If you plan on shopping at Toyota of Bowie in Bowie MD be
sure to read the reviews. If you have already shopped at Toyota of Bowie
please take a moment and write a car dealer review and let others know what to expect,
Good or Bad.
My wife and I wanted to purchase a Scion Xd. We got a loan from Bank of America (direct loan), was sent to Toyota of Bowie (BOA's "preferred" dealer), so we'd have a better rate on the loan and picked out a car. The car we wanted was ready in a couple weeks, so we headed back to Bowie Toyota to pay for the car.
Nightmare.
Even with a direct loan already from Bank of America, and a letter from Bank of America that said expressly for the dealership NOT to run our credit again as the loan was already made, they underhandedly did so. I can't make it clear enough to you that we continually said we did not want any further credit checks, and we were never presented with anything that said "credit application," as the dealership would later claim. The Financial Manager in charge of the transaction was Leo Akiyode, who although telling us he'd been doing his job for 5 years, didn't even know how to process the Bank of America Loan. We hold this man absolutely responsible for Toyota of Bowie's poor performance. Now, we have more credit hits for absolutely no reason. Thanks, Leo, you're a champ. A champ in a never ending line of crooked car dealers.
Beyond that, I'd only say that the salesman was fine, but that's not really important because Scions are haggle free, so there wasn't much he was going to do or could do to sell us more than we'd wanted. We'd done our homework. We'd already "built" the car online. HOWEVER, Toyota of Bowie, in all their game playing, did try to get us into yet another tiny, unwindowed office to sell "undercoating." No thank you; we built the car online. We'd done it all.
I would recommend NOT going to Toyota of Bowie. They are just an inherently dishonest dealership. Even after working with the Customer Service Manager (whose "welcome" letters are given out with her own name misspelled), nothing has been resolved. They erroneously got a credit inquiry placed on the credit reports in an attempt to steal the loan and they'll do nothing about it. I can't help but to call to mind the word...crooked.
Good luck if you head there. Keep your eyes open and be ready for everything. And last of all...read everything...slowly! Because you'll sure find it a huge task to get Mr. Akiyode to explain anything or move slowly at all. If you're going to spend 18 grand on a car, you deserve to do it right for yourself.
Dealing with Toyota of Bowie was a nightmare!!!!! I recently bought a 2008 Toyota Prius there. After haggling all day, I got a good price on the car and felt good. Then the nightmare began when they tried to nickle and dime me for over $1000.00 extra. They also did not live up to promises about customer service and detailing.
For starters, their loan officer pushed Gap insurance for about 15 minutes until my girlfriend so worried that we agreed to take it. With 3000$ down and a good retail value vehicle, there is no need for gap insurance. Needless to say we went back and got it removed. He used scare tactics and lied that we could not obtain Gap insurance later (you can get it from any insurance company with one phone call) if we decided it was good for us. Completely shady sales tactics.
When we agreed to buy the car we were told that there was a second key which all the sudden no longer existed. A second key was part of the original deal. Then a day later they said that a guy comes through with used keys and had an extra Prius key and they would split the cost with us for 150$. Since Prius keys cost that new I said "no way" and that we should not have to pay because they told us there were 2 keys. Five minutes later they called and had "found" the second key to our vehicle. We scheduled an appointment to pick it up (we live 45 minutes away) and also get the car detailed (it was not properly detailed the first time). We arrived at the scheduled time and then waited for 1.5 hours before they even brough it to the back to begin the detailing. Then about an hour later they said that the shop could not program the key for 2 more hours. Tired of waiting, I took the key and got it reprogrammed elsewhere. It was definitely the key that came with the vehicle because the physical metal key part works to unlock the doors.
To summarize, they make their money by nickle and diming you through deceptive sleazy practices. They make big customer service promises and do not deliver. Do not expect the great service detailing your car (unless you want to wait all day for them to do a poor job) Do not believe any other promises that they may make.
Also, they offer a Lifetime Warranty that they claim is not available anywhere else. Do not be fooled. This is a drivetrain warranty, which every used car dealership offers. Some of them will even tell you that drivetrain warranties really do not mean much because the drivetrain parts never break. This warranty is for suckers.
with the stipulation that we could get it removed the next day if we wanted. Well we put 3000.00 down and bought a used car with outstanding retail value which means there will never be a gap between what the insurance pays and what we owe on the car. We went back and the guy showed examples of new cars with trade ins (absolutely different situations)
Post Thanked
0
times Post Booed
0
times
July 27, 2009, 12:07 pm
Chris Vondi
Car Dealer Check Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Reviews: 1
Review Comments: 2
Forum Posts: 0
Update on Complete Nightmare to Deal With!!!!!!!
Dealing with Toyota of Bowie was a nightmare!!!!! I recently bought a 2008 Toyota Prius there. After haggling all day, I got a good price on the car and felt good. Then the nightmare began when they tried to nickle and dime me for over $1000.00 extra. They also did not live up to promises about customer service and detailing. If you check the Better Business Bureau website, you will find dozens of complaints for an overall rating of F. For starters, their loan officer pushed Gap insurance for about 15 minutes until my girlfriend so worried that we agreed to take it. With 3000$ down and a good retail value vehicle, there is no need for gap insurance. Needless to say we went back and got it removed. He used scare tactics and lied that we could not obtain Gap insurance later (you can get it from any insurance company with one phone call) if we decided it was good for us. Completely shady sales tactics. When we agreed to buy the car we were told that there was a second key which all the sudden no longer existed. A second key was part of the original deal. Then a day later they said that a guy comes through with used keys and had an extra Prius key and they would split the cost with us for 150$. Since Prius keys cost that new I said "no way" and that we should not have to pay because they told us there were 2 keys. Five minutes later they called and had "found" the second key to our vehicle. We scheduled an appointment to pick it up (we live 45 minutes away) and also get the car detailed (it was not properly detailed the first time). We arrived at the scheduled time and then waited for 1.5 hours before they even brough it to the back to begin the detailing. Then about an hour later they said that the shop could not program the key for 2 more hours. Tired of waiting, I took the key and got it reprogrammed elsewhere. It was definitely the key that came with the vehicle because the physical metal key part works to unlock the doors. To summarize, they make their money by nickle and diming you through deceptive sleazy practices. They make big customer service promises and do not deliver. Do not expect the great service detailing your car (unless you want to wait all day for them to do a poor job) Do not believe any other promises that they may make. Also, they offer a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty that they claim is not available anywhere else. Do not be fooled. This is a drivetrain warranty, which every used car dealership offers. Some of them will even tell you that drivetrain warranties really do not mean much because the drivetrain parts never break. This warranty is for suckers.
Post Thanked
0
times
Post Booed
0
times
July 27, 2009, 12:08 pm
Chris Vondi
Car Dealer Check Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Reviews: 1
Review Comments: 2
Forum Posts: 0
Update on Complete Nightmare to Deal With!!!!!!!
If you check the Better Business Bureau website, you will find dozens of complaints for an overall rating of F.
My internet salesperson was Anthony Cason (AC). His Manager is Tim Smith. This was by far, the best car buying experience I have had dealing with these two individuals, but especially with AC. Why? Because it was a "no pressure, educational, your time is my time, we will go above and beyond to make you happy" type of experience. They say that car dealerships take advantage of women. I am an older lady who does her research and asked many questions to determine the accuracy of his knowledge. AC not only knows the Toyota cars. He has no problem working with his customers to insure their full understanding of every aspect that the two of you are involved in prior to even talking "purchase"...I loved that.
This young man was respectful, patient and followed up on everything that he stated he would in a timley fashion. Actually, he was the reason I purchased the car in the end. I would recommend him to anyone and found the people at Toyota to be very diligent about servicing their customers.
My experience was an excellent one. And not to overlook Ken Patterson, he worked with me the first day I visited the dealership and he too was a very positive reflection of Toyota of Bowie. Great place to buy a car because they are in the business of working to keep you as a returning customer. Nuff said!
Mrs. R. Joiner
Post Thanked
0
times Post Booed
0
times
Other Useful Searches for Bowie MD
Toyota of Bowie is a dealer in Bowie, MD. Toyota of Bowie offers Toyota. Please feel free to Rate and Review the Toyota of Bowie Dealership so other Car Buyers can know what dealerships in the Bowie, MD area are great and which ones are just so-so. You can also use the Map below to locate other Bowie Car Dealerships quickly and easily!
Toyota of Bowie
Complete Nightmare to Deal With!!!!!!!
Update on Complete Nightmare to Deal With!!!!!!!
Post Thanked 
Post Booed 
Outstanding Sales Person
