Are all Toyota dealerships terrible?

[BKLC]

To ensure they actually change the oil, I've heard of marking the oil filters - ours is behind the skid plate so difficult... but I've thought about asking for the oil filter in a bag, telling them I was going to do third party testing for a YT channel

Figured they wouldn't want to be put on blast, and would take better-care of my vehicle. Wishful thinking, I guess

 

[Esquire]

I worked for a Van Tuyl dealership for 2 years.

The culture of that place was 100% shit heel.

Sounds like Berkshire follows the same business plan.

 

[t3lcfe]

Dealerships ?! To me they are stealerships.
The only times I had to visit them are: times to purchase the vehicles, and under manufacture warranty period ( even during this period, I always tried to minimum to bring my vehicles in unless no-choice situations)
They all plan to make up $$$ over either manufacture and/or you. I have no nice words about them. Salesmen are most terrible people in general

 

[Esquire]

The worst dealership I have ever unfortunately had to frequent way too often were Land Rover dealers.

For an auto manufacturer that prides itself on building the utmost unreliable vehicles, they do not try to redeem themselves with smoothly run dealer service departments.

 

[RUN-8]

Sounds like Berkshire follows the same business plan.

Berkshire Hathaway now owns my employer, BNSF Railway, and their time owning the RR has seen nothing but cost cutting, treating employees like shit, and selecting for absolute shit birds to lead the company.

Don’t be fooled by Warren Buffet’s public statements and the image he has tried to cultivate. Berkshire Hathaway is a deeply unethical organization, and the businesses owned by Berkshire march to the beat of that drummer.

POSIWID very much applies here.

 

[FifthToyota]

Not all dealerships are terrible, but you know you aren't required to go to a dealership for service...
Has anyone considered an independent shop? I'm not talking about Jiffy Lube or similar cheap crap like that. An honest reputable local independent shop. They do exist, and typically offer far better customer service and labor prices. Or, am I overlooking something in this discussion? Because in my experience, dealerships treat customers like a number instead of a human being, and quality of work performed can be questionable at times.

And yes, I did my two "free" services at my local Toyota dealership. It was a fine experience, but I also checked all their work. The first 5k service was a multi-point inspection, oil change, tire rotation. Looked things over... they left a couple lugs loose, big deal, I tightened them myself, took two minutes, faster than fussing and making the dealer do it. My second 10k service, same thing (inspection, oil, rotation), but this time I also had them replace my squealing front brakes covered under the TSB. That's it. Nothing more. No plans to go back to the dealership again. I have no interest in paying their obnoxiously high labor rates when I'm just a number to them.

I discussed servicing my LC with my little independent shop a few days after I first purchased my vehicle. I've been with them for decades. I know both the original owner and current owner very well. We agreed there is nothing wrong with using the two "free" dealership services, can't beat that price. But after that, services are done by myself and my local shop. Unless it's warranty work, independent shops are the only way to go. Good ones still exist, and are fully capable of maintaining, diagnosing, and fixing our newer rigs with genuine Toyota parts.

Just my 2¢. Stepping off my soapbox. Have a great day everyone!

 

[RUN-8]

Fortunately the dealership in Rapid City, SD and Scottsbluff, NE (the two closest dealers to me) have both been good to work with.

No price gouging during COVID, or for new LC’s or other new models. Service departments are both solid. I typically go to Rapid City because they are closest. I will utilize them for oil changes and other scheduled maintenance for the remainder of the powertrain warranty, or beyond should we choose to extend it with a Toyota extended warranty.

I will do my own maintenance schedule in between on my own. Oil changes at 5K intervals between the 10K manufacturers recommended interval, and the differential fluids every 30K after I dump the factory fill out this spring when the 15K oil change will happen.

 

[fleckosaurus]

We have a larger Toyota dealership in the area who are absolute criminals. @TimHerald and I have both had issues with this bunch. There are dealers also about that are very conscientious and honest, but they aren't mega dealers. Being in a dealer's shoes, it can be difficult when a consumer that's not mechanically inclined and lacks the ability to articulate when explaining an issue complains when their issues don't get resolved. I work in the Ag and Construction Equipment business. We sell multiple lines and I always have my customers ring me with issues or when needing maintenance, and I communicate with our service and parts to resolve issues. I have a lot of repeat business and get lots of referrals doing so. One of my long time friends runs a Toyota store 45 minutes away. They aren't as convenient as the closer Mega store but I've learned my lesson and travel for good service. Anytime you visit a Toyota Dealership for service or warranty repairs, a survey from TMMA should be emailed to you. Fill it out and be brutally honest but don't be a dick either. The warranty rate and parts reimbursement markup for warranty repairs are based on the dealer's CSI Score. If the manufacturer receives a bad survey, the dealership is notified and has a certain time frame to reach out to a dissatisfied consumer to settle the customer's complaint. If they continually receive bad surveys then their warranty reimbursement amount from the manufacturer declines, plus their allocation of desirable vehicles to sell will decline as well. Hit them where it hurts and also report them to your better business bureau. Curious if you reached out to your sales person after your episode with the dealer?

Hello from down the road... Are you talking about Green's by chance?

 

[HammerTheWall]

Wow! I feel lucky reading all of these horror stories.

Delaney Toyota in Dubois, PA is a great dealership, sales and service. They're attentive, knowledgeable, and have done a great job keeping my LC in prime condition. I talk LC mods and local trails with my sales guy, who also owns an LC. Highly recommend. They get lunch trucks to come in and the staff will always hangs out and talk. It's a really fun community dealership.

Prior to that, the last Toyota dealership I worked with was in Hanover, PA, also really good - I only ever had one issue and they went above and beyond to get it fixed. I haven't been back there in about 10 years, hoping it's still run the same. I think the original owner's son runs it now.

Both of these are in smaller towns, maybe that has something to do with it,

 

[Scrappopatamus]

Hello from down the road... Are you talking about Green's by chance?

No

 

[flyrod40]

Fortunately, I have a great dealership - Toyota of Denton in Texas.. I have had the same service writer and tech for eight years. I have the service writers personal cell (text only) for communication, get free loaners for major work and get to go back into the shop to "brainstorm" with my senior tech. The way to do it is to cultivate a relationship with the same service writer for every visit. Make your appointments on line and request that service writer. They make a commission off your business. Ask to used the most senior and experienced tech for all your work and get to know them. Perhaps a six pack or ball game tickets. Don't expect the senior tech to do oil changes, but ask for them to do the multi-point inspection at the end of the oil change. Be polite and patient. I usually wait for my work at the dealership, but not everybody can do that. Don't abuse the privilege of free loaners. Bring all your Toyota and Lexus vehicles to that dealership and funnel all that work to the same service writer and tech. Yes, my dealership (and other Toyota dealerships) will work on Lexus vehicles, and it cheaper too, but you don't get the free apples for the horses and the free lattes and peanut M&Ms!

Regarding verifying work done, back in the early '70s I was known as the "mad tire marker" at Bob Sharp Motors in Wilton, CT. I used to mark the inside of the tires to verify that they had been rotated. I also took my pocket knife and scraped off one letter of the manufacturer's name on the oil filter to confirm it had been changed. Finally, you should be able to pull the dipstick and just look at the oil to know it was changed. Should be nice and light.

I hope this helps some members.

 

[MAC25LC]

Great Dealership in Sumter Sc, Jim Hudson Toyota Sumter, great service advisor and Tech. Couldn't be happier with a dealership, but it is a small town dealer.

 

[rjw250]

Mine here in NorCal is spectacular.
Making me want to buy my next truck there but they don't make them big enough.
Loner vehicle, the works.

I am in Marin and tying to nail down a good dealer to address some issue - can you share yours?

 

[GBee]

I took my LC in last week for a tire rotation and oil change. Last time I had brought it in, I was pretty convinced they hadn't rotated my tires so this time, I marked one. Fast forward to me picking it up and the marked tire was in the same spot. The service writer told me that they didn't have time to do the work they said they had done due to there being other work in the shop and I'd have to bring it back the next day. The service manager did get it done after I went directly to him. In the end, I'm not convinced they changed the oil or even did the inspection. Is this kind of stupidity normal? They essentially were acting like they were doing me a favor by working on my truck.

A TOYOTA DEALER WILL BE THE LAST PLACE I DO SERVICES. I GO TO MOBIL 1 WHERE THEY HAVE WINDOWS WHERE i CAN SEE THE WORK BEING DONE.

 

[J_P]

socal I've had good experiences at both Torrance Toyota and Manhattan Beach Toyota. purchases at both and service mainly at MB Toyo.

I take all of the suggestions from MB Toyo on my kids' cars and just walk over to the parts department and buy the parts and do everything beyond the oil change myself. I let them do the oil change to teach the kids how to deal with a service advisor on the basics. we did air filter and cabin air in about 11 minutes in my son's rav4 and it was a great learning experience to show him that those 11 minutes of watching YouTube and doing it myself saved nearly $100 that Toyo was gonna charge for 'labor'. even after buying the filters from the dealer parts dept.

after getting a diesel ram 6 years ago I've done all of my own maintenance on it just because I don't trust the local dodge dealer. if you have an LC, which I'm strongly considering moving to, I would suggest never letting them touch you vehicle beyond recalls or TSBs if at all possible. everything is easy enough and you'll never be left in a bad spot by a dealership mistake.

 

[fftfk]

I've never had a good experience with a Toyota dealer in my area. Which is unfortunate because the Lexus dealers in comparison are amazing in my experience.

I was reading the thread and going to comment at the end.

You can take your Toyota to Lexus dealerships for service. Lexus cannot do warranty work but if paying out of pocket will happily work on Toyotas. They have the same ability to order/get parts, go through the same training, etc. All of the Toyota dealerships near me are trash. I do my best check their work and have taken my vehicles back multiple times. On my LC FE the parking sensor went out after about 1000 miles setting off every check engine light. I took it in to have it fixed...when they gave me the car back the fender trim was not attached and the bolt which holds the FE mud flap was half inserted and cross threaded...most likely with an impact driver.

I have had multiple Toyotas and Lexus and do my best not to go to the Toyota dealerships if possible.

I will say I did have one good experience when traveling for work. The Toyota dealership in debuque, Iowa treated me well. That was pre-covid so all I know is it could have been a one-off or the dealership could have sold, etc.

 

[D-Train]

I was reading the thread and going to comment at the end.

You can take your Toyota to Lexus dealerships for service. Lexus cannot do warranty work but if paying out of pocket will happily work on Toyotas. They have the same ability to order/get parts, go through the same training, etc. All of the Toyota dealerships near me are trash. I do my best check their work and have taken my vehicles back multiple times. On my LC FE the parking sensor went out after about 1000 miles setting off every check engine light. I took it in to have it fixed...when they gave me the car back the fender trim was not attached and the bolt which holds the FE mud flap was half inserted and cross threaded...most likely with an impact driver.

I have had multiple Toyotas and Lexus and do my best not to go to the Toyota dealerships if possible.

I will say I did have one good experience when traveling for work. The Toyota dealership in debuque, Iowa treated me well. That was pre-covid so all I know is it could have been a one-off or the dealership could have sold, etc.

Great public service announcement.. I'll go that route once my LC goes out of warranty.

 

[ultane]

Hello from down the road... Are you talking about Green's by chance?

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[ultane]

Fortunately, I have a great dealership - Toyota of Denton in Texas.. I have had the same service writer and tech for eight years. I have the service writers personal cell (text only) for communication, get free loaners for major work and get to go back into the shop to "brainstorm" with my senior tech. The way to do it is to cultivate a relationship with the same service writer for every visit. Make your appointments on line and request that service writer. They make a commission off your business. Ask to used the most senior and experienced tech for all your work and get to know them. Perhaps a six pack or ball game tickets. Don't expect the senior tech to do oil changes, but ask for them to do the multi-point inspection at the end of the oil change. Be polite and patient. I usually wait for my work at the dealership, but not everybody can do that. Don't abuse the privilege of free loaners. Bring all your Toyota and Lexus vehicles to that dealership and funnel all that work to the same service writer and tech. Yes, my dealership (and other Toyota dealerships) will work on Lexus vehicles, and it cheaper too, but you don't get the free apples for the horses and the free lattes and peanut M&Ms!

Regarding verifying work done, back in the early '70s I was known as the "mad tire marker" at Bob Sharp Motors in Wilton, CT. I used to mark the inside of the tires to verify that they had been rotated. I also took my pocket knife and scraped off one letter of the manufacturer's name on the oil filter to confirm it had been changed. Finally, you should be able to pull the dipstick and just look at the oil to know it was changed. Should be nice and light.

I hope this helps some members.

Welcome to the asylum.

It says a lot about your dealership that you had to go to such lengths to know for sure that tires were rotated and oil filters were changed. Did you ever find a situation where the work wasn’t performed as promised?

 

[ultane]

socal I've had good experiences at both Torrance Toyota and Manhattan Beach Toyota. purchases at both and service mainly at MB Toyo.

I take all of the suggestions from MB Toyo on my kids' cars and just walk over to the parts department and buy the parts and do everything beyond the oil change myself. I let them do the oil change to teach the kids how to deal with a service advisor on the basics. we did air filter and cabin air in about 11 minutes in my son's rav4 and it was a great learning experience to show him that those 11 minutes of watching YouTube and doing it myself saved nearly $100 that Toyo was gonna charge for 'labor'. even after buying the filters from the dealer parts dept.

after getting a diesel ram 6 years ago I've done all of my own maintenance on it just because I don't trust the local dodge dealer. if you have an LC, which I'm strongly considering moving to, I would suggest never letting them touch you vehicle beyond recalls or TSBs if at all possible. everything is easy enough and you'll never be left in a bad spot by a dealership mistake.

Welcome to the asylum.