Toyota Dealers are Killing the Golden Goose

Many also report a drop in mileage which can be caused by excessive charging of the 12 volt battery. Notating the level Of your traction battery when shutting down at night then checking it the next morning to see is if the SOC had changed.

1 thing to add, i've had to jump by various priuses 4 * so far. 3 * were User error The 1 and only time on my 2010 I still haven't figured out why. That was several months ago And have not had Any issue since then

 

You are 100% correct about the ignorance and misinformation out there. A lot of it comes from car dealers too. In fact, a couple of salespersons at the dealership (non-Toyota) we bought the Prius from were questioning whether my wife and I would like the Prius as it was "different" as to steering and handling along with many "quirks". Yes, the electric steering is kind of vague, but I've had other vehicles with electric power steering, so nothing new there. Yes, the Pruis is no sports car, but it handles just fine for routine maneuvers. Plus, the traction control and stability are bonuses, which the car we traded in did not have. As far as the quirks, I think they were talking about the starting process,the gear shift, funny noises, etc. I think if they would drive one they would see the Prius is no different that any other car once they get used to it.

 

I was out of town and missed the last couple responses that pertained to my posts, don't want to drag it up again, but I will say this.

I have worked directly with dozens of car dealers when I was consulting with them, and I have had mostly personally positive experiences with them in my own sales and servicing experience. The prejudice that "all car dealers are liars, most are not honest or trustworthy" is just that, a prejudice and just like any other prejudice isn't reality. I'm a Real Estate Agent, a profession that people also think of as dishonest and greedy and I can tell you that some of the most honest, trustworthy people I have ever met in my life have been in my industry. I've seen people 3 weeks away from missing mortgage payments tell people not to buy a specific house.

Its unfortunate that the popular mentality is that everybody's a crook, and it colors your experiences when you do walk into a dealer. Its hard for a dealership to impress you with how honest they are when you don't trust a word they say whether they are honest or not. You have already made up your mind about them before you ever walk in the door...so its an impossible task to impress you.

Try expecting the dealer to be honest and treating them how you would treat someone you wanted to be having an interaction with and see if it changes your viewpoint. If you expect to find only dishonest crooks...thats what you'll find.

 

sorry, really didn't mean to offend. all i can go by are my personal experiences. car dealers, real estate agents, doctors, lawyers, accountants, plumbers, electricians, carpenters. they have all disappointed in one way or another. maybe i'm asking for too much. i suppose it's human nature. as for car dealers, i would like to just once, go in and get a price and be able to say " i'll think about it" without them saying "what do i have to do to put you in this car today?" as for service, how about knowing something about the vehicle you service. especially hybrids. why should i have to educate them. why can't the dealer at least print a separate service schedule from the non hybrid vehicles? maybe it's just me, but i find it frustrating. and i do see that there are some people here who go in and talk to the hybrid specialist and they listen and do what the customer wants. i envy them!

 

Consumer disatisfaction Is a phenomena that is increasing. Technology has not only increased performance it has also increased customer expectations. In many cases those expectations are unrealistic.

The prius unintended exceleration depacco Is a prime example of that. When all was said and done it was primarily determined that nither the car or the design was at fault

 

Consumer disatisfaction Is a phenomena that is increasing. Technology has not only increased performance it has also increased customer expectations. In many cases those expectations are unrealistic.

The prius unintended exceleration depacco Is a prime example of that. When all was said and done it was primarily determined that nither the car or the design was at fault

 

I agree, we seem to expect brewed tasting instant coffee, immediate technological solutions, and even 12 month USA economy solutions. All of this without too much sacrifice or effort. Businesses are caught up in it as well as consumers.
Ted Turner may be to blame with his 24 hour news venture
Oh well, the microwave is calling.

 

Ronald Reagen said "Trust but Verify". That's how I start off with a car dealer, unfortunately the majority of them end up at a lower status after a visit or two. Partly because of dishonesty, more often because of simple incompetence, things like not getting tire pressure right, getting the oil level wrong, using the wrong oil "forgetting" to change filter, running lug-nut on so hard with an impact wrench that you can't remove them with the tire changing tools that came with the car, etc. If you don't want to be disappointed, don't check the average dealers work too closely.

We also need a definition for honest.

By my standards, when you go in for an xx,xxxx mile service and the service manager writes you up to get for extra services without telling you that they are in addition to what the manufacturer recommends, he is being dis-honest. Some dealer supporters would say that's the dealers God given right to extract as much money from the customer as they can without breaking the law. Caveat Emptor.

I go in receptive to the idea that the dealer may be honest and competent and am occasionally surprised to find one that is.

 

As with many fields, the few bad eggs spoil it for the rest. Just like with lawyers, where 99.8% ruin it for the 0.2% that are honest and good.

Tom

 

You didn't, not to worry.

Have you ever been dependent on 100% commission to feed your family?

Thats sales. When you walk out of the door the chances of him selling you a car drops to maybe 1-2%. If people had any loyalty to those who give good service then what you want would work, but they don't generally. I can tell you from first hand experience, it is HARD living on 100% commission.

Plus, when it comes to sales professionals, car salespeople are not the cream of the crop...or they wouldn't be selling cars. All the "sales-whiz" trainings tell them "A-B-C, Always Be Closing". Close the prospect before they walk out the door.

All they are asking you is "Is there anything I can do to sell you a car today?" Just say no if there really isn't, if there is...tell them so, even if its crazy.

You'll notice as you get more expensive in the car scale, say a Lexus, BMW or higher, the salespeople will let you leave without trying a hard pressure close. This is because:

1. The buyer is more businesslike, and thus has higher loyalty to someone who gives them good service.

2. They are more experienced

3. Generally, they make more money per sale and each individual sale isn't as important.

Its simply a question of training and drive. Like I explained before, you aren't dealing with someone who makes $250,000 a year and knows everything about their product, or someone who is committed to you for business forever. The service writer is often one step up from someone who works at Best Buy.

Your Hybrid is special to you and you would like to think that the guy would know all the things we do, but he doesn't care. He makes $45,000 a year tops slinging fuel induction services.

You'll find that gets better in higher end dealers too...

And 99% of the consumers don't. If you even know what kind of oil the car is supposed to use you know more than the vast majority of consumers.

You'll be much happier using a small independent mechanic that will give you and the vehicle the individual attention you're looking for.

If the dealer is writing you up for services that you haven't requested, thats dishonest.

I've never had that happen at a dealer...ever. In fact I took the Lexus in to the local Lexus dealer for the free 1,000 mile check, and had them change the oil early at my expense...and the service writer politely tried to dissuade me and told me it wasn't neccisary. I said that I was picky and wanted it done anyways but appreciated her input, she asked again "Are you sure?" and wrote it up. Pretty honest to me.

LOL!

 

Yes, this is funny. Imagine, a dealer writing, or attempting, to sell you a service you don't need. "Never had that happen at a dealer," means you have lived a charmed life.

Here's what happened with my mom and her "free oil change." They changed the oil all right, then somberly called her to the office. They told her the brakes were shot, in fact the car was unsafe to drive and would need them fixed IMMEDIATELY. The price of course would be several hundred dollars. I was away at college and she called me crying. She said that she couldn't believe it. I told her I couldn't believe it either, especially since I had just fixed the brakes a few months earlier with all new parts (except just had the drums turned). I asked her if the car stopped when she pulled into the dealership, or was it sitting in their showroom after crashing through their window. She said there was no problem stopping it. I told her to just drive it away, there was no problem with it. And she did. And there were never any problems with the brakes in the future either.

Just something that "happened" at the dealer? An "honest mistake?" Or did they figure they could fleece an older lady? Hmmmm, I wonder. Any opinions?

 

My sister Is a service writer for the ford dealership in lakewood washington. She gets a base salary plus commission. Her salary paid twice a month. Commission paid once a month. The taxes on her commission Usually adds up to about half her 2nd salary check.
But she still makes Very good money It's primarily based on repeat customers who simply will not deal with anyone else at the dealership but her. But that is besides the point

In my job which is basically level 1 tech support, the requirements have changed dramatically over the past 2 years. I now have to make sure I present any possible upsells or promotional offers they qualify for. My failure to do so, directly impacts my rate of pay. This is not What i was hired 4 and i am not happy about it but this is typically where companies server sector are heading.

Earlier this summer we disconnected our cable. Since then we have had dozens of offers to reconnect service including the tech who disconnected our service. He said straight out he was uncomfortable" pitching" but was" required for his job as a technician

 

Sounds to me like Mom is lucky to have a DIY son.:rockon:

 

All this about the good, the bad, etc. about Prius and Toyota prompts the following:

My '05 Prius was hit a month or so ago by a cell-phoner who ran a stop sign (no injuries and what, to me, appeared to be minor damage). World Toyota and USAA decided it was a total loss. As I left the dealer's repair facility I stopped in the new car show room and talked with a sales person about a replacement. My ride was waiting, so I gave him my e-mail address and asked him to let me know what the dealership’s best price was on the model Prius we had been discussing. No response. I guess THAT sales person was not on commission (?) or the dealership was not much interested in selling me another new Prius. I do have a replacement, but not from that dealership, not a Prius, and not by Toyota. They lost both my new car and repair business. So it goes . . .

 

I take it you've never been within five miles of a dealer...ever.

 

I'm sorry you lost out on a new Prius.
If I were the owner of that Toyota dealership I'd really appreciate communication from you on the situation. Management might not change things but they certainly can't without knowledge. We need to give management a chance to improve. I recently experienced a frustration with my dealer and through a lucky contact with the owner my concerns were addressed very promptly and with what I felt was true appreciation. :cheer2:

 

www.batteriesareus.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10423

I installed this in my 2010, nearly double the Ah for more capacity for my inverter, laptop, cell phone, and amps and subs Im going to add - and DOESNT need to be vented, wont leak or corrode and will last 7-10 years, and draining it is difficult but want hurt it. Yes, I changed the battery terminals and made a couple of adjustments - and its less than Optima and more capacity!

 

No, they tried to take advantage of your mother.

I also was held up at gunpoint one time by a black male. Does that mean all black males are robbers and theives? No. Many people think so though.

Maybe he lost your email address. Maybe he was just not a very good salesman. Maybe he was having a bad day...ever have one of those?

Like I said before, I have done business with dozens of car dealers both as a consultant and as a consumer. No, I honestly have never been ripped off by a car dealer. If I get a bad feeling at a dealer...I go somewhere else. I've dealt with car dealers that I felt were dishonest, and I chose to deal with them no longer. The ones I know that are honest and do a good job...I continue to patronize.

I treat dealership employees with respect, and they know when they deal with me that I'm looking for a long term relationship and if they do right by me I will be back. Honestly...I've always had excellent service from car dealers. I had an old Explorer that my mother still has...the same service writer at the same dealer has taken care of it for 15 years. She always wants to do stuff to it...he talks her out of it.

I'd used Lexus of Rockville for years until my service writer left to go to a Jaguar dealer when I found my independent mechanic. I was back last month for the first time in years for my free 1,000 mile check on the new Lexus, even though my guy was gone I got excellent service from the woman who helped me. I'd have it serviced there with no hesitation at all, if it weren't for the cost.