Complaint Review: TOYOTA OF HUNTINGTON BEACH

I was quite please in September 2000 when I originally purchase my vehicle from Toyota of Huntington Beach, and I had no trouble recommending your firm.

However, on Feb 19, 2005, I traded in Toyota Avalon VIN #4T1BF28B8YU063047. On that date, there was no frame damage to the vehicle or was there any frame damage in the past. A faxed letter from your firm stated that did not tell the truth about my leased vehicle, and I owed Toyota of Huntington Beach the difference between $10362 and $12,000.

Yes, I was hit on Aug 23, 2004. My vehicle was fully repaired by Fix Auto in Huntington Beach, the body shop that Toyota of Huntington Beach fully recommends and endorses for body damages. Fix Auto stated that there was no frame damage to the vehicle.

In fact, according to the personnel at Fix Auto, there are certain auto body standards that must be done when a vehicle sustains frame damage like before and after measurements.

Fix Auto went on to further say, that if my vehicle had frame damage, the cost would have been substantially greater, in fact it would have been about $700.00 more. Unfortunately, Fix Auto would not give me a written report to state there was no frame damage on their letter head, but they did give me my detailed report on the damage, and there is a reference to a pull-out for $135.00, but no measurements.

At no time, on Feb 19, 2005, did certified inspector from Toyota ask me any questions about my trade-in. Alex, the finance manager did ask about frame damage as we were completing the questions regarding the title of the vehicle on the trade-in purchase order. I replied that there was no frame damage to the vehicle. Why? Because that is what I was told by Fix Auto. I was relaying on the fiduciary relationship of Fix Auto and their expertise on the condition of my 2000 Toyota Avalon.

The Toyota inspectors (experts) inspected my car before they gave me a trade in value of $12,000 for the Toyota Avalon. Toyota inspectors are expects, Fix auto personnel are experts; however, I am not. I was totally relying on the information from these experts.

On Feb 28, I was told by Kirk, I believe a manager at Huntington Beach Toyota, that my former car was going to the auction. I am not sure whose idea it was to sell the Toyota Avalon at the auction, but this is where I was told my former car was going to be sold.

Kirk said that the auction rules were if the rear quarter panel was replaced, then it is assumed that the car had frame damage. Kirk also said that he could not remove the quarter panel to verify that there was no frame damage soIn the same conversation, he said that Toyota would probably only be able to get $10,500 for the car and I needed to immediately bring him the $1500.00 difference. I asked him to put that in writing, but I did not receive it that day.

Later in the week, I spoke to Rick Lamb and he informed me that Toyota was going to first see what dollar amount they got from the auction and then go from there.

On March 11, 2005 I did receive a fax from Toyota of Huntington Beach, that stated my former Toyota Avalon was sent to an auto auction and Toyota was only able to obtain $10,362 due to the condition of the vehicle. In fact, Toyota was nice enough to fax me the preliminary sale summary. This sale summary contained the company that supposedly won the bid: Upper A Imports.

On Sunday, March 13, 2005, my husband and I took a drive to Upper A Imports in La Puente, Ca and spoke to the owner Andy Leano. He informed us that he did not have the car, because Toyota of Huntington Beach did not sell it to him.

I showed him the documents that I receive from Toyota. He told me again that he did not have the car. I questioned him further, and he said that apparently the bid of $10,362 did not meet the minimum bid for Toyota and that is why Upper A Imports did not receive the car.

THE INFORMATION THAT WAS SEND TO ME ON THE TOYOTA OF HUNTINGTON BEACH LETTER HEAD WAS FRADULENT. THE LETTER STATED THAT THE 2000 AVALON WAS SOLD TO UPPER A IMPORTS ON TUESDAY MARCH 8, 2005 FOR $10,362 WHICH WAS A LIE!!!!

I wanted to express my thoughts on another part of this transaction, the warranty. I started to thank about how some of how the warranty was presented in the first place by the finance guy, Alex. If I get the warranty, the percentage is lower, if I do not get the warranty the percentage is higher, but don't worry because the bottom line, (monthly price) is the same. The monthly price is the same, but the amount you owe to the finance company is quite a bit higher.

This warranty was removed on Saturday March 12th. I found our through CARFAX that I had 23 months remaining or 26,394 miles remaining on the basic warranty with Ford.

Finally, the cost for the alarm on this car was 699.00. The alarm was already on the car. On March 11, the company KARR, the ones whom Toyota contracts with actually came out to my home. He was at my home for 5 minutes, because he did not have to install the alarm, it was already there. All he had to do was hook up the wires and give me a keyless entry pad. Although, I can not prove this, you guys know that I want to, I believe that this could have been disconnected or deactivate so an additional charge can be added to the sales price of the car.

We did attempt to work out things, but once again, Toyota of Huntington Beach was trying to screw me. They would take my Ford back for 2995.00 less, and that is after 3 weeks, and after it was marked down $2000.00 at a sale.

However, Rick did admit that the 2000 Avalon sold at the auction, one week later for over $12,000.

Toyota of Huntington Beach have not rescinded their letter that they send to me stating that I owed them the difference between $12,000 and the $10,362.

I am very dissatisfied with this whole experience.

With all of this said, I am not at all happy with this 2003 Ford Explorer. The car ride is very bumpy and often hurts my back after a long ride. I would like to give this car back to you in exchange for my down payment of $1500.00.

AAA can not close out the file without the information regarding the purchasing of the 2000 Toyota Avalon. They need to know who bought the car, date, and for how much. They are currently holding up the money due to me for the insurance claim.

I have tried writing, Bob Wilson the general manager of Toyota of Huntington Beach, and David Wilson, the owner of Toyota of Huntington Beach. Not only have they heard from me, but also my lawyer.

As of 5/25/05, they have not answered. The time is up!

I want to get my original down payment back for the 2003 Ford Explorer, I want the letter that states I no longer owe them any money for the 2000 Avalon, and finally I want the information stated above so I can close out my insurance claim with AAA.

Ressonyia
Huntington Beach, California
U.S.A.

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