On Sept. 28 we loaded up the family and headed to Findlay Toyota to see what they had to offer. A salesman approached us (before I even had the car in park) and introduced himself. I introduced myself and immediately told him what I was looking for, simply a small Tacoma without the bells and whistles. I also told him that we had a bankruptcy on our credit, thanks to the efforts of Bin Laden.
As he showed us the available trucks the sales manager and the owner approached us and introduced themselves. We did find a truck that was to my approval so we went inside to see about the paperwork. I made it very clear that I would give no more than 500 dollars down and my payments were not to exceed 250 dollars a month.
After the ritual of going back and forth the sales manager came back and said the best he could do was 270 dollars a month. I was steadfast and said no. He then asked if he could interest me in a S-10, I again told him NO, I want a Tacoma. He went back to the counter and returned with no better offer but he then asked me to look at a Ford ranger he had. Needless to say I did leave the lot without the truck. The salesman that had been with us was very couteous and every bit a gentleman, but he was new in the bussiness so they haven't had the chance to break him in.
Over the next ten days I visited other Toyota dealers in the Valley. Flethcher Jones Toyota I wouldnt recommend to anyone, not even an enemy. I also stopped at Coutesy Mazda to see thier used trucks. Had my wife and children not been with me I probably would have beaten the salesman and salesmanager to a pulp. They were extremely rude. Bill Heard Chevrolet was another mistake. I was on that lot for only 5 minutes. I called them the day before and was told they had 6 Tacomas on the lot to choose from. When I got there they had one truck, in piss poor condition, they hadn't even cleaned out the ashtray from the previous owner, it was one year old, almost 50,000 miles and had been wrecked in the front end, and they wanted nearly 16,000 for this peice of crap.
I did have one very nice experience with Dessert Toyota. I told them what I wanted, how much I would pay down, and what I expected to pay monthly. I found a truck and the salesman took the offer to his manager. The manager came out and introduced himself. He was very polite and cordial. He told me immediately, Ken, I won't waste your time. There is no way that I can meet this payment with the down you have, or the monthly payments. He went over the numbers with me and told me that NO DEALER in town can do it, partially because of my credit. He apologised and said that he would assist me in finding a CHEAPER car if that suited me. He also warned me that SPECIFIC dealers were notorious for putting customers in cars and calling them back a week later demanding more money down, higher interest or larger monthly payments. I thanked him and told him I wouild like to look around further.
I called the salesman at Findlay Toyota, simply because I liked his attitude, and offered to look at the Corrolas, resolved to the fact that I could not afford a Tacoma. The salesman was about to show me the corrola when the manager came over as he recognised me from the previous visit. It was explained to him why I was there. He told me the Corrola was a piece of shit and he would put me in the truck that I wanted. After much go around and frustration he came back with a gracious offer, direct from John Barr, for payments of 259 a month. Due to the shopping I had done, I figured I would spend the extra 9 dollars and get the truck.
As they were sitting at the table I SPECIFICALLY mentioned that I was warned about dealers calling customers AFTER a deal had been made demanding more money. They told me that they did not operate in this fashion. THREE times I asked and re-iterated my concern and each time I was told dont worry about it, it does not happen here! I bought the truck. I ran out of room here so please see the next post for the rest of the story.
Ken
Boulder City, Nevada
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