Call Toyota they are encouraging us to

[AnIndependentTexan]

posted at Kerry/Edwards forum

http://forum.johnkerry.com/index.php?showtopic=92825&st=45

I called Toyota and registered a complaint. Interestingly, the gentleman that I talked to said that he completely agreed with me and that he would make sure that my complaint went to the right place. Before I hung up, he intimated that he had filed his own complaint!! He also said that he had not had as many calls today as he had hoped for.

Please call 1 800 331-4331 if you have not done so. Tell them that you want their advertising buyer to call Sinclair.

[Lorien]

1. kick

[Vincardog]

10. Call tell them you will buy but not Toyota or Ford and you are pissed.

It is working Keep it up

[Emboldened Chimp]

2. kick

[tishaLA]

3. Yes please call

I just called and the woman with whom I spoke said she'd only received a couple calls about this. She was very nice and took my comments seriously.

We need to get to work.

[shawmut]

4. kick

:kick:

[RedEarth]

5. I just called....the person I spoke to mentioned this was the first phone

call she had received.......folks....let's not only call Toyota, but also the rest of the advertisers.

[crispini]

6. Done!

They were very nice. And, since I am thinking about buying a Prius, it's good to communicate with them.

[ClassWarrior]

7. done & kicked!

:kick: 24.

[sandnsea]

8. It's working

I had the lady read me a prepared statement. So they're hearing from us. They're trying to equate it to the 60 minutes anti-Bush piece. This "documentary" was prepared by the Swiftboats, a 527. It is not connected to any news dept, it is not like Howard Stern either. It's attempting to manipulate a Presidential campaign and is illegal and immoral. That was my response and I told her I wanted her to make sure my complaint stated that clearly. We'll see.

[crispini]

16. Oh, that's bullsh*t

No network news department has done this. No legit news org. has done this. This is a holding company for a bunch of stations, ORDERING their affiliates to pre-empt regular programming to air a so-called documentary that has already been debunked. What BS!

[sandnsea]

31. Don't tell me

Did you call Toyota? Tell them, that's the only way we'll beat 'em back.

[Nana]

9. Yes, call..

now..I did and they are saying they are going to take steps..and in no uncertain terms..to let Sinclair know..they are getting lots of calls now. Very nice people, but do call.

[Arugula Latte]

11. done eom

[demzilla]

12. Just called in and

the customer service guy will forward it to the management, which he says wants to hear if there is a problem with any Toyota ads or promotions appearing in a place that is "not credible."

He also gave me a "case number" which you should get -- you can call back later on and this allows you to track what they've done with your complaint.

BTW, I've got a 2004 Prius and it may not hurt to mention you're a Toyota customer if you are one.

[juajen]

13. I will do all of my calliing tomorrow. I just now got the list

Go get 'em DU!

:kick: :kick:

[goddess40]

17. Toyota user

This is Goddess40'2 mom. I just called Toyota and talked with Shelton. Told them I was on my fourth Toyota and my daughter has a Prius and my son-in-law has one on order. This is all true. He took all my information. I told him this was not fair to show it so close to the election. He said Toyota bought this time months ago and had no idea Sinclair was going to show this. I said that may be but Toyota puts a lot of money in their ads and thus has a lot of clout with Sinclair. He agreed and said he would pass this to upper management.

[BUSHOUT]

14. called.

Also called IAMS (1-800-675-3849) petfood company.

they're aware of the situation and will give a response along the lines of "we don't support any political position, we're neutral"
I let her know that by supporting Sinclair at this time, they are no longer considered neutral.
I'm switching dogfoods.

Toyota told me they purchase ad time well in advance and dont' control which programming is on. I told them if Toyota ads are on these Sinclair affiliates in the run up to this program, I will be boycotting Toyota for life.
He made a case number and will pass it on to management.

[BUSHOUT]

15. BTW, Kerry/Edwards aren't encouraging us to, a citizen on the forum is.

This is a citizens movement. I think the DNC should have left it to us.
But Kerry/Edwards are not part of this. They have no control who goes on thier forums and makes a case for activism.

[AnIndependentTexan]

24. That is a forum the same as democratic underground meaning it is citizens

I just crossed threaded a post I saw from them with this number. That poster does not reflect Kerry/Edwards. They are a open face forum just like democratic underground is. It would be like any of us sending out a post from here.

[MoonRiver]

18. Done

We own a high end Toyota and I let the rep know we wouldn't be buying another one if they retained their association with Sinclair. The person was very nice and receptive, apologizing for the fact that they had signed the contract with Sinclair Also said they have received a large number of complaints!
:kick:

[henslee]

19. Just called. Hey, they like talking to customers! The service rep

had some calls already on this. We chatted about cars and Sinclair and about civic responsibility. I told him I was joining an upcoming boycott of all sinclair advertisers and wanted to give Toyota a heads up. While he assured me Toyota wasn't advertising during the show, I knew that -- that the show is commercial free. I then made the point that a company as civically minided as Toyota should sever all ties with Sinclair.

[Claire Beth]

20. Toyota REFUSES to pull their ads....

I gave them my name, address and phone number. I told them I have driven Toyota's for the past 20 years (which is very true) that next year when I buy my NEXT car it will NOT be a Toyota. She told me they buy their ads in advance are unaware of the programming scedules when they will be aired. I told her they had better find out or I will NOT be buying a Toyota in the future. She was nice but nevertheless I was not happy with the results of the conversation.

[BUSHOUT]

29. They gave me that same "we buy ads in advance" thing

I told them very politely they will be getting a lifetime ban from me.

They think they're not taking a side by not doing anything. They need to know they are supporting Sinclair by continuing.

Even if they can't get thier money back, they should be demanding thier ads not be shown.

[FreeState]

30. Tell them to change to advertising to a PSA

I told them that they could cancel them, and if they cant do that to change their advertisments to a PSA saying Toyota is not infavor of airing the program.

[Generic Other]

21. Oh yeah

Toyota's getting the calls.

My mom's in Tokyo. I should have her get hold of the main office.
:)

on edit: the guy I talked to said they'd been taking complaints all day. That they are documenting them, and that they were moving up the chain of command. Patience. They don't want controversy.

[cally]

22. Wow...they were so nice

I called Iams and Toyota. They got it and are concerned. They told me they can't remove the advertising and I responded that I know they can if they push hard enough. Even with that they were accomodating. We're getting to them. :-)

[BUSHOUT]

43. Yeah, well. I hope they're smart to, and understand "lifetime ban".

[Democat]

23. Make sure to call Toyota!

They will respond if they get enough complaints!

[karlrschneider]

25. My best friend from grade school in the 50s owns a Toyota dealership,

but not in a Sinclair city...nevertheless, he has a fair amount of clout with them I'm sure. Called him up about this - he's a repug but he hasn't been too happy with business the last 3 years; he promised to bring it up informally with dealers he's friendly with (one in OKC which does have a Sinclair affiliate). Might help some, might not (i've bought 2 Toys from him and as a good and old friend I explained I understand he isn't responsible)...we'll see.

[FreeState]

26. Toyota's Reply to me and my reply to them...

Here is my email history with Toyota:


Thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately I do not care if Toyota baught the advertising in advance. Toyota can act like a responcible company and cancel there advertising or change the advertising to a Public Survice Announcement about not supporting the program. Either of those will help change my mind about future purposes.

However as it stands now I will not buy another Toyota or use the local dealers to service my cars. Im calling the local service centers today to let them know why my family. my co-workers and many of my neighbors are taking our business elsewere.

Jeff Xxxxx

----------------

Subject
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Sinclair Broadcasting Company


Discussion Thread
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Response (James) - 10/12/2004 10:20 AM
<as-html>
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.<p>

We are sensitive to the opinions of our customers and apologize if our sponsorship has offended you in any way.

ToyotaÕs decision to advertise on television programs is based on the level of interest generated by the American public, not the subject matter contained in the program. We make every effort to screen programs considered to contain controversial issues but we do not always have the opportunity to know the content of individual episodes in advance.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file #---------. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us
Toyota Customer Experience


-------------

I was upset to learn that your company advertises on TV stations owned by Sinclair Broadcasting Company, which has made the outrageously partisan decision to REQUIRE its stations to air an anti-Kerry movie called "Stolen Honor" about a week before the November election. Also, I have learned that Sinclair vice president Mark Hyman said, in a statement quoted by the Washington Post, "The networks are acting like Holocaust deniers and pretending don't exist ..." I very much resent ANYONE using the Holocaust to make a point when the subject has nothing even remotely to do with the Holocaust. It is inappropriate. It is objectionable. It is offensive to Jews and non-Jews alike. I hope that you will contact Sinclair immediately and voice your complaint. The Sinclair matter has been a major topic of conversation on a website that gets as many as ONE MILLION hits a day. And there has been much talk about organizing a boycott of ADVERTISERS who continue to support Sinclair's partisan activities. Actions by responsible advertisers are needed now.

I own a Scion xb and I am looking into purchasing the tc. However if Toyota continues to support Sinclair I will be not be buying a Toyota made car. I will be sure to let everyone I know not to buy from Toyota and its sub-branded cars if Toyota does not take action now.

Sincerely yours,

[Cronus Protagonist]

36. Everyone: Make sure you spell check these letters first!

I see so many mistakes in the examples that it's worth pointing out.

[noamnety]

27. I called toyota and iams

customer service was nice enough. The iams guy did a little dancing around the issue, how they are neutral, I mentioned (nicely) that I understood that, but at the same time, they are helping to fund their efforts, and I was sorry because I thought they were a good company and had a good product, but if they didn't pull their advertising and sinclair ran the broadcast, I would have to join the boycott.

I had to sort of nudge him to take my name and address, is that normal? The Toyota people asked for that right away.

[Shoeempress]

28. Called, they are so nice and really soothing

[BUSHOUT]

44. THAT'S THIRR JOB!!! HOPE YOU TOLD THEM NO MORE TOYOTAS FOR U!!!???

If they don't pull ads they will be added to the "list". The DU list that will live on in infamy.

[Touchdown]

32. Anybody know if BMW adverts on Sincalir?

I just bought one, and being their customer would be more credible than Toyota, since I won't be in the market for another car for at least 5 years.

If not, GOOD! I'll call BMW and make sure it stays that way!

[henslee]

33. Toyota owners, visit toyotaclub.org and toyotaownersclub.com and

spread the word. To join, you don't have to wait for an emial -- you get right in. Post or respond to exising post. Grass roots baby!

[spartan61]

34. I have been car shopping

and plan to buy a new car next week. My choices are now down to a Toyota or a Kia. I will call Toyota in the morning and pass this news on that I will most likely buy the Kia because Toyota advertises on Sinclair. With a company the size of Toyota, one would think they would have some clout.

[GetaKungFuGrip]

35. I filed mine via email yesterday...

I told them that the purchase of the new Sequoia we test drove this last Sat. is on hold pending an announcement from them.

They responded and said that they were looking into it.


We'll see what happens.

[Nimble_Idea]

41. Can you tell us how to do it by email.

I am buying a new car, and if Toyota sides with the fundies, they will lose out big time. fundies only buy ford trucks, dumbass toyota better not screw up on this.

[TexasSissy]

37. Explain, please. Are they advertising during the anti-Kerry movie or what

Or do they advertise with Sinclair generally?

[GetaKungFuGrip]

39. Sinclair advertisers. n/t

[lakeguy]

42. there is no advertising during the show...

at least that's what i heard. these are general advertisers supporting sinclair.

[BUSHOUT]

45. The movie is commercial free. They need to be off Sinclair now , or...

stay on the list. Permanently.

[DesEtoiles]

38. in Houston tell them you will buy not tickets to Toyota Center either

[DesEtoiles]

40. www.toyota.com - enter your zip code and call the local dealer