
Santa Margarita Toyota
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
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WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE - BEWARE! My wife took her 2013 Prius to this dealership for an oil change - they were offering a Black Friday Special. When we went to pick up her car, the My wife took her 2013 Prius to this dealership for an oil change - they were offering a Black Friday Special. When we went to pick up her car, the oil change was done, but the service technicians also decided to inflate her tires. This sounds normal, however, the tires had been inflated with nitrogen and have the GREEN valve caps to indicate that. I'm guessing they don't know that as they removed the valve caps, put air in the tires and didn't replace the valve caps. Not sure if this was a cause, but after receiving the car back the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) was malfunctioning. After talking with the service manager, they agreed to replace the one sensor at a discounted rate of $125. Discount Tire charges $120, Costco will do it for $60. They didn't mention anything about replacing the nitrogen! I have tried to contact the head guy Ephraim Barcelo via telephone and e-mail. He has ignored my voicemail, and doesn't respond to my many e-mails. I did get a call from Rob Taylor - not sure who he is. I returned his call but he failed to get back to me. What annoys me most, is not the fact they won't fix what they broke, but the arrogance of this dealership, and them failing to return or acknowledge any of my voicemails or e-mails. I contacted Toyota Corporate which has opened a case to investigate this incident. After speaking to a very helpful person at Toyota, they were also appalled at the lack of communication coming from Santa Margarita Toyota. Toyota makes great cars. There are many dealerships around that will offer better service. Avoid this one!! More
Worst experience ever. I have been dealing with Teclo since 07/19 when I first inquired about a vehicle that was in transit. At first his communication was great. We were e I have been dealing with Teclo since 07/19 when I first inquired about a vehicle that was in transit. At first his communication was great. We were emailing back and forth. I was trying to work out a deal offering my all in price and at that point everything changed. His responses were short when I started questioning the all in price with tax and fees. If im gonna spend 55k, I would think that would be a normal thing, to get a break down of the cost. I told him I would be there on Monday 07/25 and kept asking for a sales manager and he kept replying to me. He was condescending, telling me that they will have no issue selling the car at the listed price and that the last one that came in sold in 15 minutes. Never once did he mention that I am not able to reserve the vehicle in advance. Every other Toyota dealer does this but apparently they don't. I showed up Monday morning hoping to reserve at the full price quoted with the markup of $3880. I spoke to Alex and the sales manager Richard. Teclo never submitted my info as a lead as Alex was not able to find anything with my name or phone number. I was told it was first come first serve and nothing could be done until the vehicle arrived. Richard was very well spoken and I appreciated him taking some time to talk to me. My wife and I lost wages taking days off and time/gas traveling from Lake Elsinore, an hour away. I understood and kept following up by text with Alex. I figured it would be to my benefit to be in contact with both of them so I started emailing Teclo on the 28th again. He got back to me the next day stating there was a possibility it would arrive that night or in the morning on the 30th. I wanted to make sure I had a chance so I was there before 7am on the 30th. The vehicle I was interested in did not arrive. I was greeted by Rob and helped by Susan once sales opened. I expressed my frustration in the first come first serve process and I was ready to wait all day if I needed to as the last expected delivery date was the 30th. I was told that it might not show up but I would be contacted if it did. I emailed Teclo that same day asking him to keep me posted. No response back. I called the next day to get an update and spoke to Alex, no deliveries came in. I called on the 1st and spoke to Teclo and he seemed bothered at that point. Still no reply from my email from 2 days ago and he said I would get a call, text and email once they got more info. I didn't want to bother any of them anymore so I waited. On 08/02 I was called by one of the sales managers Ryan to see if I had any questions. I informed him I was waiting and wanted to be contacted asap. This morning 8/4 I noticed that the vehicle did not say it was in transit online anymore. I called and spoke to Susan and she informed me that someone was buying it already. I was upset and asked for a sales manager. Was transferred to a voice-mail and still have not received a call back from that manager. I went in person to see if maybe the deal was not finalized and to get an explanation as to why I was not contacted. Spoke to Rob outside the dealership as he recognized me from saturday and stated he was one of the managers when i asked. I appreciate him letting me vent but was given excuses and no solution, which I don't blame him, at that point the vehicle was signed for already. Teclo dropped the ball, maybe purposely. I believe the dealership had a preference on the deal they wanted to move forward with but I was told that was not the case. I saw the buyer and my skin tone was browner but my money is just as green. I hope this was not discrimination but then again the dealer is in South OC, what did I expect. This blonde lady got the notification and I didn't. I had even submitted my info and locked in my deal through the SmartPath service. Good thing I didnt apply for financing online since I never had a chance with the lack of communication. I can only be mad at Teclo my sales rep and Ryan the sales manager. Alex and Susan thanks for your help. Rob thanks again for keeping your cool and hearing me out. Teclo and Ryan thanks for not giving me the same opportunity to be a customer as everyone else. More
Excellent sales and administrative service. After purchase concluded, follow up "thanking for your business" by team management and dealership owner was duly noted and appreciated. Sincer After purchase concluded, follow up "thanking for your business" by team management and dealership owner was duly noted and appreciated. Sincerely. More
Alan is so helpful. He took care of my car from the date I dropped at dealer until the date I picked it up. They replaced my hybrid battery without charged any rental car. I dropped at dealer until the date I picked it up. They replaced my hybrid battery without charged any rental car. More
Poor service department. Ian in service encourages unethical work. Toyota is known for quality and customer care and you won’t get that here. Run as fast as you can! unethical work. Toyota is known for quality and customer care and you won’t get that here. Run as fast as you can! More
Great people, service, and beautiful facilities. Conveniently located. Robert provided excellent service and a familiar friendly face. Conveniently located. Robert provided excellent service and a familiar friendly face. More
Great friendly service people, very attentive and accomodating. Car back as promised no issues. Bought my car here too abd great sales team. Red carpet treatment. Literaly! accomodating. Car back as promised no issues. Bought my car here too abd great sales team. Red carpet treatment. Literaly! More
Rip off.This dealership is a rip off.Liers.We took my son's vehicle to this dealership for repair.Initially they told him they need to replace the fuel pump for $1500.00.Then they came back the next day son's vehicle to this dealership for repair.Initially they told him they need to replace the fuel pump for $1500.00.Then they came back the next day and told us they will do it for $700.00,so we ok'd the repair thinking the car will work according to them.They called to let my son know that it is ready.He came the next day to get the car,first they made him pay the $800.00.Then they told him they think the alternator is the problem.The car has new battery.If the alternator is not working,it should still start.They are quoting another $600.00.Then when we are asking for the old fuel pump they claimed they replaced,the manager said "we cannot do that".That old part is ours,That is where we figure this guy just want their $1500.00.So beware when you go to this dealership for service.Don't be a victim More
This Toyota sales team is the sleaziest, most dishonest, dishonorable, and shadiest sales team there is. From the sales manager, Aaron all the way down to sales reps Luis & Ryan, I’ve never experienced suc dishonorable, and shadiest sales team there is. From the sales manager, Aaron all the way down to sales reps Luis & Ryan, I’ve never experienced such rude behavior professionally or personally! My family has been in the market for quite sometime for a Toyota Hybrid. My wife was in contact with Susan (who was the friendliest and nicest person there). All morning, we were told, “the car is here, come on down.” My wife confirmed the status of the vehicle at least twice before we made our long drive down there. I arrived at the dealership first, meeting Susan, who then told me I was going to deal with Ryan. I was told the hybrid was in the back, and that it would be prepared, washed and gotten ready for me. As we looked over the features of the car, three other couples and their sales rep decided to come over to the hybrid. At that point; every sales person was strangely taken back by the fact that I wanted to test drive it. So I was given the chance to test drive the vehicle. On our way back to the dealership, I told Ryan that I didn’t want anyone else test driving; and I wanted the car. In fairness at this point, I was educated that anyone can test drive the car; it was who finished the application first; would get the car. As we arrive, couple number two was given the chance to test drive the car. During this time; Ryan told me we would get the application started. This is when the deceitful and shady tactics came; as we sat down to start the process; Ryan decided to help another customer, making their needs priority over giving us a fair chance to start the purchase process. He left us at the desk, doing absolutely nothing; while he walks one customer to one side of the dealership, then goes to another side of the dealership, and taking a third detour to converse with colleagues, talking about who knows what. All the while, couple number two has time to return from their test drive, sit with their sales rep Luis, and start the purchase process first. By their actions, it’s obvious that Ryan and Luis purposely stalled my family’s chance to purchase; just so couple number two can get the car instead of us. By this point, I’m agitated. The second couple looks like they’re getting farther along than we were. My wife is furious because we’re feeling discriminated and xxxx on for no reason. Bob came by to try to “make things right” for everyone. At the end, we were met with rude, snarky, and demeaning tones by an unprofessional sales manager, Aaron. We made our complaints clear that we were furious. Not only did Ryan stall our purchasing process by disappearing; he exploited our request to look at numbers first before we proceed in the process. It was clear he did not like this request, given his smart xxx reply “oookay, but if the first app to get in gets the car” ; which was accompanied by a snarky eye roll as he walked away a final time; nowhere to return. We told Aaron that it wasn’t fair how we were being treated. The response we got, “ well it is a first come first serve. That couple’s been on the lot longer looking at other vehicles, but we don’t want to sell you anything if you’re this mad.” We understand the situation of the automotive industry: the chip shortage which is causing massive production shortages on cars. It’s also understandable that these factors can make selling environments First Come, First Serve. What isn’t okay is the process my family experienced. We arrived first and were given first look at the hybrid. We should have been given priority to do the paperwork and have the first fair chance to buy the car. It wasn’t fair that Ryan disappeared during the start of the sales process, stays away so long that another couple has time to pass us in the sales process. Regardless of their situation; it’s only right that we are given a fair chance, not fall victim to shady sales rep collusion of Ryan helping his friend, Luis, hit numbers at our expense. There was plenty of time to show us numbers and get our paperwork in first. Ryan decided before hand, that he would not get our paperwork even started! The fact is: the car was on the lot and sitting all morning. That’s more than enough tune for Luis and his customers to locate the vehicle, look at it, and sell it (on a first come, first serve). We ended up leaving the dealership on our own. We were too furious to be shown out properly, nor did we give them a chance to. As I drive away, Aaron and I make eye contact; I see him mouth the words “Mother xxxxer” as I’m driving away. I hope my story helps anyone looking for a vehicle in the future. Take a moment to see how my family was treated, and how unfair this sales team was. As I’ve stated before; we get it’s a first come, first serve environment for the car sales. We were there first, and given first look at this hybrid. In fairness, we should have gotten first chance to buy the car; the first chance to see pricing, and first chance to get our paperwork together and submitted. It’s shady when the sales rep sits you down first, then disappears for extended lengths of time. It’s evident that side deals were made with Luis; leisurely has time to walk his customers to a desk, and proceed with paperwork while we haven’t even started. Nothing was communicated to us as things happened. If you’re looking to buy a Toyota, do yourself a favor & stay clear of this dealership. If management cusses you out while you drive away, sales reps coerce and dubiously screw people over so others benefit; how could you trust a place with such an expensive purchase? There are plenty of other options available to you. More