My PHV purchasing experience so far...

This is my experience (also UK). It wasn’t charged and they didn’t know the tech. They said normal Prius is better and when I asked why they just said ‘because it is ‘! Surely that’s up the buyer and depends on their needs.


iPhone ?

 

i had the exact same experience in 2012 when buying my pip, and from what i've read here, it hasn't changed.
toyota makes no effort to train their dealers in hybrids and plug ins, and doesn't seem to care if they sell or not.
i just read that mitsubishi will not sell their pug in hybrid to any dealers that aren't fully on board for training, education and repair. i hope that is the case.

 

I wish I could say it was just a bad sales person, but I can't. I "ordered" mine from one of several local dealers that I'd dealt with since 1995. My "sales" person was the manager. During talks I mention that none of the sales people (past & present) knew much of anything technical about the vehicles (4Runner, Camry, Prius, Pruis Prime, etc.) and because of that I always did my own research before coming in. He said he'd chided them many times about learning more about what they sell, but the reality is most people knew what they wanted to buy when they walked in the door and didn't need much "selling." He said the people that purchased hybrids were very knowledgeable about them before they come in. IMHO, that does not justify ignorance of them either.

I'd love to be able to just build what I want on-line, transmit payment via "bill pay or bank wire" and just pick it up. I don't need to go through the hoops of dealing with the ex-toaster salesmen. They do not add any value for me anymore other than slowing down the transaction. The way the current sales force acts, does nothing to make this better. It's not just Toyota either.

PS, Each time I go back, I have the hope that it's better or has changed. That does not seem to be the trend.

 

hopefully, the dealership model will change with ev's. we'll probably be buying our cars from amazon, et al.

 

That might be the "one" reason I'd sign up for Amazon Prime.

 

I bought a used $29,000 car on eBay from a dealer in Addison Texas, paid for it with a wire transfer and had it delivered in six days to my door. The easiest car I ever bought.
I forgot to mention I pressed the but it now button on Christmas Day and the delivery was over 1000 miles away and delivery was on New Years eve of 2010.

 

+1 from Italy... I've bought two brand new Toyota hybrid cars so far, a Gen 3 Prius on 2009 and a Prius PHV/Prime on Oct 2017, each time my dealer' experience was very disappointing.

In both cases, after having contacted several dealerships, I ended up buying the car from the one which, if not competent, was at least polite, and available to meet my needs, i.e. stipulate the purchase contract with the car optionals I wanted, without arguying, or proposing another model, or insisting for the purchase in installments (which means additional profit for them). Obviously, no additional discounts, except the one advertised by Toyota on their website... I suppose that an explanation of the Toyota dealer' attitude is the reduced profit margin that they have on the Prius (built in Japan) and/or on cars which are not already sitting in their parking lot.

 

Need to change state laws first.

 

it will probably come in time. when device dwindles at the dealerships, they'll move on.

 

I've bought cars via Internet purchase and one by non-dealer means and each has been a success:

1. Internet sale from Rhode Island - 2017 Prius Prime
2. eBay motors - 2014 BMW i3-REx
3. Toyota promotional - 2010 Prius
4. eBay motors - 2003 Prius

I don't expect much from the salesman but a competent purchase agent. Get the paperwork right in collaboration with my bank, no problem.

Bob Wilson

 

We have a saying in the states, the only thing wrong with a Toyota is that you have to buy one from a Toyota Dealer.

 

sounds like you're happy just to be at another clueless dealer, if only to spite the first one.

 

An unpretentious one whose ears work.

Bob Wilson

 

someone who doesn't know anything about the car, doesn't even have one to 'forget to charge' and believes they can meet the pricing? a dream customer just walked in like a jilted lover.

 

Indeed, after a week, come back and take the salesman and team for a 'test drive to a pub for a pint.' Use it as a teaching moment. <grins>

Bob Wilson

 

If only they would put as much effort into knowing about the car and having it ready for a test drive as they do trying to strong arm you into extended warranties and prepaid services.

 

Before you part with your hard earned money try Car Wow. It is easy to use.
Enter details of the car you want and get 5 emails from dealers with prices.
My local dealer only 2 miles away would not move on price of £32,500 inc of £2,500 grant.
A dealer 30 miles away sent me a quote of £27,100 inc of the grant. The price dropped to £26,100 if I took finance but I paid cash.He would not move on free mats or side protectors but I bought them anyway. I rang the local dealer 2 miles away to try if he would price match. No was the answer as he paid more to buy them in.
I agree with you about dealers knowing less than the buyers.
I picked mine up with no charge in it !