DISHONEST / UNETHICAL Toyota Dealership - Camelback Toyota, Phoenix, AZ

I totally emphasize with people who have had shitty dealer experiences. I've had more than a few (all non-Toyota so far). Gonna give some props to SF Toyota though. This was November 2020, but they had the exact TRD OR I wanted. Called, agreed to a price on the phone, showed up the next morning with a cashier's check in my hand. Checked it out, did some paperwork (with no bullshit add-ons) and was out the door in an hour or so. Sure, closing manager tried to up-sell me all kinds of stupid stuff, but after saying, "no -- I'm not doing any of that" a couple of times he got the message. One of the least obnoxious buying experiences I've had.

I think I was fortunate in that the market scarcity wasn't nuclear just yet.

They've also been awesome with scheduled services. Drop truck off; they pick up the tab for a Lyft home and back.

That's how you get my next purchase.

 

i wish it were only $500! They wanted over $4,000 more!!

 

The whole mind fuckery thing is why I hate dealers. I have yet to walk in/out of a dealer feeling good about the experience. The only time I’ve been close to feeling like things went great was at a used dealer but that’s because they threw me the keys to the car I wanted and I took a test drive at my leisure and then came back and did a streamlined paperwork process. Everything else has just been people trying to give off this cringey vibe like you are someone special to them. Drives me nuts.

 

I understand your disappointment & frustration but you are making factually incorrect statements. Dealership salespeople do NOT have you sign contracts nor do they ask for a check to be written, thats what the F&I guy is for.

I'm in agreement that your suspicions are correct although I'll bet there was no other buyer on the lot at the time you were there. Someone at the dealership reneged on your HAND SHAKE deal figuring in this market they could get more money for the truck along with a buyer who would finance the truck increasing their profit even more.

By the way I'm familiar with Camelback and yes they do have some unethical employees, no doubt about that.

 

What a steamin pile of bovine Scat.

No one can ever take your honor and integrity from you, you have to willingly decide to give it up.

 

haha Camelback is the most annoying dealership around here. I can't seem to get them to leave me alone.

 

In January I had struck a deal with Camelback on a 2021. Spoke with their internet sales team a few times and they had a truck coming in using the Costco buying program. Things felt okay at first, like the truck would be ours and we would not have to put any money down in advance. Then the options started changing, like they had no idea how it was equipped, but we’re going to have a few come in. Then phrases like we will call you so you can come in so no one else would get it before us. Suddenly we were feeling less confident that the truck would be ours.

as a result we started searching elsewhere and found exactly what we wanted at another local dealership, all be it on the other side of town. Struck another Costco deal by phone with them, gave them a CC deposit over the phone and picked up the truck the next day. Funny this was we were nervous even going into this deal as back in 2007 this same dealer played some games. But, it went much better this time.

Sad that dealers would take advantage of the situation. This is going on in other industries right now in other ways with these shortages in supply chains. If your a PC Gamer you will found GPUs are twice the MSRP and big box stores and everyone is doing it.

unfortunate part of all of this is it is their brand name that is being damaged by these practices and consumers, especially those with options, will go elsewhere in the years to follow. OP, good news is here in AZ we have lots of options for Toyota dealers, unfortunately they are all hurting for stock.

 

Try Cora Schlanger, Fleet Manager at Bell Road Toyota. 602-547-6804, cschlanger@bellroadtoyota.com. She's been in the business for decades. A friend I work with has been buying vehicles from her for over 20 years. I bought my 2020 from her. Very easy transaction. Gave her the numbers I wanted to pay, she went to the finance manager, came back with another figure, I said this or nothing, she came back with the contract. She was working from home during Covid (because of her age I think) the last I heard which was about 6 months or so ago. Not sure if she's back but you can give her a shot. There's still the finance department to finalize the deal and they'll try to sell you BS warranties like any dealership but getting the truck you want will be a lot easier. I was about to go to Camelback after haggling with them for a week or so over the internet and phone when my friend told me to go see Cora. I made an appointment right before I was supposed to go to Camelback to sign. I was at Bell Road for a total of about an hour and walked away with a better deal. Obviously it was a different market then but hopefully she can help you out now.

 

I bought my Tacoma at Big Two in Chandler last week and had no issues. Ordered an allocated truck on August 20th and price I was quoted was the price I paid, which was MSRP. If your interested in who I worked with send me a PM.

 

Honest Customer service can make up for lots of issues.

 

Right Toyota in Scottsdale for me so far they’ve treated me well and my service writer Sam is great. Sorry for what you’ve gone thru…..

 

They used you to drive up the price the same way Enzo Ferrari used Henry Ford II against Fiat.

 

if U have signed paperwork = a valid contract

i would inform the BBB ( better business bureau )

no less make a complaint to the ATTY General Ur state

otherwise if by phone not in person

no contract

damn crappy scenario

 

yes, reported to BBB, wrote a BBB scam report, filed complaint with State of Arizona Consumer Dept, and posted reviews everywhere.

 

got that OP

yet I did mention if U had a written Paper Contract

had $$$$ exchanged hands.......... = a deposit

otherwise tho verbal

maybe NOT binding where U live

 

The OP did not have a signed sales agreement. He is mistaking signing for his credit report to be run and most likely signing a piece of paper with an offer on it so that the sales manager "knows you are serious" as a contract, it is not. Soon all these consumer agencies will tell him exactly the same, he was NOT legally wronged.

Again I have sympathy for the OP, he was played by the dealership and the dealership could care less about his feelings or if he ever steps back on their sales lot, they will or have sold the truck for more than the OP was willing to pay.

The best thing the OP can do is make his voice heard on social media and review websites. Will that accomplish anything, probably not. Just look at other posters in this thread saying they went to this greater Phoenix area dealership and that greater area Phoenix dealership and were treated great. While they may have had a great experience Yelp reviews for all these great dealerships show the same thing, many unhappy buyers mixed in the reviews. Heck if you compare greater Phoenix area Toyota dealership Yelp reviews, Camelback is rated higher than these other great dealerships.

 

Just put a deposit down on a Tacoma that has everything we wanted in the color we wanted! It’ll arrive in a few weeks…deposit locks it in.

Thanks for all the empathy, support, & input. Stay away from shady dealers like Camelback Toyota!

 

Same, when I was just out of high school I worked at a few dealerships and have seen some real shady shit, sometimes I was even paid off for seeing it lol. I also told myself I would never buy a vehicle from a dealership after knowing what I've done to them but I did anyway and also had a similar experience as yourself.

 

good luck with Ur new endeavor

many of the transactions in regards to auto sales / service are rooted in 100 + years of precedence

NOT the recent ‘ Internet ‘ transactions & intentions

 

I agree. Right Toyota specially the parts dept. helpful and friendly and knowledgeable. Richard and matt. Good folks. Service dept has been good too.