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My PHV purchasing experience so far...

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by FyeUK, Jan 18, 2018.

  1. FyeUK

    FyeUK Junior Member

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    Hi all,

    This evening I've gone into my local Toyota UK dealership to inquire about the newest Toyota Prius PHV (Prius Prime in the US) and frankly, I've had a terrible experience so far. I don't know the figures, but it seems to me like the Prius PHV is selling really badly in the UK and if the average buyer's experience has been anything like mine so far, it makes total sense.

    I had a test drive booked before arriving and went on it. The first problem was that the car wasn't even charged and the guy sitting in the car with me didn't seem to realise. Also, as we were driving around he quoted me many 'facts' about the car (for example, that it has a 2ltr engine, also that the car gets worse MPG than the normal Prius) which are patently false and I quickly realised that I know much, much more about the car than my salesman did.

    Next, when we were back at the sales office and we were looking at the pricing etc... he couldn't answer literally any of my questions. I had a number of queries relating to the charging subsidy that comes with the vehicle and technical aspects of it, none of which he could answer.

    Then, when providing quotes, none he provided included the £2500 rebate that Toyota can claim for the car when it gets sold (It's a government grant), despite it being one of the MAIN reasons people would go for the car in the first place!

    I ended up having to tell him and his secretary putting the finance quotes together exactly what to enter to get to the numbers that I wanted. Eventually we got there, but even after we were done they started then trying to pressure me to buy one of the cars they have sitting on their lot despite the fact I was very clear saying I don't want the car until May, therefore id rather go with a factory build specifically for myself.

    I walked in already knowing I wanted to buy the car & I know for a fact this will end up being the car I buy, but right now I really don't trust my current dealer to get it right. So far the experience has been terrible and if I didn't walk in feeling so sure about the car I was getting, I definitely wouldn't be buying a Toyota.

    What are other people's experiences? I really hope my experience so far isn't indicative of all Toyota dealers, but I can't help but feel it is... in the UK at least. They're a great company that make great cars, but their marketing, sales and certain pieces of tech (the infotainment systems are... sub-par) really make the company seem completely out of touch and behind the competition.

    I bought a Yaris back in 2011 and had none of the problems I'm having now.

    Did I just get a dud salesman? Or is this just the standard these days?

    TL;DR - I went to Toyota today to order a Prius PHV but had a terrible experience as my salesperson was totally ignorant about anything to do with the car and he knew nothing about it, or the process of selling it to me
     
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  2. Ferrarilover

    Ferrarilover Active Member

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    This is my experience (also UK). It wasn’t charged and they didn’t know the tech. They said normal Prius is better and when I asked why they just said ‘because it is ‘! Surely that’s up the buyer and depends on their needs.


    iPhone ?
     
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  3. FyeUK

    FyeUK Junior Member

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    One aspect that has worked in my favour is that in all the confusion they laid their hand totally on the table. Before the test drive, they asked me what they want my monthly payments to be and what my deposit was going to be. Because they didn't include the £2500 rebate, the values they came out with were MUCH higher than I was expecting so, assuming id not take it anyway, they cut off the max amount of margin they'd normally be willing to do.

    Id actually budgeted for paying the full list price, so when they did this and I told them how the rebate works, they added that as well and now I've been given a really good deal. They seemed shocked when I said I didn't want one of their cars that have been sitting on their lot for months & I wanted a fresh order, so who knows if that'll stick.

    I'm going back in again next week to pay my deposit, hopefully. Fingers crossed they don't mess it up.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i had the exact same experience in 2012 when buying my pip, and from what i've read here, it hasn't changed.
    toyota makes no effort to train their dealers in hybrids and plug ins, and doesn't seem to care if they sell or not.
    i just read that mitsubishi will not sell their pug in hybrid to any dealers that aren't fully on board for training, education and repair. i hope that is the case.
     
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  5. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    I wish I could say it was just a bad sales person, but I can't. I "ordered" mine from one of several local dealers that I'd dealt with since 1995. My "sales" person was the manager. During talks I mention that none of the sales people (past & present) knew much of anything technical about the vehicles (4Runner, Camry, Prius, Pruis Prime, etc.) and because of that I always did my own research before coming in. He said he'd chided them many times about learning more about what they sell, but the reality is most people knew what they wanted to buy when they walked in the door and didn't need much "selling." He said the people that purchased hybrids were very knowledgeable about them before they come in. IMHO, that does not justify ignorance of them either.

    I'd love to be able to just build what I want on-line, transmit payment via "bill pay or bank wire" and just pick it up. I don't need to go through the hoops of dealing with the ex-toaster salesmen. They do not add any value for me anymore other than slowing down the transaction. The way the current sales force acts, does nothing to make this better. It's not just Toyota either.

    PS, Each time I go back, I have the hope that it's better or has changed. That does not seem to be the trend.
     
    #5 Mark57, Jan 19, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2018
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hopefully, the dealership model will change with ev's. we'll probably be buying our cars from amazon, et al.
     
  7. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    That might be the "one" reason I'd sign up for Amazon Prime. ;)
     
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  8. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I bought a used $29,000 car on eBay from a dealer in Addison Texas, paid for it with a wire transfer and had it delivered in six days to my door. The easiest car I ever bought.
    I forgot to mention I pressed the but it now button on Christmas Day and the delivery was over 1000 miles away and delivery was on New Years eve of 2010.
     
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  9. E-GINO

    E-GINO Active Member

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    +1 from Italy... I've bought two brand new Toyota hybrid cars so far, a Gen 3 Prius on 2009 and a Prius PHV/Prime on Oct 2017, each time my dealer' experience was very disappointing.

    In both cases, after having contacted several dealerships, I ended up buying the car from the one which, if not competent, was at least polite, and available to meet my needs, i.e. stipulate the purchase contract with the car optionals I wanted, without arguying, or proposing another model, or insisting for the purchase in installments (which means additional profit for them). Obviously, no additional discounts, except the one advertised by Toyota on their website... I suppose that an explanation of the Toyota dealer' attitude is the reduced profit margin that they have on the Prius (built in Japan) and/or on cars which are not already sitting in their parking lot.
     
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  10. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Need to change state laws first.
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it will probably come in time. when device dwindles at the dealerships, they'll move on.
     
  12. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I've bought cars via Internet purchase and one by non-dealer means and each has been a success:
    1. Internet sale from Rhode Island - 2017 Prius Prime
    2. eBay motors - 2014 BMW i3-REx
    3. Toyota promotional - 2010 Prius
    4. eBay motors - 2003 Prius
    I don't expect much from the salesman but a competent purchase agent. Get the paperwork right in collaboration with my bank, no problem.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  13. FyeUK

    FyeUK Junior Member

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    Ok so I went to another dealer this evening and fully explained my experience.

    I’m much, much happier this time. He still didn’t know much about the car (this particular dealer didn’t even have one out on show) but he was completely honest with me & listened to my rant about the other dealer.

    He’s also completely willing to accommodate what I want and he said he’s going to do his best to match the offer the other dealer gave me (he didn’t seem to think it would be a problem, he’s going to ring me back tomorrow to confirm).

    Now I just need to work out what to say to the other dealer when he calls me next week!
     
  14. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    We have a saying in the states, the only thing wrong with a Toyota is that you have to buy one from a Toyota Dealer.
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds like you're happy just to be at another clueless dealer, if only to spite the first one.
     
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  16. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    An unpretentious one whose ears work.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    someone who doesn't know anything about the car, doesn't even have one to 'forget to charge' and believes they can meet the pricing? a dream customer just walked in like a jilted lover.
     
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  18. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Indeed, after a week, come back and take the salesman and team for a 'test drive to a pub for a pint.' Use it as a teaching moment. <grins>

    Bob Wilson
     
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  19. Dennis_MA

    Dennis_MA Active Member

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    If only they would put as much effort into knowing about the car and having it ready for a test drive as they do trying to strong arm you into extended warranties and prepaid services.
     
  20. PHV

    PHV New Member

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    Before you part with your hard earned money try Car Wow. It is easy to use.
    Enter details of the car you want and get 5 emails from dealers with prices.
    My local dealer only 2 miles away would not move on price of £32,500 inc of £2,500 grant.
    A dealer 30 miles away sent me a quote of £27,100 inc of the grant. The price dropped to £26,100 if I took finance but I paid cash.He would not move on free mats or side protectors but I bought them anyway. I rang the local dealer 2 miles away to try if he would price match. No was the answer as he paid more to buy them in.
    I agree with you about dealers knowing less than the buyers.
    I picked mine up with no charge in it !