I have always taking my vehicle to this dealership for services needed on my vehicle as far back as 2004 and had trusted their expertise if a service is needed. Until recently, obtaining a 2nd opinion is highly recommended though the media and the experts in the repair field. On 01/18/10, I brought my vehicle to the dealership for an oil change and for a state inspection sticker. I was told by the service advisor Jason Michaud and the mechanic Kevin Figueiredo that my vehicle needs two new wipers ($66), two new front lower control arms ($1125) and an alignment ($110) jobs done in order to get the state inspection. The services would have cost me roughly $1,301. I was furious and livid, furious to know that why in the world do I must spend a thousand or two each time I bring my vehicle to the dealership, the vehicle is brought new and I have always keeping a good maintenances on my car. I refused the services and brought my vehicle to a trusted repair shop to have it looked at. The mechanic at the shop had told me none of the services that the dealership wants to fix are relevant to getting the state inspection sticker. The lower control arms are working perfectly fine with no crack, wears and tears, therefore alignment is not needed, and the windshield wipers would only cost about $20 to install. Not to mention other services that the dealership have recommended are also not needed. I am saving myself about $1800 for not listening to the Ira Toyota service advisor. I am very upset and unsatisfied about the unethical practices and false statement that this dealership has made to their valued customers. They have caused much inconveniences to their customers for having to take the vehicle else where to have it looked at, they have also caused some unnecessary mental stress for having to worry about how to come up with a few thousands dollars to fix something that is in great condition. I want other buyers to be aware of what have happened and hopping this incident will leave a record with the Better Business Bureau about this dealership. Most importantly, buyers beware, do your own research, check around, dont trust everything your service advisor suggests or said. It could save you a lot of money for taking your vehicle for a second opinion.
bob
methuen,#2REBUTTAL Individual responds
Fri, July 06, 2012
well i was treated like gold until i didnt meet the criteria for the car i wanted they didnt even try to help me out then i was treated like i had the plague
i left there feeling like s**t so i went to anouther dealer they bent over backwards to fit me in a car i got a great deal new car by the way if you cash they love you if you dont you will feel like crap when you leave that might say something about the service down the line
CHUCK ROCHA GENERAL MANAGER
TEWKSBURY,#3UPDATE Employee
Sat, July 17, 2010
First and foremost I apologize for the poor experience you had. It is never our intention to alienate a customer. Your experience is not indicative of the service we provide nor is it representative of how we want to run our business.
I have been employed with the Ira Motor Group for 4 years now as a General Manager, which in a public dealer group is as close to the owner as there is. Previously I was part owner of a different dealership for four and a half years so I have some experience with running a dealership and I can certainly appreciate your concerns about the costs of maintaining your vehicle, especially given the economy nowadays.
However, you are incorrect to assume that everything on your vehicle was "in perfect condition" because an independent repair shop told you so. Our mechanics, as part of your routine visits here, create a checklist which evaluates your vehicle and hundreds of components. When we tell you something is below state inspection standards then it does need to be replaced. There are stark differences between the standards a Franchised dealership is held to versus an independent repair facility, both in process & procedure but most importantly in personnel especially the required training prior to working on a customer vehicle.
One procedure we have in place may have helped you see exactly what I mentioned above. We routinely show our customers the parts needing to be replaced while still on the vehicle so they can see why the components failed a state inspection or needed to be replaced. We do this with many customers who want to see for themselves what we are talking about and we would have done that for you as well.
Speaking to your concerns about our intentions, our entire business is predicated on our reputation in the community and good will with our customers. Not to mention the rigorous standards for Customer Satisfaction that Toyota applies to our franchise every month. Furthermore, we are part of a publically owned dealer group which means we impose even more stringent standards for ethics and conduct than any privately owned dealership in our market. I can confidently tell you that no amount of money is worth sacrificing our integrity, under any circumstances.
Karl
highlands ranch,#4Consumer Comment
Tue, January 26, 2010
can be 'Googled'.
Yvette
Wilmington,#5Author of original report
Tue, January 26, 2010
I have taken my vehicle to this dealership for services needed on my vehicle as far back as 2004 and had trusted their expertise if a service is needed. Until recently, obtaining a 2nd opinion is highly recommended through the media and the experts in the repair field. On 01/18/10, I brought my vehicle to the dealership for an oil change and for a state inspection sticker. I was told by the service advisor Jason Michaud and the mechanic Kevin Figueiredo that my vehicle needs two new wipers ($66), two new front lower control arms ($1125) and an alignment ($110) jobs done in order to pass the state inspection. The services would have cost me roughly $1,301. I was furious and livid, furious to know that why in the world do I have to spend a thousand or two each time I bring my vehicle to the dealership, the vehicle is brought new and I have always kept a good maintenances on my car. I refused the services and brought my vehicle to a trusted repair shop to have it looked at. The mechanic at the shop told me none of the services that the dealership suggested were relevant to getting the state inspection sticker. The lower control arms are working perfectly fine with no crack, wears and tears, therefore alignment is not needed, and the windshield wipers would only cost about $20 to install. Not to mention other services that the dealership have recommended are also not needed. I am saving myself about $1800 for not listening to the Ira Toyota service advisor. I am very upset and unsatisfied about the unethical practices and faulty statement that this dealership has made to their valued customers. They have caused much inconveniences to their customers for having to take the vehicle else where to have it looked at, they have also caused some unnecessary mental stress for having to worry about how to come up with a few thousands dollars to fix something that is in great condition. I want other buyers to be aware of what have happened and hopping this incident will leave a record with the Better Business Bureau about this dealership. Most importantly, buyers beware, do your own research, check around, dont trust everything your service advisor suggests or said. It could save you a lot of money for taking your vehicle for a second opinion.
Karl
highlands ranch,#6Consumer Comment
Mon, January 25, 2010
because the sales of NEW VEHICLES is down dramatically, so they have to make up the profits elsewhere.