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Good / Bad Dealer Experiences

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by tcBob, Mar 31, 2008.

  1. Mar 31, 2008 at 1:37 PM
    #1
    tcBob

    tcBob [OP] Gringo Bandito Moderator

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    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.

    :thumbsup: 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.
     
  2. Mar 31, 2008 at 1:55 PM
    #2
    ChrisDeSoup

    ChrisDeSoup Come on, Touch it......

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    Up in ya
    Vehicle:
    08 Tacoma Double Cab PreRunner Sport
    Seatbelt Ding Mod All Weather Mats Gate Lock MOD Rear Spring TSB
    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
     
  3. Mar 31, 2008 at 3:48 PM
    #3
    concrete jedi

    concrete jedi Well-Known Member

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    Rochester N.Y
    Vehicle:
    06 Tacoma 4 door indigo blue
    Broken and scratched tailgate, cracked rear tail light lens, coffee stain in driver seat.
    Dorchel Toyota, Rochester New York, :thumbsup: I went to buy my truck there but did not have one, :pout: 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.
     
  4. Apr 5, 2008 at 7:19 PM
    #4
    luk8272

    luk8272 Poodoo

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    Southern Louisiana
    Vehicle:
    07 Silver4dr. 4x4, V6 Shortbed
    5% Tint, Bug flector, vent Visors, Removed secondary air filter, Rear Spring TSB w/ Wheeler's Add A Leaf HD Pack, Icon 2.0 rear shocks, Toytec 3" lift up front with Total Chaos UCA's, Debadged, Billet Grille,TRD Offroad rims/17x9 Pro comp 6001 rims, Duratracs 265/75/16 or 285/70/17, Fog light anytime mod, Tailgate hose clamp mod, Pro-dry AFE filter. Extended Differential Breather, ABS on/off, 6000k LEDs from CSJumper, heads/fogs, ScanguageII, Devil horns, Devil horns on third brake light, Mounted 60" Highlift, Mounted Tool Box, Wet Okole Front/Rear Seat Covers, TW sticker, Midland Handheld CB,Painted engine cover, Revenge Fab Sliders, ARE Topper, Weather tech Floorliners, Camper shell, ultimate headlight upgrade. URD -3° exhaust cam gears, .5" XTP Intake spacer. Custom dents.
    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.
     
  5. Apr 5, 2008 at 8:26 PM
    #5
    350TacoZilla

    350TacoZilla Well-Known Member

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    Hancock MD
    Vehicle:
    1997 3RZ 5spd 4x4 Reg Cab
    2.7L 3RZ,K&N filter, 4" deck plate mod,flowmaster 40 series,3" suspension lift, hybrid 52"chevy/toyota rear springs.
    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
     
  6. Apr 14, 2008 at 1:06 PM
    #6
    AUDITECH

    AUDITECH Carolina Alliance: LAZY DIVISION

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    charlotte nc
    Vehicle:
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    none
    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
     
  7. Apr 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
    #7
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    Will
    York,South Carolina
    Vehicle:
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    getting 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:rolleyes:).....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:D.
     
  8. Apr 14, 2008 at 2:50 PM
    #8
    The_Hodge

    The_Hodge Volunteer Moderator

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    Seeing the third gen section forced me to get a Ford...
    i had a great sale experience w/ James Ervin Toyota in Lugoff, now Lugoff Toyota
     
  9. Apr 19, 2008 at 6:47 AM
    #9
    luni

    luni Resident Gun-toting Hippie

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    Burt's Mustache
    Ft Bragg, NC
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    TRD OR
    Icon c/os, TSB 4 leaf pack, Unbreakable Fab tube winch bumper, Mile Marker SEC12000, Roadless Gear winch control panel, Bud Built skids, URD Pipe Bomb Y pipe, snorkeled rear diff breather, no carpet
    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.
     
  10. Apr 19, 2008 at 8:53 AM
    #10
    joedirt

    joedirt Hallow

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    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.
     
  11. May 12, 2008 at 5:11 AM
    #11
    springdrl

    springdrl New Member

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    Spring, Texas
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    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.
     
  12. May 15, 2008 at 8:42 AM
    #12
    danusa

    danusa Well-Known Member

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    My dealer is Steve Low @ midwestToyota.
    I know where he lives.
    I expect extreame satisfaction.
    And I will get it.
     
  13. Jul 16, 2008 at 3:35 PM
    #13
    tcBob

    tcBob [OP] Gringo Bandito Moderator

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  14. Jul 17, 2008 at 12:02 AM
    #14
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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    Tow package, XM Satellite radio, K & N Air filter, & Channel Vent Visors
    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. :eek: 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! :eek: 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. :D

    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.
     
  15. Jul 17, 2008 at 4:56 AM
    #15
    sprouse70726

    sprouse70726 Active Member

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    Walker, LA
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    08 TRD Sport DC Silver PreRunner V6

    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.
     
  16. Jul 17, 2008 at 5:27 PM
    #16
    Robbie

    Robbie Well-Known Member

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    Bed mat, seat cover.
    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.
     
  17. Jul 20, 2008 at 5:48 AM
    #17
    mherb3

    mherb3 New Member

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    western MA
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    recalled tacoma
    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
     
  18. Jul 27, 2008 at 3:16 PM
    #18
    Taos1

    Taos1 Well-Known Member

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    Access Roll Up Tonneau cover, Stainless Steel Sidestep bars, Pop&Lock, Grillcraft black Mesh Grill
    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.
     
  19. Sep 6, 2008 at 12:51 PM
    #19
    Taco's for All

    Taco's for All Well-Known Member

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    Nothing at the moment
    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.
     
  20. Sep 6, 2008 at 12:58 PM
    #20
    tacoma08MZ

    tacoma08MZ Well-Known Member

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    Pittsburgh, PA
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    tinted head/tail lights-blacked out badges-3 inch tuff country lift 33 inch nittos-black steelies custom spare bed mount-hilift-weathertechs-kenwood dnx5120 dvdnav headunit-remote start-painted grille surround-fog lights-grillcraft black mesh grille
    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
     

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