Warning - Empire Toyota Oneonta, Ny Scam!!!!!

[Lveh8lve]

I was hoping to become a happy prius owner by the end of this week, but it seems as demand goes up the dealerships are trying to squeeze as much money out of you as possible and hurting the consumer. This is the scam that was done to me:

6/06/08 - Recieved phone call a few weeks after my visit to the dealership by sales rep stating they had just recieved thier allotment of Prius' and it had a package 6 as I had requested. His manager had just given the information to only him so I had to act fast and put down my $500 deposit for the $28,243 car. I put down the deposit and was told that I would receive my Prius by the end of the month. The Sales Rep called back later and asked if I wanted any Rust-Proofing or Undercoating done at the port and I replied "NO, don't do anything to the car"

6/14/08 - I visit the dealership to have them appraise my car and test drive a prius. I had a wonderful experience driving the prius, and I was excited to soon be the proud owner of one. The manager refused to appraise my vehicle which seemed fishy to me. I also was told that my car would not arrive at the dealership until the week of 7/1 - 7/7. I was so happy to soon be an owner I did not care.

7/7/08 - I received a call from the sales rep stating that the car was in, BUT the car came in with rustproofing, undercoating, scotchguarding, and lifetime free keys for $1300 MORE!!!!!!!!!! I told the rep that if this car was mine per my deposit, why did they do these extras. He simply said "The owner ordered it" and he would inquire with the owner.

7/8/08 - I recieved a call from the sales rep stating that I should be lucky to be getting the car from them at sticker price as most dealers are charging $2,000 to 3,000 more. I told him this sounds like a scam to me and I wanted to speak with the owner. The owner called me back and was unwilling to admit that it even was a msitake on his part! It was a take it or leave it attitude!!!! I couldn't believe that an owner would speak to a customer in this manner!!! I immediately requested a refund and I am taking my buisness elsewhere.

I urge you to NOT Patronize Empire Toyota in Oneonta, NY, this or any other dealer pulling the same scam. When they have your money they should do what YOU want, NOT increase thier bottom line. Feel free to e-mail me as I am looking for another Prius and happy to discuss anything about this experience. I hope the next dealer at least is an honorable person.

[REMPIE]

must it be a new one? and are u looking only in n.y. my name is robert and i work in a parts dept.for a toyota dealership in ga.,i also know where Oneonta is located,i was born and raised in norwich,(tanner hill)contact me if u want to rely @ roberte@toyotaofnewnan.com.

[sgails]

We have bought 2 Prius from Steets Toyota in Utica and have found them to be fair and they treated us right. You can't go wrong. Good luck.

[PriuStorm]

Did you have your pre-ordered Package #6 agreement in writing? If so, I think they should honored the price they agreed to. If the car came in other than it was ordered, they should have ordered you another one as you wished to have it at the price you agreed to.

I don't blame you for taking your money and going elsewhere. Lodge a complaint with Toyota, too.

[sorka]

Originally Posted by Lveh8lve

I was hoping to become a happy prius owner by the end of this week, but it seems as demand goes up the dealerships are trying to squeeze as much money out of you as possible and hurting the consumer. This is the scam that was done to me:

6/06/08 - Recieved phone call a few weeks after my visit to the dealership by sales rep stating they had just recieved thier allotment of Prius' and it had a package 6 as I had requested. His manager had just given the information to only him so I had to act fast and put down my $500 deposit for the $28,243 car. I put down the deposit and was told that I would receive my Prius by the end of the month. The Sales Rep called back later and asked if I wanted any Rust-Proofing or Undercoating done at the port and I replied "NO, don't do anything to the car"

6/14/08 - I visit the dealership to have them appraise my car and test drive a prius. I had a wonderful experience driving the prius, and I was excited to soon be the proud owner of one. The manager refused to appraise my vehicle which seemed fishy to me. I also was told that my car would not arrive at the dealership until the week of 7/1 - 7/7. I was so happy to soon be an owner I did not care.

7/7/08 - I received a call from the sales rep stating that the car was in, BUT the car came in with rustproofing, undercoating, scotchguarding, and lifetime free keys for $1300 MORE!!!!!!!!!! I told the rep that if this car was mine per my deposit, why did they do these extras. He simply said "The owner ordered it" and he would inquire with the owner.

7/8/08 - I recieved a call from the sales rep stating that I should be lucky to be getting the car from them at sticker price as most dealers are charging $2,000 to 3,000 more. I told him this sounds like a scam to me and I wanted to speak with the owner. The owner called me back and was unwilling to admit that it even was a msitake on his part! It was a take it or leave it attitude!!!! I couldn't believe that an owner would speak to a customer in this manner!!! I immediately requested a refund and I am taking my buisness elsewhere.

I urge you to NOT Patronize Empire Toyota in Oneonta, NY, this or any other dealer pulling the same scam. When they have your money they should do what YOU want, NOT increase thier bottom line. Feel free to e-mail me as I am looking for another Prius and happy to discuss anything about this experience. I hope the next dealer at least is an honorable person.

I'm assuming that when you put a deposit down, you got a contract in writing that spelled out the options and total price out the door after all fees? If not, then you didn't have a deal. You have to get an out the door price in writing otherwise the dealer will tack on all sorts of extra options and fees.

[Carnutt]

LVEH8LVE, be sure to tell all you can in your area about what the dealer did to you.

"What goes around comes around" and they will get their KARMA.

[Cooprius]

Guess what? They are still at it! We were a returning customer to this dealership when we asked to be called if a Prius came in. We were called by Mr. Schott on June 24th and offered a dark gray Prius with a #2 package and a leather interior for the MSRP price. I accepted the offer and gave a credit card number to cement the deal through a $500 deposit. They processed the credit card. They offered the same undercoating/ fabric guard/key package that we declined. When the car came in, I was given as final number that was $1200 more than the original price. When I questioned it they said it was for the u/f/k package. I said we had declined it when we made the deal they said we had to have it. They tried to justify it by saying other dealers were tacking on $2000 to $3000 to the MSRP and I should be happy I was at least getting something for it and my options were only "take it or leave it" When I protested and said I wanted the car at the agreed upon price they said my deposit would be returned and the deal was off. E-mail me if you want to know all the consumer groups I've contacted in case you'd like to follow up. jsrigby@stny.rr.com

[Lveh8lve]

WOW Mr. Schott was who I dealt with as well!!!!!!

What scam artists, my car was still sitting there for a week! I'm gonna send you an email now so our joint efforts may get this swine some lovely legal fees!!!!

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: My father felt really bad and was proud on how I stood my ground so he began calling other dealers looking for a Package #6 for me. And as luck would have it, he found it at Lia Toyota of Colonie, NY not too far from the original place. Plus I picked up my new Seaside Pearl this Saturday after it arrived on Friday. Lia Toyota was A++++ and professional. The sales manager Nick even came out and spoke with me after what he heard these people did to me. The transaction was fast and flawless (and not a penny over MSRP!). I dealt with Marty and he is a respectable Sales Rep, no BS and friendly. THIS IS HOW A BUISNESS SHOULD BE RUN!!!

[Lveh8lve]

Schmuck still hasn't refunded my money!!!!!!!!!!!!!


DO NOT BUY FROM THIS LOSER

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by Lveh8lve

Schmuck still hasn't refunded my money!!!!!!!!!!!!!


DO NOT BUY FROM THIS LOSER

Make sure you contest this through your credit card company if you still can.

Tom