Dealerships that don’t suck

I personally have had nothing but bad experiences at various Toyota dealers.

I figured it might be a good idea to compile a list of dealers that are actually competent, or maybe even good, if such a thing exists.

Help me out peeps.

Sorry, i should specify : Service departments that don’t suck.
I had a dandy sales experience. I dream of a good service visit. Someday. Maybe.

 

does such a thing exist?

 

I had a very good experience with Kendall Toyota in Bend Oregon. They didn’t play any games at all, no stupid add-ons, etc and because I paid cash the whole process only took about an hour.

 

Hmmmmmm Hmmmmm Sorry no can do.

 

It’s an adversarial relationship at best. They exist to make money off us. It’s like pulling teeth to get TSBs checked.

 

Toyota of Cleveland in TN is one of the best dealerships I’ve dealt with. I had the rear leaf spring recall on the 2nd gen performed and a coolant flush with no bs attached. Brother just purchased a corolla from them and it was honestly a breeze compared to some other dealerships (not just Toyota) that I’ve experienced. Plus, their waiting area is filled with all types of drinks and snacks. 10/10 would recommend if you live in the area.

 

Sometime's it's not the dealer that sucks, it's the customer.

 

Both the dealers in Sonoma County CA have scratched and/or dented my truck at the "free" service. I'm done those morons.

 

I’d be pissy though if I had itchy feet...

 

The customer is not always right, sometimes the customer needs to be taken outside and beaten with a bag of dildos until their attitude improves.

 

Camelback Toyota in Phoenix, Arizona, will always have my business. Edi K in internet sales was great. Clean and friendly dealership.

 

So how do you suppose it got that way?

 

If you’re referring to me, know that i have worked as a technician in a dealership, and therefore thoroughly understand the relations between tech, advisor, customer and mothercorp.

I’ve had numerous problems getting basic shit fixed - like my failed hood glue i showed the advisor, that the tech said “no problem found” - or the failed rear door weatherstripping glue that a dealership told me to go to a hardware store to fix myself. Not getting called when parts arrive, them ordering the wrong part 3 times in a row — removing the perfectly fine part before checking — for a leak that wasn’t even in that area — putting in the wrong oil, not patching my tire correctly, Telling the advisor my problem, and seeing it poorly translated onto the RO by the advisor, so of course the tech finds nothing. Being told they need a Toyota engineer to look at my rear diff howl, and that they just come randomly, who knows when — Toyota corporate recently informed me that it works much like ford — tech puts in a request for the engineer to come out.

So yes, i’m sour and sick of the bullshit —- but i would love to find a dealer that isn’t stupid. Therefore this thread.

 

I have no complaints about Freeman Toyota. I bought it there, they did all the free services and one I paid for.

Toyota of Grapevine wasn't my favorite. First every vehicle had "dealer addons", sometimes that duplicated things on the window sticker (paint protection). And the salesman disappeared for 30 minutes looking for keys, just leaving me sit there. I know what time he left as I sent a text as he was walking away. 30 minutes later I was out the door. 35 minutes later he called, but I was done. There are lots of dealers around me.

I used Toyota of Irving to do an accident repair. Truck will be going back for the third time for rework. They forgot to put the Tacoma and Limited emblems on when they did the repair. The paint bubbled up on the bumpy area at the bottom of the doors. And it has now bubbled up again.

 

I think you have to separate the sales department from the service department. Two separate entities. I would never buy a car from my local dealer as they are incompetent condescending assholes, but their service department, OTOH, has been pretty good so far, and their parts department has been exemplary. The last two just laugh off the sales people. The secret is how you approach the service advisor. If you can figure out a way to get them on your side (and that's certainly not by loudly complaining) and get them to want to help you, talk to them about their own cars and their kids or whatever, you can get rid a lot of that adversarial bullshit. It obviously doesn't work every time, but if you start out from a point of respect and compliments, and don't come across as an asshole to them, you can both have a pretty good experience. One of the problems is that all too often our Toyotas are so reliable that they don't give us an opportunity to build a relationship with the service advisor. When I think about it, it's really the same skillset that I use when photographing musicians that I have never met before. It's all about finding some common ground and treating each other with respect.

Hell, about 15 years ago, I got Marina Del Rey Toyota to completely rebuild my '93 V6 under a head gasket recall that kept getting more complicated as it went along. And that was when I took it in for a new starter. Free loaner for three weeks too.

 

Napletons Toyota of Urbana IL is a-ok from both a sales and service stand point.

 

Fred Anderson Toyota in Raleigh has been great from sales to service. Zero complaints.

 

I’ve only had good service at Leith Toyota in Raleigh

 

Cowboy Toyota in Dallas, Texas. My new 2019 Tacoma (purchased there) had the vibrating hood issue from day one. I brought it to the attention of Leesha Barnes, my service advisor. Within 24 hours, Leesha notified me that the hood would be repaired under warranty and a loaner vehicle supplied while repairs were made. It's too early to tell if the adhesive will be a permanent solution in the heat gun temperatures of Texas, but I have no doubt that Leesha will make it right if necessary. I had a few glitches attributable to their pre-delivery efforts, but those were quickly resolved by Leesha in the Service Department.

Sport City Toyota in Dallas performed regular oil changes on my 2007 Tundra (170,000 miles) and I had no problems with their service. They have an annoying practice of attempting to sell you a cabin filter every time you walk in the door, but it's easy enough to say no.

 

Thompson Toyota in Doylestown PA has always treated me well and has a good solid service dept .Ive been a customer there for over 20 years