Firstly, let me say I had a good experience with the sales department. I will give credit where credit is due. However, the financing was a nightmare to put it lightly. I wanted a simple quote with the package I agreed to buy from the salesperson. She misquoted my monthly payment by $20 more. On top of this she continues to tell me that the Alarm Security package will only be a few more dollars, which is was because of the FALSE baseline quote.
Turns out the alarm is already installed on the car because the dealership was experiencing theft. So they turn around and want to charge me for something they've installed for their own benefit. I fall for the scare tactics and get the alarm which turns out to be about $700 over retail. She told me she was giving me a "break"?
Let's talk about the etching. She tells me that they has a laser etching option for the windows. I'm interested at how they can laser etch the window and she talks me into this as well. I go and look at the windows and it is actually etched with ACID and looks terrible. Laser vs. Acid etching are totally two different things. I could do an acid etch myself for less than $20. They end up charging me $300 for a non-laser etch.
I go to the dealership to talk about these issues. One of the finance people see me because the other woman is not in the office. He tells me they would love to take off the alarm and give me a refund but they cannot because the alarm is locked to my remote. Guess what I do? I call the alarm manufacturer and ask them about this because this doesn't sound right. The alarm mfg tells me that the alarm can work with ANY remote that has keyless entry. Karr Security Systems High Performance Series 3 - Blue. Anyone can call them up and ask them for themselves. Lies upon lies, when will it stop?
I mention the etching problem and why I was charged so much for an acid etch that I can do myself. He agrees that the etch is not why it costs so much, but it is the warranty behind the etching. I tell him that I am covered through my insurance for the full value of the vehicle so why would I get an etch for warranty purposes and he is at a loss for words. I was not given a product I paid for. Bait and switch.
Overall if I was told the truth from the beginning regarding the prices I would have never approved any additional packages. What I was told would be only a few more dollars a month ends up costing me about $25 a month more after I do my own calculations just an hour later through a few reputable loan calculating websites.
In conclusion, do not trust the finance department at Toyota of El Cajon even if they can get you a better rate than your bank. The headache, pressure, and humiliating lies is not worth sacrificing the comfort of a friendly bank or credit union. They have nothing to gain by ripping you off with additional overpriced features or warranties and can usually beat any price the dealership gives you on extended warranties.
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