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Warning - Empire Toyota Oneonta, Ny Scam!!!!!

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by Lveh8lve, Jul 8, 2008.

  1. Lveh8lve

    Lveh8lve New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    18
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    Location:
    Dutchess County, NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I was hoping to become a happy prius owner by the end of this week, but it seems as demand goes up the dealerships are trying to squeeze as much money out of you as possible and hurting the consumer. This is the scam that was done to me:

    6/06/08 - Recieved phone call a few weeks after my visit to the dealership by sales rep stating they had just recieved thier allotment of Prius' and it had a package 6 as I had requested. His manager had just given the information to only him so I had to act fast and put down my $500 deposit for the $28,243 car. I put down the deposit and was told that I would receive my Prius by the end of the month. The Sales Rep called back later and asked if I wanted any Rust-Proofing or Undercoating done at the port and I replied "NO, don't do anything to the car"

    6/14/08 - I visit the dealership to have them appraise my car and test drive a prius. I had a wonderful experience driving the prius, and I was excited to soon be the proud owner of one. The manager refused to appraise my vehicle which seemed fishy to me. I also was told that my car would not arrive at the dealership until the week of 7/1 - 7/7. I was so happy to soon be an owner I did not care.

    7/7/08 - I received a call from the sales rep stating that the car was in, BUT the car came in with rustproofing, undercoating, scotchguarding, and lifetime free keys for $1300 MORE!!!!!!!!!! I told the rep that if this car was mine per my deposit, why did they do these extras. He simply said "The owner ordered it" and he would inquire with the owner.

    7/8/08 - I recieved a call from the sales rep stating that I should be lucky to be getting the car from them at sticker price as most dealers are charging $2,000 to 3,000 more. I told him this sounds like a scam to me and I wanted to speak with the owner. The owner called me back and was unwilling to admit that it even was a msitake on his part! It was a take it or leave it attitude!!!! I couldn't believe that an owner would speak to a customer in this manner!!! I immediately requested a refund and I am taking my buisness elsewhere.

    I urge you to NOT Patronize Empire Toyota in Oneonta, NY, this or any other dealer pulling the same scam. When they have your money they should do what YOU want, NOT increase thier bottom line. Feel free to e-mail me as I am looking for another Prius and happy to discuss anything about this experience. I hope the next dealer at least is an honorable person.
     
  2. REMPIE

    REMPIE New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2008
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    2
    Location:
    georgia
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    must it be a new one? and are u looking only in n.y. my name is robert and i work in a parts dept.for a toyota dealership in ga.,i also know where Oneonta is located,i was born and raised in norwich,(tanner hill)contact me if u want to rely @ [email protected].
     
  3. sgails

    sgails sgails

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    41
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    Location:
    Frankfort, NY
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    We have bought 2 Prius from Steets Toyota in Utica and have found them to be fair and they treated us right. You can't go wrong. Good luck.
     
  4. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2007
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    Location:
    Davis, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Did you have your pre-ordered Package #6 agreement in writing? If so, I think they should honored the price they agreed to. If the car came in other than it was ordered, they should have ordered you another one as you wished to have it at the price you agreed to.

    I don't blame you for taking your money and going elsewhere. Lodge a complaint with Toyota, too.
     
  5. sorka

    sorka Active Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2008
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    Location:
    Merced, CA
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    Limited
    I'm assuming that when you put a deposit down, you got a contract in writing that spelled out the options and total price out the door after all fees? If not, then you didn't have a deal. You have to get an out the door price in writing otherwise the dealer will tack on all sorts of extra options and fees.
     
  6. Carnutt

    Carnutt Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2008
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    Location:
    SW USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    LVEH8LVE, be sure to tell all you can in your area about what the dealer did to you.

    "What goes around comes around" and they will get their KARMA.
     
  7. Cooprius

    Cooprius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2008
    2
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    Location:
    Cooperstown, NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Guess what? They are still at it! We were a returning customer to this dealership when we asked to be called if a Prius came in. We were called by Mr. Schott on June 24th and offered a dark gray Prius with a #2 package and a leather interior for the MSRP price. I accepted the offer and gave a credit card number to cement the deal through a $500 deposit. They processed the credit card. They offered the same undercoating/ fabric guard/key package that we declined. When the car came in, I was given as final number that was $1200 more than the original price. When I questioned it they said it was for the u/f/k package. I said we had declined it when we made the deal they said we had to have it. They tried to justify it by saying other dealers were tacking on $2000 to $3000 to the MSRP and I should be happy I was at least getting something for it and my options were only "take it or leave it" When I protested and said I wanted the car at the agreed upon price they said my deposit would be returned and the deal was off. E-mail me if you want to know all the consumer groups I've contacted in case you'd like to follow up. [email protected]
     
  8. Lveh8lve

    Lveh8lve New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    18
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    Location:
    Dutchess County, NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    WOW Mr. Schott was who I dealt with as well!!!!!!

    What scam artists, my car was still sitting there for a week! I'm gonna send you an email now so our joint efforts may get this swine some lovely legal fees!!!!

    ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: My father felt really bad and was proud on how I stood my ground so he began calling other dealers looking for a Package #6 for me. And as luck would have it, he found it at Lia Toyota of Colonie, NY not too far from the original place. Plus I picked up my new Seaside Pearl this Saturday after it arrived on Friday. Lia Toyota was A++++ and professional. The sales manager Nick even came out and spoke with me after what he heard these people did to me. The transaction was fast and flawless (and not a penny over MSRP!). I dealt with Marty and he is a respectable Sales Rep, no BS and friendly. THIS IS HOW A BUISNESS SHOULD BE RUN!!!
     
  9. Lveh8lve

    Lveh8lve New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
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    Location:
    Dutchess County, NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Schmuck still hasn't refunded my money!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    DO NOT BUY FROM THIS LOSER
     
  10. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
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    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Make sure you contest this through your credit card company if you still can.

    Tom
     
  11. sorka

    sorka Active Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2008
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    Location:
    Merced, CA
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    Limited
    I think we figured that out from your first post. But since you paid with a credit card, you did pay with a credit card, right, make sure to dispute within 60 days of the transaction other wise you'll lose your money.
     
  12. Lveh8lve

    Lveh8lve New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
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    Location:
    Dutchess County, NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    My credit card company wont accept a dispute til the 8th. Which means I've been paying interest and they have had the use of my hard-earned money. Thats what really gets me going.
     
  13. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2008
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    Location:
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Contact some news channels. I'm sure with more than 1 case at this dealership, they would do a little thing during hte news.
     
  14. sorka

    sorka Active Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2008
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    Location:
    Merced, CA
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    Limited
    You're credit card company is breaking a bunch of federal laws if they tell you you can't submit a dispute until the 8th.

    If the 8th is the 60th day, you *must* submit the dispute before that or they won't consider it, period.

    Once you submit the dispute, they have to issue the credit while they research it. If they deny it, then they'll add the amount back on and you'll be charged the interest.

    Please submit it in writing now if it isn't already too late. If it's been more than 60 days, you are screwed and your only recourse will be to take the dealer to small claims court.
     
  15. Cooprius

    Cooprius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2008
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    Location:
    Cooperstown, NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Hooray! Hooray! Our new baby just came in! Ken Wetmore, an honest car salesman, of Steet Toyota in Johnstown, NY, was a joy to work with! We waited only about 4 weeks and the car that came in was just what we wanted. I got to drive the pine mica touring model home through the rolling hills of upstate New York on a gloriously sunny day and I had a blast! It handles like a dream, looks like a sports car and got 47.6 MPG to boot.

    If anyone needs a new Toyota, I highly recommend working with Ken Wetmore. He kept us posted every step of the way with no exaggerations or deceptions. Steet Toyota is a top-of-the-line set-up and well worth the few extra miles. Johnstown isn't really that far away and the drive is a pleasure!:):):):)
     
  16. McShemp

    McShemp New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2005
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    Location:
    SA, TX
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Is this what is sounds like? Free key FOBs for life? If so ... I'd take the deal just to make the dealership supply me with a new FOB every month just out of spite!
     
  17. guy_noir_ny

    guy_noir_ny New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2008
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    oneonta
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    had a similar experience, but with a matrix. after promising a wonderful deal, they lowered my trade value by $2000. the sales manager said take it or leave it, and I left it. this is not my first bad experience at Empire Toyota. wound up buying the same matrix at Nye Toyota in Oneida. they bent over backwards to make the deal, give me a fair price on the trade in, get the car and deliver it. I would certainly go back to Nye, but never to Empire.
     
  18. Prominus

    Prominus New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2013
    2
    2
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    EXTREMELY BAD EXPERIENCE FOR ME!

    I don't even know where to begin.

    I went to trade in my Prius in order to lease a Corolla. We agreed on 8500 on my trade in and 20300 on the corolla.

    1. They refused to give me back my equity in cash. They tried to force me to put it into the lease.

    2. I never leased before and asked for full disclosure of all fees and they did not tell me about the acquisition and disposition.

    3. I get to signing and they wanted me to sign the lease on an electronic keypad on the computer WITHOUT SEEING THE CONTRACT.

    4. They had changed the contract price of the car from the agreed upon 20350 to 21850 and told me the 1500 they added was a lease fee.

    I walked away from the deal and called Toyota corporate to file a complaint. Later that day I receive a call back from the "Owner/Manager" asking me what I wanted and why I called the 1800 Toyota number. I told him to file a complaint. He called me a whiny little bitch.


    I don't think anything will come of it but I called and left a message with the corporate executive office, and the regional manager. I am also leaving a BBB report and writing a letter to Mr Yuki Funo the USA chief executive officer.