Buying a car at Toyota Direct was unlike any I had ever experienced - this was due largely to the conditions in which I purchased it. While I can appreciate the hardships that those conditions represented, I nonetheless felt let down by the office staff in general.
I was in the market for a Toyota Venza. I was very specific that it should be a black V6 with low miles, preferably certified. I wandered into the dealership during a summer power outage, so it was depressingly hot that day. Speaking with one of the sales reps, we were told that there would be an incentive to buy a car during the power outage, but they didn't have the car I was looking for at the time.
I went home, and poking about on the Toyota Direct site, I found a Venza that fit the bill exactly. I emailed the online sales rep (Malek) and set up to meet the next day. With the power out, the staff set out to find the Venza on the lot (which took about 1/2 hour.) It generally takes several hours to purchase a car - with the power outage, the transaction took 2+ days. It required our running to the bank twice since the dealer didn't have internet access to process the loan paperwork. Malek and Rich were both very helpful in getting us into the Venza as soon as possible.
My biggest gripe came from the promised incentive. Since we purchased the car during the blackout, we were promised a $250 gas card for our troubles. After 2 days in a hot dealership waiting around for *everything*, we felt that was a fair trade. We were told during the first week that we should start checking the mail. The second week, we were told that 'our name was on the list' and we should receive it soon. We figured that it wouldn't arrive overnight, but we began to become concerned when the 4th week arrived and we were getting the same 'check the mail and let me know if you got it' message was wearing thin.
We had neither seen nor heard anything about the incentive until my wife decided to purchase a car from the same dealership. (I was, at the time, still recommending Toyota Direct to my friends and family.) After my wife bought her car, my incentive arrived in the mail. We were told that there was a mix-up at the general office, which had been corrected. I was more or less content, and considered the matter closed.
The reason I'm not likely to buy a car at Toyota Direct again has less to do with my own experience, but with that of my wife. As I am the primary 'accountant' in the family, I appreciate timely responses and actions when expenses were involved. My wife was promised the same incentive I was when she bought her car, especially since she sat with me the whole time in the heat(during the power outage). She had allowed the dealership to secure the loan for the car, and the experience at the time was very positive. As did I, she worked with Malek and Rich to secure the Rav4 she had wanted. The problems came later, again with the office staff.
My wife received her temporary tags and was able to drive the car off the lot. She did not receiver her title in the mail (as promised by Jake.) Upon calling him, she noted an accusing and slightly belligerent tone, whereas she felt that it was her fault for losing the title. There was also the issue with the bank loan. Jake had admitted that the paperwork that needed to be processed for the bank sat on his desk a number of days before he noticed it, and only after my wife had inquired about it. As of today, we have no paperwork or contact information about how to make a payment on the Rav4. She had to chase down her own title to register her car, and still have no information on how to make the first payment. My wife is less than pleased with the whole affair, to say the least.
My personal experience was, I felt, not too bad. I certainly had smoother experiences purchasing a car, but end the end, I am happy with my car and the experience. I am wholly dissatisfied with my wife's experience, as it has upset her. And while I'm likely to express my positive experience, it's going to be coupled with her negative one.
Update: 9/18/2012
Given the way these reviews are set up, I had hoped to speak with someone from the dealership and voice my issues that I and my wife have encountered with Toyota Direct. This, of course, turned out not to be the case.
My final word on the matter - be very cautious when buying a vehicle from this dealership. Expect to be ignored repeatedly and being required to follow-up on your own. This dealership can not be relied upon to complete paperwork in a timely manner, submit forms as required (thanks, Jake) or return phone calls as repeatedly promised (thanks, Ryan.)
I love my car - I chose the Venza over the Murano and have not regretted my decision. The sales staff were attentive and helped where they could. If I had it all to do it over again, I would not have selected this dealership to buy anything. read more