boch Toyota couldn't get one. They kept pushing the 09 on me.
The salesman at Prime Motor Group called me and said they found my truck and the invoice came to be $27,099.00. My mistake for thinking that was my price to them also. When I got there to sign the papers, he came back with the payment plan and added on an additional $800 to the invoice. I asked why the extra $800. He said this is a business and we need to make some money. So they sold it to me for $27,500.
I hope I can remember this the next time I go buy another vehicle. 12 years was the last new vehicle I bought. Back them I didn't have the internet to help out.

[Taco's for All]

WORST DEALSHIP - Castleton Motors, Main Street; Castleton VT
Myself and 2 other guys I worked with all bought used trucks there. Within 2 months all of us needed ball joints, wheel bearings, and transmissions. Thank god they sold a used car warranty. Have not heard any good stories since, and I pass the word to anyone I know.

Bought my Tacoma at Alderman's Toyota, Rutland, VT. No complaints as of yet, offered one hell of a trade for my Dakota. Have called a few times to check in to see if I've had any trouble yet (Better not, last check on my way to work was 450 miles). Still waiting for the call offering a free oil change. Have heard great things about Berlin City Toyota in Gorham, NH but didn't feel like making the long drive.

[tacoma08MZ]

i purchased my truck from bob massie toyota out of white oak, pa. they were great. no one else was givin me the price i wanted, but they did, then i found the truck i wnted it was a dealer trade they would have to get from maryland, i put 1000 down on the truck on a friday, they said it would be ready for pick up monday monring well that morning they called and said the truck was sold. ouch. so how could i say they were good? well i wasnt to happy about that so they made me a deal. the one i wanted was a 4cyl access cab 5 speed sticker was 21.....sumthin. well the truck i ended up with window sticker was 26 sumthin i forget. well since they messed up big with me putting 1000 down on the other truck they gave me this one for the price of the first one! sorry that was long but id say a made out pretty good