Buyer beware phillips toyota, leesburg, fl

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

BUYER BEWARE, PHILLIPS TOYOTA is selling a 2016 RAV4 LIMITED HYBRID, we previously owned. They have the car because they were unable to diagnose why the car's battery would periodically drain for no reason .They previously replaced the battery, but that did not resolve the problem. We were unable to start the car or get into the car when this happened.

I no longer felt confident driving the car as I would not know when this would occur.

Please check with the Better Business Bureau and Seniors Against Crimes about Phillips Toyota standing.

STOCK #80280A

[Wiotte]

BUYER BEWARE, PHILLIPS TOYOTA is selling a 2016 RAV4 LIMITED HYBRID, we previously owned. They have the car because they were unable to diagnose why the car's battery would periodically drain for no reason .They previously replaced the battery, but that did not resolve the problem. We were unable to start the car or get into the car when this happened.



I no longer felt confident driving the car as I would not know when this would occur.



Please check with the Better Business Bureau and Seniors Against Crimes about Phillips Toyota standing.



STOCK #80280A



Did they purchase it back under the lemon law ?


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[John_W]

Here it is; $31,694.

https://www.phillipstoyota.com/assets/inventory/vehicles/jtmdjrev1gd031865/ip/1.jpg

Used Toyota's for Sale | Phillips Toyota Leesburg, FL (https://www.phillipstoyota.com/searchused.aspx?Type=U&Year=2016&Make=Toyota&Model=RAV4%20Hybrid)

[Chatbrat]

If it was a lemon buy back, the title must be amended

[Wiotte]

If it was a lemon buy back, the title must be amended



Must they disclose before a buyer ?


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[vintageogauge]

My neighbor had that problem with a VW beetle and ended up going to court and lost. Ends up the problem was with the CD changer that on his model was located in the trunk. Power was always going to it and they only drove the car on occasion. He used to keep a trickle charger on it until the problem was discovered several years later.

[CWGUY]

Here it is; $31,694.

https://www.phillipstoyota.com/assets/inventory/vehicles/jtmdjrev1gd031865/ip/1.jpg

Used Toyota's for Sale | Phillips Toyota Leesburg, FL (https://www.phillipstoyota.com/searchused.aspx?Type=U&Year=2016&Make=Toyota&Model=RAV4%20Hybrid)

:thumbup: Nice color.....what's it called? K-Mart Blue?

[village dreamer]

we need more info. , did you lose money, it sounds like they did something for you?? I will buy a Toyota from them.

[Wiotte]

we need more info. , did you lose money, it sounds like they did something for you?? I will buy a Toyota from them.



Do yourself a favor. Go into Orlando for a fair deal as well as a much larger inventory. Our Phillips experience was too reminiscent of a bad used car sales pitch. We left, bought at Toyota of Orlando. Very professional and a nice experience. Plus we saved money to boot.


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[Chatbrat]

When we bought my wife new car, it was the most pleasurable experience ever--all initial paper work was done by the dealer-sent the dealer copies of out licenses, put down $5k via credit card--the sales person delivered the car to our house & took our trade back to the dealership
did all the paperwork on the dining room table--never set foot in the dealer ship

[John_W]

Two weeks ago I bought a 2017 Camaro Fifty "50th Anniversary" Edition from an Orlando dealer, it was a very smooth operation. The sales people used no pressure at all and gave me more than I thought I would get on my trade. The car looks just like this;

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_IRXd4MMv1E/maxresdefault.jpg

[Wiotte]

Here’s the Car Fax

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171110/9ba262abd088364bf224e802d320bb65.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171110/843c66458de7fb44f54c19ef73c9d021.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171110/499596522bedae541d6a0e98d37ef69f.jpg


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[Wiotte]

So, is Phillips Toyota selling a lemon law buy back or did the OP trade it in for another car ?
Or did this dealer buy it back not as a lemon but simply to satisfy the OP. If there was no arbitration the car could have skipped by the lemon law requirements.
It would help if the OP gave us more details.

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[village dreamer]

we don't know the whole story .

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Is it possible that once they owned the car they found and fixed whatever the problem was?

I take my Lexus to Phillips for service and have had nothing but positive experiences there.

[JoMar]

Have had great experiences with Phillips....have no desire to drive to Orlando for auto service. There is always more to most of these stories but as with any purchase, the buyer should always be diligent.

[Wiotte]

Have had great experiences with Phillips....have no desire to drive to Orlando for auto service. There is always more to most of these stories but as with any purchase, the buyer should always be diligent.



I bought my truck in Orlando and have it serviced by Phillips in Leesburg. The service department doesn’t care where the vehicle was purchased.
10 years ago I bought a new F150 Lariat in New Hampshire. Had it serviced locally for 10 years in Rhode Island. They never cared where I purchased it.


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[patfla06]

We take our Lexus RXs there and they have always been honest and reliable.

[NYGUY]

I just bought a car at Phillips. The price and experience were great.

[Wiotte]

Two weeks ago I bought a 2017 Camaro Fifty "50th Anniversary" Edition from an Orlando dealer, it was a very smooth operation. The sales people used no pressure at all and gave me more than I thought I would get on my trade. The car looks just like this;



https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_IRXd4MMv1E/maxresdefault.jpg



I do like the new Camaro’s but...
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171111/84465c1eee7e5fffa1aff7a20fc48b0b.jpg

The ‘68 Z-28 is better than sex.


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[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

Let me start out by answering the question that no Lemon Law was involved. Maybe we should have let it become three attempts to fix the problem and then have it fail.... Here is the full story:

In June we returned to the car in a shopping center parking lot, and the battery was dead. AAA jump-started it and it seemed to charge as we drove home. We brought it to Phillips service dept., where the technician explained that they weren’t able to diagnose the problem, but they replaced the battery, suggesting that maybe the battery had a weak cell.

The problem recurred three months later, the day after the hurricane, when AAA couldn't provide service because of trees across roads, etc., so we used our own car battery charger. Again it seemed to hold a charge; however, three weeks later it recurred—a completely dead battery. The problem then recurred two more times, and we lost confidence in the car. When we say 'dead,' there's no other way to describe it; we had to manually unlock the car door!

Phillips asked us to leave the car with them. They kept it for over a week, and during that time the issue did not recur, meaning they couldn’t fix it. We then met with our original salesperson and the service manager, who told us that Phillips would replace the car with the identical car—but not a hybrid—with either a 2017 or a 2018 model of the identical car. This offer was predicated on the general manager’s setting prices. We returned a few days later to meet with him, who in the end offered us an even exchange for a 2017, or $2,000 for a 2018, for the identical car without the hybrid system.

We opted for the 2018 and paid the $2,000. However, when we went to pick up the car, we immediately saw that it was NOT the same car as the 2016; it was noticeably missing one feature—and we say 'noticeably’ because it's one that we used everyday (bird's eye camera). We canceled the deal and left, never having been told that other features, notably safety features, were missing. The next day we thought and talked about it, made our peace with not having the camera (which we were led to believe was the ONLY difference between the two models), returned, and bought the car.

We were on our way home when we realized that there was at least one other safety feature missing (a sonar device to let the
driver know that someone or something is too close to the car)—and perhaps more. Again, we were not aware of these missing features until we went to use them. We called back to the dealership, and for the first time we learned that these safety features, for which we had paid when we bought the 2016, were part of a package; all we were told was that this is the car and the features that we're paying for, nothing about a package. Prior to signing the agreement, we saw the car and was once more told that it had all the same features as our 2016, the only difference being no hybrid system (and evidently no bird’s eye camera).

Following our filing a complaint with Toyota Corporate, we received a call from the customer relations manager, who said that Phillips Toyota would do nothing further for us. As soon as we asked her to put this in writing--either a letter or an email--her demeanor abruptly changed. She became belligerent, almost rude, refused to listen to us, and it was at that moment that we realized that THIS is how they do business—they NEVER put anything in writing—and what the implications are. We asked her job title, and when we asked her last name, at first she refused, then mumbled something, and when we asked her to spell it, she hung up on us. This is what Phillips Toyota considers 'customer relations'?

Simply put, we were promised a replacement car that would be identical to the 2016 (but not hybrid) whose features we had paid for when we bought the car, and NOW they are saying that if we want what we were promised, we would have to pay a second time for these features!

If anyone feels confident buying from a dealership that (1) treats its customers this way, and (2) puts this particular car with its intermittent electrical problem into their used car market without explaining the problem it has, by all means go right ahead....

[Wiotte]

Let me start out by answering the question that no Lemon Law was involved. Maybe we should have let it become three attempts to fix the problem and then have it fail.... Here is the full story:



In June we returned to the car in a shopping center parking lot, and the battery was dead. AAA jump-started it and it seemed to charge as we drove home. We brought it to Phillips service dept., where the technician explained that they weren’t able to diagnose the problem, but they replaced the battery, suggesting that maybe the battery had a weak cell.



The problem recurred three months later, the day after the hurricane, when AAA couldn't provide service because of trees across roads, etc., so we used our own car battery charger. Again it seemed to hold a charge; however, three weeks later it recurred—a completely dead battery. The problem then recurred two more times, and we lost confidence in the car. When we say 'dead,' there's no other way to describe it; we had to manually unlock the car door!



Phillips asked us to leave the car with them. They kept it for over a week, and during that time the issue did not recur, meaning they couldn’t fix it. We then met with our original salesperson and the service manager, who told us that Phillips would replace the car with the identical car—but not a hybrid—with either a 2017 or a 2018 model of the identical car. This offer was predicated on the general manager’s setting prices. We returned a few days later to meet with him, who in the end offered us an even exchange for a 2017, or $2,000 for a 2018, for the identical car without the hybrid system.



We opted for the 2018 and paid the $2,000. However, when we went to pick up the car, we immediately saw that it was NOT the same car as the 2016; it was noticeably missing one feature—and we say 'noticeably’ because it's one that we used everyday (bird's eye camera). We canceled the deal and left, never having been told that other features, notably safety features, were missing. The next day we thought and talked about it, made our peace with not having the camera (which we were led to believe was the ONLY difference between the two models), returned, and bought the car.



We were on our way home when we realized that there was at least one other safety feature missing (a sonar device to let the

driver know that someone or something is too close to the car)—and perhaps more. Again, we were not aware of these missing features until we went to use them. We called back to the dealership, and for the first time we learned that these safety features, for which we had paid when we bought the 2016, were part of a package; all we were told was that this is the car and the features that we're paying for, nothing about a package. Prior to signing the agreement, we saw the car and was once more told that it had all the same features as our 2016, the only difference being no hybrid system (and evidently no bird’s eye camera).



Following our filing a complaint with Toyota Corporate, we received a call from the customer relations manager, who said that Phillips Toyota would do nothing further for us. As soon as we asked her to put this in writing--either a letter or an email--her demeanor abruptly changed. She became belligerent, almost rude, refused to listen to us, and it was at that moment that we realized that THIS is how they do business—they NEVER put anything in writing—and what the implications are. We asked her job title, and when we asked her last name, at first she refused, then mumbled something, and when we asked her to spell it, she hung up on us. This is what Phillips Toyota considers 'customer relations'?



Simply put, we were promised a replacement car that would be identical to the 2016 (but not hybrid) whose features we had paid for when we bought the car, and NOW they are saying that if we want what we were promised, we would have to pay a second time for these features!



If anyone feels confident buying from a dealership that (1) treats its customers this way, and (2) puts this particular car with its intermittent electrical problem into their used car market without explaining the problem it has, by all means go right ahead....



Just as I thought. This is how they circumvent the lemon law and will pass this lemon onto an unsuspecting buyer at a full retail price. Dirtbags.
Anytime it’s new car buying time I keep this in my head... Anytime the salesman’s lips are moving, their lying, lol. Keeps me grounded in reality and I always walk away with the best deal. [emoji6]


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[devohna]

we bought our new GMC terain there and our experience was fantastic. we actually met the owner and he is a wonderful man. our salesperson was top notch and we love our car.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Why not try a different dealer for repair? It is under warranty, correct?

[Uberschaf]

There is no Lemon Law in Florida.

[Villager Joyce]

There is no Lemon Law in Florida.

Fun Saturday morning activity...google Florida lemon law

[Polar Bear]

There is no Lemon Law in Florida.
:ohdear:

Where some people get their information I will never know. Do as VJ suggests.

[chuckinca]

Every time we took our Dodge pickup to Phillips Dodge in Ocala for an oil change we couldn't get it back without spending over $1,000 plus on issues they found while doing the oil change.

We now use Bryan in Leesburg and can usually get out without their recommended $500 in additional service.

Dealers we use in Colorado and Norcal must be blind because they just do the oil changes and you are on your way.

.

[CWGUY]

There is no Lemon Law in Florida.

:024:Florida Attorney General - How The Florida Lemon Law Works (http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/a510d1364b15502a85256cc9005da68a)

[Polar Bear]

Every time we took our Dodge pickup to Phillips Dodge in Ocala for an oil change we couldn't get it back without spending over $1,000 plus on issues they found while doing the oil change.

We now use Bryan in Leesburg and can usually get out without their recommended $500 in additional service...
“couldn’t get it back”? “can usually get out”?

You do know who has final word on whether or not work is done, don’t you??!!??

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

There is a lemon law in Florida.


There is no Lemon Law in Florida.

[FMF Doc]

Here’s the Car Fax

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171110/9ba262abd088364bf224e802d320bb65.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171110/843c66458de7fb44f54c19ef73c9d021.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171110/499596522bedae541d6a0e98d37ef69f.jpg


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I don't see the repairs or service calls listed on this report. They are usually listed by the dealers. I just bought a 2007 Toyota Solara and every oil change and battery replacement done at the dealers was reported.

[Wiotte]

I don't see the repairs or service calls listed on this report. They are usually listed by the dealers. I just bought a 2007 Toyota Solara and every oil change and battery replacement done at the dealers was reported.



Here’s the rest of the report. No services shown.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171111/6bcf68316829f35c30b67fd6a1c93913.jpg

Does CARFAX have different tiers of documentation ?
The myCARFAX.com link on the bottom does not work.


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[FMF Doc]

Here’s the rest of the report. No services shown.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171111/6bcf68316829f35c30b67fd6a1c93913.jpg

Does CARFAX have different tiers of documentation ?
The myCARFAX.com link on the bottom does not work.


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Not sure. But ones I looked at when looking for a car listed number of previous owners, accidents, service and repairs and the mileage when these events took place.

Just wondering if they were omitted or just not recorded at all or?????

This is from the carafe.com web site:
Every CARFAX Vehicle History Report™ checks for...

CARFAX Reports contain important information that can help you make a more informed decision about a used car, truck or SUV, including:
Vehicle Registration Frame/structural damageSalvaged, Junked or Flood titlesAccident indicatorsOdometer readingsService and repair informationLemon historyVehicle usage (taxi, rental, lease, etc.)Total loss accident historyRecall information

Based on that I would think there is one level of reporting. I think your only options are to choose a single report, multiple reports or subscription for a certain period of time.

[Wiotte]

Not sure. But ones I looked at when looking for a car listed number of previous owners, accidents, service and repairs and the mileage when these events took place.



Just wondering if they were omitted or just not recorded at all or?????



I don’t know how this works. I will check other vehicle CARFAX reports from this dealer. You are correct in that I’ve also seen maintenance logs on other CARFAX reports.


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[CWGUY]

:024: Wow! People should do this much research when buying a house.:icon_wink:

[Wiotte]

CARFAX ain’t what it’s cracked up to be.



Top 604 Reviews and Complaints about Carfax (https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/carfax_inacc.html)

Should You Always Trust CARFAX Reports? (https://www.ncconsumer.org/news-articles-eg/should-carfax-reports-always-be-trusted.html)


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[Wiotte]

///

[chuckinca]

“couldn’t get it back”? “can usually get out”?

You do know who has final word on whether or not work is done, don’t you??!!??


How about Lady Luck.

.

[Polar Bear]

How about Lady Luck...
Nope. Only the owner has final say.

If you think work you hadn’t planned on but is said to be needed by the mechanic must be done immediately by that mechanic, you are just inviting trouble.

[JoMar]

I bought my truck in Orlando and have it serviced by Phillips in Leesburg. The service department doesn’t care where the vehicle was purchased.
10 years ago I bought a new F150 Lariat in New Hampshire. Had it serviced locally for 10 years in Rhode Island. They never cared where I purchased it.


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As long as dealers get reimbursed (warranty) or their shop rate you are correct. You can also take it to independent garages for service depending on your risk. I had a Lexus, and the local service dealers wouldn't service it including Phillips. We traded it for our current Sienna. We were in Stl Louis, took it to the local Phillips dealer for service under the service plan I purchased. They wouldn't honor it. Talked to Phillips, they told me to pay it and they would make me whole when I returned. I know it's not supposed to work that way but not all dealers are created equal.

[twinklesweep]

Do yourself a favor. Go into Orlando for a fair deal as well as a much larger inventory. Our Phillips experience was too reminiscent of a bad used car sales pitch. We left, bought at Toyota of Orlando. Very professional and a nice experience. Plus we saved money to boot.

This is an idea worth thinking about, since warranties can be carried from dealer to dealer. However, I get the impression that the OP got ZERO support from Toyota, and I suspect the OP's next car will NOT be a Toyota! Am I right, Vicar?


I just bought a car at Phillips. The price and experience were great.

It sounds like the OP had a great experience buying the 2016. I spent a lot of time looking at cars at Phillips Toyota on two occasions only a few months apart and was surprised that there was nearly full staff turnover in those few months. That doesn't speak well about working conditions, that is, the way they treat their employees, and as a working person, this would concern me. Even though my experience there wasn't as disgusting as the OP's, I still ending up walking out and buying somewhere else.


we bought our new GMC terain there and our experience was fantastic. we actually met the owner and he is a wonderful man. our salesperson was top notch and we love our car.

I'm confused devohna. Did you mean a USED "GMC terain" from Phillips Toyota used car lot? You seem clear that it was a "new GMC terain." Besides possibly a used car, why would they sell a GMC at a Toyota dealership? After all, this thread is about the OP's awful experience at Phillips Toyota.

[patfla06]

Every time we took our Dodge pickup to Phillips Dodge in Ocala for an oil change we couldn't get it back without spending over $1,000 plus on issues they found while doing the oil change.

We now use Bryan in Leesburg and can usually get out without their recommended $500 in additional service.

Dealers we use in Colorado and Norcal must be blind because they just do the oil changes and you are on your way.

.

Lexus in Tampa was the same way!
Went in for an oil change and they always added something $$$.

[salpal]

I have purchased three cars from Phillips. I love their salesman named Ashley! I will continue to buy from them, never had any problems.

[jpvillager]

Did they change the 12 volt battery? If that discharges nothing works including the hybrid systems. Been there. Had a 2006 Toyota highlander hybrid, loved it, wish I still had it. Phillips gave me great service. However, Leesburg Toyota and Honda new car dealers are too expensive for me. Hybrids also buy would love to have one again. Bought a new 2017 CRV 4x up North this summer, was able to negotiate, and averages 31 - 32 mpg. Good enough for me.

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

There is no written record of some of our service calls. Fortunately when we went to the dealership to discuss a different problem they remembered we had come in, what the problem was and what they did.

We had brought the car back with in the first few days after we purchased the car, they offered suggestions that might work, but would violate our warranty.

Problem was never resolved until the day when we went in to purchase another car.

You can only disclose a problem to a potential buyer about a car if there is a written report.

I don't see the repairs or service calls listed on this report. They are usually listed by the dealers. I just bought a 2007 Toyota Solara and every oil change and battery replacement done at the dealers was reported.

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

Thank you for posting this information. I did not realize this about there reports.

Live and learn, I am definitely not to old to learn.

[Q

UOTE=Wiotte;1473968]CARFAX ain’t what it’s cracked up to be.



Top 604 Reviews and Complaints about Carfax (https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/carfax_inacc.html)

Should You Always Trust CARFAX Reports? (https://www.ncconsumer.org/news-articles-eg/should-carfax-reports-always-be-trusted.html)

Thank you for posting this information. I did not realize this about there reports.

Live and learn, I am definitely not to old to learn.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

[Wiotte]

There is no written record of some of our service calls. Fortunately when we went to the dealership to discuss a different problem they remembered we had come in, what the problem was and what they did.



We had brought the car back with in the first few days after we purchased the car, they offered suggestions that might work, but would violate our warranty.



Problem was never resolved until the day when we went in to purchase another car.



You can only disclose a problem to a potential buyer about a car if there is a written report.



Absolutely irresponsible and unprofessional not to maintain a written record of a new vehicle warranty service. I don’t understand how a new car dealer can get away with this. It makes no sense ! Are you sure ?


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[Chatbrat]

too bad someone doesn't fwd this discussion to Pam Bondi or the correct agency

[Wiotte]

too bad someone doesn't fwd this discussion to Pam Bondi or the correct agency



If I was the OP, I would. Sounds very strange. But based upon a little research I did notice that the used vehicles which originated from this dealership as new, the CARFAX showed no service records, other originating dealerships did. Reporting to CARFAX is voluntary. I’m not making a judgement, just curious. I do take my Tacoma to this dealer for warranty service, purchased it in Orlando.


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[Villageswimmer]

We take our Lexus RXs there and they have always been honest and reliable.


Same here.

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

I have purchased three cars from Phillips. I love their salesman named Ashley! I will continue to buy from them, never had any problems.

We purchased two cars from Phillips Toyota, a 2012 Prius and the 2016 Rav4, had two terrific salespeople (the first had left the company, which is why two different ones), and overall felt they were great experiences. But there were no problems those times, and there was no reason to expect any after decades of good experiences with Toyotas.


Did they change the 12 volt battery? If that discharges nothing works including the hybrid systems. Been there. Had a 2006 Toyota highlander hybrid, loved it, wish I still had it. Phillips gave me great service. However, Leesburg Toyota and Honda new car dealers are too expensive for me. Hybrids also buy would love to have one again. Bought a new 2017 CRV 4x up North this summer, was able to negotiate, and averages 31 - 32 mpg. Good enough for me.

Yes they replaced the 12-volt battery, but the tech said that nothing showed up wrong, so just in case there was a bad cell brewing in the battery, they would put a new one in.


Absolutely irresponsible and unprofessional not to maintain a written record of a new vehicle warranty service. I don’t understand how a new car dealer can get away with this. It makes no sense ! Are you sure ?

I meant that there is record of the DATES we brought the car in for the problems we had and for the every six months service, but they didn't have all the DETAILS of what they worked on every time. Fortunately the service manager remembered. I didn't know about CARFAX and that this dealership wasn't putting the service info onto their site.

[vinricci]

Phillips took good care of my 2004 Prius. My service tech is Rhonda Cook. They were able to procure a very hard to find Prius Prime for me last month after Toyota HQ told me I would have to fly to California or NY to get one. I have had nothing but good experiences at Phillips. But let me add my BEWARE story about Jenkins Honda.
On April 24th I sold them my Honda Van and they assured me that after paying off my loan balance I would receive a check in about 5-7 business days. A week went by and I decided to check with Honda Finance. They did not receive payment. When I went back to Jenkins to ask why they hadn't sent payment, they couldn't find any paperwork showing they had purchased my vehicle even though my van was posted for sale on their website. They made me fill out everything all over again. By this time my payment to the finance company was past due. Another week passed and still no money from Jenkins. Their Manager told me that they were waiting for the title and release of lien. Furious, I complained to Honda Corporate Headquarters. After calling Jenkins they discovered that the dealer not only had the title in hand but had sold my van without paying me. Finally, on May 17, almost a month after my first visit and numerous phone calls between Honda Corporate, American Honda Finance and the Better Business Bureau I was paid. If you're thinking of buying a Honda I strongly suggest not using Jenkins.

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

THANK YOU for posting the information about the Toyota dealer in Orlando. When I did a price comparison check between Phillips and Orlando, Orlando was less expensive than Phillips.

We are learning a lot about the car industry and Toyota Corporate.

[2BNTV]

I bought a Toyota Camry from Phillips almost three years ago. I thought it was a pretty hassle free purchase. My mechanic told me it was one of the better dealership for service.

Before my warranty expired, the tire pressure light kept coming on. I took it down there for service and after 5 attempts they replaced a defective tire.

Long story short, I didn't think it should take 5 or maybe 6 times at find a slow leaking tire.

After the warranty ran out, I'm back to my mechanic which is a shorter drive than to go to Phillips. Michael's Auto Repair in Fruitland Park for me. 352.365.2955

[Chatbrat]

Contact Dan Newlon,tell him the story and 6 months later he might own the dealership

[Wiotte]

Contact Dan Newlon,tell him the story and 6 months later he might own the dealership



The buyer of the lemon hybrid may just have to. I sincerely despise businesses that rip off people from their hard earned money.


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[FenneyGuy]

Let me start out by answering the question that no Lemon Law was involved. Maybe we should have let it become three attempts to fix the problem and then have it fail.... Here is the full story:

In June we returned to the car in a shopping center parking lot, and the battery was dead. AAA jump-started it and it seemed to charge as we drove home. We brought it to Phillips service dept., where the technician explained that they weren’t able to diagnose the problem, but they replaced the battery, suggesting that maybe the battery had a weak cell.

The problem recurred three months later, the day after the hurricane, when AAA couldn't provide service because of trees across roads, etc., so we used our own car battery charger. Again it seemed to hold a charge; however, three weeks later it recurred—a completely dead battery. The problem then recurred two more times, and we lost confidence in the car. When we say 'dead,' there's no other way to describe it; we had to manually unlock the car door!

Phillips asked us to leave the car with them. They kept it for over a week, and during that time the issue did not recur, meaning they couldn’t fix it. We then met with our original salesperson and the service manager, who told us that Phillips would replace the car with the identical car—but not a hybrid—with either a 2017 or a 2018 model of the identical car. This offer was predicated on the general manager’s setting prices. We returned a few days later to meet with him, who in the end offered us an even exchange for a 2017, or $2,000 for a 2018, for the identical car without the hybrid system.

We opted for the 2018 and paid the $2,000. However, when we went to pick up the car, we immediately saw that it was NOT the same car as the 2016; it was noticeably missing one feature—and we say 'noticeably’ because it's one that we used everyday (bird's eye camera). We canceled the deal and left, never having been told that other features, notably safety features, were missing. The next day we thought and talked about it, made our peace with not having the camera (which we were led to believe was the ONLY difference between the two models), returned, and bought the car.

We were on our way home when we realized that there was at least one other safety feature missing (a sonar device to let the
driver know that someone or something is too close to the car)—and perhaps more. Again, we were not aware of these missing features until we went to use them. We called back to the dealership, and for the first time we learned that these safety features, for which we had paid when we bought the 2016, were part of a package; all we were told was that this is the car and the features that we're paying for, nothing about a package. Prior to signing the agreement, we saw the car and was once more told that it had all the same features as our 2016, the only difference being no hybrid system (and evidently no bird’s eye camera).

Following our filing a complaint with Toyota Corporate, we received a call from the customer relations manager, who said that Phillips Toyota would do nothing further for us. As soon as we asked her to put this in writing--either a letter or an email--her demeanor abruptly changed. She became belligerent, almost rude, refused to listen to us, and it was at that moment that we realized that THIS is how they do business—they NEVER put anything in writing—and what the implications are. We asked her job title, and when we asked her last name, at first she refused, then mumbled something, and when we asked her to spell it, she hung up on us. This is what Phillips Toyota considers 'customer relations'?

Simply put, we were promised a replacement car that would be identical to the 2016 (but not hybrid) whose features we had paid for when we bought the car, and NOW they are saying that if we want what we were promised, we would have to pay a second time for these features!

If anyone feels confident buying from a dealership that (1) treats its customers this way, and (2) puts this particular car with its intermittent electrical problem into their used car market without explaining the problem it has, by all means go right ahead....

Did you not review the window sticker to validate what was installed?

PS - I only buy cars from US based manufacturers. Love my two Fords and my 67 Chevelle. The Japanese have never built anything that attracted my attention.

[dewilson58]

Did you not review the window sticker to validate what was installed?

PS - I only buy cars from US based manufacturers. Love my two Fords and my 67 Chevelle. The Japanese have never built anything that attracted my attention.

WOW...........A Chevy guy and a Ford guy.......do you get along with yourself???

:22yikes:

[Quixote]

I only buy cars from US based manufacturers. Love my two Fords and my 67 Chevelle. The Japanese have never built anything that attracted my attention.

My last American car (bought new) was a Ford. It had three warranty problems, none of which was very serious in terms of potential danger, but they were costly. I had to fight Ford Motor Company tooth and nail for years to get them to stand behind their warranty, which they did only when I involved consumer groups and considered legal action. We traded that car when our mechanic pointed out how the engine was starting to knock--at 80,000 miles! I said never again--and it's been never again....

[Toymeister]

As someone who actually has had a lemon law buy back let me answer a few questions: these buy backs are typically settled in arbitration as customer satisfaction cases not as buy backs and will never appear on car title checks as buy backs. Speculating from your keyboards is fine but I lived it, it was PITA to live the process and yes it was a Toyota. It took months with out a car. I still drive a Toyota, reasonable quality, I just got a bad one.

[twinklesweep]

As someone who actually has had a lemon law buy back let me answer a few questions: these buy backs are typically settled in arbitration as customer satisfaction cases not as buy backs and will never appear on car title checks as buy backs. Speculating from your keyboards is fine but I lived it, it was PITA to live the process and yes it was a Toyota. It took months with out a car. I still drive a Toyota, reasonable quality, I just got a bad one.

It sounds like that's EXACTLY what happened to the OP. He had nothing but great experiences with Toyotas, then finally "just got a bad one." The unresponsiveness of Toyota sounds like the real issue though. If they had treated the OP honesty and fairly, this thread with its 4,000+ hits probably wouldn't exist, and the dealership AND the manufacturer wouldn't be negatively affected as they likely will be now. And the thought that Phillips Toyota is turning around and selling this defective vehicle when they could not diagnose and fix the problem, passing it on to another consumer, is despicable.

[Toymeister]

It sounds like that's EXACTLY what happened to the OP. He had nothing but great experiences with Toyotas, then finally "just got a bad one." The unresponsiveness of Toyota sounds like the real issue though. If they had treated the OP honesty and fairly, this thread with its 4,000+ hits probably wouldn't exist, and the dealership AND the manufacturer wouldn't be negatively affected as they likely will be now. And the thought that Phillips Toyota is turning around and selling this defective vehicle when they could not diagnose and fix the problem, passing it on to another consumer, is despicable.

Similar, although I went through a lemon law arbitration program, the result of which was Toyota buying back the car, you sign a statement that it was not a lemon yada, yada and it is hauled off out of state. Not so much as we are sorry for the inconvenience.

[Mleeja]

Did you not review the window sticker to validate what was installed?

PS - I only buy cars from US based manufacturers. Love my two Fords and my 67 Chevelle. The Japanese have never built anything that attracted my attention.

Crazy mixed up world. The last “Japanese” car I bought (Toyota) was made in Georgetown, Kentucky. The last “US” car I bought (Dodge) was built in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Mercedes are a made in Alabama, BMW’s in South Carolina, Hondas in Indiana, Volkswagens in Tennessee, Chevys in Mexico. And the list goes on. I guess my preference to to find a car or truck built in the US by US workers. I am not to particular about the brand.

[Wiotte]

Crazy mixed up world. The last “Japanese” car I bought (Toyota) was made in Georgetown, Kentucky. The last “US” car I bought (Dodge) was built in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Mercedes are a made in Alabama, BMW’s in South Carolina, Hondas in Indiana, Volkswagens in Tennessee, Chevys in Mexico. And the list goes on. I guess my preference to to find a car or truck built in the US by US workers. I am not to particular about the brand.



Whatever Consumer Reports recommends, those are our choices. I worked hard for my money, it won’t leave my pocket to buy junk.


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[Chatbrat]

certain mercedes are made in Alabama,E,S, and Sl's are made in Germany

[jpvillager]

Interesting. In 2003 I bought a new Chevy truck that from day one had a vibration they could not solve. Every time I took it in I got a free loaner car. I made sure I documented everything, researched NYS's lemon law and filled the requirements to a tee. I called GM and requested a replacement. Ended up driving it 7,000 miles for free and got a replacement without going through the lemon law. The important thing is to satisfy the lemon law requirements so you have the upper hand. In my case it was in the shop off and on for more than 30 days with the same problem.

[Wiotte]

Interesting. In 2003 I bought a new Chevy truck that from day one had a vibration they could not solve. Every time I took it in I got a free loaner car. I made sure I documented everything, researched NYS's lemon law and filled the requirements to a tee. I called GM and requested a replacement. Ended up driving it 7,000 miles for free and got a replacement without going through the lemon law. The important thing is to satisfy the lemon law requirements so you have the upper hand. In my case it was in the shop off and on for more than 30 days with the same problem.



You know they didn’t scrap your truck. Someone got stuck.


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[John41]

We bought two trucks, a Sienna and Rav4 from Phillips and were happy with the sales people and service as well. CARFAX will list any issues with a used car.

[Wiotte]

We bought two trucks, a Sienna and Rav4 from Phillips and were happy with the sales people and service as well. CARFAX will list any issues with a used car.



Not if the dealer doesn’t report it to CARFAX.


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[FenneyGuy]

Crazy mixed up world. The last “Japanese” car I bought (Toyota) was made in Georgetown, Kentucky. The last “US” car I bought (Dodge) was built in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Mercedes are a made in Alabama, BMW’s in South Carolina, Hondas in Indiana, Volkswagens in Tennessee, Chevys in Mexico. And the list goes on. I guess my preference to to find a car or truck built in the US by US workers. I am not to particular about the brand.

I understand the problem. I just personally prefer that the profits stay in the US. And, I have never experienced the frustration of owning a lemon.

I'm a car guy and know how to get any maintenance and quality problems resolved.

For the foreseeable future, you'll see me in my new Mustang or in my 67 Chevelle SS. I buy to enjoy 'em. My cars are more than simple transportation and always have been.

[Topspinmo]

Every time we took our Dodge pickup to Phillips Dodge in Ocala for an oil change we couldn't get it back without spending over $1,000 plus on issues they found while doing the oil change.

We now use Bryan in Leesburg and can usually get out without their recommended $500 in additional service.

Dealers we use in Colorado and Norcal must be blind because they just do the oil changes and you are on your way.

.

Just cause they are dealer don't mean the don't try to gouge you, run up the price, or do it right. Most people don't have clue how vehicles system work or know when something not done right, oil changes good example, how many actually follow up and check the level? I think you be surprised how many are over serviced I was.

They have to earn my trust, if I'm to lazy to do it myself, I follow up before I leave then dealership. I have learnt this 30'years ago.

If They change the oil, before I get in the car I check the oil,, most over fill it. I've only had one dealership that I never found nothing wrong after service (flower Honda, Norman OK.) they earned my trust. Also, they was the only dealership that advertised car and actually had that car for the price on there lot. Others, had the excuse we just sold that one and tried the old bait and switch.

Bottom line IMO most people don't know so they run up the price.

I will say this I took my Honda to Ocala for airbags and was surprised they didn't try to gouge me with stuff I didn't need, but I had everything documented and dates when ALL fluids was changed. Which I done myself (Honda cars are very easy to service. I was waiting for the pitch, but it never came. So, I somewhat trust them, but, I would still follow up. Trust, but verified if possible before you leave the dealership. You don't have to be nasty.

[Jdmiata]

Bought a new car from Phippips 10years ago. Have it serviced there on a regular basis. Never had a problem. Seems like a good place to me.

[Quixote]

Bought a new car from Phippips 10years ago. Have it serviced there on a regular basis. Never had a problem. Seems like a good place to me.

According to the OP, he bought two cars from Phillips Toyota and "never had a problem." Ridiculous as it sounds, when there IS a problem, as in the case of the OP, then there REALLY IS a problem! And problems can arise, no matter how rare a defective vehicle turns up. The real issue is how responsibly the management of the dealership handles it, and it sounds like Phillips Toyota really fell down in terms of responsibility to the OP. And just as bad, they are now passing the car with an electrical defect on to yet another buyer!

[twinklesweep]

You know they didn’t scrap your truck. Someone got stuck.

Ain't that the truth! Whoever buys the OP's 2016 Rav4 from Phillips Toyota is in for a surprise--and a major headache. Unbelievable....


We bought two trucks, a Sienna and Rav4 from Phillips and were happy with the sales people and service as well. CARFAX will list any issues with a used car.

CARFAX cannot dream up what to put in their used car records. If the dealer doesn't supply it to CARFAX, then it never gets included. Plain and simple. And it sounds like the Service Dept at Phillips Toyota did not give the info to CARFAX about this vehicle, meaning possibly many other vehicles as well....

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

Did you not review the window sticker to validate what was installed?

PS - I only buy cars from US based manufacturers. Love my two Fords and my 67 Chevelle. The Japanese have never built anything that attracted my attention.

Hi,
Sorry for the delay in responding, md visits take priority. Yes we did look at the window sticker, what we did not know was that the car had an upgraded package of safety features.
Since we were continually told by the General Manager down to the Salesman, including the service manager, that the car we were getting had the same features as the one we traded in, we made the mistake of believing them.
When we asked about the Birds Eye View not being on the new car we were told that feature was missing on the new car, but otherwise the cars had the same safety features.

Were we told this because we are closer to 80yo and not 70, and they felt we could be taken advantage of?

[buzzy]

I am sure that your last sentence is the key factor here. And, thanks for being so honest. These dealers know that they have an easy market in this neighborhood.

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

I am sure that your last sentence is the key factor here. And, thanks for being so honest. These dealers know that they have an easy market in this neighborhood.

Knowing that many seniors are taken advantage of and various scams are pulled on seniors we attempt to do everything we can to prevent that from happening to us. Or one can say "pull a fast one".

I feel because of our age, and trusting the sales people and management, perhaps was our downfall.

Hope others will learn from what happened to us.

[Wiotte]

Knowing that many seniors are taken advantage of and various scams are pulled on seniors we attempt to do everything we can to prevent that from happening to us. Or one can say "pull a fast one".



I feel because of our age, and trusting the sales people and management, perhaps was our downfall.



Hope others will learn from what happened to us.



It really sucks that you and your wife had to go through this. I only hope that I’ll have the foresight when I get to be your age.


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[slamtennis]

Well darn! I am sorry you have gone through this mess. But we all thank you for sharing. We are on our way down for Christmas and planning on purchasing two vehicles, one new and one used. We have been shopping here and decided on Toyota's. We were pleased to have a dealership close. I dread this process as every car salesman is a pusher and it takes forever to get through the process.
Now the question, where do we go to purchase our vehicles?????

[CWGUY]

Well darn! I am sorry you have gone through this mess. But we all thank you for sharing. We are on our way down for Christmas and planning on purchasing two vehicles, one new and one used. We have been shopping here and decided on Toyota's. We were pleased to have a dealership close. I dread this process as every car salesman is a pusher and it takes forever to get through the process.
Now the question, where do we go to purchase our vehicles?????

:) There is no secret place. Any place is o.k. if you do your homework.

[twinklesweep]

Since we were continually told by the General Manager down to the Salesman, including the service manager, that the car we were getting had the same features as the one we traded in, we made the mistake of believing them. When we asked about the Birds Eye View not being on the new car we were told that feature was missing on the new car, but otherwise the cars had the same safety features. Were we told this because we are closer to 80yo and not 70, and they felt we could be taken advantage of?

Though this doesn't take away from your feeling victimized by this business, maybe you can count your blessings that you bought many cars over the years and never had anything like this happen. Remember that this is a reflection on them, not you.


I am sure that your last sentence is the key factor here. And, thanks for being so honest. These dealers know that they have an easy market in this neighborhood.

Very true. It doesn't mean that every dealership in a senior area acts this way, but this is why we have sites like TOTV that get the word out. Over 6,400 people read this thread, and I for one would for sure avoid shopping at this place!


Well darn! I am sorry you have gone through this mess. But we all thank you for sharing. We are on our way down for Christmas and planning on purchasing two vehicles, one new and one used. We have been shopping here and decided on Toyota's. We were pleased to have a dealership close. I dread this process as every car salesman is a pusher and it takes forever to get through the process.
Now the question, where do we go to purchase our vehicles?????

Ditto on the "thanks for sharing." Have no suggestions for where to shop other than to avoid this one--even though it may be the closest to TV.

[Quixote]

Similar, although I went through a lemon law arbitration program, the result of which was Toyota buying back the car, you sign a statement that it was not a lemon yada, yada and it is hauled off out of state. Not so much as we are sorry for the inconvenience.

Putting aside how two old people were taken advantage of, since the dealership did not buy back this car with the quirky electrical problem but instead is calling it a trade and put the car in their used car lot, then the car was not taken out of the state. Nearly 7000 locals read this thread and know about it.

What happens when the car is sold locally and the new owner has the same problem? Eventually someone who read the thread will hear about it and say something. Or worse, it doesn't sound like the OP had an accident or was in danger from the car the times the problem with the dead battery showed up.

But what if the new owner uses the car different than the OP? What if they are in an ACCIDENT, or what if they park the car in an iffy area, come back to the car, find the battery dead, and are in trouble because of the neighborhood they parked in? The dealership would be responsible, but would U.S. Toyota would be blamed too, since they knew about it? At least the OP is off the hook, he did what he needed to do.

[Allegiance]

Putting aside how two old people were taken advantage of, since the dealership did not buy back this car with the quirky electrical problem but instead is calling it a trade and put the car in their used car lot, then the car was not taken out of the state. Nearly 7000 locals read this thread and know about it.

What happens when the car is sold locally and the new owner has the same problem? Eventually someone who read the thread will hear about it and say something. Or worse, it doesn't sound like the OP had an accident or was in danger from the car the times the problem with the dead battery showed up.

But what if the new owner uses the car different than the OP? What if they are in an ACCIDENT, or what if they park the car in an iffy area, come back to the car, find the battery dead, and are in trouble because of the neighborhood they parked in? The dealership would be responsible, but would U.S. Toyota would be blamed too, since they knew about it? At least the OP is off the hook, he did what he needed to do.

I would guess only a few hundred people read this thread.

[Dan9871]

Now the question, where do we go to purchase our vehicles?????

Phillips in Leesberg is the nearest Toyota dealer. We've purchased two new cars from them since we have been here.

I certainly don't claim to be the worlds best negotiator but I think we got good prices on both of them.

The process was very smooth in both cases, no pushiness that I detected. Then for the dealer add on stuff... which we never get.. the sales person just handed us a computer and said "Please look at this video while I go and get your paperwork processing started"

If you know what you want and have a good idea what the real pricing is you should be out in under an hour. I think it was not much over an hour from in the door to driving away with a new car when we went there earlier this year... and included a test drive.

[JoMar]

I, and several of the neighbors, have had great experiences at Phillips Toyota.....just saying :)

[chuckinca]

I like DeLuca Toyota in Ocala.

.

[Quixote]

I would guess only a few hundred people read this thread.

I was just going by TOTV's count that now says 7,249 hits. Wow! I never saw a TOTV thread with a number this high.

For those who had good experiences buying from this dealership, the OP said that he had two good experiences buying there. Like anywhere, there's no problem till there's a problem.

Not to say that this couldn't happen at another dealership. What we do know is that it happened to the OP at THIS dealership.