Posted: 5/29/2010 8:58:56 AM EDT
|
So I was shopping for a new car this week and made the mistake of visiting Priority Toyota. Rude sales staff. Pushy as all hell. I visited 6 other dealerships, including Checker and Charles Barker both have a reputation for being "high pressure," and no other dealership was as rude.
So I purchased the vehicle I wanted from another dealership yesterday. Priority calls today. I told them I no longer require their services, since I bought elsewhere. They asked what they could do to improve, so I was telling them. When I was in the middle of my story, I paused, to, you know, take a breath, and the sales "lady" interrupted me. 
So I bid her farewell. I simply can't believe that in the environment a Toyota dealership finds themselves, where their car manufacturer has to offer 0% for 60 months to get sales that salespeople would be so pushy and rude. Anyway, stay away from Priority is my advice. There are other dealerships that will treat you right. |
|
my mother bought a camry from them (priority in colonial heights) a few years ago and did not like the dealer after the sale,
the missus chose a CRV over a Rav-4 (we test drove teh RAV, and a few others, at Priority) saleman from Priority called 2x' s after I told them we purchased elsewhere,,,,, I'm in the market now, and will deal with McGeorge or Haley |
|
yes, screw Priority. i've been there to look around and the ppl there are just rude. they treated me as if i were stupid.
i agree with the gentleman above; go with McGeorge or Haley, they will treat you right. my family have purchased 4 toyotas at McGeorge and 2 at Haley and the services at those places were wonderful. |
|
Guys
I have lived here all my adult life. Pushing 50 now. I have had both excellent and incompetent service from the same dealerships over the years. Their people are always moving in and out and the workforce changes. Over at Cavalier Ford in Chesapeake I have shopped for three different vehicles this decade. Once I thought I was in the TV show the "Office". It was so bad it was hilarious. My son was there to witness their bizarre behavior too. The two other times I went there the sales folks were very professional. I have used them for service on my Fords and they were excellent. Next door at Priority Chevrolet I shopped for a van I needed this year. Excellent sales person. But after some research I went with a Ford van from Beach Ford. Bought two vehicles at Beach Ford in the past three years. They just seemed to have what we needed. Each time it took six hours of wearing each other down for a satisfactory deal. You'll get a good price, but have to work for it. I'm OK with that. A less patient person would have walked. When I was dealing for my van I got they pulled up some totally incorrect info to support their own argument on my trade's value. Once I pointed out the error to the sales guy he was honestly embarrassed. (He is a retired Marine and was a great guy to deal with.) He asked me to wait and went to his manager and came back with what I wanted for my trade as well as $1k lower sales price on the van than I expected. That was very professional behavior in my book. Their admin folks are way less than professional. At least this time. I had to drive back there (90 minutes round trip) to sign a paper they had neglected the first time around. Then they sent me a blank registration in the mail. Ink had run out in the printer and no one even looked at it before mailing it to me. Then they had VA Beach bill me for taxes on it when I live in Chesapeake! Holy shit........ Yet in 2008 they processed the deal on my wife's car perfectly. I could go on. But the point is that my experiences at different dealers are different every time I go back. If a person pisses you off, get their name and document it and write the owner. If a sales person is good, get their card and save it. Ask for them when you go back. The people make the difference, not the dealership in my experience. If I stopped going back to every dealership that tried to tick me off over the years, I wouldn't have many left to go back to now! 
Another suggestion. If they go all nutzzo on you, have some fun with it. See it as an opportiunity vice an aggravation. When the assistant manager at Cavalier Ford tried to tell me that I didn't really want the car I wanted and I should buy something else that I would REALLY want, I laughed and said "OK Lady. I'm 46 years old and have no idea what I really want in a car. You tell me what I want.". My son stifled a laugh and she launched into her spiel. Tried to sell me a white GT Mustang with racing stripes! Kind of the opposite of the understated blue V6 coupe I wanted. When she finished I asker her if she had bothered to look around as she did her act. She'd have seen the look on the sales guy's face that would have told her she was blowing it. She have sensed that I was just leading her on. She'd have seen my son trying to not crack up laughing at her. (He was rebuilding a older 5.0 Mustang and had painted it white with a racing stripe. Great car for a 19 year old. Not for an older adult.) Basically she blew it for a number of folks by not even remotely trying to sell me the car I asked for, Two other times I went back shopping for the van I needed and was treated well. They just didn't have what I needed on the lot. Different experiences every time! Don't limit yourself based on a bad visit. |
|
We have purchased 5 cars now from Hall, They have always been up front, friendly, professional and always decent to us. After our first Hall purchase, we went to CHeckered Flag as the sales team (husband/wife) went there, we ended up going right back to Hall w/o a purchase from CF. I had a written qoute for a vehicle 19.5 K––the sales person called the next day to say they could now offer a better price on the CRV. Ok, what's that––20.5k he said, and denied that they offered it at 19.5, even after confirming he had the right customer, etc.
Anytime we had to go to Hall for service, nobody badgered me in the show room while I waited. Even if I told them my car was getting serviced and was just interested in looking at a car with no intent to buy, they would still take the time to help. |
|
I got screwed back in '98 on Civic that bought from Hall, the salesman assured me that I could not get financing on a new car but he could get me financing on this "used one". My wife bought a Rodeo from them that was an abslute POS, It needed major engine work tow days after it was brought home. After threatening to kick the sales guys ass, he decided go ahead and have the necessary repairs made at the dealers expense. After these too incidents, I decided I would never give Hall any of my money again. (since these experiences, Hall was under new ownership)
After shopping around for a new truck, I ended up back at Hall to look at the Titans, they happened to be the closest Nissan dealer around and by no means was I going to actually buy from them. After going on a test drive and having a really laid back salesman, I decided to see what they had to offer, mainly for comparison reasons. To my surprise, I got an excellent deal on my '06 Titan. The sales staff was very laid back and never pressured me in any way. I even made a low ball offer and they counter offered even lower , after that I pretty much had to get the truck, I ended up saving over 10K off the sticker.
|
Let me share my awful experience from Priority Toyota of Richmond.  Way back in March me and my wife is in the market for a 2010 4X4 Tacoma. I did a little research and got my ducks in a row. I got my credit score and have my finacing from Virginia Credit Union for 30 K. It seemes that if I can get a dealer to sell me the truck from $ 100 to a max of $ 500 above invoice I get a decent deal. A liitle profit for the dealer and not too much a burden for me. I like a transaction where both parties are mutually benefited. I got in touch of their "Truck Manager" and we spent a few e-mail back and forth. I figured if I can have our agreement in writing (electronically) I have at least a proof of our deal. (Phone conversations have no weight with some people, they can deny it any time.) Truck manager quoted me for $ 100 over invoice.  TRD Off-road, Double cab in Black Sand Pearl was the vehicle. We set the appointment date. He was 30 mintutes late. He pulled the truck up front for a test drive. Truck is covered with dust, I thought, meh, thats no big deal, when I opened the door the inside was unkempt, paper works or some sort are on the floor. Hmmm... bad impression all the way. I test drove it. Like the way it handled. Now for the WTF moment. As we start to talk numbers and I showed him the copies of our e-mail ( which showed the quote he made) he started to BS me.  He said that the numbers are 1 month old. I showed him the actual date he sent me the quote from Edmunds.com and it was barely 4 days old. The site sent him the quote upon his own request and just forwarded it to me. The date printed can not lie. I told him this is what we talked and agreed upon. The next dance he made was the "I will have to talk to my manager" dance. It took 3 times.  He started to show me the breakdown and one item caught my eye. They call it TDA  (Toyota Dealer Advertisement) . How they manage to show it in the paperwork I have no idea. I asked him, "Do you really expect me to believe that we as consumers have to pay for your TV ad?" So for the 4th time he gave the "talk to my manager" routine.Finally he came out with a much older man with him. He struck me as the veteran car salesman that would wring the last cent from you if you let him. He started to ask me if I have a business and would be willing to sell my product at loss. I told him no. I told him that it is a fact even if they sell the truck at invoice the dealer still makes a profit. I asked him about the TDA and he diverts me to the gimick that they gave oil changes for life, blah, blah. I told him for $ 500 over invoice we could seal the deal. If not we walk away. They said no so we walk away laughing. I went to McGeorge website. I inquired on line and within 5 minutes I got a call from Jason. I told him what had happened at Priority and he said he was sorry for the experience. Some of these unscropolous practice makes them bad in the eyes of the public. TDA is already included in the invoice price and no way that it should be passed onto the consumer. Jason then told me he can get me the truck I want, $ 29,500 OTD. No games just deals. Two days later he got me the truck I want, $ 29,500 OTD. The experience was pleasant, no bullshit, straight forward. They even gave me a much lower APR with same terms than VACU.  Stay away from Priority dealership. Now for the obligatory Pics or it did not happen or the pics or GTFO.    Here she is with some minor upgrades. N-Fab step bars.  Holy hell!!! Its post 87. Wooot!! |
|
I've been in the car business for over 16 years and all of it with Toyota. First, let me say that if a dealer jerks you around, leave. Do not reward them with your money. Even if they eventually come back with a lower price than you could get elsewhere, don't do it. You're encouraging them to continue to BS you and others.
Next, about the TDA fee in invoice, you can read all about it at Edmunds. It is a real fee, it is part of invoice and if a dealer is negotiating on a dollar amount over invoice, its in there. The fee is NOT for the dealer's advertising budget. Its a fee charged by the regional Toyota distributor and it pays for Toyota's advertising programs in the region. An honest dealer will agree to a price over invoice and will tell you what the invoice is. If the customer disputes the invoice, its always about the TDA fee and then he should link you right to Edmunds discreption of TDA fees.. It shouldn't be an issue. It really isn't about how much the dealer makes anyway. Its about supply and demand. If you select a vehicle that nobody wants and they have too many on the lot, $100 over invoice is a rip off. If you want a high demand vehicle that nobody has, then $2000 over invoice might be a steal. |
|
Quoted:
It shouldn't be an issue. It really isn't about how much the dealer makes anyway. Its about supply and demand. If you select a vehicle that nobody wants and they have too many on the lot, $100 over invoice is a rip off. If you want a high demand vehicle that nobody has, then $2000 over invoice might be a steal. Never have been to Priority and didn't even know it existed and for sure won't go there now. I quoted the above because it's a good take away point. My last 2 cars were $500 under invoice plus rebates (or minus rebates, however you want to say it) so my last one was like $4k under invoice - special order that the guy didn't want when it came in. It's also my understanding that the sales manager gets paid on the number of cars he sells, not their individual dollar amount so $1k to him likely won't matter if it gets a car out of there. Also, don't manufacturers pay i.e. "incentivize" selling a car so even if they sell it at invoice or below, they still get say 3% of the invoice as a seller fee and therefore don't lose money on the car? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
After threatening to kick the sales guys ass, Yeah, sounds like you're the kind we want carrying a gun around.... OK, sorry... I was figuratively speaking, I never actually threatened him with bodily harm...but we did get into a heated discussion ..and BTW, I don't carry a gun around. 
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
It shouldn't be an issue. It really isn't about how much the dealer makes anyway. Its about supply and demand. If you select a vehicle that nobody wants and they have too many on the lot, $100 over invoice is a rip off. If you want a high demand vehicle that nobody has, then $2000 over invoice might be a steal. Never have been to Priority and didn't even know it existed and for sure won't go there now. I quoted the above because it's a good take away point. My last 2 cars were $500 under invoice plus rebates (or minus rebates, however you want to say it) so my last one was like $4k under invoice - special order that the guy didn't want when it came in. It's also my understanding that the sales manager gets paid on the number of cars he sells, not their individual dollar amount so $1k to him likely won't matter if it gets a car out of there. Also, don't manufacturers pay i.e. "incentivize" selling a car so even if they sell it at invoice or below, they still get say 3% of the invoice as a seller fee and therefore don't lose money on the car? I don't know of a single manager who is not paid on the "gross" profit. Many have volume goals, but they are still held accountable for the bottom line. The other issues you're talking about is what makes this disucssion so difficult. Invoice is not cost. Cost is invoice minus holdback (about 3% of the invoice), minus any factory to dealer incentives (Toyota usually doesn't have these but others do), plus the average floorplan interest, advertising expenses, salesman and manager pay, taxes, rents, utilities, legal fees and a bunch of other variable expenses that really are none of the consumer's concern nor business. "Cost" is not a consideration to the consumer on the retail level. Invoice is just the amount originally paid by the dealer. Invoice gets the car to the lot. The only reason you need to know what it is, is so you can compare deals on different vehicles at different dealers. The amount over or under invoice is a function of supply and demand. Dealers will lose money on certain vehicle, but not high demand ones that are hard to get. Deales will not lose money on a lot of cars in a month because there really is not a huge amount of mysterious hidden cash in the deals. I'm still in the retail end of things, but I am now a training manager at Rosner Toyota of Stafford and Fredericksburg. I don't sell cars. I train others to do it and try to solve customer service issues. I hope this helps de-mystify things. |
|
Thanks cliffy for your input. Bottom line is if Priority is upfront with the numbers and all, I have no problem giving them the profit they deserve. Now, why is it that McGeorge can give me the truck at agreed price and the other can not. Priority has fancy show room and all the so called perks( manicure every Wednesday, "Free" this "Free" that."). McGeorge got the simple type of show room. Its like, "You want to buy this car? Sure here is the deal. You agree? Sold!!! That is how it should be right? No gimmick,no BS. A week ago Toyota customer service contacted me about my Toyota buying experience and shared my pleasant and not so pleasant ones. This morning Priority have left me a voice msg. asking me to contact them. Meh, I might or might not consider talking to them. Their name left a bitter taste. 
|
| I have no idea why Priority did what it did in your case. I'm VERY glad you didn't buy from them and I'm also glad to hear McGeorge did things the right way. It's really not difficult to do it right. It drives me nuts when people relate a story like this but then buy the car from the dealer anyway. If they pull crap, DON"T BUY FROM THEM!!! Don't reward bad behavior. |
|
Quoted:
I start work at koons toyota in arlington next month. I will be working as a service advisor though, Im sure i can provide a special arfcomer service deal  As long as it's not Alexandria Toyota's service department, although one guy at Koons in Tyson's gave me lip for knowing the TSB numbers I wanted checked on my car. The Alexandria Toyota Experience - don't be like this: The first time I went for the "Express Lube" offer there the mechanic left a massive hand print on my passenger side fender. Since they valet the car out and back up traffic behind you there isn't really time for a walk-around, and having worked through college as a mechanic one ought not to need a walk-around anyways. I was half-way to Charlottesville when I called, and the service manager there was in utter disbelief, but stopped short of implying that I had bothered to get my own hand greasy. I told him it it was brake fluid he'd hear from me again. A few years later the same car went back (long story, but whatever). Oil change, tire rotation, inspection, emissions. The car came back with the power window recall work done on it too. So ... tire pressure taken 20 minutes after the car was returned: 26 psi, 30, 32, 32. One of the lock nuts was chewed up from the wench monkey using the impact wrench on it, and to add insult to injury they must have used a comically large flat head screwdriver to gouge out the door panel screw covers, deforming them to the point that they would not stay in place. Nice, and that was my hint to check if the other work had been done. The same service manager as the first time insisted, while looking at the car, that this was "impossible" and that they "had the best mechanics," while I was pointing at the car saying "obviously not, quit saying that." I badgered him enough that I got a refund and they "ordered one, just one, door panel screw cover" but sheesh, I don't think they got what I was trying to say, at all.
|