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Comments
I really appreciate your opening sentences. You make my point on everything that I've been saying.
But according to you Gerald, it is okay for a car salesman to give out all kinds of unwanted "motherly" advise that is uncalled for, and completely false simply because I caught her with her hand in the cookie jar.
If you and others fault Edmunds for banning this person, that's fine, but don't fault me for pointing out to you and others that this is still occurring under "assumed" identity. Others may not have the capacity to perceive this.
Do you remember leaving another website? I do, and I did the same thing there myself. There wasn't any action, right? Why you may ask? Because people were tired of this same person plugging their business interests. But that was okay there
because it is her website!
I have tired doing as you suggested twice without success. Both times during regular business hours, the manager was supposedly not there, and my calls were not returned. I can only assume then that the management condones this type of behavior, and doesn't care what their employees say or do. That's fine with me. I simply hope that others don't have to go through what happened to me.
And yes, I did write to the GM using the Internet address provided, and guess what? 'She' got it at her home, and promptly wrote back to me. I am sure the GM never received my message. I have all emails if you are interested, BTW.
Yes, the future son-on-law did buy his HL elsewhere. Not because I didn't try to get him a better price by emailing her, but simply because Carson Toyota didn't have what they were listing in their 'inventory.' In case you don't understand what that word means, please look it up. That is good business practice? To say you have X number of vehicles in stock, and not have most of them physically there? How long do you think that type of business would last in your state? If that is okay with you and the others here, that's fine too. But perhaps by my posting these facts here, it'll save someone an expensive long distance phone call and their valuable time. And as far as talking to Toyota Motor Corp., have you ever tried that? I have, and they will tell you that what the dealer says or does is not of their concern! Oh well, who really cares?
And on the subject of notifying Edmunds, do you have an address for them that won't kick your email back? I've tired, but got my message back even though I was using the address supplied by the moderator.
And BTW Gerald, I'm not upset. Why do you assume that?
Why do you bring up the elderly? When you gain another 20 years, will you consider yourself among that group? Well I'm there now, and I don't consider myself old. Perhaps in another twenty years, I will?
Carry on.
Derrel
2. I left the "other" website you referred to because, as I wrote there and obviously you have read, I was not willing to pay for viewing posts there as there is not much activity in the Highlander owners section. After all, it IS called Tundrasolutions, isn't it??
3. If you are sure the GM at the dealer DIDN'T get the message(s) you sent, why don't you communicate with them the old fashioned way....written mail? We all know this is an important issue with you.
4. Regarding contacting Edmund's, I don't know what address you used but you may want to try doing this, if you want to. Go to the Town Hall Main Page ( http://townhall.edmunds.com/cgi-bin/townhall ) and look down the left hand side to where it says Community Tools. Click on Online Support. Fill out the popup form and send it. If that's what you have done previously, then make a post here to the attention of the Moderator. Surely, you should get some response between the two.
5. " In case you don't understand what that word means, please look it up." Now, really Darrel, was THAT necessary?? This is how I percieve you to be upset. If wrong, then I stand corrected.
6. Regarding the elderly, hell, Darrel, sometimes I feel old NOW!!!
And I'm with gwkiser on this...I think our members are intuitive enough to weed out the good from the bad.
As for email addresses for the Town Hall, I was only recently informed that there is a problem with those addresses. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions/concerns.
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
I actually ordered them here in Southern California thru Carson Toyota. I gave Steve Gantz the code for the Gulf States port installed flares and he found them for me. The code is TG80. I saw these on a dealer's website, Fred Anderson Toyota in Raleigh, North Carolina.
If you check out their site, you'll see photos of several Highlanders with the flares. The flares available from Port of Long Beach, & I think elsewhere, are slightly different. The front flare here, stops at the top of the front bumper. The one from Gulf states travels down the side of the bumper and looks more like the front flare on the Sequoia.
Good Luck
I also found the Southern California Dealers Directory website which has links to 57 Toyota Dealers websites. Carson Toyota had the most complete inventory listing that I found, showing what option each vehicle had. This is when I first emailed her. She had the first Highlander with fender flares that I had seen.
While the Carson inventory page seems to beat the others,I do agree that it would be helpful to add the estimated delivery dates for those vehicles that have not actually arrived yet on their lot, from the port.
Did I mention previously that she also had the best price?
Anyway, good luck to those still shopping!
From Webster's College Dictionary:
"a complete listing of merchandise or stock on hand"
Note, it does not say anything about stock that may or may not ever arrive, or "the estimated delivery dates for those vehicles that have not actually arrived yet on their lot" from wherever.
Perhaps if the 'true' in stock vehicles were listed accurately, the comparisons would not come out the same, and these supposed in stock counts wouldn't be as high as when falsely stated.
Now, how many of you have ever commented that it would be great if consumers had access to what was being shipped? [counting more]
How many of you were unable to find the car you wanted sitting on the lot and had to wait while the dealership found the right one for you, only to find out that there was some equipment difference? Ever wish you could see the specifications of the exact one that would arrive?
OK, I think I've made my point. Dianne seems to have given MORE information than most dealerships rather than less. As to the being nice comment, were you rude to her? I might have asked for the same courtesy in her position.
Secondly, now I know why I haven't seen any fender flares around here. North Carolina isn't in the Gulf States region. I think they're in the Southeast region. So, get it right, bikerjohn, or WHOEVER YOU ARE!! . Seriously, thanks for the info. I know that the "big C" sells them (already color matched) and I know Bushwacker has them too (flat black, I think). It's just that I would have to leave off the mud guards for the flares to mount correctly and I don't want to take the risk on stones chipping the rocker panels. I was hoping to find some that would somehow fit around the mud guards.
Oh yeah, FWIW, we didn't buy our Highlander (or anything else) from Carson.
1. Hand down.
2. Hand up.
3. Hand up. Ours came with the single play CD instead of the 6-CD changer. Dealer switched it out.
4. Hand up.
5. Not me...but HE was (pointing finger).
In the interests of allocated hard drive space for this server, I made my responses as brief as possible!
Oh, and how do we know that the Dianne that was here before (hiding behind the user name of Dianne) was indeed the same Dianne that is now accused of hiding behind the user name of bikerjohn, assuming of course that ANY Dianne is hiding behind the user name of bikerjohn??
Answer me this, will you??!!!!
Gerald...(still waiting for that affidavit!)
I will say that just based on your tone here, you sound like a very abrupt and difficult person to do business with...sorry but that's my take.
The So. Calif marketplace is a miserable cutthroat market to do business in.
By concidence, I helped my little brother buy a Corolla at Carson Toyota in 1983.
It wasn't by best experience but not my worst either. I just know I couldn't work in that enviroment. I would lose my temper if I received too many rude e-mails!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
Thanks for pointing out that I had the wrong region for the fender flares. I don't know where I got gulf port? Anyway, I emailed Steve @ Carson, to make sure he had ordered the right ones. He assured me that they were coming from the "SE" region, since I had given him the right code, TG80.
I haven't seen any flares that will take the the mud guards, but I would think that a flat mud flap would probably work with them.
If anyone is interested in the combination fender flares & running board, the "SE" region has them for Highlanders. They also have raised white letter tires, upgraded wheels, two tone paint jobs, and a few other things that are not generally available in other regions.
Now, I'm really confused, am I John or Dianne? If I'm Dianne, my dad will be very disappointed (no offense to "the other" Dianne). He thought he had 4 daughters & 1 son(John). Although....., if he thought he had 5 daughters, I wouldn't have to hear him tell anyone again that I'm the one that will carry on the family name. Such pressure you know!
Night all!
Dianne, err... I mean John, or...Dianne?
(I guess you will never know for sure)
Hey, maybe we can ask hlltd......
If so how did they treat you?
Thanks.
How far is it for you to go to Longo?
Email me.
Derrel
Thanks,
Jonas
Toyo Techs Toyota Specialists
4185 Clairmont Rd
Chamblee, GA 30341
(770) 457-2098
Good Luck.
I haven't tried internet cardealers (e.g. carsdirect.com) but prefer to have go see myself first.
Thank you.
After months of researching and vacillating about the expense, I just took delivery of a Bluestone LTD (long term debt), Feb.20,2002. I want to report an unusually pleasant purchase experience at White River Toyota, White River Jct., Vermont.
I was convinced that I would have to travel nearly 1000 miles, or more to purchase at a reasonable price. I was passing by the area recently and decided to just check out the lot. A check late last fall, revealed no Highlanders on the lot and a comment that "we can order one and should be able to save you a couple hundred dollars."
Big change now, very pleasant sales girl (Maggie Millen), said she thought she could beat any quote. She took my best quote and thought she would beat it by $400. Her sales manager (Daryl Johnson) approved $200. under. When the actual vehicle was found (at the POE), it had an additional $400. in options. Daryl, still held the quoted price!
When I went to sign papers, I expected a big push to an overpriced warranty. Business manager (Gene Martin, extremely polite and efficient) handed me the warranty booklet and told me that if I wanted an extended warranty, I had 3 yrs. Or 36K to decide and he recommended Platinum package. He quoted same price as www.toyotawarranty.com!!
After the sale, and dinner nearby, I realized that tank had not been filled. New kid had forgotten to do that. I returned as they were turning out lights and locking up. Pete Stoddard (General Manager) came back to front door and welcomed me in. Big apology and Maggie escorted me to local station where they paid for fill up and apologized again.
An overall unusually good experience with the nicest, well informed staff that I have ever encountered in my many years of buying many automobiles. As Maggie said, "Just give us a chance." This is an unsolicited endorsement offered due to the outstanding staff, I have no ties or compensation (your mileage may vary, but I suggest you check them out!)
WRONG!! The price was several hundred less than any other dealership.(and yes we were comparing apples to apples) but more importantly if you want to be treated like a customer and not just another delivery go check out Lexington Toyota in Lexington Ma. From the sales rep, to the financing Manager ( doubles as sales manager.It is a family owned store) to the delivery it was a great experience. We have had the Highlander for two months and it is the best we have owned. If your in Mass, do yourself a favor go anywhere,then there. It is the difference between night and day, and most definitely Large (auto mills) and Small. Great Job Lexington...A new Customer
in a 4cyl. After looking at prices, I opted for the 6cyl as the price dif was less than a grand with more features.
I then got PRE approved financing with my credit union. Took my VIP check and started calling. I knew what I wanted for monthly payments and told them what I wanted for OTD. I didnt care what they gave me for my trade in or anything else, bottom line was my price.
2 hours before I bought, I had 2 dealers going back and forth for my business. I chose the cheapest(met my OTD) and my color. Of course once I went there they tried sooooo hard for a few hundred dollars from me, but I stood fast and was ready to walk. I got my baby without even test driving it. V6 2wd roofrk,towpk,pwr seat,convpk,priv glass,16 in alloy whls- 27k OTD.
I used edmunds lists of dealer cost too.
Use the internet, know what u want for options($250.00 is too much for mats), get preapproved check, HOLD your ground. I only do this every 10 years so its worth it.
i blasted the service manager about the tech not checking my vin against open recalls, and he apologized profusely, said that they usually do, and indicated that letters were just going out that day.
rap
Anyone have any thoughts or have you heard of other Toyota Dealerships doing this sort of thing.
On the other hand, DON JACOBS TOYOTA - MILWAUKEE, WI, was great. They were honest, straightforward, and include free oil changes for the life of the vehicle. They have a fairly large selection of Highlanders, and I highly recommend stopping there if you are in the market for an excellent SUV.
I have a 2003 Highlander, Black, Limited Edition, and I absolutely love it.
Good luck!
-Joe
jzientek@mac.com
My wife and I picked up her 2003 Highlander, Bluestone, Limited last night from Toyota of Nashua.
After haggling with various dealers in the Boston area near our home, I decided to check dealers near my work (near the MA/NH border). Toyota of Nashua is how all dealers should be. Great no-haggling-required price with a very down-to-earth(non-syrupy, non-superficial)friendly staff. Our saleslady was very responsive to us when we were at the dealership and it was easy to get ahold of her on the phone. She let us know when she wouldn't be available and gave us her backup's name for those times. The backup was readily available when we called.
Everything went exactly as stated. No hidden, last minute, unexpected anything (including jacked up dealer fees). They also gave us a full set of mats, which were not included in our original deal. A refreshingly pleasant buying experience.
Another nice thing about the dealership is that they have a separate SUV center, with all models in their SUV showroom. It was nice to be able to take a look at the full line-up of all the Toyota SUV's right next to each other in the show room.
I highly recommend them.