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Huntington NY Toyota - We got Screwed!!

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by r mann, Jun 24, 2008.

  1. r mann

    r mann New Member

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    Thought I would share how my wife & I got worked over by this dealership - Huntington Toyota (AKA Stevens Toyota) - Huntington Station, New York.

    Late March - we ordered a Red Prius with a Package #6 after a fairly typical back and forth with a salesman - not a lot of fun but the result seemed like a fair price at $27,000. They did not have a red one, so we placed an order.

    Within days we were told that they found one - we went to pick it up and it was a Red Prius with Leather seats - looked just like what we ordered. It was confusing that afternoon in the show room and the window sticker had been removed before we inspected the car - after leaving the dealership we looked through the paper work. They sold us a factory built Package #5 and had added the leather seats in their shop! Comparing the two packages turns out, we are missing the leather wrapped steering wheel - and had paid retail for aftermarket leather seats. So, we go back to the showroom -

    First, the salesman stated they do it all the time! and we were the first to complain. He offered us floor mats! But, no admission of an attempt to deceive us. At no time before leaving the dealership were we told that they had found a #5 and were going to upgrade it inhouse for us. We were in no hurry and had stated that clearly when placing the order for a red package #6.

    LESSON: ALWAYS CHECK THE WINDOW STICKER AGAINST YOUR ORDER BEFORE PAYING!

    So, Next went to the Sales Manager - He agreed that we had an order sheet with package #6 ordered, and a final sales receipt that stated only "factory options installed" (but it did not state which package - #5 or #6 was in the car). He agreed that we should get the missing steering wheel. Three follow up contacts were made by us.

    Its now two months later - no wheel, no contact from the dealership, our attempts to get action from them have been greeted with "its on order we will call you when the steering wheel gets here." (Two months is a long time to produce a steering wheel from Toyota's parts inventory!!) I think they just want us to go away quietly - we have thought about going to court and have not ruled against that. But at the very least thought we should share our expericence.

    Our first visit was to Smithtown Toyota, where their price was a few hundred more than what we paid Huntington - but the approach was much more business like. In hind sight - boy I wish I had gone with the guys at Smithtown! Our position with Huntington Toyota is - its not the money, or the steering wheel - its the way they treated us and ignored us after the fact.
     
    #1 r mann, Jun 24, 2008
  2. Neicy

    Neicy Member

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    I agree, it's not about money - it's about service. Which is why we have bought our last 4 Toyotas from the same salesman at the same dealer. We have always gotten top notch attention, service and issue resolution from him. If only their service department had performed as well I would still be going there for service. As it is, I have found a local mechanic that I used for my last service - did everything exactly as requested and is close to where I work so I don't need to schedule a Saturday appointment.
     
    #2 Neicy, Jun 24, 2008
  3. ZC1

    ZC1 Junior Prius Owner

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    I would escalate the issue until I heard the right answer from a sympathizing soul at Toyota, not the dealer. I feel you were jipped since it isn't what you ordered or paid for and when you try to sell it, can you sell it as a package #6? Probably not.

    ZC1
     
    #3 ZC1, Jun 24, 2008
  4. alexmac56

    alexmac56 New Member

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    Huntington NY Toyota - We got Screwed!!
    Notorious for playing games. Thats why they changed their name from Stevens..
    I think Atlantic and Huntington are owned by the same group. I found Smithtown to be fair But Sunrise Toyota always had a sharper pencil when it came to the bottom line. I am on waiting list At Sunrise and at the time it was msrp.
    I am afraid with Huntington your issue may linger...
    good luck
     
    #4 alexmac56, Jun 24, 2008
  5. rfruth

    rfruth Member

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    Here in Tx they are required by law to leave the window sticker with the car (but some slimy dealerships remove the window sticker & lay it on the seat or dash then say "whoops" if it ends up in the wrong car ...)
     
    #5 rfruth, Jun 24, 2008
  6. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    There should be a step between complaining at the dealership, and going to court. I think there is a state agency involved, try your state Attorney General's office. If it is not them, they will know where to direct you.
     
    #6 Freedom, Jun 25, 2008
  7. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    #7 patsparks, Jun 25, 2008
  8. sorka

    sorka Active Member

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    Under the "Federal Automobile Information Disclosure Act" (1958)

    Federal law requires that the window sticker be affixed to a side or windshield prior to and at that time of sale. Failure to do so is punishable by a $10,000 fine.

    This particular law is in place to prevent exactly what this dealer did to you. Had you actually known about the law at the time and had pointed it to them, not only would you have gotten what was agreed upon, but they would probably have bent over backwards with freebees just to keep you from reporting it. March on back to the dealer and explain it to to them and that if they don't fix it within 24 hours, you're reporting them to the FTC, the BBB, and their local DA. Plus, since they said that they do it all the time, you'll be taking out an add asking for anyone else screwed by the same dealer to step forward. You might also consider getting an attorney but this probably is way more than necessary.
     
    #8 sorka, Jun 29, 2008
  9. sorka

    sorka Active Member

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    Additionally, some states have even more strict requirements about disclosure and/or more severe fines above the mandated federal limits.
     
    #9 sorka, Jun 29, 2008
  10. ranchogirl

    ranchogirl New Member

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    Not to discount how this dealership deceived you, I have to ask why did not notice the increase in the agreed upon price when signing your paperwork before you left the dealership. Surely you did not just sign away blindly, without even looking at the price?

    Legally it seems they do not HAVE to accommodate you since you did sign paperwork before leaving the dealership, which clearly has the sales price included. I doubt you'll ever get that leather-wrapped steering wheel. I think a more reasonable accommodation would be to simply not charge you for the leather.
     
    #10 ranchogirl, Jul 14, 2008
  11. Dipena

    Dipena Senior Member

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    I would contact Toyota's headquarters. Or have you already done so?
     
    #11 Dipena, Jul 14, 2008
  12. r mann

    r mann New Member

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    Update - a somewhat happy ending - we got the steering wheel.

    We took the issue to another level of management at the dealership which resulted in quick action - the steering wheel was promptly ordered, arrived from Toyota in about a week, and was quickly installed by the dealership. If they had only been this responsive when first contacted back in April. But, We are still disappointed with the salesman and the way he conducted our purchase.
     
    #12 r mann, Aug 4, 2008
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