Michael's Toyota of Bellevue

On July 16, 2012, I purchased a 2005 Toyota Tundra from Michael’s Toyota of Bellevue Washington automobile dealership (“the dealer”) for $19,184 based on the following information provided by the dealer: i Michael’s Toyota of Bellevue Washington automobile dealership (“the dealer”) for $19,184 based on the following information provided by the dealer: it was advertised as accident free in excellent condition; a comprehensive vehicle safety inspection (CVSI) report stating the truck was accident free and a repair invoice for minor work done on the basis of it; a Kelley Blue Book (KKB) valuation of $20,510 in a declaration to my credit union; and a Carfax report stating the truck is accident free. After driving the truck for ten months and 6,500 miles, the rear tires were unevenly worn out. Another Toyota dealer diagnosed the problem as a bent rear axle housing and bent right rear shock absorber above the bent housing. The repairs were made at a cost of $2,837. I contacted the dealer who offered to pay $1,526 toward the repair cost, which I accepted. But in the course of completing the axle housing replacement, additional problems of body damage and an incompatible differential were found by the repair mechanic. I informed Mr. Erik Paulson, Vice President for the dealer, of these additional problems. Mr. Paulson requested that additional estimates be obtained from independent repair shops because estimates from a Toyota dealer does not represent the industry and independent estimates are more realistic of the market. I provided him with five estimates from different independent auto collision repair centers, as well as summaries of the damages and safety issues, with an estimated total repair cost of $6,500. The independent investigators agreed that the problems reflected damage to the truck that existed prior to my purchasing it, and which could not have been missed in any competent inspection. Yet the original CVSI report provided by the dealer made no mention of any damage. Without these repairs (right rear door replacement, rear bumper replacement, rear differential replacement, and right rear leaf spring replacement), the truck was considered unsafe to drive. I requested reimbursement for the repairs. Mr. Paulson emailed an offer to contribute $1000 toward the estimated repairs of $6500 or to buy back the vehicle for $14,600 – a loss of more than $8,400 to me. Contradicting his previously certified KBB value of $20,510, he said the truck is “probably worth between $7,500 - $8,500.” I sent a more than fair counter-offer, asking the dealer to pay $3,000 toward the estimated repairs of $6,500 or to buy back the truck for $16,500 (a loss of approximately $6,500 to me.) No response was received, so the email was sent again. In addition, I made three follow-up phone calls. The first two times I left messages, which weren’t answered. The third time, the dealer picked up the phone, hastily said he was in a meeting and would get back to me, and hung up. To date he has not communicated with me. In Mr. Paulson’s email, the dealer claims that he, too, is a victim and that someone passed a bad vehicle to him. Perhaps, but he needs to take responsibility for his repair technician’s failing to notice obvious problems during its comprehensive vehicle safety inspection. Mr. Paulson also claimed that the wording of the Carfax report relieves him of any responsibility and that he was a victim as much as I was. But he had nothing to say about his own CVSI report that falsely claimed the vehicle was accident-free and needing only minor repairs. He also failed to explain the discrepancy between the KBB valuation of $20,510 that he provided my credit union and truck being “probably worth between $7,500 - $8,500.” In a conversation we had, Mr. Paulson said you buy a truck in this condition from Shady Joe’s Auto Sales on the corner. He was right, Shady Joe’s Toyota dealer. For more than six months (July, 2013 to January, 2014) I have made every effort to equitable resolve this matter without success, now it is time to expose this unethical dealer. The poor ratings of Michael's Toyota of Bellevue were given because of the following: they falsely advertised the vehicle as accident free in excellent condition when it has major safety issues and thousands of dollars of repairs are needed; they provided a false safety inspection report signed by their mechanic; they provided a false valuation of the Tundra of more than double its worth; and they would not take any responsibility for any of their false documents or advertising. More

Chad was awesome to work with. Very professional, offered great information and comparative details with other brands beign considered. He was detailed and easy to talk with. He went the extra mile offered great information and comparative details with other brands beign considered. He was detailed and easy to talk with. He went the extra mile and took care of details quickly. More

Awful dealership, they put fake sweet deal to attract you there and then try to sell you others. Don't trust them if you see any deep discounted listed price, call them before you go there to make sure the c there and then try to sell you others. Don't trust them if you see any deep discounted listed price, call them before you go there to make sure the car you want is still there. More

The check light was on. I went to the dealer, they charged me for 180$ for diagnostics fee, which is obviously very expensive. I just googled, it seems 85$ is normal, since what they need to do is jus charged me for 180$ for diagnostics fee, which is obviously very expensive. I just googled, it seems 85$ is normal, since what they need to do is just simply read the error code from the computer!!! More

I trade in my mercedes ( worth 9k) to get a new toyota. E put down 4k, and expect 5k back. After all the deals were made, the the papers were signed. I went home and realized that they didnt give me the chec put down 4k, and expect 5k back. After all the deals were made, the the papers were signed. I went home and realized that they didnt give me the check of 5k. I called them up and was told to wait 2-3 days. 3 day later , they called me saying that my loan didnt go through. Isn't that weird that they supposed to know if a buyer qualified for a loan or not before they hand the car to the buyer? It's not the buyer's fault. But its the finance department of the dealer fault. At the same time, they hold my 5k and expect me to go find someone to co-sign. I wanted to get this crap over, so i had my mom do it. After 2 days , i called and they said 2-3 days later i can come get my checks. Still so sign... i called again and was told 2-3 days again. 3 days later, i called the Finance Department of Toyota. I was told to go straight in that dealer and demand for my money since everything is approved. I walk in the dealer right after that conversation. And AGAIN, i was told to wait 2days. Today is the day. I call the Christian, who prepare the loan and leave a voicemail... NO CALL BACK. I called Chris, who introduced himself the manager in that finance department and who promised me 2 days. Again NO CALL BACK More

I had a very positive experience with Michael's. The building is new and spacious. The atmosphere is friendly and positive. I worked with Kenny Casem and he was great. I first came in looking for a used building is new and spacious. The atmosphere is friendly and positive. I worked with Kenny Casem and he was great. I first came in looking for a used Highlander I had seen on the internet. Kenny showed me all the used Highlanders, let me test drive a couple. None of those worked for me so we started looking at new ones. I had a specific set of options I wanted, Kenny always kept that in mind and when I couldn't find one with those options, helped me order the extras that I wanted on the Highlander. The purchase was fairly quick and when I took my car in to install the options, it was done before the estimated time. I am impressed with the operation of Michael's and would recommend it to my friends. Kenny was the best car salesman I have worked with and would definetely recommend his to anyone that is looking for a new or used car. More

I bought a 2008 toyota 4runner this last january in 2012 from Michael's Toyota of Bellevue. I had leather and tinted windows done which they said would take a week but ended up taking 3 1/2 weeks for some " from Michael's Toyota of Bellevue. I had leather and tinted windows done which they said would take a week but ended up taking 3 1/2 weeks for some "reason." During this time I had tried contacting Toyota to give me an update on my rig several times and Never recieved a phone call back. Apparently as soon as you signed the contract and give them your down payment they just ignore you. So eventually I had to go into the dealership and talk with them about my car. This happened several times for about 3 weeks until I finally recieved my car. When I went to pick the car up, It had not been detailed, the floor mats had dried mud on them, the gas tank was on a 1/4 tank which they promised would be on full, and the front drivers seat was loose. So It took another few days to get all these issues fixed and they told me that all the seats in the 4runners are loose like mine and make noises. After driving the car for one week I noticed a pulsation in the brake petal which was a worped rotor which they had to resurface, missing trim pieces, small chips all over windshield. All were replaced Following this repair I drove the car for 2 more months and notices everytime I took my foot off the brake at a stop light it would make a loud clunking noise, also the front drivers seat was still loose and would clunk around when turning corners and I wanted a second opinion, and the trim from the windshield that they replaced looked loose. 2 days later received a phone call saying all repairs were done and that my seat frame was shot (which was weird because when I told them about it before buying the car they told me this was normal!!) and another one was on order but to come get my car for the weekend. I drove the car all weekend and monday. After work on monday I get into my car after a day of rainfall and the inside of my car was now leaking water!!! I immediately drove to dealership and they had the car for 2 more weeks. Once again recieved a phone call basically stating that they couldnt find the leak and thought I had just left my sunroof cracked open. Which really ticked me off! So i went to pick up my car and they pulled it around front after another day of rainfall and once again water was leaking from inside of my car!!!!!!! Finally it is fixed but when I returned to pick up my car it was on empty. Micheals Toyota of Bellevue is THE WORST dealership in town and I wouldnt recomend them to anyone. I have only had my 4runner for about 5 months and it has been in the shop for a month and a half of this time. I am very disappointed In my Car and if I could return it, I WOULD! More