Notices
Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

OT - worst experience at a Toyota dealership

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 9, 2006 | 02:45 PM
  #1  
Seattle350's Avatar
Seattle350
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: WA
Default OT - worst experience at a Toyota dealership

My ex-wife wants a Camry Hybrid, so I pick her up at lunch and we go to the closest dealership to downtown Seattle - we walk in and get a cordial greeting from a very young sales guy - I tell him what we looking for and he says he'll refer me to a senior sales guy - this guy comes out of an office - introduces himself, gets the scoop from me about the hybrid and almost immediately asks me for a $2k deposit to 'secure' a hybrid - he goes on to tell me that this hybrid is the hottest thing out and even with my $2k deposit, he'll wasn't sure about convincing the sales manager not to charge me a premium - I asked him about color/available options and he says I should be happy to just get one, irrespective of color! Needless to say I left, I thanked him for doing me such a major favor, but I would pass on this one....
Perhaps, I'm spoiled by Lexus or Bimmer dealers, but I didn't expect to be treated like they were doing me a favor by selling us a car
Any hook-ups for a Toyota dealer in the greater Seattle area will be appreciated...
Reply
Old May 9, 2006 | 02:52 PM
  #2  
Ichigo's Avatar
Ichigo
Pole Position
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

thats terrible. I hate when sales people think they are doing you a favor. The consumer has the buying power and is the one doing a "favor" for the dealer. Im glad you walked outta there. Good luck on finding a better dealership.
Reply
Old May 9, 2006 | 03:38 PM
  #3  
shaolin's Avatar
shaolin
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 4
From: Irvine, CA OC Area
Default

Tustin Toyota sales agent sucks. Doesn't matter how many times I go there and doesn't matter how many different sales I talk to, they just ..........
Reply
Old May 9, 2006 | 03:42 PM
  #4  
TimboIS's Avatar
TimboIS
Liquid Bra Champion
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,831
Likes: 145
From: ƒ(x)
Default

Originally Posted by Seattle350
My ex-wife wants a Camry Hybrid, so I pick her up at lunch and we go to the closest dealership to downtown Seattle - we walk in and get a cordial greeting from a very young sales guy - I tell him what we looking for and he says he'll refer me to a senior sales guy - this guy comes out of an office - introduces himself, gets the scoop from me about the hybrid and almost immediately asks me for a $2k deposit to 'secure' a hybrid - he goes on to tell me that this hybrid is the hottest thing out and even with my $2k deposit, he'll wasn't sure about convincing the sales manager not to charge me a premium - I asked him about color/available options and he says I should be happy to just get one, irrespective of color! Needless to say I left, I thanked him for doing me such a major favor, but I would pass on this one....
Perhaps, I'm spoiled by Lexus or Bimmer dealers, but I didn't expect to be treated like they were doing me a favor by selling us a car
Any hook-ups for a Toyota dealer in the greater Seattle area will be appreciated...
Dealer sounds reasonable. Many people originally wanting a Prius and Highlander had to do the same. Why shouldn't you?
Reply
Old May 9, 2006 | 04:11 PM
  #5  
james6290's Avatar
james6290
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Seattle350
My ex-wife wants a Camry Hybrid, so I pick her up at lunch and we go to the closest dealership to downtown Seattle - we walk in and get a cordial greeting from a very young sales guy - I tell him what we looking for and he says he'll refer me to a senior sales guy - this guy comes out of an office - introduces himself, gets the scoop from me about the hybrid and almost immediately asks me for a $2k deposit to 'secure' a hybrid - he goes on to tell me that this hybrid is the hottest thing out and even with my $2k deposit, he'll wasn't sure about convincing the sales manager not to charge me a premium - I asked him about color/available options and he says I should be happy to just get one, irrespective of color! Needless to say I left, I thanked him for doing me such a major favor, but I would pass on this one....
Perhaps, I'm spoiled by Lexus or Bimmer dealers, but I didn't expect to be treated like they were doing me a favor by selling us a car
Any hook-ups for a Toyota dealer in the greater Seattle area will be appreciated...
i almost bought a chrysler 300C SRT-8 and the dealer told me that he would charge 8K over MSRP because it was so hot, i told him no, and as soon as he got one in, he ended up selling to a friend of mine for 1K under...hahahaha
Reply
Old May 9, 2006 | 04:25 PM
  #6  
Kermee's Avatar
Kermee
Advanced
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 696
Likes: 2
From: WA
Default

You might try Magic Toyota but you're probably going to get the same response once you bring up the word 'hybrid'. If anything right now, Toyota Hybrids are a seller's market right now, much more so than our 2IS'es ever was when it first hit the showrooms. Toyota doesn't have any problems moving their hybrids and the sales people and dealerships know that hence the, "Put up or let me spend my energies elsewhere in selling a car to someone."

Cheers,
Kermee

P.S. I was just at the Magic Toyota dealership playing with a Yaris last weekend and the place was crazy insane. The new Camry's were selling left-and-right.
Reply
Old May 9, 2006 | 04:56 PM
  #7  
casey225's Avatar
casey225
Pole Position
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: VA
Default

Dude, it's just part of the mindgame. These guys are basically crooks trying to make a living. If they can get you to pay $2K over premium, why would they offer to sell you one for $500 over invoice? He's just trying to see if he can reel in the big fish. I always find a good price to go in and bargain with.


Unfortunately, it's the same boat that most of us in this forum have experienced. You take a limited production, high demand vehicle with a client base who can afford a premium car and they have us by the *****. If you don't want to pay their price, they know there's someone behind you who will. Since the supply is so short or if it is order only, they have no risk, so, they're going to swing for the fences and try to hit one out of the park.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DDS62
HS 250h Model (2010-2012)
11
Jun 3, 2012 09:30 AM
LexFather
Car Chat
16
Sep 28, 2010 08:17 PM
Gojirra99
Car Chat
14
Mar 27, 2006 01:01 AM
GFerg
Car Chat
10
Aug 9, 2005 07:15 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:57 PM.

story-0
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE