Great dealership in Longmont, Colorado

For the record, these are the same people, that when I called to ask how they felt about me cancelling my order, said no problem. Then, when I went to get my deposit back, they were very angry, even though they sold the car before I got there! (You know, due to the high demand and all).

It turns out I had talked to Brian, who was the owner's son, and he was very agreeable, but his dad was not. It was really a strange experience, the emotion of anger coming from the owner, even though he wasn't out even a nickel, and his kid had made the mistake of saying it was okay with them, even though it was not.

My guess is the owner was actually angry with his son for letting a sale go, but misdirected his anger at me instead. I have never returned to the dealer.

I highly recommend Boulder Toyota. Go see Philo, tell him Nate sent you. If you can't remember Philo's name, just ask the front desk for the guy that consistently sells more cars than any other salesman, that's Philo. He'll make you happy.

Nate

 

Even though I didn't get my car from them, Ehrlich in Greeley was great...easy to deal with, kept me inform of when my car might be in, and promptly returned my deposit when I got the car somewhere else.

Mountain States was also pretty easy to deal with (I got my car from them). The only thing that really annoyed me was when the guy in the parts department told me "yeah, and we're the only dealer selling these for MSRP." I politely told him "no, you're not."

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vegemann @ Sep 18 2006, 11:24 AM) [snapback]321205[/snapback]</div>

It is illegal in the State of Colorado to keep a deposit for no goods delivered or services rendered. (Boulder Toyota told me that, I confirmed it when I ordered my Motorcycle over at High-Country Harley).

Philo at Boulder Toyota got me a better package, and met a list of extras I wanted, like a bunch of parts at cost, installation of my TPMS for free, activation of my GBS for free, an updated NAV disc, free paint/ fabric warranty, activation of a third smart key for free, and no dealer handling/ markup. Overall, the guys at Boulder Toyota just treated me right, and Philo is the guy to go see.

I would really like to buy the Longmont Dealership, but I don't think they will sell it, especially if they hear it's me who would like to buy it! The dealership continues to have low selling volume even though the next nearest dealer is Greeley and then Cheyenne, despite Longmont's growth continuing to explode. I'm sure Toyota would like to see higher sales, but they can't force a dealership to be sold.

The really strange part about the whole Longmont Toyota issue was that despite even going back to discuss the incedent with the owner, I couldn't understand what he was upset about. He is extremely angry about the whole Prius/ ordering situation because he has to deal with eager customers because they want the car so bad they are willing to wait for it or shop around for sooner delivery.

The guy actually said to me, "How would you feel if there was a car out front, and you stopped in and said you would buy it, and then went home to think about it, but then I sold it to someone else?" I replied, "Well, if you called me on my cell phone, and asked me if I was certain I wanted the car because someone else was interested, and I replied no, I wasn't really interested and it was okay with me if you sold it to the other guy, then NO, I would not be upset."

The owner then replied, "But you just broke the deal. That wasn't the original agreement. That's not what was agreed upon." And I again reiterated, "Yes, but if we both talked again, and both agreed that it was okay not to go through with the deal, then why is that a problem?"

I then offered to BUY THE CAR ON THE SPOT. (Keep in mind this was back when the lists were 6 months EVERYWHERE, I could have flipped the car within a week for a few thousand $$). This was the next day, mind you. The owner then informed me that the car had been sold and gone within an hour of me calling in, due to the high demand and the waiting list and all.

So I said, "So you had no trouble selling the car, you didn't even have to store it on the lot overnight, yet you are upset with me."
He ended by stating that he respected me for coming to see him, but that we were just going to have to disagree on the appropriateness of my behavior.

Keep in mind that when I had called earlier, I had been extremely polite, and had specifically asked his son (the sales manager) "How would you feel if I cancelled the order?" His answer? "No problem. Just come on in for your deposit. I hope you keep us in mind for the future." I said, "because you'll sell the car to the next guy on the list before the day is out?" He said, "that's right!" I thanked him, and hung up; I didn't think there was a problem, but obviously his dad felt differently.

All in all, the whole thing gave me the creeps. Stick with Boulder Toyota, and go see Philo. You'll really like the guy, and like the dealership.

Nate

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Sep 20 2006, 12:02 PM) [snapback]322267[/snapback]</div>

I don't think this is true. A quick look at the Colorado Consumer Protection Act reveals nothing about this. If that was the case, any real estate contract clause where seller gets to keep earnest money if buyer doesn't close would be unenforceable.

 

Vege, this may sound weird, but I have no doubt Longmont Toyota would have given me a fair deal had I gone through with the purchase.

The owner's son, Brian, is great to work with, and seems like a reasonable guy. However, once his dad got involved, that's where the trouble started.

Maybe he'll hand the reigns to his kid soon (he was kind of old) but I doubt it since he seemed like a bit of a control freak.

Oh well.

Nate

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Sep 20 2006, 09:02 AM) [snapback]322267[/snapback]</div>

I put $ down on a Prius at Longmont Toyota, and their deposit paper work (which the buyer signs) states "NOT REFUNDABLE". Maybe illegal without consent, but if someone signs that, they have to know they've agreed to that. I don't LIKE that policy mind you, but I liked the treatment there enough to agree to it.

So far they've been the best to work with out of the three local Toyota dealerships I've bought from, and more professional than the others:

Greeley never even responded to my email.

John Elway _required_ that I buy some 400$ "security" device which consisted of a number engraved on the windows and some paperwork. I asked if I could *not* get that service, they said "no." This is akin to telling people they have to buy floor mats for hundreds of dollars.

Stevinson West told me "up to 12 months" to get a Prius, I told them that Boulder Toyota told me 2-4 months, and they said "well then go buy it in Boulder". Not very excited about making a sale...

Pedersen in FC sold me a new car with the wrong parts in it (no kidding). Neither they nor Toyota Corporate could explain this, but they did replace the wrong ones with *used* correct parts on my brand new car.

Boulder took too much time to get a straight answer out of, and I learned later from a friend of mine, that the guy I was dealing with pulled a bait and switch on him - I'm not going to risk having that happen to me.

Good (decent) dealers are hard to find. I was prepared to drive to New Mexico.