Joe Magana

Basically a criminal enterprise. I took my care in because they kept messaging me saying I was "due for my scheduled PREPAID maintenance." I expected and received the call that says I took my care in because they kept messaging me saying I was "due for my scheduled PREPAID maintenance." I expected and received the call that says there are more things, beyond the 'prepaid' that would need fixing, and was sent a video that summarized what they would be. The video cut off after listing a few nominal services that my car needed, air filter, battery cleaning, tire rotation. I said yes to what the video had outlined assuming that it would be no more than $500. When I went to pick up my car, I paid thinking that the card-reader said $452, and ecen commenting that it was cheaper than I had expected. Then I got a receipt text saying 'thank you for your payment of $2452!!! I'm a teacher. That's a month of salary. I never would have agreed to having that much work done even if it needed it. They said they could take my car and undo all the work they did. When I complained they gave me no other options, basically holding my car hostage. When I took it to the managers etc I was met with the same indifference, wit no solutions offered. This after I've bought 3 cars from them and been their client for more than 12 years. I will never ever give them my patronage again, and I recommend you find somewhere else to do your business. In retrospect, this was not the first time they tried to shaft me (and succeeded). A few years ago they sent asked to buy my car back saying they could give me a certain amount and that my new lease would be a certain amount. Once I had gone through with the process my lease went from $315 a month to $525 a month. The salesman, a sleazy stereotype of a used-car salesman said "you should consider yourself lucky. Some people are losing their homes right now." I was with my 4 year old son so I restrained myself, but that was way beyond the pale. You guys are the worst! More

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Basically a criminal enterprise. I took my care in because they kept messaging me saying I was "due for my scheduled PREPAID maintenance." I expected and received the call that says I took my care in because they kept messaging me saying I was "due for my scheduled PREPAID maintenance." I expected and received the call that says there are more things, beyond the 'prepaid' that would need fixing, and was sent a video that summarized what they would be. The video cut off after listing a few nominal services that my car needed, air filter, battery cleaning, tire rotation. I said yes to what the video had outlined assuming that it would be no more than $500. When I went to pick up my car, I paid thinking that the card-reader said $452, and ecen commenting that it was cheaper than I had expected. Then I got a receipt text saying 'thank you for your payment of $2452!!! I'm a teacher. That's a month of salary. I never would have agreed to having that much work done even if it needed it. Apparently there was more on the video that I had not received because it had gotten cut off. That was their reasoning. I had watched it with my wife and neither of us saw an itemized list or any evidence that the video was longer than what we had received. They said they could take my car and undo all the work they did. When I complained they gave me no other options, basically holding my car hostage. When I took it to the managers etc I was met with the same indifference, with no solutions offered. This after I've bought 3 cars from them and been their client for more than 12 years. I will never ever give them my patronage again, and I recommend you find somewhere else to do your business. In retrospect, this was not the first time they tried to shaft me (and succeeded). A few years ago they sent asked to buy my car back saying they could give me a certain amount and that my new lease would be a certain amount. Once I had gone through with the process my lease went from $315 a month to $525 a month. The salesman, a sleazy stereotype of a used-car salesman said "you should consider yourself lucky. Some people are losing their homes right now." I was with my 4 year old son so I restrained myself, but that was way beyond the pale. You guys are the worst! More

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I got in touch with a salesman a week before the memorial weekend in May 2023. He assured me that the car was in pristine condition and didn't have the front license plate mounted, wanted me to place a depos weekend in May 2023. He assured me that the car was in pristine condition and didn't have the front license plate mounted, wanted me to place a deposit, go through the credit check, and visit on the weekend to make the purchase. A night or two before picking up the vehicle I was informed that the front license plate had been mounted. I was irate over this as I'd already placed a deposit and they ran my credit. I asked if the mount was installed cleanly and the salesman assured me that it was. When I arrived at the dealership I asked if they can remove the mount but they stated their service team wasn't available beacuse of the holiday. I simply had to trust the salesman and the integrity of their business. Four and a half months later on 10/10/2023 at 7:48 PM, I removed the front license plate mount to place bumper plugins and discovered they made multiple attempts to install the mount. You can tell from the vertical scratches they were struggling to align the mount. You can also tell from the sloppy drill holes they were struggling to install the mount. This is likely why the car was sitting on the lot for weeks, figured it won't sell in that state, covered it up, then sold it to me after getting a deposit and running a credit check. This is an incredibly dirty practice and shows that Toyota Santa Monica doesn't care about the customer experience as long as they land a sale. Furthermore they sold my trade-in car prior to updating the registration and license plate, allowing the buyer to run through several express/toll lanes. I have called five times to resolve this and they have made no attempts in sending me the release of liability. I am this close to sending them the bills with the piled on late charges if not disputing this in court and charging them attorney fees. I expect Toyota Santa Monica to contact me within the week to resolve these issues. Send me the release of liability and get your manager/parts team involved to resolve the bumper issue. You sold me the xxxx vehicle, you have my phone number. More

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Very unresponsive early in the sales process. Didn't respond to emails or texts. Chat was like talking to a robot. Could not get a straight answer to simple questions. It's as if they don't want Didn't respond to emails or texts. Chat was like talking to a robot. Could not get a straight answer to simple questions. It's as if they don't want to engage the customer or even try to sell a car. I bought a car from a competitor in North Hills that was very responsive, friendly, and negotiated in good faith. Stay away from SM Toyota. More

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Mark and the entire team were polite and patient with my last minute end-of-the day sale. Even thought it was rainy and miserable, the experience was streamlined and enjoyable. Loving my NX300h. Zareh Ploo last minute end-of-the day sale. Even thought it was rainy and miserable, the experience was streamlined and enjoyable. Loving my NX300h. Zareh Ploozian, the Finance Manager was a dream to work with, too More

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Beware to all seniors and new leasers, , went to buy out my lease but on top of the residual value and tax they added bogus $6750. “mandatory dealership”up charges to my buyout. I asked to talk to mgr. jo my lease but on top of the residual value and tax they added bogus $6750. “mandatory dealership”up charges to my buyout. I asked to talk to mgr. joe magana, he wouldn’t talk to me. Went to toyota financial only paid residual to them , and tax at dmv. I saved a lot of money by not believing them. I don’t want to see a trusting person spend unnecessary money, especially to an unethical dealership. That wouldn’t even justify their policy to me. More

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They didn't really respond to me. I sent at least 2, maybe 3 emails inquiring about a vehicle. Never got a response other than a follow-up asking if I had received all the info I needed (which I didn't maybe 3 emails inquiring about a vehicle. Never got a response other than a follow-up asking if I had received all the info I needed (which I didn't). I responded that I had not and all I got was another email stating they'd let the manager know. The car was sold to someone else. More

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Do you like dishonest dealers? If so great this is the place for you. They will give you a price over the phone just to get you in the door. Have a bunch of dumb charges added. It’s no wonder this dealers place for you. They will give you a price over the phone just to get you in the door. Have a bunch of dumb charges added. It’s no wonder this dealership looks old and dusty and has a bunch of cars. You would have to be dense to buy a car here. The sales manager Joe who will gladly tell you to F off by getting some push back for wasting people’s time. Trashy place, hires trashy people. No surprise. Look through the actual reviews and tons of 1 star reviews. Don’t waste your time. More

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they are not very helpful for the new car i bought. i didn't know enough about the car and it seems they don't know much about it either. didn't know enough about the car and it seems they don't know much about it either. More

by whycwei Verified Customer Verified Customer

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Brandon was great. Joe Magaña was very responsive - worked to remove a scratch on my car. The 6 month service was somewhat unnecessary. I drove nearly 100 miles, (woke up at 3:30 in the morning to be worked to remove a scratch on my car. The 6 month service was somewhat unnecessary. I drove nearly 100 miles, (woke up at 3:30 in the morning to beat traffic) from Santa Barbara to Santa Monica. They crew rotated my tires and topped off my windshield wiper fluid. There needs to be better communication with the client and an opportunity to have these overly simple tasks done by the dealer in Santa Barbara. Finally, these two tasks took 2 hours and 45 minutes. Unbelievable. More

by stephen31 Verified Customer Verified Customer

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