Toyota of Corvallis

Reviews 3

RA

Rachel L

I visited Toyota of Corvallis last weekend to purchase my first "new" car in over two decades. I had done months worth of research, created a spreadsheet listing the pros, cons, features, and mechanical specs of the two cars that made my short list. Both cars had been listed on Toyota of Corvalliss website for nearly a month, and I knew their KBB value, so I figured I could get a deal that would leave me feeling like Id gotten a fair shake. I called Friday morning to make an appointment with Allison Davids because Id read a positive review, and heard from several colleagues and friends that she was nice to work with. That morning I spoke with Jake (who I later learned was Allisons "manager"), who was happy to make an appointment for me with Allison. However, when I arrived Saturday, I was told that she was no longer part of the sales team, and hadnt been for several weeks. This was frustrating, so I stuck to my guns, and Allison was "allowed" to work with me. Im glad that I did, because she was great. It was clear that she had only just begun to learn about sales before being moved to her new position (something to do with promotion), but she was patient with me, and offered me honest, thoughtful advice, which I really appreciated. The whole test drive portion of our day was very low pressure and low stress. Heres where it gets weird/shady. My mom, who I asked along for moral support, and I left around noon to get some lunch and discuss the two cars in private. Allison told us that shed get paperwork started on the #1 contender, and would get a hold of me when she was ready to move forward and talk final price. Now, I was upfront from the very beginning about my finances. I had a hard line budget, and would be putting a significant portion of the cost down in cash, $6000 in fact. Id been preapproved by NWCU to cover the remainder, up to $2000. I did have to fill out financial paperwork after the test drive, but Jake assured me that it was just so they could find my loan preapproval in CUDL (I forget what the acronym stands for), a system that shared by dealerships and banks for this specific purpose. I complied. So, when I received a text from Allison at 12:46 pm saying that theyd been in touch with my bank and all was well, I figured we were good to go. However, upon our arrival back at the dealership, I was told: 1) that theyd been unable to get a hold of my bank, and that Jake had called "nine different numbers," and 2) that "no bank would loan an amount that would result in payments less than $100." All of which was complete and utter garbage because I had been preapproved weeks prior, they TOLD me theyd reached my bank, and OF COURSE banks loan small amounts ($2000?) all the time. It was a pretty clear ploy to get me to finance with Toyota, and I didnt appreciate it at all. Needless to say, when I called NWCUs 1-800 number, I reached a person (fancy that!), and was able to have my preapproval letter emailed directly to Jake. After that, we haggled a bit, and then my Mom and I headed back to finance. Kyran Pope was, quite honestly, the best part of the whole experience. She was professional but friendly - we chatted about our love for our "vintage" Mazdas, how we sometimes feel guilty for not driving them, etc. All the while, Kyran was explaining all the forms to me, and answering my questions thoroughly and in ways that I could understand. At no time did I feel pressure to accept any of the notorious add-ons - it was actually fun! Long story short (too late): Allison Davids is great (5 stars!), and Kyran Pope is AMAZING (honestly, she should be running the joint - 5 stars!). Allison and Kyran are the only reason Im giving any stars.

MA

Matt Nielsen

They only want your money, once they have it you cant get any level of service. They wont follow through on their word. The salesman Mike Middaugh failed to even give me a courtesy call on the status of the transaction. Mike has promised to call me twice and never followed through, then lied to me. This is not a good way to do business. Our family bought a car last year from this dealership and this year we purchased a $20k 2013 Rav4 certified vehicle from them Nov 29, 2016. Because it was a certified vehicle it has to have 2 electronic keys, which I insisted on as part of the written transaction. When we signed the docs we were told they only had one key but they would call us the next day to get us the other key (maybe service still had the other key we were told). The next day my wife went over because we forgot to give them a fuel key and spare set of keys for our trade in and the salesman Mike Middaugh told her that he would call me the next day about the key. No call from Mike on Monday, and Tuesday I waited until 2pm to call and find out what was going on (Mike had the day off, how nice). I got the run around and finally a manager told me she would look it up and call me right back (She did call back but almost 3.5 hours later). Over 2 hours later I call back and get the head sales manager Scott and found out they ordered the key on Sunday but NOBODY cared to call me and let me know they had to order a key. I was told they should have it by Friday and somebody would call me. Well that didnt happen, what a surprise. So I called this afternoon (Saturday, 7 days from purchase date) and talked to Mike, he said hed call me right back. Once again over two and a half hours later he hasnt bothered to call me back so I call the parts department and they have the key with my name on it but I have to make an appointment to program the key and because it was almost 4pm they cant do it today (my one day off). Im mad at this point and Mike and I start texting because he isnt responsible enough to call me and follow through on his end, or hes just too important(or would incompetent be more appropriate?). He tells me he checked on the key and it isnt in yet and hell keep checking every day. I called him a liar because I called parts dept and they have the key with my name on it waiting for him to notify me. Mike has no clue about service and I firmly believe that the only thing you have in life is your word. If your word is no good then you are no good. I fulfilled my end of the transaction but I have yet to have them initiate any ability or interest to complete the transaction from their end. Yes this gripe is about a stupid key (albeit an expensive key) but their customer service is horrible and I dont trust them at all at this point. Do what you want, but if I had the option to go somewhere else I would.....if nothing else make sure your transaction is complete before you give them a dime.

JO

John Pointon

Firstly Im not the sort of person who enjoys writing negative reviews, but in this instance I feel its only fair to prospective customers. Secondly we have owned and driven Toyotas for many years (Corolla; Avalon; Lexus ES300; Prius). We have a 2001 Toyota Prius, 125K miles, owned since new and serviced meticulously at the Toyota dealership where we previously lived. When we moved here to Corvallis a couple of years ago we took it to this facility to report some noise coming from the front (I suspected a wheel bearing). We were informed that it was a problem with the Transaxle requiring > $6K to repair. Didnt do it. Subsequently took it elsewhere. It was a wheel bearing and had it fixed. OK. Not everyone is perfect and diagnostic mistakes can occur. 6 weeks back the Hybrid System warning came on. Took it in and was advised that it needed a new ECU ($1400 + $300 labor). Right at the top end of whats worthwhile with this vehicle and so I approved the work. Pick the car up a couple of weeks later and, before I reach home (three miles away) the same warning comes up again. Take the vehicle back and am now informed it needs a new battery - $2,300. No consideration offered for the $1700 just spent having nothing done - either the diagnosis was wrong or the replacement part was defective, but were told theres nothing to be done. It amazes me that Toyota feel that this is the way a dealership should undertake business. If you own a Toyota (or Subaru? Are they any more considerate wrt Subaru owners??) I would strongly recommend looking for an alternate place to have your vehicle serviced. We have just purchased a new vehicle and, because of our experiences here, decided against another Prius and went for a different manufacturer and dealer.... One which hopefully will not feel comfortable charging for completely ineffective repairs.