Need Advice - New Truck Was Painted Prior to Sale

wow only $1800?

my rear end collision was $1900 for a new bumber and a bit of touch up paint on the corner of the bed. A new roof would seem like a much larger expense than that.

 

Even if that fact is true, Allen Toyota doesn't know you or have any relationship with you - their mutually beneficial relationship is with Koons. It does them no harm to admit that they didn't disclose damage because they were within their rights to withhold it (due to percentage, it seems). It helps Koons because now you can't really place blame on them.

Allen basically just protected their business partner, Koons by taking on the blame, knowing that they are legally okay. Koons just sold you a truck, unaware of any of this "damage" you are claiming. I think you're going to have a hell of a time getting them to take it back even-steven.

Of course Allen Toyota will pay you some lip service, telling you that they would take the truck back (gosh, if only they could!), because they aren't on the hook....

This is just my impression. I hope I'm wrong though and you get this mess fixed!!

 

This is pretty shitty. Just to make a small comparison, I contacted a local Toyota dealer on their website for a price quote on a 2010 Tacoma last week, I'm in no hurry and don't want to buy soon. I got a call and an e-mail an hour later, I told the fine lady I was in no hurry, but I could have been driving home my new Tacoma the same day I asked for a price quote, basically 3 hours later, outstanding service. In fact, I have never seen such a professional dealer. We have dealt with another Toyota dealer too in the last few years, wonderful service too.
Now after I read all this thread/shit, I think Toyota USA have to get involved in this shit and make sure you get a brand new vehicle+ $$$ for the shit you're going trough, and maybe more.
This is completely unacceptable and you should not accept anything less than the best, because Toyota IS the best, and you should have never, ever had to deal with that kind of shit in the beginning.

 

Unless when transferring the vehicle from Mississippi to Virginia they violated Virginia consumer protection laws by failing to notify damages in excess of the 3% allowed in Virginia. The way I am reading this section of Virginia code, a manufacturer or distributor is required to disclose this information to a dealer, and a dealer is required to disclose to the consumer. If Allen Toyota could be considered the distributor of this vehicle to Koons as the dealer, then yes they were wrong in not disclosing damages in excess of the 3%. The sticker price of my truck was $27,427. The repair amount of $1,263 is 4.6%.

For now, I want to give Allen Toyota the chance to work with Koons and get this fixed right and quick. I figure that the more parties that are involved, the better chances I have of getting an overall resolution that is satisfactory. I'm hopeful that Toyota Motor Sales and/or Allen Toyota will contribute something to whatever Koons offers to take my truck back and get me somewhere around what I paid for the truck. Thats the ideal solution. If Koons backs that with a deal on the 4x4 Sport I couldn't get anywhere else then I would purchase a replacement.

I've decided that going to battle with these people is the last thing I want to do. From what I'm reading it will take longer and be costly until everything is wrapped up. I especially don't want the mental toll its going to take on me. If its anything like things have been over the past week, I want to avoid it if possible. Double guessing myself, my own thoughts, their statements, rethinking every scenario...its driving me nuts. I haven't done much of anything except work and deal with this truck lately. Its definitely wearing on me but I wouldn't have made it this far without everyone's support.

Today was really the first day in a while that I felt some relief. Being able to confirm what Koons told me and feeling that I was being told the truth was a huge relief. You're right that yes, its possible that Allen is covering for Koons. But somewhere in this whole thing, if I'm going to get anywhere, I think I need to have a little faith. My gut tells me that what Allen Toyota told me today was true.

I think in just about any situation, things go better when two people don't dislike each other. The Customer Relations Manager at Koons probably doesn't perk up much when I call and our last conversation wasn't pleasant or very productive. In hindsight, my stinging email to Toyota this morning probably wasn't productive either.

In the end, its the solution I get that really matters. I'm thinking that if I'm going to get results by negotiating I should be smarter, think more about what makes sense, and not let all my thoughts about all the negative angles control what I think is true. I'm definitely not saying that I don't appreciate everyone's input and words of caution/wisdom. Its more that I think that being completely skeptical is the opposite end of being blindly believing and I'd get better results being in the middle of these two extremes.

 

Yes, I thought about this as well, that could be your apple of discord. Anyway, sorry to add to the conspiratorial tone of this thread. I've read this whole deal, and I just want to help you somehow, but at this point maybe that doesn't help you at all. Hopefully the Allen's guy is willing to work with you, and Toyota will step it up. It doesn't really make sense for big dealers to perpetrate scams on their customers, (hopefully repeat customers).

Hang in there, I think you're doing really well with your correspondence and would definitely agree with you about keeping it cordial, non-emotional, and positive...

 

This statement is perfect in a lot of ways. But most importantly, remember that no matter what we say or feel or suggest it is you, and only you, that has to deal with it in the end. You are the one that has to deal with the stress, or deal with a different payment, or deal with their BS. So remember to take all of our responses with a grain of salt and make sure YOU are happy and satisfied in the end. And as always, we are rooting for a reasonable, satisfactory resolution FOR YOU and wishing you good luck!!

 

[quote="OldManTan";1200025]This statement is perfect in a lot of ways. But most importantly, remember that no matter what we say or feel or suggest it is you, and only you, that has to deal with it in the end. You are the one that has to deal with the stress, or deal with a different payment, or deal with their BS. So remember to take all of our responses with a grain of salt and make sure YOU are happy and satisfied in the end. And as always, we are rooting for a reasonable, satisfactory resolution FOR YOU and wishing you good luck!![/quote]

X2 very true statement. From another old guy.

 

^ agree as well. I would not want to be going through this but its easy for me to sit back and fire off recommendations. Discussing issues like this on an open forum provides you with more of a brainstorm than an actual direction. We're here to give you ideas, not to tell you what you should and shouldn't do.

You also make it an interesting story to follow because you are being rational and strategic in your process. You are also clearly the victim. I really hope this one ends in your favor.

 

SmanZ, great job keeping a cool head throughout this ordeal. Sounds like your'e getting close to a conclusion (hopefully). Good luck.

 

At least get your money back. I know someone that works a toyotaworldnewark (not affiliated with this site) and he told me that when a truck or car comes in they put it threw inspection and cleaning. I showed him this thread he saw the pictures and man you should have looked at his face. He said that they would have noticed that.

 

So much for the fresh attitude. I am livid. I am ready to drive the truck to the front of the dealership, yank the tags off, and toss the damn keys to the first associate I see.

I called Debra Latiolais this morning to apologize for being mistrusting of her claim that Allen Toyota never disclosed the information. She said she would work with the general manager today and have an answer for me within two hours for the trade-in of my truck and the sale price of the Sport 4x4. This was at 10:20 AM

I had not gotten a call by 2:30 PM so I gave them a call. After a few tries I finally got Debra on the phone again. She said that the GM had been in meetings all day and they have not had a chance to go over this. I reminded her that she told me I would get a call on Monday by the end of the day and that slipped by and I would get a call within 2 hours today and that slipped by as well. She said she was swamped and said "I have customers waiting in front of me. I have to go" and then hung up on me.

I called the operator at Koons and demanded to speak to the GM. She said that Debra was in and could help me. I explained that she had just hung up on me and I was not to be transferred and I would speak to the GM whenever the operator could get him on the line. "Debra for Jack Ballinghoff" is the next thing I hear. I explain that I found it unacceptable that she hung up on me. She denied that she did that and said that she was "starting to get annoyed" and starting to not want to help me. She said that if that happened I could just take things up with the dealer in Mississippi. I explained that in my position, that when I receive a committment to have information by a certain date and that date slips by I feel like I'm being put off. Add to that, I am not driving this vehicle because she told me that mileage would be factored into its value. She said not to worry about driving the truck and that I shouldn't keep it parked. (So which is it? Mileage will affect my trade in but it is ok to drive?)

I finally asked when, if not today as promised, I would have some numbers. She said maybe today, probably by tomorrow, at the latest by Monday. I reiterated - Monday at the latest then? She confirmed. I asked if she would check in with me tomorrow and let me know how things are going and she agreed.

I expect a response on Monday. This will have given them an entire week to get numbers together for how much they will give me and how much they will sell this truck for. These are numbers that I would have been given in 30 minutes if I was a new customer looking to buy a new truck.

In my letter to Toyota Motor Sales I asked them to contact me by tomorrow to confirm that they are working on this issue. I will call them if I don't hear from them and see if I can set up an in-person meeting with a Toyota regional manager for next week.

I was not aware that Toyota Customer Service representatives were free to cut communication to customers of their dealership when they feel they are becoming annoying.

 

I would let Debra Latiolais know that your claim isnt against the dealership in Mississippi because they did not sell you the truck, her dealership did. If they feel they where misinformed by the other dealership that is between the dealerships AFTER Koon's makes it right with you. I think you have been completely fair and patient so far and now it is time to put foot to ass. I would call a local TV station get them involved as well as the Attorney General for your state. This is outright fraud and now they are trying to get you to trade the truck in so they can sell it again used and once again not disclose the damage. I would honestly draw a line in the sand and make them correct the problem in a manner that is MUTUALLY beneficial and not in a way that cost you money and gets their butt out of trouble. Whose to say if you trade it in that down the road if problems crop up they try to blame you for the " water damage"?

 

I agree!
It's time...... bring them down
Contact a lawyer.

 

If this is not resolved by noon monday go get the sign that i wrote about earlier. Get your flood damaged truck at koons. It is not a false statement on your part.
I would then drive it all over their lot and park it nearby. MALLS ARE NICE PLACES TO ALSO PARK IT.
You are too nice.
P--- on them. Man i would love to put it to them if it was me.
As everyone has said you have been a perfect gentleman about this.
You cant deal with a b----.
Remember the bible says to turn the other cheek. It only says to turn once. Now put it too them.
Keep us posted.

 

Wow, one long and interesting story. Keep us posted. This is some f'ed up stuff going on...

 

Why dont we start an e-mail campaign to Debra Latiolais and Jack Ballinghoff at Koon's. I am sure they couldnt ingnore the issue if they get 100 e-mails a day from other pissed off Tacoma owners about the treatment a fellow owner is getting.. Just an Idea, the OP would have to greenlight this though.

 

BAT24...lets not start that sort of thing just yet. I'll post in a few minutes. Short version - Debra Latiolais called me about 30 min after I posted and I'll post the details. I'm looking for your help in figuring out if this is a good deal or not...

 

^ i wouldnt mind sending them a nice letter

im interested to read hurry typing it! haha

 

spot reserved so i can know where i left off