dealer talking down the Prius

A similar issue happened to me when I got my Prius back in 2007. The dealer that I was talking to and dealing with for about 2 weeks was closed the day I was able to convince my wife to come look at it (didn't realize that they weren't open on Sunday's). Since I had already convinced the wife to at least come look and test drive the Prius with me, I decided to drive 10 miles up the road to another Toyota dealership. We went in and I explained to the other dealership that I had been talking to the dealership up the road and I am ready to pull the trigger on the Prius but my wife has not yet looked at it or test driven it and I wanted her to test drive it before I follow through. After the test drive the salesman and the floor manager bent over backwards to keep us from going to the original dealership. Their first offer was for $1000 down and $300 month which my dad always told me you never ever take your first offer even if it is a good deal. When we were about to leave the floor manager came out of his booth and offered $500 down at $285 mo as he would give us $1000 for our 1991 Explorer that they originally didn't want to accept in a trade. Seemed like a great deal to me, but my wife was not happy with the color of the two on the lot knowing that the other dealer had the color choice we preferred and refused. We went to the original dealership the next day and I told them about the deal that I had on the table and they told me exact words "How do you like the Corolla, do you know that its actually a more practical car then the Prius"
Long story short I made a phone call and had a mag gray ordered and delivered within 10 days.

 

Was the Prius you had wanted at the original dealership been sold or they didn't want to sell it to you at the price you had been offered by the other dealership? Did you place your order with the other dealership?

 

I placed the order with the second dealership. The original dealership apparently did not want my business. I think they were looking more at profit margins. It is also interesting to note (maybe unrelated) that the first dealer is located in more of an upscale area while the second dealer is located in a neighborhood where probably at least 50% of Americans would probably feel uncomfortable being in.

 

Well, I asked because that was my point when I said that the salesman that the OP described might have been an idiot. In your case, by trying to sell you something else, he lost your business completely. Of course, I don't know whether the OP told the salesman that he preferred the Prius.

 

You can probably find other financing. But the main point is, which one do you like? Granted, $2K is not a small amount of money, but it doesn't matter how much cheaper something is if it's not what you want.

 

I would save that $2K in under 2 years driving a Prius instead of a Camry just in fuel. Then there is better resale, more sexy features and the versatile hatchback design.
I know what I'd buy if there was only a $2K price difference here.

You know the guy who sold me my Prius has my address and phone number, if he really wants to be my "pall" and not just sell me a car, should I expect a phone call or a card on my birthday? Been 2 years and I'm still waiting.

Brief story,
My dad wanted a Mazda 2. A mutual friend of mine and my dad, Mick, lined up a mate of his to sell dad a car.
My dad had moved recently so Mick didn't have dad's phone number or address.
Mick's mate, the car salesman rang me and asked if I had dad's mobile number.
I said no, because dad hasn't got a mobile phone, I was driving in the country and on the fringe of phone coverage so the conversation was difficult. I told him I would text him dad's home phone number at my next stop. The salesman was friendly to this point.
As he hung up I heard him say, d!ckhead.
He really wanted to be my friend.
Unfortunately I didn't tell dad about this until after he bought the car from this dirt-bag.
I'll never buy a car from City Mazda on Port Road near Adelaide after this. I doubt any of my 7 brothers and sisters will either or any of their friends.

Oh, my dad died when the car had 70km (yes, seventy kilometres) on it after only 2 weeks, the same salesman offered to buy the car back for $6,000 less than dad paid for the car, what a guy!!

 

Here's another story about how NOT to treat a customer.

I have purchased FIVE Toyota's previously from Libertyville (IL) Toyota---two Camry's, a RAV4, an MR2 Spyder and my 2005 Prius. I serviced each and every vehicle at that dealer on a regular scheduled basis.

About a year ago, I put my name on the "list" for a Prius IV with leather and no nav in Barcelona Red at the dealer. Each and every service appointment for my 2005 Prius, I checked about the status. Each time I was told I was in the top five waiting for a 2010 Prius.

When the Prius' were shipped, I called again. Once again, I was assured that my vehicle was coming shortly and that I must be pretty anxious.

After two weeks of the 2010 Prius shipments, I learned my cousin walked into Libertyville Toyota and purchased a Prius II off the lot. Fuming, I called my sales rep (Russ) again and asked him when MY Prius would be in. He said he would check and call me right back.

You know what? I am still waiting for that phone call.

So, that same day I surfed the internet for Chicago area Toyota dealers. Bredemann Toyota in Park Ridge, IL had the EXACT 2010 Prius IV Barcelona Red with leather and without NAV on their lot. I called and told them I would be in the next day, but of course I couldn't wait and went the same day and purchased the vehicle from them. Negotiations went rather "typically" but we came to an agreement.

One month later, I am still awaiting a response from Libertyville Toyota. Pity, since I "liked" the dealership and the proximity for service. But Russ is the worst salesperson alive (other extended family members have had similar experiences with him---never returns phone calls) and the GM Joe Gunther appears to be indifferent as well.

I can't wait to get the eventual phone call saying my "car" is in and waiting for me. I can get a lot of frustration and anger off my chest then.

And, they have now lost me as a service customer. Although it will take me about another 30 minutes or more to go to Bredemann, they "gave" me six oil changes and three half price coupons for tire rotations, among other service coupons and goodies.

So, kudos to Bredemann....and tough luck to Libertyville Toyota. I won't be returning in the future.

PS My wife will be ready for a new RAV4 in less than two years. I won't return to Libertyville Toyota to even consider purchasing the vehicle from them.

 

Follow up from my last post.

Libertyville Toyota called today. They talked to my wife (I was still at work) and they told her my car was in.

She kindly responded that I purchased the vehicle from another dealer over a month ago.

They not so kindly hung up the phone on her!

So, I purchased my Prius IV on June 12...on July 29 Libertyville Toyota called me to tell me my car came in. No follow up call from my call on June 11 telling me if/when/how/where my car was.

This dealer ranks NO STARS from me...and from a dedicated long time customer. No follow up or information about my Prius IV....shame on them.

Pity I wasn't home. I was prepared to give them a piece of my mind. I still may talk to the general manager and express my anger and disappointment how I was treated.

Anyone think I should discuss this with them? Or do you think it would be just a waste of time on my part?

 

You should discuss it with them if:

A - The rant would make you feel better.
B - You are a very charitable person and you feel your time is well spent educating them on how to be better at their jobs... of course knowing full well that it will be rather like flagellating a deceased equine.

I can't think of any other good reasons to waste your time with them, so if neither of those two ring true, shrug them off, move on, and enjoy your new car!

 

Agreed. Yes it's a pity you weren't there but what you should have done when they called was to act all excited and tell them you'd be right over to buy the car. Then just not show up. Then give them your rant when they called to find out when you're coming.

 

I would write a letter to the main guy there (the GM?), the head of sales and the head of service. Outline how much you spend there annually in the service department to show them how much business they are losing because of the way you were treated. Also tell them how they lost you on the sale of the Prius and every other Toyota you will be replacing in the future.

May as well send the letter to Toyota Corporate as well.

 

Yeah, I'd say calling him an idiot is inaccurate... he's a douchebag.