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Toyota of Union City, - Sold a Car With Mechanical Issues
Inspected Poorly Numerous Times - Complaint
Review by benson_rhonda2004 on 2012-05-31
Rating: 
UNION CITY, GEORGIA -- I purchased a car six months ago at the Toyota of Union City and made a trade at the same time. I was skeptical of purchasing the car that I picked out because it was not within my price range, but it was the only sports car they had in inventory. I was assured by the salesperson that in 6 months it would be refinanced if I make all of my payments on time (I assume this was the lie told to me to persuade me not to leave) . I relayed that I was on disability and that I was buying it under the pretense that it would be financed in six months, I and could not afford to make the payments beyond six months if it were not refinanced; I was again assured that I would be able to refinance, and that I would be contacted to do so in six months. The contract was made in such a rush that my address and phone numbers where not even entered properly (even though my address was on my driver's license). I wanted to bring my trade-in car back the next day after I cleaned it out, but was told that I could not. I rushed cleaning out my car. The next day I told him that I was missing a ring, and that I need to check the car I traded in. Chauncy [snip] told me that it was already gone. Several days later I found out that it was in fact not gone.
I was not asked whether I wanted a warranty or not but instead it was automatically added. I was told by my sales representative that there was no way of correcting it. I came back several days later to see if they got the drivers manual that Chauncy promised me (which I later found out from another sales representative that they don't order manuals if it didn't come with the vehicle), and was told that we could now do a new contract without the added unnecessary warranty. We did the new contract and I made sure that he had my correct contact information.
After 6 months of promptly making payments, I called the Toyota of Union City, and inquired about refinancing. I spoke to Melanie, who told me she would met with me to discuss it further. Upon arriving I was told that Melanie wanted me to meet with sales representative, DarAnthony[snip] instead. I was told that I was not approved for refinancing.
I was on my way out of the door when DarAnthony [snip] offered to "help me out" by putting me in a 2010 Toyota Matrix, and trading in the car I bought 6 months prior, in order to reduce my car payment by $65. I agreed to do so on the 26th of March. I was told to bring the car back in the morning for detailing. In the morning when I arrived it was revealed that the payment I agreed to would be increased because someone quoted me wrong interest rate, thus another contract was written with the new increased monthly payment. The sales floor manager Michael [snip], said that the car could be refinanced in twelve months and that if anything came up, or if I had any questions I should let him know.
The very next day I heard rattling coming from the car while I was going through a drive-thru. I took the car to the nearest Toyota dealership (McDonough) and was told that someone must have backed up and hit something in the car, causing the muffler to be loose. The technician also stated that he could tell that no one looked under the hood in a while because the fluids were not topped off, the car had way too much oil, battery acid was all over the battery suggesting a leak, and lastly there was a rodent's nest near the filter!!! He suggested that I take the car back to where I purchased it. I called Mr. [snip], and left a message detailing the findings, but never received a call back.
With much hesitation, and regret I took the car to the service center of Toyota of Union City, accompanied by my father. Upon walking into the showroom I saw my salesperson, DarAnthony, who avoided us completely. He never asked why I brought the car back or anything. Instead he walk passed us several times. After boasting a couple of days prior about being the top sales man, he didn't have much to say at all. Another salesperson simply directed to the service center.
One of the general mangagers, Jeff [snip], spoke to my father and assured him that everything would be taken care of, explaining to him every detail of the process, at which my father directed him inform me instead of him, which was quite chauvinistic of Jeff. He explained that the inspection of the vehicle was obviously not done properly. The battery was replaced, and the rodent's nest removed. The rattling was not addressed because it was driven instead of parked, and the rattling could not be detected at the time it was checked.
Several days later I hear the rattling again, and I took the car back. I met with a different technician (Chad), of whom I told about the rattling and he set in the car with me in the parking lot and heard the rattling and cracking sounds. He determined that it was the muffler just as the technician at Toyota of McDonough did. He said he bent the plate that was above the muffler (or somehow or another tried to stop the muffler from rattling), and that if it didn't stop making noise, I should come back.
Again the next day I had to bring the car back with the same rattling. Chad told Jeff to handle the occurrence since he was going on vacation. Chad told Jeff that he heard the noise and believes that it is the muffler (confirming what the Toyota of McDonough said). In the course of doing paperwork Jeff, informed me that these things are hard to detect and that used cars sometimes have rattlings. I informed him that this is my 3rd used car that I purchased, and I've never had problems like this before.
Quite frankly, I am shocked that he actually said that knowing that several people had already determined something to be wrong with the car. Also I may not be a mechanic, but I know that a car just purchased should not sound like an old car. I would think that someone who worked with Toyota would feel the same way considering that this rattling car has this new Toyota of Union City tag on it, which would ward off anyone from buying a Toyota. I feel that if Chad did not hear the car for himself, then my concerns would have just been dismissed. I had the shuttle drop me off at work, and an hour later I get a call from Jeff stating that the noise that I had been hearing was caused by a gasket around the area of the muffler that was missing! It was non-existent, and needed to be ordered. After everything else that this car has going on underneath the hood, I am not extremely surprised. However, I cannot believe that a dealership like Toyota would sell a car like this. I had the missing gasket put on (my fourth venture to the service center), and I honestly don't feel very good about this whole experience or about the stability of this car. Currently the Maintenance Required light is on and will not go off. Which means that it was not properly maintained before I purchased it. I have driven it very little due to all of the problems I've had with it, however my family is planning to go out of town this week for a funeral and I am worried about taking my newly purchased car out of state. I feel like I am waiting for the next unpleasant surprise to be revealed under the hood, since obviously no one is looking very closely, even after receiving information about where a problem could have originated. As I've said I've bought 3 cars in the past, and have never had such a horrible experience. In fact I've never had any problems at all with my past cars. I truly regret doing business with such an unprofessional place and I can't tell you how bad it looks to come away from a Toyota dealership feeling as though I've been taken advantaged of;
Lastly this particular Toyota boast a 24hour return policy. Interesting enough this policy did not apply to me. Once I got home I noticed that on the "WE OWE" form, of all places, it stated that "customer will not bring back car in 24hrs", which is more than odd. I believe that Toyota of Union City knowing sold me a car with mechanical problems.
I think that the corporate office should know these happenings, because the actions of shady employees end up discouraging people from doing business with Toyota. I cannot tell you how many of my peers, co-workers, and family, have expressed shock and disappointment over my current predicament. I myself expected a lot more from a reputable business such as Toyota and I do not feel that anyone deserves to be dealt with in this manner, especially when involving major investments
I was not asked whether I wanted a warranty or not but instead it was automatically added. I was told by my sales representative that there was no way of correcting it. I came back several days later to see if they got the drivers manual that Chauncy promised me (which I later found out from another sales representative that they don't order manuals if it didn't come with the vehicle), and was told that we could now do a new contract without the added unnecessary warranty. We did the new contract and I made sure that he had my correct contact information.
After 6 months of promptly making payments, I called the Toyota of Union City, and inquired about refinancing. I spoke to Melanie, who told me she would met with me to discuss it further. Upon arriving I was told that Melanie wanted me to meet with sales representative, DarAnthony[snip] instead. I was told that I was not approved for refinancing.
I was on my way out of the door when DarAnthony [snip] offered to "help me out" by putting me in a 2010 Toyota Matrix, and trading in the car I bought 6 months prior, in order to reduce my car payment by $65. I agreed to do so on the 26th of March. I was told to bring the car back in the morning for detailing. In the morning when I arrived it was revealed that the payment I agreed to would be increased because someone quoted me wrong interest rate, thus another contract was written with the new increased monthly payment. The sales floor manager Michael [snip], said that the car could be refinanced in twelve months and that if anything came up, or if I had any questions I should let him know.
The very next day I heard rattling coming from the car while I was going through a drive-thru. I took the car to the nearest Toyota dealership (McDonough) and was told that someone must have backed up and hit something in the car, causing the muffler to be loose. The technician also stated that he could tell that no one looked under the hood in a while because the fluids were not topped off, the car had way too much oil, battery acid was all over the battery suggesting a leak, and lastly there was a rodent's nest near the filter!!! He suggested that I take the car back to where I purchased it. I called Mr. [snip], and left a message detailing the findings, but never received a call back.
With much hesitation, and regret I took the car to the service center of Toyota of Union City, accompanied by my father. Upon walking into the showroom I saw my salesperson, DarAnthony, who avoided us completely. He never asked why I brought the car back or anything. Instead he walk passed us several times. After boasting a couple of days prior about being the top sales man, he didn't have much to say at all. Another salesperson simply directed to the service center.
One of the general mangagers, Jeff [snip], spoke to my father and assured him that everything would be taken care of, explaining to him every detail of the process, at which my father directed him inform me instead of him, which was quite chauvinistic of Jeff. He explained that the inspection of the vehicle was obviously not done properly. The battery was replaced, and the rodent's nest removed. The rattling was not addressed because it was driven instead of parked, and the rattling could not be detected at the time it was checked.
Several days later I hear the rattling again, and I took the car back. I met with a different technician (Chad), of whom I told about the rattling and he set in the car with me in the parking lot and heard the rattling and cracking sounds. He determined that it was the muffler just as the technician at Toyota of McDonough did. He said he bent the plate that was above the muffler (or somehow or another tried to stop the muffler from rattling), and that if it didn't stop making noise, I should come back.
Again the next day I had to bring the car back with the same rattling. Chad told Jeff to handle the occurrence since he was going on vacation. Chad told Jeff that he heard the noise and believes that it is the muffler (confirming what the Toyota of McDonough said). In the course of doing paperwork Jeff, informed me that these things are hard to detect and that used cars sometimes have rattlings. I informed him that this is my 3rd used car that I purchased, and I've never had problems like this before.
Quite frankly, I am shocked that he actually said that knowing that several people had already determined something to be wrong with the car. Also I may not be a mechanic, but I know that a car just purchased should not sound like an old car. I would think that someone who worked with Toyota would feel the same way considering that this rattling car has this new Toyota of Union City tag on it, which would ward off anyone from buying a Toyota. I feel that if Chad did not hear the car for himself, then my concerns would have just been dismissed. I had the shuttle drop me off at work, and an hour later I get a call from Jeff stating that the noise that I had been hearing was caused by a gasket around the area of the muffler that was missing! It was non-existent, and needed to be ordered. After everything else that this car has going on underneath the hood, I am not extremely surprised. However, I cannot believe that a dealership like Toyota would sell a car like this. I had the missing gasket put on (my fourth venture to the service center), and I honestly don't feel very good about this whole experience or about the stability of this car. Currently the Maintenance Required light is on and will not go off. Which means that it was not properly maintained before I purchased it. I have driven it very little due to all of the problems I've had with it, however my family is planning to go out of town this week for a funeral and I am worried about taking my newly purchased car out of state. I feel like I am waiting for the next unpleasant surprise to be revealed under the hood, since obviously no one is looking very closely, even after receiving information about where a problem could have originated. As I've said I've bought 3 cars in the past, and have never had such a horrible experience. In fact I've never had any problems at all with my past cars. I truly regret doing business with such an unprofessional place and I can't tell you how bad it looks to come away from a Toyota dealership feeling as though I've been taken advantaged of;
Lastly this particular Toyota boast a 24hour return policy. Interesting enough this policy did not apply to me. Once I got home I noticed that on the "WE OWE" form, of all places, it stated that "customer will not bring back car in 24hrs", which is more than odd. I believe that Toyota of Union City knowing sold me a car with mechanical problems.
I think that the corporate office should know these happenings, because the actions of shady employees end up discouraging people from doing business with Toyota. I cannot tell you how many of my peers, co-workers, and family, have expressed shock and disappointment over my current predicament. I myself expected a lot more from a reputable business such as Toyota and I do not feel that anyone deserves to be dealt with in this manner, especially when involving major investments
Comments:
Posted by dan gordon on 2012-05-31:
A loose muffler is certainly a very minor repair and they perhaps should have taken care of it for you. Unfortuanately you sound like an extremely trusting person. No car new or used, even from a dealer is without some problems. I thinkyou assumed it would all be perfect. I can't comprehend even to someone who knows nothing about cars why you wouldn't go somewhere to check out the car? How could you buy a car without even looking at the engine? Sounds like all the 'problems' were easy to spot.
Posted by trmn8r on 2012-05-31:
I got about 1/3 of the way through your complaint. Buying a car with a verbal "promise" to have it refinanced after 6 months makes no sense to me. You strike your deal at the time of purchase. If you don't have a written contract, words are meaningless.
As I read further I could see this dealer is making out really well off of you. You traded in the car, which probably profited the dealer a second time, and then they financed you *again* on the next car. And they made yet another verbal promise to refinance you at a point in the future. These people should definitely send you a holiday card.
Then it sounds like mechanical problems popped up, and you may have really gotten taken on this car. I don't know what to tell you, except I wouldn't have a car dealer finance a loan again. That and have any car you buy checked out by a mechanic that you trust.
As I read further I could see this dealer is making out really well off of you. You traded in the car, which probably profited the dealer a second time, and then they financed you *again* on the next car. And they made yet another verbal promise to refinance you at a point in the future. These people should definitely send you a holiday card.
Then it sounds like mechanical problems popped up, and you may have really gotten taken on this car. I don't know what to tell you, except I wouldn't have a car dealer finance a loan again. That and have any car you buy checked out by a mechanic that you trust.
Posted by KevinTX on 2012-05-31:
OK, without reading this entire thing.. two things... if they signed you up for a warranty (using an outside company for the warranty... that is NOT legal since it's a legal binding doc and you would've had to of signed it to accept it...) if that's not the case, you CAN RETURN it as I have done multiple times and they HAVE to return your PRO-RATED balance (however long you used it, you should be paying against it, thus you get a large portion of your money back).
REFINANCE, you do not have to refinance with them.. you can go to another place to refinance.
REFINANCE, you do not have to refinance with them.. you can go to another place to refinance.
Posted by KevinTX on 2012-05-31:
Also, a 'Maintenance Required light' comes on at mileage intervals.. they are more for the dealership to get you back into service. Look in your manual, at certain mileage, things are due. A 'Maintenance Required light' is NOT the same as a 'Service Engine' light (which is bad news).
Posted by KevinTX on 2012-05-31:
Lastly, this would of INFURIATED ME! "customer will not bring back car in 24hrs"... I don't believe that is legal?!?!?!?!?!!? Did you sign the WE OWE doc? Unless that is POLICY, then that is grounds for legal action! They can NOT TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN NOT BRING A CAR BACK! Ask them if ""customer will not bring back car in 24hrs" is policy for EVERY CAR.. and if NOT, then WHY would it be written on this car!?!?!? Check fine text on ANYWHERE you see their 24-hour return policy, and get that POS back to the dealership.
Posted by KevinTX on 2012-05-31:
Here is their FACEBOOK wall.. light it up Rhonda!!! https://www.facebook.com/ToyotaofUnionCity
You could copy and paste this entire post onto their FB page!!
I'm a little upset by your post.. this would CERTAINLY NOT GET BY IN MY HOUSEHOLD!!! NEVER!
You could copy and paste this entire post onto their FB page!!
I'm a little upset by your post.. this would CERTAINLY NOT GET BY IN MY HOUSEHOLD!!! NEVER!
Posted by KevinTX on 2012-06-01:
I got them on Facebook.. you guys jump in.. they are saying, Toyota of Union City commented on their Wall post."Toyota of Union City wrote: "We have a 24hr return policy. When you receive the we owe you have stated that you will not return it within 24hrs."
Posted by KevinTX on 2012-06-01:
State laws hold dealers responsible if cars they sell don't meet reasonable quality standards. These obligations are called implied warranties - unspoken, unwritten promises from the seller to the buyer. But dealers in most states can use the words "as is" or "with all faults" in a written notice to buyers to eliminate implied warranties. There is no specified time period for implied warranties.
The most common type of implied warranty is the warranty of merchantability. The seller promises that the product offered for sale will do what it's supposed to. That a car will run is an example of a warranty of merchantability. This promise applies to the basic functions of a car. It doesn't cover everything that could go wrong.
Breakdowns and other problems after the sale don't prove the seller breached the warranty of merchantability. A breach occurs only if the buyer can prove that a defect existed at the time of sale. A problem that occurs after the sale may be the result of a defect that existed at the time of sale or not. As a result, a dealer's liability is judged case-by-case.
A warranty of fitness for a particular purpose applies when you buy a vehicle based on the dealer's advice that it is suitable for a particular use. For example, a dealer who suggests you buy a specific vehicle for hauling a trailer in effect is promising that the vehicle will be suitable for that purpose.
If you have a written warranty that doesn't cover your problems, you still may have coverage through implied warranties. That's because when a dealer sells a vehicle with a written warranty or service contract, implied warranties are included automatically. The dealer can't delete this protection. Any limit on an implied warranty's time must be included on the written warranty.
The most common type of implied warranty is the warranty of merchantability. The seller promises that the product offered for sale will do what it's supposed to. That a car will run is an example of a warranty of merchantability. This promise applies to the basic functions of a car. It doesn't cover everything that could go wrong.
Breakdowns and other problems after the sale don't prove the seller breached the warranty of merchantability. A breach occurs only if the buyer can prove that a defect existed at the time of sale. A problem that occurs after the sale may be the result of a defect that existed at the time of sale or not. As a result, a dealer's liability is judged case-by-case.
A warranty of fitness for a particular purpose applies when you buy a vehicle based on the dealer's advice that it is suitable for a particular use. For example, a dealer who suggests you buy a specific vehicle for hauling a trailer in effect is promising that the vehicle will be suitable for that purpose.
If you have a written warranty that doesn't cover your problems, you still may have coverage through implied warranties. That's because when a dealer sells a vehicle with a written warranty or service contract, implied warranties are included automatically. The dealer can't delete this protection. Any limit on an implied warranty's time must be included on the written warranty.
Posted by dan gordon on 2012-06-01:
there were no issues listed in her novel other than a loose vibrating muffler. Hardly a major 'defect' in the world of car mechnics.
Posted by KevinTX on 2012-06-01:
The 'We Owe' document states what you, the dealership, would currently still OWE the buyer for the purchase..example a 2nd key, tint, floor mats, etc. It is NOT usually used as a binding agreement that it would deny the buyer the ability to bring back the vehicle in 24 hours. An AS IS sale only means that there is no manufacture's warranty or dealer warranty that would normally apply after the purchase is made.
Posted by CowboyFan on 2012-06-01:
Every car on the road is a "used" car. Just as a person may not know when his car will quit working, a dealer does not know that either about a car he sells.
Sounds like the gasket that was missing might be one between the muffler and tailpipe, if they are bolted together. Muffler problems are not big deals to fix, which they apparently did. Because the muffler's temperature changes so much, where it makes contact with something and rattles, may be difficult to detect.
Sounds like the gasket that was missing might be one between the muffler and tailpipe, if they are bolted together. Muffler problems are not big deals to fix, which they apparently did. Because the muffler's temperature changes so much, where it makes contact with something and rattles, may be difficult to detect.
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