Toyota Customer Service - LIARS! (have to vent)

[bxc13]

Hi all,

Just have to vent, so don't mind my rambling.

i just got off the phone with toyota customer service (north america). I had a $500 voucher toward a new/certified toyota vehicle that I am trying to redeem for the new 4runner I bought a month ago. NOW they state there was a one-year time limit on the voucher (never stated it when it was issued verbally). All I got was "too bad, can't help you", which pissed me off even more.

It's not the money, rather than the principle- they screwed up the head gasket on my 92 4runner, gave the voucher as a "fix." Now they state that I was told that there was a time limit - BullSh*t.

After, 3-MR2's, 3-4runner's and a Rav4, I am mad enough not buy another toyota.

I spoke with a supervisor who refused to transfer me to her manager. I just don't know what I can do now. I don't care about the money as much as being lied to/jerked around. Customer service my a$$. I just want these idiots fired or let Toyota management know their bad business practices.

-Bill

 

[dcampen]

Might be worth taking this to small claims court. Seems you have a valid contract that they are refusing to honor. Let a judge decide if there was any time limit.

 

[sharp4runr]

Is there anywhere on the voucher that states there is an expiration date?

 

[bxc13]

Unfortunately there was no "physical" voucher- it was verbal from their customer service. Since I am honest and being too trusting, I didn't bother asking for it in writing. After all it was Toyota North America, right? The customer service person told me just give them my name and i'll be taken care of, yeah right.

They told me in 2002 (when it was given) that since they could not fix my problem initial problem (bad headgasket for a SECOND time on a '92 4runner), that this was what they could do. Never did they state that it was only good for a year.

What sucks is that the customer service person is no longer there, but they claim to have notes stating she told us (which I KNOW she did not). It's my word against someone who no longer works there. They are sticking with their "policy."

What really got me going was that the supervisor just kept repeating the same BS about policy and would not answer my questions (when I questioned broken promises, customer loyalty, put herself in my shoes, etc.)- she just repeating the same crap over and over. She refused to transfer me to her boss, claiming she ran the department- judging by her professionalism, I doubt it.

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

Unfortunately there was no "physical" voucher- it was verbal from their customer service.

LOL! YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! NOTING REALLY YOU CAN DO WITHOUT SOME SORT OF CONTRACT. i THINK I WATCH ENOUGH OF PEOPLE COURT TO KNOW THAT.THIS IS A BIG CORPORATION WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOT JUST SOME MOM AND PAP AUTO SALE. GOT TO GET IT IN WRITING MAN!! TALK IS CHEAP!!:bash:

 

[sharp4runr]

Yeah unfortunately like you said, its your word against thiers and they are the ones holding all the chips... I'm no lawyer, but maybe someone may have a suggestion. Good luck and let us know of any progress.

 

[Koz]

You had a verbal contract with the stealer (which may be in your favor). If you go to small claims court you WILL get some money and satisfaction. It might not be worth going to court for the stealer, and they may just pay you. It is worth a couple dollars to see if they are willing to lie in court.

Koz

 

[fastlif306]

I will give you 500 dollars!


You got about as much chance getting it from me as from Toyota. Without something in writing, I would not get yourself all tore up about it, because you do not have a chance in h.ll of getting your money.

Never go off of word with any sale, not just a toyota product.

 

[greasefingers]

You are just another number in many of their eyes. Get over it and move on. One person in a dealership should have nothing to do with your relationship with Toyota vehicles, especially since you have a history with Toyota. Since you claim to have owned seven Toyota vehicles; this would be what I call an anomaly.

 

[Koz]

I've collected on many small claims without something in writing because if you are telling the truth a judge will make a personal/logical decision. This is not like a criminal trial. You will definitely not get anything if you lay down. A reasonable Judge will determine if you are lying, that's all it takes. What usually happens is the judge will go half way, unless someone rubs him/her the wrong way.

Koz

 

[Derek]

Unfortunately there was no "physical" voucher- it was verbal from their customer service. Since I am honest and being too trusting, I didn't bother asking for it in writing. After all it was Toyota North America, right? The customer service person told me just give them my name and i'll be taken care of, yeah right.

They told me in 2002 (when it was given) that since they could not fix my problem initial problem (bad headgasket for a SECOND time on a '92 4runner), that this was what they could do. Never did they state that it was only good for a year.

What sucks is that the customer service person is no longer there, but they claim to have notes stating she told us (which I KNOW she did not). It's my word against someone who no longer works there. They are sticking with their "policy."

What really got me going was that the supervisor just kept repeating the same BS about policy and would not answer my questions (when I questioned broken promises, customer loyalty, put herself in my shoes, etc.)- she just repeating the same crap over and over. She refused to transfer me to her boss, claiming she ran the department- judging by her professionalism, I doubt it.

So this verbal agreement was given back in 2002? Honestly if I was Toyota I'd have a hard time remembering or even believing a verbal agreement that was done so long ago. They, or you, should have put something in writing, especially if you didn't plan on using this voucher for 3 years.

 

[DaveS]

Not sure what the law is in your state but there is usually a time limit on bringing a civil action - if your original agreement was 3 years ago you could be time barred from pursuing a breach now anyway.

Like they say, a verbal agreement is not worth the paper its written on..

 

[Thai]

Couldn't you go to a lawyer office and get a FREE consultation?? I think that some lawyers do offer that...when they are not chasing down ambulances!

 

[jjtricket]

Too much time has elapsed and nothing in writing. A toyota lawyer would chew you up. Move on and always get it in writing.

 

[bxc13]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I don't plan on gettting a lawyer or going postal, I just wanted to share my frustratation that a company such a Toyota would give something as a fix for one problem, yet put stipulations on it when it is redeemed AND be unprofessional also. It is not a matter of proving the $500 credit exisits (they have my case fully documented from 2002). They just claim that their customer service rep told me something that she didn't.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my truck, I just lost respect for a company that jerks their customers around. I know for a fact that if I called them BEFORE I bought my truck, it would be honored (that is my fault for not doing that first). I'm not trying to get something for nothing, just what was initially promised. Once again, it's not the $500 as much as the principle.

Oh well, I guess I'm done venting now...

-Bill

 

[fastlif306]

Y'all sound like a bunch of sue happy freeks.

this forum has given me carpal tunnel, I am taking it to my lawyer!