Germain Toyota of Columbus

RUN!, don't walk away, RUN away from this "dealership" if you want to buy a car. My nightmare with Germain of Columbus(forgive the bile that forms in my throat when I speak there name), "dealership" if you want to buy a car. My nightmare with Germain of Columbus(forgive the bile that forms in my throat when I speak there name), begins with my car being hit and totaled by a semi. I had been looking online for a few months to find a replacement for my beloved 2006 Grand Prix GT. Finally one day I saw a 2007 Grand Prix GT online at Germain of Columbus. It only had 35,000 miles on it and the carfax seemed perfect. The car looked flawless, the only catch was that I live in IL, about 500 miles away. I called the dealership and was greeted by a Mr. David Backherm. He said not to worry about the distance, "he sells cars out of state all the time". After much deliberation, we worked out a deal to have the car delivered for free, wow I thought, a dealership that really wants to make me happy, I was sooooo wrong. Before I agreed to start any paperwork, MR. Backhand assured me this car was perfect, no problems at all,completely mechanically sound, and if any did arise I would have a 60 day 2000 mile guarantee. The first day he started the paper work he entered my social security number wrong, because of the mistake he would do it the following day. The paper work all went through, since I had never bought a car like this before I made sure of all the detail were in order before the "DEAL". I would be paying the taxes and registration myself, because Ohio has no taxes on cars. He was allegedly taking care of everything else, including the title. I waited patiently for the car to be delivered at 1:00 pm on the day it was being delivered. I took the day off work to be here to inspect the car. The delivery drivers were 4 hours late. They arrived with a filthy car, telling my wife and I to "go wash it" when we were test driving it. Other than the car being filthy, everything else seemed in order, until we tested the remote start key fob. It was broken, in fact it even had a sticker on the back(which I kept) stating it was broken. No problems the delivery guys said "they will just cut you a check to have it fixed at a GM dealer near you". I called Mr. David Backhand, who promised to me before I signed the paperwork, that they would buy me a new remote key fob. I signed the paperwork, they put temp plates on the car that were good for 25 days. I was told the title would be mailed in 21 days, and then I would have all the proper paper work to go register and pay taxes at the DMV before the temp plates expired. Two days before my plates expired I called Mr. Backhand to see why I hadn't received any of the paperwork. I told him the taxes were due now and my plates were going to expire. He said I would have the paperwork in a day. The next day I received a copy of the title and took a day off work to go to the DMV to register and pay taxes on it. The DMV informed me that the copy I had got in the mail was useless, and that I needed to also pay to title it in IL. What? Backhand assured me that this was already taken care of. Another lie. I called the dealership to ask what was going on, couldn't get a hold of David of course but I was told that the dealership would not pay to extend my temp. plates. I went back into the DMV, they refused to register it without the real title. It was 2 days before Thanksgiving and my plates would be expiring the day before Thanksgiving. I would not be able to drive my new car to my families house for the holiday. Another cost I would have to pay for an extension of temp plates, the DMV said the dealership had to pay for the extension, the dealership refused. At this point I contacted the bank, they felt so bad about the ordeal that they mailed the title directly to me. A half hour before the DMV closed I was able to rush over there(I could not take another day off work) and finally got it registered, titled which costed me an addition $120.00 (that David Backhand said I would not have to pay), and paid the taxes. I thought I was done having to do David Backherms job for him. NOPE!!!! On November 29th I sent an email asking why after a month I hadn't been reimbursed for the remote key fob. And actually that's a whole different story on its own. One month before he said they would just buy me a new key fob and to get a quote. I got a quote of $250.00. But I still had two remotes from my totaled car that were programmable to my new car. They quoted me a much lower number of $130.00 to reprogram my remotes. David Backhand agreed to have them both reprogrammed since he would be saving money to use my old remotes instead of paying more for a new one. Our local GM dealer I went to cut us another deal and only charged $65.00 to reprogram the remotes. "Just fax me that bill and I'll get you a check out" David said on November 1, 2012. I waited one month as I mentioned above before emailing him to ask what the problem was, why I had never been repaid. He said to SEND THE BILL AGAIN, this is a month after he said he already got the bill and my check had been mailed. I faxed it again. That night I pulled into my driveway hearing a loud squealing belt whine. This was listed on the inspection sheet. Upon further investigation I noticed my new car, that I had paid over $13000.00 for, with only 35,000 miles on it was leaking coolant. I called David Backhand first thing the next day. I was already mad about being lied to continuously about the refund check. Getting him to answer the phone after calling several times was irritating as xxxx. I informed him of the bigger problem letting him know that that weekend(it was thursday) was my families Christmas, I needed the car fixed NOW. He did not call me back, he did not answer one of the three numbers he gave me to call. I called back for the tenth time and was informed by Mr Backhand that I would have to drive my car that was leaking coolant 500 plus miles to the dealership to have it fixed! Are you kidding me he wanted me to risk blowing the engine in a car that was leaking coolant, to drive 1000 plus round trip???? I finally was transferred to a Robert, (at this point after not being able to get David on the phone after calling for 2 day, I was now being told that he, the salesman was delivering cars, another lie). They were now going to send me a check to have it fixed in my state after I had to take more time off work to take in in and get a quote to have it fixed. Robert seemed angered by this whole ordeal. It was now Friday, I would be missing my family Christmas on the weekend at this point. He promised that first thing Monday the check would be overnighted by Fedex, I would be able to have my car fixed and be driving it by that Tuesday. Today is Wednesday. I called Fedex twice yesterday, my wife waited at home all day for the check. Fedex informed me nothing was being sent to my address. Lived at this point I called again today and was told by Robert that they made a mistake and put the check in the regular mail. What kind of business is this???? They lie like they breathe, after being lied to over and over we started to have the feeling, if their lips are moving they are lying. Robert, the most helpful person alive at Germain, figured out what was going on finally, he emailed pictures of the checks that were put in the regular mail because I didn't believe anything they said at this point. I got the checks Thursday and had the car fixed Saturday. While they were fixing it they found more problems with my "mechanically sound car". The wheel bearing are really bad. The tires Backhand said were"like new" are almst completely dead. I'm sure the $700.00 suspension work that needs to be done is not covered by the warranty. And I don't need the headache of dealing with these people again. My other car had 75,000 miles on it compared to the 35,000 on this one , it never had any problems, and I think these issues should of all been fixed prior to them selling it to me. I would certainly look else where if you need to buy a car... If you aren't terrified of this dealership yet from my real life experience, do more further investigations on your own. Go to the BBBs website and read the vile things they have done to other paying clients. I wish I would of before buying this car. Read more of the reviews from others that had the same problem of being continuously lied to. And please take the good reviews as a grain of salt, they are probanly as manufactured as all the lies I was told. More

The salesman Kyle was very professional, friendly, and patient. He took his time finding me the car I really wanted. And Jimmy was very helpful in answering all my questions about the financing aspect of patient. He took his time finding me the car I really wanted. And Jimmy was very helpful in answering all my questions about the financing aspect of the purchase. More

We drove an hour to look at a Chevrolet Avalance I found online. We checked the outside of the truck and felt interested in viewing more. Not one salesman came out to talk to us, even with no one in the sal online. We checked the outside of the truck and felt interested in viewing more. Not one salesman came out to talk to us, even with no one in the salesroom and not one person on the lot. I walked into the showroom and no one approached me. The place was such a mess, I couldnt find the Reception area. I figured we didnt need to buy anything there. We drove to a dealer down the street and spent our $money$.... More

I have a 2003 Camry XLE with less than 80,000 miles in great condition. I took it in because the heat was not working properly I had to turn it to max hot for some heat. I was told the thermostat needed t great condition. I took it in because the heat was not working properly I had to turn it to max hot for some heat. I was told the thermostat needed to be replaced along with other things that could wait for later including a cabin air filter that I replaced myself. I then was told the car had to cool down so it took some time so they gave me a loaner and I returned around 1:45 pm and they had not started on my car. Later when I went back the car was ready so I paid my bill which was $368.39 and the parts was only $58.85 you do the math. When I started my car up and let it run before I left there was still no heat, I told the advisor and he told me to drive it around, I am not stupid they did nothing to my car. I left it there all weekend went there on Monday and he told me they found the problem and I said you told me that on Friday ( 11/16 thru 11/19/2012) he said it needed a heater assembly and they had too order the part. Took my car back on 11/28/2012 and I was told it would take about one hour, well after time passed I was told they had to order another part I was given a loaner car again and never heard from them again that day. I called the next day about 2pm and iwas told it would be 1-2 hours I got a call saying we want to make sure we get it back together right, never heard from them that day. I was really fed up. I went there on Friday my car was waiting. I started it up only luke warm air not hot. I asked him what he done and if he put the assembly in he said we found that was not the problem the thermostat was defected. I can't understand if you had the dash board off why not put in the part. I truly don't think the took the dashboard off and they put the outside senson in as if they were doing me a favor when I know it has nothing to do with the inside heat. I have been coming to Germain since 1995 and that car is still on the road. I felt i was treated like I knew nothing which is far from the truth. I have never had this problem before. I love my Camry and would buy another one in a heartbeat. I take pride in keeping my car in good shape and all Toyota and you have the records to prove it and so do I. My car is still not heating properly. Update, I was contacted by Todd Shook on 12/3/12 and we discussed the problem. We settled the problem and he was very nice and understanding. I will continue to go to Germain because they have done a great job over the years on my cars. More

It was really a great experience to buy my expected new Camry from Germain Toyota,Columbus,Ohio. The sales consultant, Leo Treadway, was very friendly, responsive, and considered my requests to complete th Camry from Germain Toyota,Columbus,Ohio. The sales consultant, Leo Treadway, was very friendly, responsive, and considered my requests to complete the purchase. I was really pleased with my visits to Germain Toyoata and hope to visit them as needed. More

I had a absolutely FANTASTIC sales experience with Brian Smith, probably one of the sweetest guys I've ever met and SO genuine; he wanted me to have a car I would be completely satisfied with I could not ha Smith, probably one of the sweetest guys I've ever met and SO genuine; he wanted me to have a car I would be completely satisfied with I could not have asked for a better customer service rep! He took his time explaining the pros and cons and comparing my car to other cars, it was definitely a one on one experience and I would refer my friends to SPECIFICALLY him if they were looking to buy a car and had questions. My financial advisor, not so much, Justin W.. Something, he was a great guy and funny to talk to but didn't seem to know much about the field and couldn't ever stick to one story, in a lot of ways I got screwed over by him, not the dealership, or the sales-person but him personally. It sucks because it wasn't until after the purchase I realized how many things had gone completely wrong and weren't kosher, but as long as no one goes to the financial person, Justin, you should be fine. I love my car, I love the dealership, and I feel with a better advisor I would have had a 100% purchase & experience. More

I purchased a new Camry LE from Germain on October 20, 2012. In the past 40 years I have purchased a number of cars, including a Toyota Matrix from Germain in 2008. I firmly believe Toyota makes the best 2012. In the past 40 years I have purchased a number of cars, including a Toyota Matrix from Germain in 2008. I firmly believe Toyota makes the best automobile for the money. My purchase experience was absolutely terrific. Eric Rigsby was the sales person. He was friendly, polite, respectful, knowledgeable and a true professional in his handling of matters. I am not a person who is receptive to, or impressed by, pressure sales. In the past I have walked away from automobile sales persons who employ these tactics. Eric was the exact opposite of high pressure sales. He has a great demeanor and a kind, winning attitude. Although he clearly wanted me to purchase a car (which of course he should try to do) he was encouraging rather than pushy. His calm and careful approach to sales should be a model for the industry. He also answered every question I posed to him in a clear manner. I will definitely return to Germain for my next new car purchase if I can work again with Eric! I also dealt with Jimmy Palmer regarding the financing of my car. Jimmy was also very polite and quite informative. He provided good information and answered my questions. Jimmy was also very professional in dealings with me. He has an important job and in my opinion he did it well! In combination, Eric and Jimmy provided the kind of excellent service that is expected but rarely found. Germain is fortunate to have employees of their quality. More

During the past 2 months prior to completing a sale I had correspondence with Mr. Chris Wilson who always addressed my questions promptly and professionally. Over that time period I developed a trust with M correspondence with Mr. Chris Wilson who always addressed my questions promptly and professionally. Over that time period I developed a trust with Mr. Wilson and the Germain Toyota dealership that he represented. Mr. Wilson provided me with a non high pressure sales transaction. I really felt comfortable with Chris Wilson and trusted that He had my interests in mind and answered all my my questions sincerely and timely. Mr. Wilson represented Himself well in all instances as a trustworthy Sales Representative and and a spokesperson for the Germain dealership. The sales transaction that I experienced was easy to follow and understand. Marvin Hill the Finance Manager was direct and honest as was Tony Turner the Business Manager who made the paperwork process easy to understand.. I also experienced the same respect from the Sales Manager Mr. Greg Coby. All the people I dealt with at the Germain Toyota Dealership exemplify how a vehicle purchase transaction should flow. There were no surprises and always an "honest" agenda in all aspects of the sale. I was extremely pleased to have made a purchase from Germain and would do so in the future.The staff at Germain work well as a team and are to be congratulated. Joe Wells More

The reason why I chose Germain toyota used cars was for the initial price, exact car I was looking for, and for the non-pressured sales approach they have. They gave me an incredible deal that just could n the initial price, exact car I was looking for, and for the non-pressured sales approach they have. They gave me an incredible deal that just could not be passed up. Thanks again to Germain Toyota and Jeremy Obenauf for the great car buying experience! More

What a pleasant experience!!! We phoned ahead to let them know the vehicle we were interested in, and Chris had it fueled and ready for us to test drive when we arrived. We left the dealership with the veh know the vehicle we were interested in, and Chris had it fueled and ready for us to test drive when we arrived. We left the dealership with the vehicle, although the buying experience with Germain was a pleasant one we would have been happy with our experience regardless!!! We were treated with respect and were so very comfortable while there. The dealership was clean and everyone was friendly. We've found a dealership that is worth recommending and a dealership that we WILL return to in the future! Thanks Chris and Germain!!! More