Stevinson Toyota East & Scion

I recently had the pleasure of purchasing a new Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, from Stevinson East Toyota. Sales Consultant, Susan McMillon made the process as smooth as possible, even concedering that I was a little ill prepared to actually close the deal on the night that I was there. Susan, along with the finance manager made every effort to finalize the sale, but through no fault of their own, I had to return the next day to receive the vehicle. Nevertheless, everything work out great.
I returned to Stevinson East a week later, to have a clear bra installed. I was met promptly by a service agent who took my information, and guided me to their service waiting area - that wasn’t like most car service waiting areas. This area was clean, modern, and provided great amenities.
I am proud to have the Stevinson emblem attached to my vehicle.

A salesman from Stevinson Toyota (an excellent guy by the way- could not have been more happy with him) texted me and made me an offer that was exactly what I was looking for. He texted me the specific vehicle's information, mileage (new) etc and everything was perfect. I texted him we had a deal, for an OTD price, and he confirmed the numbers and it was done! Everything was in writing via text, was an OTD deal, and I left to go buy the car as agreed upon.



I got to the dealership and everything was great. As they took my trade in and key and started to finalize paperwork, I saw some "movement" up on the manager perch. There was some strange bustling around but I shrugged it off. My salesman had me initial the deal, and I declined an extended warranty, and things were looking great- great deal, great service, couldn't have been more happy.



Then I saw more bustling around and the two salesman came back and they had the GM with them. As soon as we sat down, I knew something was wrong. Both salesman were clutching their hands and seemed shell shocked. My original salesman actually looked ANGRY. The other salesman had that "Oh Sh*t, here we go again" look.



The GM then started in on some canned, pre-rehearsed 'We appreciate your business as a return customer, we'd really like to earn your business...blah blah blah....but at some point this deal just doesn't make sense for us.' Uhhhh, WHAT?! I asked if he meant the negotiation for the extended warranty as I was in disbelief- even for a dealership. The GM said 'no'. I confirmed that he is actually trying to get out of a deal agreed upon- in writing and on a specific car.



I immediately informed him of 'bait and switch' laws and advised him my attorney can be there within the hour. He wouldn't even give me a copy of the agreement or a business card- nothing. I quickly took out my cell phone and took a photo of the "contract" and he snatched it away. I asked to speak to whoever is above him and he flatly denied me. He started to really lose his cool because he now knows he really messed up. He asked to see the texts between his salesman and I and I showed him. He then tried to touch my phone and I tell him to 'not touch' and he walked off.



During all this, both salesman are fuming. One has slammed his pen on the table and both are holding their heads like 'not again'! You know when the salesman are just as angry as you that something has gone sideways big time. One of the salesman went to talk to the manager to try to salvage the sinking ship. At this point, the manager knew I was on the phone with my attorney.



The salesman came back and said the deal is on but for $135 more. The civil and criminal remedies for this type of action exist to protect consumers in exactly this type of situation so I agreed knowing I have legal recourse. During the final paperwork, another $499 is added as a supposed extra dealer fee and "profit"- again violating the OTD price agreed upon. After hours of this treatment, I sign the contract, under duress, and intend to exercise my legal rights so I don’t lose the vehicle I originally had a deal to purchase. My salesman actually left the dealership for a while he was so livid at how I was treated(apparently he chose to leave the dealership entirely after all this).



My attorney was able to reverse the entire deal because I ultimately chose not to do business with Stevinson no matter what the "deal". I returned their car and picked up my trade-in vehicle happy to not be associated with Stevinson Toryota in any way. I have written this not out of spite or revenge but as a simple account of how I was treated at Stevinson Toyota East for those considering where to take their business, how they would like to be treated, and what type of business practices they choose to support.