Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston

Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston:
My husband called the dealership to inquire about the two Prius models listed as currently in inventory, which was surprising as no other dealers have any in inventory (gas prices just reached $4.00 per gallon and these little cars have been snapped up like hot cakes!). While they falsely listed them as available, they are actually not. There is a waiting list. My husband I and both have small SUVs (Hyundai Tuscons). Brian, the sales manager, said that they were low on inventory for used cars and that there was still a market for used SUVs because the college kids would be moving soon and would need these vehicles. We drove all the way up to Boston (an hour away). We met Brian who introduced us to our salesman whose name may have been Mark or Mike. Brian said that this man was the "hybrid expert." (now that was a joke because he let it slip a while later that he had only worked there for 2 months. And, he was unable to answer our questions about hybrids). After they "appraised" my husband's Tuscon, the salesman came back and said that there was really no market for used SUVs and could give us only $8,000 each for our vehicles (remember, the day before the sales manager told us to hurry in because these college kids would be scooping up SUVs like ours to use for moving.) Frustrated, we left.
We drove to another dealer on the South Shore. My husband got $9,500 for his SUV for trade in. I got $11,000. The dealership signed a paper that they would lock in these trade in prices for us. We will see our Prius vehicles in two months. Stay away from Herb Chambers Toyota in Boston.
They are a waste of time!

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston:
I recently purchased a Toyota Tacoma at Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston and I must say that the service and price was OUTSTANDING!!! Unlike other dealers, Brian Jung and Leo Batista made the purchase a pleasant experience. Unlike other dealers, at Herb Chambers Toyota, the price you negotiate is the price you pay, period. No surprise fees or other costs. Also, to my pleasant surprise Brian and Leo have called me on several occasions to make sure I'm completely satisfied with the vehicle and if they can help with anything to just give them a call. I will definitely purchase again from Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston:
At this dealership you will find an experience similar to other megachains like Boch and Ira: they are very good at getting your money out of you, but they'll make you feel OK about it. After I inquired about an Internet listing for a used RAV4 which turned out to be at another Herb Chambers dealership in Rhode Island, they brought it up for me to see without any commitment from me to buy it, which impressed me. Then they kind of nailed me during the price negotiation, but as far as I know it was fair-and-square. So, be prepared for a tactical negotiation process, especially if you have a trade-in. Also watch out for the doc fee ($259) which is not regulated by the state.

The transaction proceeded smoothly, but I felt the salesman became markedly less helpful once the deal was signed. All-in-all, an acceptable but certainly not outstanding experience.

Based on having visited many dealerships while shopping, I would more strongly recommend Bernardi Toyota in Framingham and Copeland Toyota-Scion in Brockton. Turns out those places are also highly rated on this site (along with Acton Toyota, which I didn't have a chance to visit).

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston:
When I called looking for a car, I talked to CK. He was a pretty nice guy, but when I asked if he had or could find a car that I was looking for, he said it would be at least a month.

Since two other dealerships found the car I wanted, my sale did not go here.

Other factors that kept me from comitting to this dealership: the large "herb chambers" chain and an unsatisfactory BBB rating. Over the past 3 years, they have had 6 complaints. They were not the worst compared to others in the area, but they weren't the best.

If purchasing again, I'd probably deal with Lexington or Acton. That's just my opinion though.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston:
I brought my 2002 Toyota Tundra to HC Toyota Boston when my "check engine" light appeared. Jennifer had the truck diagnosed, and told me that while two oxygen sensors and manifold had to be replaced, it would be covered under an extended warranty issued by Toyota for this particular problem. Two days later I brought in the truck, took a loaner (2008 Yaris Hatchback), and went about my business. A few hours later, Jennifer called back, said the Tundra was fixed and ready to go. I picked up a repaired, washed and clean Tundra, and gave back the Yaris. I had a synthetic oil & filter change while the truck was in the shop. I had a perfect, no-hassle service event.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston:
This was my first new car ever and only the 2nd time I have ever purchased any car at a dealer (last time was 18 years ago). I was quite apprehensive about the whole process, having heard many horror stories.

I started via email with Paul Friedman who was able to quickly match the price from a another dealer on a Toyota Prius. I chose Herb Chambers because they were much closer to me than the other dealer. Paul quickly handed me off to Jay Li, a really great, low pressure, easygoing guy. He always carries a cell phone when at work and I never once had any trouble reaching him, he always picked up, and always called back when he said he would. Hi original estimate of when the car would arrive was accurate.

When I showed up to pick up the car I met with Nate the finance manager. He was also very friendly and low-pressure. Did not push on the extras, just explained the options. He also quickly matched a price I found somewhere else for one of the options.

Drove the car home the same day and could not believe how easy the whole thing was!

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston:
The Toyota service center at this dealership does not inform their customers about the costs of repairs in good faith. I received a bill for repair work that included fees of $801 for materials, and over $2300 in labor for work that was completed by 3 PM after a 7:15 AM drop off. The labor charges approach $300/hour (!), far in excess of customary rates.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston:
Nightmare! Couldn't get out of there fast enough!

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston:
We went in to buy a Sienna LE AWD. Spent 3 hrs there to get a price. Agreed to this, signed everything and set up pickup time for the car. Showed up tp pick up the car. Had our check cashed already by them. Waited 50 mins to get the car. See our sales assistant leaving all of a sudden with jacket on. Manager comes up to say sorry but the sales assistant told us you wanted a FWD but told you you'd get an AWD. The price we quoted was based on a FWD. That car has suddenly (and conveneinetly) been sold to someone else and we have no other AWDs in the warehouse. What a shame - you lose. You lost on all that wasted time. Unless you want to drop 3K more above the price we agreed. No? Oh, ok here's your cash back. A few days later. Seeya. We have very little remorse because we don't care and don't need to pretend we do.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston:
We visited this dealer last week to look at the RAV 4, 4x2, 4 cylinder. Our sales person offered us a 2006 "demo" model with just a few thousand miles, driven by one of the sales managers for the last few month that was essentially new, according to our sales person and manager there that Sunday night. When we drove in the next day to look at the demo model, it reeked of smoke and air freshener (it was a very poor attempt to mask the smoke), had a number of scratches and dings on the sides and both bumpers and scuff marks and dirt in the back. After a test drive and the typical long wait time while our sales person ostensibly fought for us to get a good deal with his sales manager, they offered us $19,999 for this model - which is barely invoice for a new one. We'd be fools to pay that for a 1 year, reasonably well-used car, excluding the sales/doc fees/etc.

Who lets their staff smoke in a demo car? I wouldn't buy my car from a dealer who allows their staff to treat their own cars this way, let alone bring it to them for service. What a laugh. We could get a new 2007 for almost the same price from a number of local dealers. The unnecessary time we had to wait for them in the dealership so they could convince us they were haggling to bring down the price - and try to wear us down - was a waste of our time.

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