Well...How I almost had a new hybrid Toyota Camry ...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

A couple of months ago, I ordered a hybrid Toyota Camry from my local dealer...

We'd gone over what features I wanted, and I plunked down a sizable chunk of change......

BTW, they informed me that there would be a THREE THOUSAND DOLLAR PREMIUM on the car....And every dealer was doing this!

Well, Saturday, the salesman called: "Your car is here! When can you come by?"

OK...so me and my husband went to pick up said car. We walked out into the back lot......

And what a sight met our eyes.....

Wrong color.....

Wrong material on seats....I did NOT ask for leather!

Wrong style on roof (no way do I want a moon-roof!)

And....well, you get the idea!


Sooooo...upon questioning, the salesman admitted that THIS was not the car I'd ordered, but the car someone else had......And they hadn't reached him yet!

So we informed him that this was unacceptable, and we left....

When we got home, my husband connected with another dealer...

And surprise, surprise....NO PREMIUM! He ordered another car from them...

Tomorrow I will talk to my soon-to-be unhappy salesman....

I WILL get my money back unless he removes the premium.....

ARGH! :nuke: :grr: :nuke:

Wish me luck!

[SeattleGirl]

1. Pretty blatant bait and switch there, it seems to me.

The least he could have done was TELL you on the phone that it was a different car, but apparently he is too shady to be up front.

Give 'em hell, Peggy! :grr:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear SeattleGirl!

How I agree! YOu can be sure he will not be happy to see his fat commission walking away.....

Unless I get that 3K removed....and in writing!

I don't mind waiting for the right car!

Oh well......

Good to see you tonight! :loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[SeattleGirl]

12. Good to see you too, Peg

Let us know what happens, okay? I want to know how far down the block you kicked that salesperson's sorry ass!

:rofl:


:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. I will certainly follow up!

I expect to be chilly and polite.......I can do it when I put my mind to it!

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[LostinVA]

35. Just try not to go all crazy and cuss him out

Because, once you start having a naughty tongue, it can take you over... I know!

Bit... do go all UPPITY on his butt!

[LeftyMom]

3. Did you sign anything when you put the money down?

Seems more than a little shady to me that they'd take a deposit and then try to change the price on you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Oh yes, my dear LeftyMom.....

I have a receipt!

And they did tell me when I made the deposit that there would be the 3K premium.....

I did know about that......and I believed the salesman when he told me that ALL the dealers were doing it.....

Alas....

So that much was on the up-and-up......

But trying to sell me the car I didn't want upset me!

And my husband resented the 3K.....

[LeftyMom]

7. If I recall correctly you had one fo the first (if not the first) order

hybrid Camry orders at this dealer. There's no reason they shouldn't be able to get you the car you want if you're willing to wait, and they certainly shouldn't be trying to stick you with somebody else's canceled order.

I heard of people going to dealers out in the middle of nowhere when the Prius first came out in order to get one without a huge markup, perhaps a few phone calls or email inquiries to out of the way Toyota dealerships would help you get a better deal from people who will treat thier customer better?

Sorry you're going through this, I know you've eagerly anticipated that car for some time now. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear LeftyMom.......

I don't mind waiting actually......

And yes, I was the very first person to sign up for one.....

And indeed, my husband did some research when we got home...

And now I'm on another list for another dealer nearby!

A dealer who treats his customers much more reasonably!

So whichever car comes in first (presuming that my local dealer removes the 3K premium) will be the car we buy......

If my local dealer won't remove the premium, then it's bye-bye to him!

[Haole Girl]

4. My Grandfather used to say...

"They don't call 'em dealers for nothin'"

He was a wise man.

Toyota's are great cars, though. Hope you get the one you want soon! (They're worth the wait):)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear KC2!

Indeed your grandfather was a wise man!

Yes, I agree about Toyotas....we've driven nothing else since 1980!

I will get the car I want....just when is the question!

They are indeed worth the wait......:hi:

[Floogeldy]

8. Did you sign any documents while ordering?

Never. Ever. Never. Ever.

I'm sorry.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. You know, my dear Floog......

I don't remember if I signed anything when I made the deposit.....

But I do have my receipt......

I think it will all work out...

But what do I know?

I might need a good lawyer!

;)

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. You GO, CP!

And F* Bomb him if given the chance :evilgrin:

Really sorry this happened to you. I would call the manager/owner of that dealership, and email the president of Toyota about it. A;ways told my son...Bad behavior is no secret.

Go get him and get him good, CP! :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. My dear Whoa_Nelly!

Thanks, sweetie!

I'm sure everything this fellow did to me was in the rule book.....

I think it will work out OK, and without the need for *F* Bombs!

I want to keep to the high road......

:loveya: :hug:

[XemaSab]

15. Toyota dealers are crooks

And I need to go kick some ass over my Toyota... the stripping around the front window is coming out. :grr:

(And this is FAR from being the only problem)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. My dear Xema......

I'm so sorry to hear that you're having problems with your car......

We've been fortunate in that ours have done well....

I believe that MOST car dealers are crooks!

You just have to be ready for them..... :shrug:

[barb162]

21. I agree; they are just as bad, if not worse, than American dealers

all the same damn tricks! Why they have such a good rep is beyond me

[XemaSab]

24. I've dealt with 2 toyota dealers and 2 honda dealers

and the toyota dealers go for the hard sell, while the honda dealers are laid back enough to let you decide for yourself whether you like the car.

Also, I have a toyota and while the engine is good, the body is a giant piece of shit.... EVERYTHING has fallen apart on it...

There is almost NO original plastic left on the interior, all the window stripping is falling off, the sun visor has fallen off, the door handle is falling off... it's appalling. :(

[barb162]

27. honda and toy

here too. I thought the toy dealers were way worse but the honda dealers were no great shakes either. The visor fell off? I never heard of that happening on any car before. Sounds like they are cars to get rid of early.

[mduffy31]

28. We have that problem here in salt country

During the winter when we have to salt the roads here in MN Toyotas tend to rust more.

[Robeson]

16. Sorry to hear it Peg....

...if they keep jerking you around, go with the Honda hybrid. I've always had luck with Hondas.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. Ah, my dear Robeson!

Thank you, sweetie! I'm OK, really.....:hug:

I think that we'll be able to fix this situation without too much trouble...

We've always enjoyed our Toyotas....at least, after we got away from the dealers! :hi:

[Robeson]

19. I've always heard good things about Toyotas....

...but, unfortunately, they sound like a typical car dealership...:-(

[barb162]

22. Several around here are exactly the same as the very worst

American dealers. Premiums on the cars, trying to dump something on you you didn't order, just like Peggy's story.

[barb162]

20. This happened to me a long time ago

I can't believe dealers still do this! There are way more consumer protection laws now than there were then. Are you going to call the state (attorney general?)tomorrow and complain what this dealer tried to pull on you? Oh this makes me mad.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. Well, you know, it hadn't occured to me......

I think we were prepared to handle whatever he had to tell us....

And we're not letting him get away with anything!

I WILL get the car I want, with the options I want too....

We've bought new cars before, and we're used to these tactics.....

I think the problems happen when people get taken unawares....

Thanks for your support!

[barb162]

25. I think what happens a lot too is when people really need a car

fast and those tactics work very well then. And they just keep getting away with the same "fraudulent" tactics. What other seller would call you in and say your order is ready when they knew it was clearly the wrong one? I can't really think of any. It seems auto dealers are the only sellers that get away with this on a regular basis. ARGGGHHHH

[BikeWriter]

26. If they aren't forthcoming with a refund, get a lawyer!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

37. My dear BikeWriter!

I am quite sure they will be.....

But I won't ask for one unless they refuse to remove the 3K "premium" that they are adding onto the retail price for the car......

If they remove that, then I won't need my money back!

I thank you for your support, my dear!

:loveya: :hug:

[billyskank]

29. What a bag of arse

:nuke:

to that Toyota dealer.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

38. Blessings on you, my dear billyskank......

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[yvr girl]

30. You should let Toyota know about this dealership

I'm sure they wouldn't be pleased.

Why don't you want a moon roof?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

39. My dear yvr girl!

I suspect that these tactics are "normal"......

I don't like moon roofs since they tend to lower the headroom in the car....

And they are prone to leaks......And they add to the cost!

That's why.....



:hug:

[wildhorses]

31. sorry to hear that..Iknow how much you have been

looking forward to the car
:hug:














you know I was just teasing about the effing orgy, right?:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

40. My dear wildhorses........

Thanks sweetie! I know that one of these days, there will be a new car in my driveway...

I can wait, really I can!








Yeah, I knew you were kidding! I'm getting wise to you! :loveya: :hug:

[Mutley]

32. Good luck, Peggy.

What a jerk that guy is! :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

42. I thank you, my dear mutley!

Right now, you should be wishing luck to the salesman!

I'm in full "Peg the Conquerer" mode! :nuke:



:loveya: :hug:

[KitchenWitch]

33. I am guessing he wanted to close the sale before month end

That is just shitty!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

43. My dear KitchenWitch!

You know, I hadn't thought of that!

But I'll bet you're right.......

TOO BAD for him, then!

:woohoo:

Thanks, sweetie! :hug:

[radwriter0555]

34. Lemme Guess: Miller Toyota, Culver City?

:D

[CaliforniaPeggy]

44. My dear radwriter0555!

Actually no......this is a fairly new dealership, here in Manhattan Beach...

Manhattan Toyota.......It is very convenient to us!

But maybe not for much longer!

:hi:

[radwriter0555]

49. well DON'T go to miller toyota either.... They SUCK.

Good luck. Don't let the freaks jerk you around. Demand to speak with the manager.

[malta blue]

36. Good luck Peggy...

Your hybrid crossed my mind the other day when a local dealer was advertising them in stock.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

45. Thank you so much, my dear malta blue!

I'm sure everything will work out OK!

A local dealer had them in stock? Wow......

Here, they're getting them in ONE AT A TIME!

Lucky you!

:hi:

[malta blue]

51. Go get em...

I am not so lucky as to be in a position to get a new car right now, but I promised myself when the 2008 election is over, I will have to get a new one to replace the anti bush mobile I currently drive. It has 135k miles on it now, so by then it will be time. Plus, maybe it won't be so hard to get a hybrid in a couple of years....
:hug:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

41. Drop some F-Bombs on his ass CaliPeg!!

:hi: :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

46. Thanks, my dear Vash!

That probably won't be necessary!

But believe me, if I need to, I WILL! :nuke:


:loveya: :hug:

[auntAgonist]

47. that is just totally bad business.

I'm sorry Peggy, I hope you have much success in your quest to find the car you want!

aA
:loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

48. My dear auntAgonist!

I thank you so much!

You know that I will prevail! Just wait and see.....

When I'm in "Peg the conquerer" mode, they don't stand a chance!

:loveya: back atcha!

[Taverner]

50. The Secret to getting the Hybrid you want...

I got my Prius this way.

All of the Bay Area Toyota dealers were charging unethical premiums and not denying that fact.

So I thought about it and started calling dealers in "red" areas of California. Roseville, Folsom, Fresno, Bakersfield...you get the picture.

All of them had Priuses on the lot, in the package we wanted with NO premium.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

52. My dear Taverner!

Ah yes, this is a very good idea.....

Yesterday, my husband got in touch with a Toyota dealer nearby....

THEY aren't charging any premiums, and so he ordered a car from them...

And so .......we will get the Camry hybrid from them if the local place doesn't drop the premium they want to charge us.....

Nobody has any cars on the lot now. They are coming in very slowly from Japan.

So we'll wait.....

:hi: