What Dealers Would You Recommend Others Avoid?

[mr.scott.com]

I think a list of dealers people feel they have been ripped off at, or treated shabbily at, is as important as having a list of dealers that people would recommend. This might save some of a ton of headaches and money.

Everybody simply list the name of the dealership you recommend avoiding and its location. If you want to indicate why, that is fine, but even a basic list would be helpful to many folks.

For this particular thread, please try to avoid listing the names of individual salespeople. I feel that is it okay to list and bash bad dealers, but I don't want to bash "people," especially since they and their families could individually be hurt.

Thanks!

[DianneWhitmire]

Scott, I think you should say also be made to say why.
There are way too many reasons this is helpful. Not every salesperson is perfect, but frankly, not every client is reasonable. We can't exactly choose our clients like they can choose a dealership and a salesperson ... and there are folks who don't mind paying a markup over the msrp to ensure they get what they want. I do not mark the cars over msrp at all, but certain dealerships do and in some regions or some geographic areas, many stores have added markups or junk stuck on all of their cars to add to the profit margins. The fact that some dealerships are doing this shouldn't be a reason to avoid a dealership because some folks vote differently with their dollars. You just have to let 'em decide... but please, I really think one should explain why they feel one ought to avoid a particular dealership.

Originally Posted by mr.scott.com

I think a list of dealers people feel they have been ripped off at, or treated shabbily at, is as important as having a list of dealers that people would recommend. This might save some of a ton of headaches and money.

Everybody simply list the name of the dealership you recommend avoiding and its location. If you want to indicate why, that is fine, but even a basic list would be helpful to many folks.

For this particular thread, please try to avoid listing the names of individual salespeople. I feel that is it okay to list and bash bad dealers, but I don't want to bash "people," especially since they and their families could individually be hurt.

Thanks!

[LRKingII]

Originally Posted by mr.scott.com

I think a list of dealers people feel they have been ripped off at, or treated shabbily at, is as important as having a list of dealers that people would recommend. This might save some of a ton of headaches and money.

Everybody simply list the name of the dealership you recommend avoiding and its location. If you want to indicate why, that is fine, but even a basic list would be helpful to many folks.

For this particular thread, please try to avoid listing the names of individual salespeople. I feel that is it okay to list and bash bad dealers, but I don't want to bash "people," especially since they and their families could individually be hurt.

Thanks!

Nah.
If your old enough to go in and buy a car and not smart enough to do a little research on the car as for prices and options on the manufactures web site and then see how your treated on all aspects then your not smart and should have someone else buy the car for you. Sure there are dealers all over that handle their business differant from others. What i consider a good deal for me might not be for you. Then it's time to walk away and find another dealer. But i really don't see a point in bashing them on the internet. YMMV

[mr.scott.com]

Originally Posted by DianneWhitmire

Scott, I think you should say also be made to say why.
There are way too many reasons this is helpful. Not every salesperson is perfect, but frankly, not every client is reasonable. We can't exactly choose our clients like they can choose a dealership and a salesperson ... and there are folks who don't mind paying a markup over the msrp to ensure they get what they want. I do not mark the cars over msrp at all, but certain dealerships do and in some regions or some geographic areas, many stores have added markups or junk stuck on all of their cars to add to the profit margins. The fact that some dealerships are doing this shouldn't be a reason to avoid a dealership because some folks vote differently with their dollars. You just have to let 'em decide... but please, I really think one should explain why they feel one ought to avoid a particular dealership.

Hi Dianne,
Actually, in hindsight, I'd rather delete/kill this thread, but I am not sure if I can.

I thought it might be helpful to folks to create a list of those few dealers out there that one should avoid, since there are so many good ones that one give their business to.

I didn't want to mention any salespeople by name. I do think it would be a good idea to have a brief description of why you would want them on the "avoid" list, but I didn't want it to become a gripe site.

An Example would be "Dealer X in Hometown, TX, reason: they order all Prii with $2,000+ of silly options (like remote starters, decal kits, door sill lights, etc...) to increase their profits on each Prius sold." Actually, there is a local dealer that openly does this with all Prii ordered. They also claim they sell at MSRP, but exclude the freight when calculating MSRP (while all other dealers, and the Toyota website, includes freight in the figure).

Anyhow, if we keep the thread, then yes, the reason for putting in on the avoid list should be included. Again, I don't want to see the names of any particular salesperons identified.

[DianneWhitmire]

Two thoughts.
1. Just put what, and why. Easy.
2. If there is a salesperson involved, hell why not mention it? YOu know what is and isn't in someone's control? I'm on a TEAR today because at our new car owner's clinic yesterday, we had some new Prius buyers from our retail side of the store who were utterly clueless about how their cars worked, how to pair their phones, how to operate their NAV, where to find the vocal commands... yeesh. Jane and I don't let you out of here without functions being discussed and explained and experienced. I feel it's reprehensible for these guys to sell a Prius and kick you over the curb. Whether they want to or not, they need to study what makes the car tick... and how these many technological features work. You can bet your a$$ that I'd like to know, as a comsumer, who's going to help me RIGHT and who isn't going to care enough to learn their product.

Dianne

Originally Posted by mr.scott.com

I didn't want to mention any salespeople by name. I do think it would be a good idea to have a brief description of why you would want them on the "avoid" list, but I didn't want it to become a gripe site.

[rld14]

I think that any dealer is going to have customers who adore them and customers who pray for them to go bankrupt. We've won President's award 9 years in a row, treat our customers like gold, etc and yet I am sure there are people who despise us no matter what, and probably because we did something stupid and upset them. No matter what, it does happen.

[DianneWhitmire]

Agreed.

Originally Posted by rld14

I think that any dealer is going to have customers who adore them and customers who pray for them to go bankrupt. We've won President's award 9 years in a row, treat our customers like gold, etc and yet I am sure there are people who despise us no matter what, and probably because we did something stupid and upset them. No matter what, it does happen.

[mr.scott.com]

Originally Posted by DianneWhitmire

Two thoughts.
1. Just put what, and why. Easy.
2. If there is a salesperson involved, hell why not mention it? YOu know what is and isn't in someone's control? I'm on a TEAR today because at our new car owner's clinic yesterday, we had some new Prius buyers from our retail side of the store who were utterly clueless about how their cars worked, how to pair their phones, how to operate their NAV, where to find the vocal commands... yeesh. Jane and I don't let you out of here without functions being discussed and explained and experienced. I feel it's reprehensible for these guys to sell a Prius and kick you over the curb. Whether they want to or not, they need to study what makes the car tick... and how these many technological features work. You can bet your a$$ that I'd like to know, as a comsumer, who's going to help me RIGHT and who isn't going to care enough to learn their product.

Dianne

Okay, I'll go first:

1. Russell Toyota in Ellicott City. Reason--they add $2000 to $2500 of unnecessary add-ons to increase their profit margins.

2. Antwerpen Toyota in Columbia. Reason--nasty, run salesperson. I will only disclose name via PM.


Alright, who is next?

[LoraJ]

Hudson Toyota, Jersey City NJ

I made the mistake of purchasing from there twice.

First time, okay buying experience, however my identity was stolen soon after I bought the car. The dealer was from Queens, the person with my identity was from Queens, and how convenient that the dealer moved away a month after I bought the car.

Second time, I was in the area and thought I would just take a look. I did not intend to purchase that day, but I am impulsive. I was also interested in getting a manual Corolla and they were hard to find at the time. Well, they had one. I had done my research online and knew what to pay for it. The salesman was very nice and helpful, I liked him. But the manager was awful!!!! I told him I felt like he was taking advantage of me because I was a female and there alone. He said I had the same tactics as the DC sniper (who was still on the loose at the time). I should have gotten up and left but I felt bad for the salesman who had helped me up to that point. He looked horrified at the way the manager was acting.

So I have never returned to that dealership again. Not for repairs, maintenance or anything. I should have learned my lesson after the first time.

I take my car for maintenance at a dealership by where I work. I plan to start my Prius search there.

ETA:
While doing research on dealerships for my current purchase, I saw that the BBB gives Hudson Toyota a big fat F!!!!

[Tuon]

I have personally, Purchased from Crystal Automall in Green Brook, NJ. Very good all around, from service to sales.

I would personally, say anyone in the Jersey area avoid Hillside, Toyota and Autoland on route 22. Both dealerships didn't seem to give me the care of the world when I went in for information or a test drive. And, Hillside Toyota is currently as of this posting charging a 1,000 market adjustment on their 2010 priuses.