Toyota of boone is the worst ran toyota dealership that I have ever been too in my entire life.
When I arrived at Toyota of boone in my 2000 Toyota, I was surrounded by sales reps before I even stepped out of my car. It was like a bunch of vultures going in on their prey.
This was nonetheless, a very distasteful turn off. I tried to explain that I was there just to get my vechicle serviced and you could see the expression on thier face go from welcoming smiles to "Go TO HE double LL" looks.
Now that the vultures left me alone and while waiting to get my car serviced, I found a vechicle that I really just fell in love with.
I requested to see the manager and was taken to someone that introduced themself as Michael Lyle, who was the sales manager or co-owner, I can't really remember.
My first impression was, "I just can't believe this guy. He walks in wearing blue jeans and cowboy boots." - Where I am from, this joker would have been laughed out of the car business a long time ago.
First impressions count and I can tell you first hand this was a real joke. I went on to tell him what I wanted to do and he told me that he along with the used car manager, "Rick" would
look at my vehicle. (It takes two people to appraise cars here I guess.)
Anyway, He called Rick to his office and here came another cowboy wanna be, marching in wearing blue jeans and cowboy boots and both of these clowns are managers I asked myself..
After they appraised my vehicle and offered me 2100 below rough black book value. I requested to see the ACV or (actual cash value) on what they were really going to give me on my vehicle.
They hesitated but finally gave in. I almost fell over. These clowns were simply trying to steal my vehicle for nothing. We are not talking about hundreds as that could be expected, but we are talking thousands less than the car was actually worth!
I ended up speaking to the other owner, Norman Cheek. Here I was, Sitting in his little office, Trying to trade vehicles. Instead, I found myself gasping for air because this man didn't even have enough manners to stop smoking while a customer was trying to talk to him about one of his vehicles.
I told Mr. Cheek that I could get a better deal down Asheville and he got real hateful with me but even at that point, I said that I would think about it for a few minutes and got up and walked out into the show room.
While out in the showroom looking at a brochure, I heard him tell someone that he was dam tired of people going elsewhere to buy their vehicle and If people wanted to go somewhere else to get a car then they could take the dam thing there to get it serviced... because he wasn't going to do it.
I finally ended up in Asheville where I purchased a vehicle. At least when I was in Asheville, I was approached by some real professional's who not only dressed but acted like real professionals.
I was very pleased as I was also given 3000. more for my trade than what the 'cowboys' of Toyota of boone was going to give me. This wasn't a gimmick as the bottom numbers were 3000 less. The only difference was, The vehicle in Asheville had additional equipment that the one in Boone had.
The Toyota dealership in Asheville told me that when you buy a Toyota, You can take it to any Toyota dealership to get it serviced. Asheville said that they get a lot of business from Watauga simply because of stories like mine.
If anyone is thinking of getting a Toyota Vehicle, Don't waste your time at Toyota of Boone. If your in for some entertainment however, go to toyota of boone and just pay attention to the cowboys there marching around to the jazz of thier cowboy boots! - You'll certainly get a laugh!
I am writing a more detailed letter to the Watauga Democrat as well as to Toyota corporation. I just wanted to let people know of my experience at Toyota of Boone to avoid anyone else getting the same bunch of BS.
Dwayne
Boone, North Carolina
U.S.A.
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