A Sad Tale of a Man and His Prius

I'm so sorry you went through such an ordeal and at the end, couldn't get your car. Something tells me this will serve as sermon fodder someday, though!

Seriously, you might contact Toyota Customer Service again and let them know the outcome. You were treated shamefully.

Susan

 

Why don't you try another dealership in your state. Order one for yourself (color, package etc).

 

In spite of the many success stories (otherwise there'd be no regulars here) there are plenty of stories I've read that are even more painful than yours, but people manage to pull through If you have your heart set on the Prius, there are ways to make it happen. I got mine in less than 2 weeks, but I guess my method is not for you, as making a deal with the devil is probably against your beliefs or something ha ha!

Being disappointed by a dealership is about as uncommon as getting wet in the rain. At least you didn't pick it up and then total it in a wreck on the way home from the dealer!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Michgal007 @ Sep 12 2006, 08:33 AM) [snapback]318234[/snapback]</div>

Yes. Definitely try another dealer. I would also send a letter of complaint to the dealership and to Toyota. I might even lose my religion for the letter writing session.

 

aw, that sucks. you know, there are a lot of other dealers out there who may not be so unscrupulous in dealing with you. i don't know if you're in college or grad school, but i don't know anyone who could afford a new car in college and very few who can afford a new car in grad school. i know that's not fantastic consolation, but it's the truth.

remember, there are more important things than a car out there. i'd trade everything, including the prius, (but not including the husband!) to know that my possible major health issue is not an issue at all.

 

sorry to hear about your experiences. i just picked up my Prius, first choice on color and package. didnt do a trade or finance so didnt have to do those hoops (my credit sucks, would have been killed anyway)

The supply problems for the Prius is its only real downfall. albeit, your situation is a bit different, but not much. a plentiful supply probably would have never caused the first car to be sold out from under you. my dad for one bought a Camry because he couldnt wait for a Prius. also know a handful of others that also could not wait. as it is, i was lucky to get mine in 18 days. (buyer dropped out at the last minute) estimated time at order was 8-12 weeks.

i laughed in derision when reading the Forbes list of "2006 Most Popular Cars" list especially when the Ford F 150 (#1 with a DECLINE of 17% over the previous year YTD thru August) and the Dodge Dakota (#2 with decline of 21%) are top dogs. apparently their definition of most popular aint the same as mine.


i would also shop around, i am lucky in that i have dealt with the same salesman and dealership for years. dont give up on the Prius because of one rogue dealership

 

I can definitely feel for you. We were *this* close to closing the deal on a Prius a few months back, but the dealer would not budge on our trade-in. It was around a $400 difference between us (and, for the record, I would have settled for $200), and the dealer let me walk. He knew he had a line of people that would buy it on the spot. What's even better is that we had put a deposit down on the car, and when we got there the salesman was showing the car to someone else! Amazing.

Hopefully the happy ending will come at the end of this month when our new Prius is supposed to be coming in. Don't forget there are always more Prii out there, keep searching and communicating with local and regional dealers. Keep hope alive!

 

That is a sad tale. Toyota may have built a better car, but they've got a lot of improvements still to make on their salespeople. I hope you find what you're looking for, and have a better experience when you do.

If you happen to be interested in a custom licence plate, may I suggest 'priust'?

 

How sad...so sorry this happened to you....

I am a firm believer in follow-up on these events....I sent the good news of my experiences to Toyota Customer Relations....and I send the stories like this as well....

I would definitely file a full report on this though....

and....saying a little prayer that you get your Prius one day.

I ordered mine in April and was told August or September and then got it July 17th....I waited....it was well worth it...and I paid the price I wanted to pay.

Best to you and again, so sorry....these things can be quite upsetting.

terri

 

Sorry about that bad dealer.

Try fleet sales. Send emails to all the dealers that are in your area. I sent lots of emails out and wound up narrowing it down to three good dealers. Then it became all about who could meet my needs first.

You can do this via the Toyota web-site. After you build your Prius you can request quotes from several dealers. You can give your email and/or your phone number to be contacted.

If you try several dealers, you may be able to find a good one. Don't be shy about letting them know that other dealers are seeking your business. This may give you a little leverage.

Best regards,
NoSpam

 

What a horribly sad story, but . . . how well you wrote it!

I agree with everyone else who has said that you were treated shamelessly - that first car should have been yours. The second time around, they should have honored your first agreement.

Please do contact Toyota and relate the events to them - actually, a copy of what was posted here would do, especially if the names of the actual people involved were added! We were very lucky in being able to see a car, drive the car, buy the car . . . all in the same afternoon. Most people aren't that lucky, as I'm sure you know - but it is possible.

I suspect if you contact Toyota, and then do as was suggested about contacting multiple dealers, you might still find your dream car. I hope so. I think you deserve it, after all this (and I like the name "Priust", too). I hope you'll take action instead of just being miserable - it really does help one to feel better to do something about a bad situation rather than just accepting it (and continuing to hate the car you drive). If it makes any difference to you financially, if you can take delivery by 30 Sept., you'd qualify for the entire tax credit, just over $3,000.

 

An afterthought...the day after I called Customer Relations to file a
"report" on how well specific people treated me at sales and service at Stevens Toyota in Huntington, New York, I got a call from Larry at service thanking me for taking the time to call and file my comments....

So...everyone I mentioned heard from Customer Relations the next day...
I think there is a thread here linking all the important Toyota numbers and links...but Customer Experience number I have is

1 800 331-4331...they will take your information and give you a case number while they follow-up. Well worth doing, IMHO.

terri

 

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

For all others reading this and looking for a Prius, please recognize that there are a few really shady Toyota dealers out there. I ran accross one myself when I bought mine. But, on the other hand, I found two that could not have been better. So don't worry about beating a hasty retreat if you start getting hassled. The Prius is all that Toyota promises and more - but not worth groveling to get.

Cheers

Mark

 

Count me as another one sending sympathy your way. Similar experience happened to me with Toyota in Marin COunty, CA. FInally, after the third try and getting the price raised, trade in lowered, and cars sold right out from under me, I searched for a new dealer. I am very happy with the final dealer...Freeman Toyota in Santa Rosa, CA. I have related my experiences to very many potential buyers and have steered them away from the Marin dealer and to the Santa Rosa dealer. It's a matter of "he who laughs last, laughs best" and in the world of sales the best laugh is a sale made AND customer goodwill.

 

Wow... I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal.

I just had a great buying experience 3 weeks ago from a dealer in Baltimore. Even got $1200 off of the sticker, to boot! PM me and I'll give you the details.

Golly, I hope we aren't talking about the same dealer.

 

What an unfortunate experience.

All Dealers are not that way. I, too, encourage you to try another dealer. Just last week I came within about $700 of tradeing my 2004 Prius for a 2006, hoping to take advantage of the $3,150 IRS tax credit and get updated on a few features. My dealer's used car manager would not budge on his offer, nor would the new car manager budge on MSRP, so I walked. I think 8% to 10% used car profit is fair on my trade at MSRP for the 2006 with no "dealer premiums" added. The used car manager was apparently wanting about 15% profit on the trade.

I am currently negotiating with another Dallas TX area dealer online... but really don't expect to make a deal. Seems Dealers would be pleased to sell the last of the 2006's when we're within about 6 weeks of the 2007's arrival. There's a $450 increase in the 2007 base price but it does include some things not included in the 2006 base price.

Perhaps you should put out some "feelers" on the internet.

 

ITA with what others have suggested regarding finding another dealer. There are plenty of honest dealers out there, and you can do a search on there or even start up a thread asking about reputable dealers in your area that other PCers would recommend. Also I would suggest going a route other than Toyota Financial for your financing needs...I found that the rate they quoted me was several percentage points higher than the good rate I got at Capital 1 via Costco.

 

No flame intended but why don't you folks research how to handle car sales people before you walk in? There is a ton of info on the net about this. Consumerreports.org has articles on it. I'm the odd man out in that I enjoy the game -- but I know how to play it well from years of experience buying a variety of vehicles. I have several friends in the car business -- from sales associates to dealership owners who are great honest folks -- but let me tell you 90% of the sales people you will encounter are SHARKS and they are well honed at what they do. How prepared are you? They do this every day and know all the tricks. How prepared are you? They are not there to do you any favors? How prepared are you? If you can't take the heat, get a friend who's been around the block to go with you or represent you for the initial part of the process. You gotta be hard nosed and be prepared to walk at ANY point if things deviate significantly from your PRE-PREPARED plan. It's like combat. Remember that most of the people who brag about their great or "fair" deal actually got hosed and don't even know it. Sad.