- #48 of 97
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Re: Choosing a Dealer - What to Look For [teamyonex]
by maddmike
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Apr 11, 2007 (11:26 pm)
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Replying to: teamyonex (Mar 25, 2007 8:08 pm)
teamyonex, you're 100% dead on. You only deal with the sales folks once. You spend the rest of your relationship at that dealer with the service department.
Thanks for the reminder on the appointment backlog. I'll make sure to call a few of the dealers I'm looking to buy from.
I was trying to come up with a list of things one would look to evaluate a dealer's service department if they've never been there before. Here's just a few items:
Does my purchase include the first service for free?
Does your service department wash my car when it comes in for service?
Do you provide a free loaner car if my repair takes more than a day?
Do you provide any additional services to your purchasing customer that bring their cars into your service department?
Feel free to add to the list.
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- #49 of 97
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Re: Choosing a Dealer - What to Look For [maddmike]
by gasman1
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Apr 12, 2007 (4:25 am)
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Replying to: maddmike (Apr 11, 2007 11:26 pm)
Is that FREE car wash brushless or one that will leave swirl marks in the paint. My dealership uses the brush system and has my account annotated NOT to wash my vehicles.
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- #50 of 97
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what about vehicles out of my area?
by misfit815
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Apr 18, 2007 (11:38 am)
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I was told by a local dealer that the manufacturer (Toyota) doesn't make the model (Tacoma) in the trim (V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 6M)) that I'm looking for in my area, and that they'd have to bring one in from elsewhere.
Well, do I stick with that dealer or plan a road trip? Is it worth it to find out where I can get one, and how would I do that? All of the automated "Get a Quote" webbies default to local dealers.
J
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- #51 of 97
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Re: what about vehicles out of my area? [misfit815]
by esteeze
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Apr 19, 2007 (11:11 am)
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Replying to: misfit815 (Apr 18, 2007 11:38 am)
misfit815,
Check with as many dealers as you can, even if they are out of your area. For example, one of the primary dealers I'm working with currently is about 2 hours from where I live.
Generally speaking, the more dealers you get involved with, the more options you will have as far as options, prices, etc.
Good luck!
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- #52 of 97
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Re: what about vehicles out of my area? [misfit815]
by kirstie_h HOST
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Apr 19, 2007 (11:14 am)
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Replying to: misfit815 (Apr 18, 2007 11:38 am)
If you can use the yellow pages (try yp.yahoo.com) to locate Toyota dealers in surrounding areas, you might be able to find their dealership websites using Google. Several that I've visited list their new and used inventory on-line. While it's not likely to be up-to-the-minute accurate, it's a good place to start before calling to see if they've got your preferred trim level in stock.
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- #53 of 97
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Re: what about vehicles out of my area? [kirstie_h]
by joel0622
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Apr 19, 2007 (11:29 am)
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Replying to: kirstie_h (Apr 19, 2007 11:14 am)
Find out the zip codes of the zones that handle the unit you want and then go to the manufacture web site and search for dealers that are related to that zip code
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- #54 of 97
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Re: Choosing a Dealer - What to Look For [maddmike]
by isellhondas
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May 01, 2007 (3:51 pm)
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Replying to: maddmike (Apr 11, 2007 11:26 pm)
Actually, you PAY for all of these FREE things.
Nothing is free. They will have to roll these costs into the price of the car or their labor rates.
Sounds good though...
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- #55 of 97
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Re: Choosing a Dealer - What to Look For [isellhondas]
by jipster
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May 01, 2007 (4:29 pm)
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Replying to: isellhondas (May 01, 2007 3:51 pm)
hey isell...long time no see. Where ya been?
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- #56 of 97
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Re: Choosing a Dealer - What to Look For [jipster]
by isellhondas
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May 02, 2007 (5:03 am)
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Replying to: jipster (May 01, 2007 4:29 pm)
Oh, I'm around, just busy lately.
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- #57 of 97
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Re: Choosing a Dealer - What to Look For [maddmike]
by geffen
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May 05, 2007 (6:26 am)
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Replying to: maddmike (Apr 11, 2007 11:26 pm)
I can relate to a few of the postings on sales and service depts. a few years ago I bought a car from a dealership whom has great sales people, I was impressed with the way my car purchase went and when it came time for me to get my car serviced of when i pointed out a something wrong with my car the service dept. acted as if I had purchased my car someplace else, I was even asked the first time I went into service, "Did you buy your car here" on the back my car it has the dealers plate frame which is easily visible they had not even looked up the VIN #. besides the salesman who sold me the car was just down the hall from the service dept. i was not impressed with their service as they could never duplicate my issues and never offered me a loaner car when my car had to stay there overnight. I took my business elsewhere, they've lost me as a customer. the amazing part to this is I found another dealership across town that diagnosed my issue and actually fixed it, and on top of it they gave me a loaner car and I did not even purchase from their dealership, what a difference from one dealer to another.
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