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Toyota's deceptive descriptions

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Bucco, Feb 1, 2014.

  1. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    Bingo!
    Leather or synthetic leather (Pleather),
    Regular 0il or Synthetic 0il,
     
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Was it the district?
    Or was it the dealership writing the description?

    Most dealership websites are self operated and sometimes you get various different people writing the online description. Unfortunately sometimes these people are in a hurry and/or have varying degrees of knowledge about the reality of the vehicle.

    I wouldn't trust any personal dealership description as necessarily being gospel. Most of the time there is some fine print somewhere that releases them from any liability from mistakes like you point out. That's why you always want to go check out the vehicle itself.

    That's not to excuse the mistake. It was a mistake. And a dealership SHOULD be aware of such specifics, but I don't know if I blame Toyota or even The District as much as possibly just someone at the dealership. I'd politely point out the mistake.
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    SET used the term leather as well, I sent an email to them.
     
  4. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    I think it's SE Toyota site that has the problem. Even if you go to an individual dealer's website, it will link to the SE site when looking at inventory.
     
  5. SET Customer Response

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    Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have corrected the interior description for Prius so there is no confusion. Ash Leather is now named Dark Gray SOFTEX. We apologize for the inconvenience and please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.
     
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  6. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    I think real leather is no longer offer for the Toyota line in the US except the Lexus line.
     
  7. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I am happy to see you address our concerns so promptly. Thank You.
     
  8. MarcSmith

    MarcSmith Active Member

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    ok so my "perforated leather" seats in my 2010 prius iv really are not leather, but a "premium vinyl" more or less
     
  9. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    In the 2010 Prius IV and V, it still was real leather. I think 2012 is when they switched to Softex. After experiencing both, the Softex has won me over the leather. It's easier to keep clean and seems to not discolor from everyday use. It's not quite as supple or slick, but I'm appreciating it's durability and overall look.
     
  10. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I find the Softex softer than the "leather" that any of -us- can afford. Bonus, instead of only two panels on each seat being made of the material advertised, -all- panels are. Softex is also cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

    Good to see the response from Toyota SE. I retract my comments in their case! Even if I will never get the chance to avail myself of their services.
     
  11. Bucco

    Bucco New Member

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    As the OP, I would like to thank Southeast Toyota Distributors for clearing this up so others aren't misled the way I feel I was.
     
  12. Nora

    Nora Member

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    Yes. I had the same problem with both versions of IE (desktop and whatever they call the tile version for Win8). Chrome lets you reply as you expect.

    Fuzzy, according to their Wikipedia page, they only provide the best service. ;)
     
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  13. Bucco

    Bucco New Member

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    Update March 13, 2014 - Well, it looks as if Southeast Toyota Distributors LLC is up to their old tricks again. In February, they changed the interior description from "Ash Leather" to "Dark Grey SofTex." (which is what it should have been in the first place). Well, they have now changed "Dark Grey SofTex" to "Dark Grey Leather" but of course it isn't leather. How can this not be intentionally deceptive?
     
  14. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    IMO, Softex is leather. Just not animal leather.
     
  15. Hybrid Dave

    Hybrid Dave Member

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    I agree that Southeast Toyota is the devil. I would never buy a new Toyota here in the south because of the insane add ons they force on you and proprietary warranties they force you to buy over Toyota's own warranty. As far as leather, I was never the impression that no Toyota uses "real" leather.
     
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  16. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    Hybrid Dave, I had no add-on's when I bought from a SE Toyota dealer in SC, except for the floor-mats, which I wanted anyway. What other add-on's are you seeing on new Toyota's?
     
  17. Hybrid Dave

    Hybrid Dave Member

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    I've been to 5 different Toyota dealerships here in the Jax/St Augustine/Daytona Beach area and every car from the Yaris to the Tundras have tint, underside coating, Vin etching, floor mats, pin striping, interior guard, nitrogen fill, etc added to the addendum. I've seen a $21k Yaris after all the crap added to it. When my wife looked into a Scion tc, the dealer here insisted it was impossible to order a car without the body kit, bodyside molding, vin etching, Nitro fill and tint and finally she got mad and bought a Kia Forte Koup instead. At least you can get a good deal on a used Toyota. That's why I insisted on a used Prius. The sales woman kept asking why I'd buy used when the had plenty of new Prius in Stock, but I don't want a $30k base model car.
     
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  18. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I noticed all that extra stuff when I was looking at buying my Prius. First place was a Toyota dealer in Orlando. I later ordered mine from a Minnesota dealer and got exactly what I wanted on it, nothing else. I did like the customer service at the Kia dealer by the fairgrounds in Orlando last month. I was looking for oil filters and touch up paint for my Soul. Awesome people there ;)

    Mike
     
  19. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    It could be that my add-on's were non-existent except for carpet floor mats added at port, was due to me buying my v practically off the truck. The color I wanted wasn't in stock but on it's way. It actually arrived the day after papers were signed, a couple days earlier than planned. My sales guy called and said he saw a truck unloading cars when he arrived early that day and verified the red v was mine - did I want to pick up? Of course I did, and within 3 hours of it's arrival I picked it up. They barely had time to remove the plastic wrap and wash it. I've only done a couple add-on's myself; the lower chrome strip on the doors, the black rear bumper protector, and clear vinyl mats to protect my carpet mats. Next on my list is leather cover for the center console - I need more padding there for my elbow.
     
  20. SET Customer Response

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    I am so very sorry about this. We are working diligently to resolve the issue so this doesn't happen again.