Need Advice - New Truck Was Painted Prior to Sale

Koons called me on Friday and said they would be willing to trade the truck but that the truck I have is not available in this region (Prerunner, manual trans). They asked if I would be flexible. I know there was a 4x4 manual trans sport pkg there when I bought the Prerunner. Internet inventory says they still have it. I said I'd be willing to trade for that one but it was a short call and we didn't discuss who would eat the extra cost of a 4x4 over Prerunner.

I think they're right about the regional unavailability. I entered my zip code and I can't build the truck I have. I entered the zip for Gulfport MS and I could build the truck exactly like I have it.

Hank, I think you're right. At this point the dealership contacted me the same day they received my most recent letter and it'd be best to give them a chance to make it right by this Friday.

 

Dude they should eat the cost of the 4x4 upgrade... Its you time money and patience. If they don't let you trade up, get a lawyer involved and you could pretty much come out of there with whatever you want. Whatever you do, do NOT settle for anything less....

 

^^Amen.
they didn't have any trouble getting the flooded truck....shouldn't have a problem getting a perfect condition truck. I'd still take my business elsewhere

 

SManZ,

I was just surfing on other sites, looking at cars, and I clicked on a free CarFax report link. Under flood damage, CarFax states it will buy back the vehicle if there is any later report of flood, which apparently happened in your car.

Could this be the solution? Maybe CarFax will buy your truck!

 

Looks promising!

 

I've always thought that too. Hell, they even have commercials showing flooded vehicles.

You might want to look into that.

 

I'm not a lawyer, but I am *respectfully* not really agreeing with this. I'm not sure you would be entitled to anything "extra". While they need to make it right and give you the "new" truck you've paid for, you still had a safe, reliable truck to drive around in all this time. I wouldn't push my luck trying to clean house. Just my $.02.

 

As I understand it, Virginia is pretty much the southern-most tip of Toyota's "Northeast Region". I'm next door in North Carolina, part of Toyota's "Southern Region".

Koons got your disaster-area truck from MS. I don't know what Toyota region MS is in, but I doubt it's in the Northeast Region.

Net-net, if they can get a flood-damaged truck transferred in, they sure as heck can get a brand new one transferred in for you

7161 (manual access cab pre-runner) and 7131 (manual standard cab pre-runner) are available in my NC zipcode, but manual double cab pre-runner does not appear to be available here (I forget what your truck-boat is).

They should be willing to get you anything you want on a covered flatbed, delivered to your door. Don't worry, Toyota and/or or the MS dealership will make Koons whole for whatever they need to do to compensate you.

 

Sorry not adding anything to your post but man i loved reading the story and cant wait for the final post and do wish you the best as dealships do lie i caught mine on a truck i bought and got a 7 year 100000 mile extended warranty but wasnt water damage !! but good luck please keep us posted

 

First off I want to say that I am sorry that you have had to go through this experience. We as consumers are held at the mercy of these large companies that we buy from. Toyota isn't at fault for this, but in the end should make it right if noone else will. I have heard of this "scam" (if that is what this is) happening a lot. I live in the north so after a hurricane or similar disaster in the south I have read to watch for these problems. I am very impressed by your patience and the well thought out letters that you have written. If anyone deserves full satisfaction, it is you for keeping a level head. Any parties involved should be happy that you have maintained a mature, respectful approach to resolve this. I can't help but feel as I read this whole post that they are full of $hit!!! Just that $3k off msrp comment is enough to call shananigans!! She was trying to blow you off. I hate that we have to call them stealerships, but all to often that is their business. I sure hope that if they value you at all and to make a positive statement, that they make this right for you.

If this truck is flood damaged, how can you feel it is safe or reliable? It MAY be for a few years but problems WILL arise if it is. The OP is not trying to clean house, but merely trying to acquire a new vehicle which he paid for and therefore is entitled to. Lying in this country can be against the law. One of the biggest issues we have as a whole is that noone takes responsibility for their actions. Someone, somewhere is responsible for this, and its NOT the OP. That party needs to make it right. The OP took pride in his "new" truck and added on. They should have to remove those items and transfer or return them to him. This is not his fault, he didn't deserve this. If it was used from a private, then maybe it would be a case of buyer beware.


No matter what happens, I really hope the best, I am glad you found this issue now. Could have been a lot worse if you hadn't discovered it now, but when it really mattered. If its any consolation, you have helped all of us who have read this to be more aware of a "new" purchase. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[quote="OldManTan";1164622]

If this truck is flood damaged, how can you feel it is safe or reliable? It MAY be for a few years but problems WILL arise if it is. The OP is not trying to clean house, but merely trying to acquire a new vehicle which he paid for and therefore is entitled to. Lying in this country can be against the law. One of the biggest issues we have as a whole is that noone takes responsibility for their actions. Someone, somewhere is responsible for this, and its NOT the OP. That party needs to make it right. The OP took pride in his "new" truck and added on. They should have to remove those items and transfer or return them to him. This is not his fault, he didn't deserve this. If it was used from a private, then maybe it would be a case of buyer beware.
[/quote]

Ack. You got the wrong impression form my post, so let me clarify! A previous post suggested that a dealer should give him a brand new truck that is an upgrade (to a 4X4 in this case) and give him the upgrade as compensation for time and trouble if the comparable truck is not available. I wholeheartedly agree the OP deserves the new truck, the one he should have got in the first place, and anything less is unacceptable.

I do not think, however, any dealer would agree to a free upgrade in a new truck (to a 4X4) for pain and suffering type reasons. I can just hear an excuse from the dealer telling him no upgrade -- he already got a couple months use of a truck that was safe and reliable in the immediate term period that he will not have to "pay" for in terms of a financial standpoint (if he does get the new truck). I was not suggesting that the truck he's dealing with right now would be safe in the long term, nor should that truck be acceptable to him -- again he is deserved the new vehicle he has already paid for!

My point is that pushing the envelope and trying to get an upgraded model out of this may not be the best thing in this situation, as suggested in another post. This is what I referred to as cleaning house.

But let me say again, I'm not a lawyer. Maybe consult with one? Am I off-base here? Regardless, best of luck to the OP!!

 

Absolutely not, you aren't off base. The title of the thread is "need advice....". You gave your advice, and so did I. After reading a few other posts, I made an assumption, sorry for that. Not a lawyer either, just feel for the guy!! Hopefully we helped the OP and he can get this issue resolved satisfactory and quickly. I really feel he is being fair and level headed, a lot more than I would, and deserves "more" than just a different truck.

 

Cant wait to see what happens .... this is like a serial ... diff episodes everyday ... ends at climax ... Good thing is that he got a call in a timely manner from the dealer...

 

Your in VA, take the 4x4, even if you have to eat some extra cost for the upgrade. I would think they woudl at least work with if if nothing else on the price discrepancy.

To add, see if they offer the 4x4 up first. They have it on the lot and they just might be willing to do it to make it (the whole thing) go away. Play poker but be ready to negotiate the difference if need be.

 

Thanks all for your replies. I'll definitely keep you posted on what goes on. I'm going to call the Customer Relations rep tomorrow and let them know that if they want to trade me for the 4x4 Sport I will consider that a satisfactory replacement.

I'm not out to soak these people or get anything extra out of them. The 4x4 Sport is the closest thing on their lot to what I currently have. If they can get me a Prerunner set up like I want within 15 days of their written response I'll be happy with that. If they can't do that and are unwilling to swap for the 4x4 I'm asking for a refund so I can go elsewhere. If I'm going to pay for a 4x4 thats fine but my money is going elsewhere if I can help it.

Right now I'm in a holding pattern this week, but at the very latest until Friday. That was the deadline for their written response. If I don't get a response or if their response isn't agreeable I'll send off the claims to the Attorney General's office and BBB on Saturday morning. I've got all week to print out the pictures and fill out their forms so they're ready to send out.

I am really hoping that the fact I haven't reported this yet will work in my favor for a quick resolution. I'm determined now to go to the necessary lengths to get a new truck but I'd rather this be done quick and quiet. Hopefully they will see it that way too.

I'm so glad you guys helped convince me that being complacent wasn't the best thing in this case. Best case scenario is that I take the mods off on Saturday and Sunday and turn the keys in on Monday.

I agree that its a PITA that I shouldn't have to go through to de-mod and re-mod my truck. But I think this whole thing will go smoother if they never see the mods on the truck. I don't want to give them a reason to not trade or to try to ding me on the value. I want a quick resolution and this is one of the things I'm willing to give up to get it. Plus by the time this is done I think I'll be qualified to earn beer by helping NOVA TW members install a lift!

 

Good luck OP.

 

subscribed. ive followed this whole thing and it makes one hell of a story.
it seems youve kept a level head which is the best thing you could have done. i bet the dealer would be much less accommodating if you starting screaming for a new truck from day one.

without a doubt you are entitled to a new truck with the same options at no cost to you

as far as the mods go, i believe that should be up to you. theres still a chance its not their fault and if theyre willing to find you something thats acceptable to you, i dont think they should be held responsible for the mods. after youve agreed in writing to a trade, then let them know about the mods and see what they want to do. the trade is done so at worst they will make you take them off and replace them with stock parts. talk about swapping things like the hood and wheels. id bet theyd be accomodating.

maybe you can get some kind of labor discount to take them off or an offer to have a mechanic help you transplant them (prob not though for insurance reasons)

whatever they tell you, post it on here and im sure you can get some good suggestions.

best of luck to ya!

 

A lawyer would contact the newspaper from the area flooded area. Someone ..... (insurance company) employees, neighbors have pictures of the dealership flooded out. Maybe a pic of your truck being slapped around by the Gulf of Mexico. Find out how much was paid by each dealership from the day it was delivered from the factory. All of the dealers knew it was damaged. Do not settle, they broke the law and must be flogged. My 2000 was crushed due to rusted frame and Toyota stood behind a 10 year old truck and gave me $13,732 for it. Toyota will stand behind you. They have strick requirements for dealers. I get hounded with satifaction surveys all the time. Get a new one and get your confidence back. Or someday you may get Flintstone floorboards. I do feel for you and wish you luck.

 

x2

 

My point was that since there was nothing else that was close to what he had purchased on the lot, in this case I feel they should be on the hook for the 4x4 upgrade. It gives them (the dealership) an opportunity to stick him with something less. It's not like the dealerships go out of their way when problems arise anyway... much less on the level/situation he's in. If the dealership was "standup" in anyway they would offer him the 4x4 upgrade and they're sincere appologies. If I were the dealership I would be affraid of mainstream media getting ahold of a story like this an ruining my reputation. Between those 2 dealerships, someone is playing dumb... I find it ironic that truck will be sent that far away to another dealership without them knowing about what happened to the vehicle. I've heard of dealerships exchanging cars WITHIN Provinces or States so that the customer doesn't have to wait for one off the assembly line, but not from out of state/province. That just sends out warning signs that they were trying to hide from the getgo. Only until he found out the issues with the truck did they start devulging information about it. So to back up my point, If I were in his position I would clearly be going for the upgrade (seeing how its on the lot) and let them know that they're lucky that that's all I'm interested in. I don't think waiting for months for them to find him a replacement is reasonable, but the dealership eating the bill for a couple grand IS.