TOYOGUARD

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jun 16 2007, 10:14 AM) [snapback]462959[/snapback]</div>

That sounds like a very nice arrangement at a great price !!

I'm not defending, nor am I a spokesperson for AAA, but an AAA member get many types of merchandise and local attraction admission fee discounts too, not just vehicle towing, jump starting, locksmith service, monthly magazine, etc. My Wife and I got a fantastic discount, better than any "coupon" or "special" on eyeglasses at LensCrafters. We also got a great deal on Disney and other theme parks as well as discounted admission fees to museums, galleries, etc. I think a yearly renewal for BOTH of us is around $75 per year. Although we are not "world travelers", we saved nearly twice that already this year (and it's only half gone) on the items I mentioned above. I guess this is a way of my Wife and I justifying the membership price we pay !!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ Jun 16 2007, 07:52 AM) [snapback]462969[/snapback]</div>

AAA also lobbies aggressively against FE standards. It claims it is representing the motorist, who presumably wants the most rapid possible depletion of petroleum resources. I imagine the real reason is simply that AAA is run by conservatives who support industry and don't believe in global warming or that petroleum resources are finite.

 

how do you "locate" the vehicle while it is still on the ship? it seems like every prius here is pre-ordered.

 

I have avoided this ripoff whenever possible. I was able to find my 2000 Tacoma without it and our 2005 and 2008 Scions did not have it. We had to take it in our 2011 Prius which came with a falsely advertised 20% off. In order to get that full 20% off you had to finance the car through Southeast Toyota at an inflated above market interest rate. We ended up buying the car for cash but had to pay a $785. fee for paying cash after the dealer tried to get a $2000. fee from us for paying cash. Besides the $699. Toyoguard ripoff came the $599. dealer administrative fee and $100. for reflective stripes that don't reflect and could be bought elseware for much less. The only thing they didnt charge us for was the dealer CHUMP sticker placed on the back of the car.

 

Oh yes, Where do we live? IN CENTRAL BREVARD COUNTY Florida!:rockon:

 

So you checked out the Toyota dealer out on US 1 also?

I walked and bought somewhere else since they wouldn't disclose all of the fees and such up front.

 

The more I think about this the more angry I become. I will never in the future allow a dealer to force me to, in order to purchase a vehicle, force me to buy TOYOGUARD, Worthless $100. stripes, gypsie $150. undercoat, administrative fees, finance fees for paying cash, financing when I don't need it, or any other flim flam tricks. The STATE ATTORNEYS should clean up these acts as well as TOYOTA or else we should not buy these vehicles from these auto dealers.

 

I can't believe there are 3 people in this forum from Melbourne...that is ridiculous!!!!

I am dealing with the same dealership now while trying to buy a Prius v! I have done most negotiating via email with the internet sales dept. Now I am trying to get the ToyoGuard dropped. We'll see what happens...

 

I'm reading this and I can't believe it. If I were you guys, I would make the drive north and buy from a non SET dealer. I'm sure they would be glad to assist you/sell you a car. The best way to deal with this is to not buy from those dealers. I wish we could use the power of the people to stop things like this.

 

That is a very good suggestion and I am ready to seriously consider it in the future but the S E Toyota distributorship covers a very large territory. Its a long way out. I did once fly to Pa. to pick up a car and in 07 a dealer in Orlando sold me a Tundra at a very low price and still deleted the Toyoguard inflated price. We have 2 Toyota dealers in Brevard Co. Fl. The unpleasant experience we had in the purchase of the 2011 Prius was not with the Melbourne dealer, but it was with the other one in which our deal was directly with the general Mgr. This is not to say I am endorsing any Toyota dealer even though I'm sure some are ethical and would not engage in deceptive sales practices. It is also obvious to most of us that much of the sales stage in the South East US is set by Southeast Toyota Distributors policies with the obvious blessing of Toyota!