Toyota of the Desert

Went in once scoped it out found a pre owned jeep we liked. Left came back test drove ran some numbers had check in hand but they were not willing to budge. So we went over to KIA getting double the features 10yr 100,000 warranty and thousands less!

Money grabbers!!! Especially it seems like with military members! My wife and I went in to look at cars and traded in two cars with a left over auto loan left to pay off. So when we grabbed out new Corolla they said that they will take care of that loan with our trade in value of our cars and left over will roll over to our new car payment. We signed it and got the car but a week later they called back to say they did not realize how much was left on our old auto payment so they made us come back in and do a new contract. Now im paying for a car that’s more then it’s worth. They love hunting on military members and taking as much as they can. But live and learn to not go there again!

I’ve used Toyota of the Service for servicing my Prius, and they’ve been exceptionally good — every service person I’ve met has been professional, efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly. I especially appreciate their good service when I’ve dropped in without an appointment — no problem. Another plus is their shuttle service — they’ve taken me home and picked me up later — this is the kind of amenity that a small mechanic’s shop doesn’t offer. Highly recommended.

I’ve owned Hondas and BMWs and I find the service to be the most professional and efficient I’ve ever experienced anywhere in the Southern California region. Living on Coastal region I go out of my way to drop my car off here when I’m in the desert.

I had a great experience here this morning. I got my Truevalue quote online. When I went in, they actually printed a different coupon which was about a thousand dollars less than what I was expecting. I worked with Drew. He was patient and reasonable. Happy demeanor and disposition. Very non threatening. He got right to work on the appraisal. When the appraisal came in a bit lower than what I hoped for, he went back and got the ‘boss’ to put it right at blue book value. They even printed the KBB valuation so I could see it.
We paid cash so I can’t really speak for the financing department but we were happy with the overall experience. Sunshine (that’s her name) was very kind and patient. I went in there with my two kids ages 5 and 2. I braved the experience without my wife because the new Highlander was a New Years gift. Sunshine helped entertain them and even sat with them and played videos of Thomas the train on her cell phone. That’s what I call customer service.
All in all, we were there around 4 hours. When you think about all they do for you there it’s really not that bad. If I were to take the time to do each part of the process on my own which include: sell my old car and deal with all the wackos on Craigslist, then go meet someone to buy a car private party (that can be a crazy experience too if you’ve ever dealt with that), then fill out release of liability and new registration stuff at the DMV, I’d spend about 5 times the amount of time as what I did today. It’s so much easier to let the dealership do it all for you.
They even let me pay $ 2500 on my American Express so I got Skymiles out of it.

A month ago I went in looking to trade in my lease early on my Corolla. At that time the deal was not what I was looking for so they said they would call if there is anything new with deals at the end of the year. I got a call two days ago saying they would be able to get me to the lease deal I would like. The sales lady seemed to think we were not trading the car in and just paying off the old lease and getting a new one. But minus one text that was never communicated. I was always going as a trade in. I got there ready to sign papers at $ 310 a month and then find out it was really $ 462. Instead of apologizing for the lack of communication they blamed it on the customer. I am a loyal Toyota owner but would never go back to them.

I wasted three trips after being called by sales people to come back in. They had a deal not
Happy. They do not seem to know what they are doing

September 14^th, 2015 I came in with promises that a Scion is easy for people with challenged credit, found a 2009 Scion xB, $ 9,800 no warranty. I offered 7,500 with 3,000 down and was literally laughed at. I arrived at 10am, after negotiating back and forth and finally settled on a deal I felt was reasonable, it’s now 6:30pm. I am five months pregnant and exhausted at this point having to go to the bank and so on, I decided to leave and get rest to start the paperwork in the morning. I was followed out the door by three men telling me how ridiculous it was that I didn’t have 20 more minutes to go through the finance paperwork. I’m sorry but I have questions and have already been there for 8.5 freaking hours, had there been any urgency the time to deal would’ve been earlier in the day.
So the next morning, not really liking the way I was treated and hesitant to return back, I had business to care for and decided to call to make the appointment with finance 9÷16÷15 because I really need a car at this point, rentals are getting expensive. I arrive ⁹⁄₁₆ to start the paperwork, met Ramiro Estrada, typical crooked used car sales man energy, called me «sweetheart», dominant rah-​rah alpha male. Whatever, let’s sign paperwork. So we start going through the stack and my co-​signer is listed as the primary and I’m secondary… We never discussed this. I ask and his response is a typical swerve– and indirect, «you’re both equally responsible for the loan», well no shit but why isn’t the car in my name?! Not answering me. Getting frustrated we move to the final contract where the listing price is at the top of the contract as 9,500 financed with my 2,500 down. Wtf?! That’s not the price we agreed on I tell him, «well we can’t sell you the car any less than this because we have to pay the bank to pick up your loan and its xxx amount and then that’s a remaining xxx amount and we’re not making any money on the car». I respond with «so the difference is xxx amount and your telling me you paid that for the car??» He pulls up his calculator «well no…» Types in numbers, «actually, yes that is the amount, you’re a smart girl» I’m so irritated at this point. I say «fix the price and send this to the co-​signer please» he says ok. I write him the check for $ 2500 and leave.
Two days later the check clears, no phone call from them, on ⁹⁄₂₄ I show up to the dealership, they have the paperwork with my co-​signers signatures, proof of insurance, I’m excited to get the keys and leave. They tell me it’s going to be another week before I can pick up the car. I’m in tears at this point, my husband shows up furious that they are playing games with me demanding the keys to the car that they cashed the checks for almost 7 days prior. To calm him down Stevn Fazeal offers to cover the cost of a rental car until they receive an approval from the bank. Ok, at this point it makes me happy because I’m not stressing about running my business and getting to doctors appts. (Keep in mind they know I’m pregnant, treating me like I’m going to skip town with the car or something)
So weds the 25, I pick up the rental. the 30^th rolls around with no response from Toyota I show up to ask questions. I am told by one person that the bank countered asking me to put down an additional 2,000 down (this is a used car w/​no warranty and almost 100k miles) I would be out of pocket 4500. I ask to see the contract again and the listed price was still at 9,500 and was never fixed. I say, come down on the price and we have a deal and he says they can’t. I then ask for my money back and he disappears to find someone. Meanwhile I see Steven Fazeal, he says «I was just getting ready to call you, let’s talk.» We sit down, «the bank denied the loan» can these people get their damn story straight?! I, tired of arguing and don’t give a damn about the car anymore just ask for my down payment back. Steven responds «Corporate policy from Utah prevents us from issuing checks within 15 days of cashing them» I’m furious now and reach for my phone to start recording the conversation. «That’s no true, I want my money» he said to go to the bank and get statements showing the checks cleared my account. I go and return with the documents and he leaves upstairs, comes back and says (verbatim) «this doesn’t show that the checks actually cleared and your account isn’t in the negative» wtf kind of scum bag do you think I am?! I am degraded and humiliated at this point and pulled my balance up online that reflects the multiple digits I have in the account. Finally my check is issued after combating every excuse they could give me to not return my money. He says to me as I’m leaving that the rental will be covered until that day which was 9÷30÷15. Enterprise calls me today, said Toyota will only cover one day of the rental and I am expected to pay the rest. Not to mention I am stuck with a non-​fundable insurance policy for a car I don’t have bc they won’t provide a cancellation note.

excellent lst service. Everything as promised including time when ready. Very good free wash.

Great experience buying my new 2015 Prius!
Victor, Mariposa and Lou Lou made the experience virtually painless!
Very happy with the price I payed, the service I received.
The dealership is quite nice also, very clean and classy!
Thank you Desert Toyota!

Great service this week. Rodent chewed my brake fluid line the night I parked next to a golf course at our timeshare. Service dept found the problem, had to order the replacement part and had car repaired by next day. Even comp’d the cost of the one night car rental. Thanks Toyota of the Desert!

The maintenance guys are nice but the guy in charge of finance and leasing is your classic sleezeball. Used personal information such as my wife’s cell number to call her up and get a date and much more. Don’t give him your personal info. Atleast that’s what happened to us. This is the second time I’ve posted this on Unilocal.Unilocal HQ says that it was removed because it was second hand information. Then what are all the other reviews… thats right. You got it second hand information. If they remove my review that is a true life experience again I will be deleting my Unilocal account for I will be further understanding that reviewing businesses and restaurants through Unilocal is pointless and null whereas they erase people’s reviews which is wrong.

great service yesterday buying a car there. We were at first put off as our first experience was not great. However they called and were persistent in a good way and we decided to give their dealership another try.
We are glad we did.
We were helped by Maggie Kovaly and Terence Kay who were polite professional knowledgeable about their product in our case a Toyota Prius.
It took time as these tings always do.
We felt we had a fair deal and that thanks to Unilocal we even saved another 500 dollars by checking in on Unilocal.
We are going back today to pick up the car. Thanks from myself and Dan Downing.

This is written from a unhappy client with customer service after PURCHASE !
On the evening of 2÷10÷2015 I went into Toyota of the Desert, Drew and other sale reps were great !
I bought a 2013 Chevy Spark that eve
Next morning off to Vegas
I noticed the drivers seat had a good rip in it
The inside light was turned off explaining why I didn’t notice rip night before
Called the next morning explained what I found that I would be in Vegas 5 days
They told me to contact when I return, I did they said there was nothing they could do –had to be part of negotiation
My bad for not noticing done with issue
Six months 8÷29÷2015 my battery dies I bring to Toyota Dealer of the Desert
They verified dead battery they can replace it for 365.00
Auto Zone 145.00 installed
They first suggested I go across the street to the Chevy Dealer
They sold me the car extended warranty never suggesting at the time they collected my money, I would be passed off to another dealership!
On 9÷08÷2015 check engine light comes on
I was attended to by Jorge as I expressed my growing frustration I was greeted with blankness.
I expressed to Jorge I would be gone till 9÷13÷2015 to call me 9÷14÷2015
No call from Jorge as was promised
Today 9÷15÷2015 called at 10.35 am 10 phone calls later 5 representatives @ 11:58 I had a answer to car issue that it was fixed and ready to be picked up at their sister Chevy dealership in La Quinta .
Toyota of the Desert in my opinion lacks the core of what true customer service is
The receptionist Myra was nice
Went on a merry go round of management personal
First guy was speaking on speaker phone while writing a e-​mail? I asked for his full attention as I was a client who needed customer service.
He then told me he had a client with him and would call be back in 10 minutes never heard back .
Next I spoke with Adrienne service department manager, he told me my car was in LA Quinta, his handling of a un happy client was to put me on hold mid sentenced.
I spoke to Les Sanders who is parts manager he handled himself as a manager should «We will find a remedy to your issue!
My next call was to Steve Prezel, «He was on another call, I held, I was told he would be on it for a long time, I told Myra I would wait, Auto disconnect, 4 calls back I go automatically to automated system.
Fifth call Myra answered confirmed she could see my number and that Mr. Prezel would return my call at his earliest convenience and no time frame could be given for he was very busy.
.
I told Myra I would be posting my frustration on Face Book. Myra replied @ 11:18 that’s fine if that would make me happy!
11:20 Steve Prezel returned my call he handle the call as any trained customer service associate should we ended the call with a promise he would call me back he did in ten minutes. answers and resolution car is ready .
Except he expected me to drive to LA Quinta to pick up my car that I purchased and brought in for service in Toyota of the Desert. Steve never asked his client
1.If I had a ride ?
2. If I did why should the customer be expected to drive further paying for gas and time ?
3. Steve also said I would need to call La Quinta to pay them directly, this is there sister dealership, what kind of customer service is this ?
The end result with Steve is he processed my deductible and is having my car brought to my home .
I was looking forward to finding a Dealership that to have a ongoing mutual respectful business relationship, I do not feel I have or will find it with Toyota of the Desert
I also ponder I brought my car in after six months for a dead battery 8÷29÷2015 I did not accept their offer for a battery cost of 365.00 and just 11 days later 9÷8÷2015 I had a cracked coolant resovoir?
At a 275.38 total interesting?

I made a service appointment to have my 35,000 mile service, basically an oil change and a tire rotation. The appointment time was 8 am and I arrived about 10 minutes before. I didn’t end up leaving until almost 3pm! Super bummed. Thanks for the free starbucks coffee but 8 hours is crazy!

STAY AWAY FROM TOYOTA OF THE DESERT.
I went in to service my 2005 Scion XB on July 17^th, 2015. Ray Fontes said it was an alternator problem. Four days and $ 527 later, the car was ready to go. They replaced a water pump, two belts and coolant.
Fast forward to August 19^th, 2015, my car engine died while I was driving on the freeway and luckily, was able to avoid getting into an accident. Took it back August 20^th, 2015 and waited for a call back. I get a call two days later from Ray stating the coolant spilled into the engine, requiring an entire new engine. I stressed that the last time the car was in for service, they had the opportunity to look at the issues and make repairs as needed. Ray mentioned that because none of the Toyota-​installed parts failed, it is my responsibility to pay for a new engine. Ray’s technicians were the LAST to be under my car’s hood and to have a major component fail less than 30 days after the first repair is 110% unacceptable.
I’ve worked in repair/​service departments before and I know that if I repair something and it has continued or new issues, I am going to deal with it until it’s right. That’s how you keep customer’s faith in a company or brand: YOU STAND BEHIND IT. Ray didn’t attempt to do that and so far, no one else at Toyota of the Desert has stepped up for the complete disregard of the people who spend hard earned money to keep their cars working.
Do NOT do business here. The service department is a joke and their agents will lie and deceive you.
UPDATE (9÷22÷15)
Nearly two months later, I am STILL without a solution. I was forced to take the car to the Toyota dealership it was purchased from and was inspected by their repair agents as well as my insurance company. Their findings show the engine head gasket was damaged due to a lack of coolant. Who would’ve guessed?!
Toyota of the Desert Customer Service Manager Steve Foth refused to admit fault (of course) and very generously offered to buy my car and get me into a new Scion today!
THAT was the most insulting part, quite frankly.
The arrogance in assuming I’d even want to spit in the direction of Toyota of the Desert in the future is laughable. Ray Fontes and Steve Feazell had the chance to be trustworthy men but as of today, they continue to fail.
I have reported my experience to KMIR, The Desert Sun, California Bureau of Automotive Repair, BBB, Toyota Customer Experience and will continue to pursue the matter until the damage Toyota of the Desert did to my car is resolved.
UPDATE (10÷21÷15)
Three months later, I am still without a resolution.
Toyota of the Desert completely ignored the requests from the Better Business Bureau/​California Bureau of Automotive Repair to follow-​up with my complaints. They also ignored my written request for a refund for the botched repair, taking zero responsibility for their contributory negligence.
However, they seem to have plenty of time to leave fake 5-​star reviews on FaceBook (go ahead and check out their page. Steve Feazell, the Customer Advocacy Manager left a 5-​star review in late August 2015).
Thanks for ruining my car, Toyota of the Desert. That’s the only thing you’ve managed to do in true 5-​star fashion.
STAY AWAY FROM TOYOTA OF THE DESERT.

I tried to buy an SUV yesterday, I put on offer on the table and I was told to find another Dealership to help me. No counter offer was given, I was just told to go!
I am Retired USMC, College Grad, starting my MBA, looking for a 15Yr Wedding Anniversary gift for my Wife. It was going all so well, until I counter the MSRP sticker price. No love at this place.

Worst place to buy a car!!! Go to I-​10 Toyota.
My good friend 80 y/​o + bought a new Toyota here. He was alone in the transaction. He was charged not only for the car, but the dealership added all the extras without full disclosure; paint protection, 5 yr. extended warrantee beyond the 36 months provided free! Also, tire warrantee, glass etching, etc., for a total of over $ 6,000 in additional costs! This octogenarian drives less than 10,000 miles per year! He didn’t need all this additional stuff at 80! We ranted with management for over 6 months, and finally got a refund of the excessive charges. This was a terrible experience for a retired Monsignor of the Catholic Faith! God will deal with them; you should not! Go to I-​10 Toyota if that’s what you want; Not Toyota of the Desert.
JP, Attorney in Fact!

Zero star. This place is absolutely ABSURD. I had an appointment at afternoon to see the car I want but before i headed out, I called this place just to make sure that the car i wanted is still available. When I made the appointment, the lady told me that she’ll contact me if the car is sold, but this place’s Unilocal review was making me worry about it. So I called. The operator transferred me to the sales department. After a minute, I had to leave a voice message. I hung up. Half hour later, I called them again and did the same process. This time I left a voice message (they NEVER called me back btw. Of course, right?).
So I decided to just head out. This place is 2 hours away from where I live. I finally got there. Guess what. They told me that the car was sold «early in the morning». WTF? Why did you guys never gave me a call then? The Sales manager (I think her name was Synthia) said «I’m sorry, sometimes we get busy and don’t have the time to make the phone call.» LOL Really? Give me a break.
Unilocal’s review tells the truth. Look at this place’s rating. Does it look good to you? Use your money more wisely. I’ve learned. For such a big shopping, you should goto a place w/​good Unilocal rate so that you’ll enjoy your shopping.

Having transmission problems with slippage on two yr old 2013 SE Camry. Second issue for transmission for this car. Showed Video of issue to service rep. Left car at 8am, called at 2pm to find out that the tech wants to drive my car home to Hemet which is 120 miles round trip because they are «to busy» to take out of freeway. Said tech could not duplicate which was validated by vid I made and happens every time you accelerate the car. So now I have to go down to the dealership to show the technician by taking a drive with him myself. They were not «to busy» to sell the car to me!
More to follow here, consumer reports and facebook not to mention I will picket out front of dealership if I get the run around …