Need Advice - New Truck Was Painted Prior to Sale

Sounds like your on the home strech

 

It seems like it but I'm not overly optimistic. I wouldn't be suprised if this is still going on at this time next month. They have failed time and time again to meet promised dates for things as simple as return phone calls.

I called TMS yesterday and asked the case manager to update my file with an entry that I did turn the truck in to Koons on Tuesday. I also told him that Koons said they would pay off the loan within a week but I would contact them to get the status of the payoff check. If it has not been sent out by Friday I'll make a final payment towards the loan so I am not late on anything.

The good thing is that I have direct contact with the case manager so if this drags on I can ask him to help me. TMS has been great and I'll give Toyota another shot, provided this thing gets wrapped up quickly.

I thought about this yesterday - I would hate to test drive a new Tacoma and just sit there and think about everything that happened. I don't think I could buy a truck if I felt like I'd have to think about this ordeal every time I sat in it. The saying time heals all has been true in life up to now...maybe after this is done I just need a little break from the new car process before I jump back in.

 

yes that is what I was asking, that is a lot of freakin taxes
From your other post, you are smart to keep up with the payment I really hope the best for you when this is all said and done!

 

If I had those concerns, I would have it inspected by an independant shop/inspector. Normally you'd only do that for a used car, but given your situation, might be a good price to pay for a bit of peace-o-mind,,, you know, so it doesn't turn into another piece-o-mind.

 

After your ordeal you already know as much as most inspectors. I say do it yourself.

This thread sure is an eye opener in a lot of respects. I would never have thought a dealer could sell a flood damaged car as new. Clearly when buying a new car it is still buyer beware.

Thank you for the posting and all of the follow up as well as the personal insight. If I did not already have the seats out of my Tacoma I would be checking them out.


PS I would not think twice about buying a Tacoma as a replacement. You are familiar with the performance and the reliability. It was the cosmetic problems that led you the flood damage.

 

Oh yeah, I will definitely have a keen eye on any vehicle I buy from now on, regardless of what brand it is. The water damage was obvious to me so I don't think its necessary to take a new vehicle to an independent shop for inspection.

What I meant was I hope this experience doesn't come to mind whenever I sit in any Tacoma or Toyota. If I can't shake it I'll start looking at other brands. The Frontier was my #2 choice when I started shopping this past fall. I'm not going to buy a vehicle if its just going to constantly remind me of the shittiest car buying experience I've ever had. Thats a personal problem though

 

Just remember it wasn't the truck or Toyota that did anything to you...it was the scumbags at the dealership(s). Other than the water damage issue with that particular truck it was a great truck right? Toyota Motor Sales went to bat for you, so I would not give up on the brand just yet. The right (un-damaged) truck is out there for you somewhere. Best of luck to you. Hope that check comes through soon!

Crusher 2

 

Thanks Crusher You're absolutely right. Once this is all over it'd probably do me good to just take a break and approach the replacement with a clear head. The truck itself was great and I chose it over others to begin with. TMS has been great - they've always treated me with respect and courtesy.

 

Hey guys, I'm looking for some help with this document. I signed a odometer statement and a power of attorney for title docs form on Tuesday. I got an email from Koons saying that I need to sign the Loan Clearance Authorization and Power of Attorney sections of this form.

The way I'm reading it, it looks like if I do that then Koons can pay off the loan, receive the title, and sign my portions to complete the transfer. It looks like I do not need to get involved. I see this as a possible problem since they also have possession of the vehicle.

If this is the way you all read this document, I'm going to ask that I receive the check I'm due when I sign this. I'm not saying they would keep the truck and not pay me, but I want to cover my ass. I'm also going to stop by and sign this document in person after its filled in. I would never sign a blank legal doc.

-Thanks!

 

IMO I think you are right in your reservations. I am by no means a lawyer, but feel covering your ass is the best thing you can do. And I think at this point an e-mail from them is a little tacky!

 

While I think I'm a fairly informed and aware person, this is getting beyond me at this point Maybe a firm will explain the document for a reasonable fee?

 

Do not sign a power of attorney! If there is anything that needs to be signed by the owner (you), you are perfectly capable of doing that. Relinquishing your power to them w/o a check in hand is in my opinion a bad idea.

Crusher 2

 

Agh...Crusher...too late!

I did speak to a Finance Manager at another Toyota dealer this morning and also confirmed through TFS that the title would be transferred to Koons if they paid off the loan. The Finance Manager at the Toyota dealer deciphered the document and its pretty much what I thought it said.

When I talked to Debra I let her know about my reservations. She said that they do it this way because TFS often makes mistakes and mails titles to the owners even though the dealership paid off the loan.

When I asked, she agreed to put in writing and sign a statement that Koons would pay me $13,XXX once the title was received. She had copies of the checks that were already cut for TFS and for me. The dates on the checks were from Tuesday when I had stopped by. She gave me the original copy of the payment agreement and copies of the checks as well as the forms I signed today.

Seems like things are moving along quickly and she said she would go right on and mail everything out to TFS.

I really doubt that they would just take the truck and leave me out $13K but at least I have something in writing now. Crusher, if I had read your post before I left for the dealership I would have gone that route. But nothing to do now but wait. I can track the account status online so it should reflect the payment the week after Christmas.

 

This is just like the perfect storm of car-buying pain.

 

Yeah, really takes the joy out of what should be one of the happier experiences in a lifetime.

As a house inspector, i see realtors do this to home buyers all of the time in the name of profit.

When i 'share' a mutual client with a real estate agent, it often seems like only one of us thinks the person who has to pay for the damn thing for the next 20 years is the most important person in the deal.

 

Definitely...I've never felt this stressed before. Hopefully this is coming to a quick close though. When I stopped by Ourisman to talk to the finance manager I saw the 2010 pyrite grey 4x4 Sport I'd been looking at online and I got a little excited. I was happy about that - I've still got it in me to buy another Tacoma, but you better believe I'm going all CSI on that thing before I buy it.

 

Yep, bring a strong flashlight, a mirror, a few additional pairs of trusted eyes and be sure to slide underneath that baby and go nuts.

 

You better!!!

 

I would be too, that's awesome. Hope you get it...

 

Bump.

Updates??