Malek Abed | Page 14

malek is awesome, second car i have leased from him. first experience was great so that's why i returned and will again for my next toyota. it was a bit of a lengthy process because i was being picky ye first experience was great so that's why i returned and will again for my next toyota. it was a bit of a lengthy process because i was being picky yet could not decide on a specific vehicle. malek put me in a new highlander and i love it! it is a great vehicle that is practical, has some bells and whistles, and perfect to haul my 5 and 9 yr old around. thanks malek, will see you again in a few years! hopefully you will still be with toyota direct... More

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The short of this review - follow-up was freely offered and seldom executed. Paperwork was promised to be processed, only to discover that it was sitting on someone's desk (thanks, Jake.) Getting someone and seldom executed. Paperwork was promised to be processed, only to discover that it was sitting on someone's desk (thanks, Jake.) Getting someone to execute promised correspondence is a lost cause (thanks, Ryan.) The sales staff, however, was generally a good bunch. I really felt that they are let down by the way the back office operates. This was hands down the worst experience I have ever had buying a car, and I have purchased quite a few in my lifetime. I have never seen a dealership operate in such disarray. I will not be recommending Toyota Direct to my friends and family, but I will certainly be happy to share my experiences in great detail. -------------- Buying a car at Toyota Direct was unlike any I had ever experienced - this was due largely to the conditions in which I purchased it. While I can appreciate the hardships that those conditions represented, I nonetheless felt let down by the office staff in general. I was in the market for a Toyota Venza. I was very specific that it should be a black V6 with low miles, preferably certified. I wandered into the dealership during a summer power outage, so it was depressingly hot that day. Speaking with one of the sales reps, we were told that there would be an incentive to buy a car during the power outage, but they didn't have the car I was looking for at the time. I went home, and poking about on the Toyota Direct site, I found a Venza that fit the bill exactly. I emailed the online sales rep (Malek) and set up to meet the next day. With the power out, the staff set out to find the Venza on the lot (which took about 1/2 hour.) It generally takes several hours to purchase a car - with the power outage, the transaction took 2+ days. It required our running to the bank twice since the dealer didn't have internet access to process the loan paperwork. Malek and Rich were both very helpful in getting us into the Venza as soon as possible. My biggest gripe came from the promised incentive. Since we purchased the car during the blackout, we were promised a $250 gas card for our troubles. After 2 days in a hot dealership waiting around for *everything*, we felt that was a fair trade. We were told during the first week that we should start checking the mail. The second week, we were told that 'our name was on the list' and we should receive it soon. We figured that it wouldn't arrive overnight, but we began to become concerned when the 4th week arrived and we were getting the same 'check the mail and let me know if you got it' message was wearing thin. We had neither seen nor heard anything about the incentive until my wife decided to purchase a car from the same dealership. (I was, at the time, still recommending Toyota Direct to my friends and family.) After my wife bought her car, my incentive arrived in the mail. We were told that there was a mix-up at the general office, which had been corrected. I was more or less content, and considered the matter closed. The reason I'm not likely to buy a car at Toyota Direct again has less to do with my own experience, but with that of my wife. As I am the primary 'accountant' in the family, I appreciate timely responses and actions when expenses were involved. My wife was promised the same incentive I was when she bought her car, especially since she sat with me the whole time in the heat(during the power outage). She had allowed the dealership to secure the loan for the car, and the experience at the time was very positive. As did I, she worked with Malek and Rich to secure the Rav4 she had wanted. The problems came later, again with the office staff. My wife received her temporary tags and was able to drive the car off the lot. She did not receiver her title in the mail (as promised by Jake.) Upon calling him, she noted an accusing and slightly belligerent tone, whereas she felt that it was her fault for losing the title. There was also the issue with the bank loan. Jake had admitted that the paperwork that needed to be processed for the bank sat on his desk a number of days before he noticed it, and only after my wife had inquired about it. As of today, we have no paperwork or contact information about how to make a payment on the Rav4. She had to chase down her own title to register her car, and still have no information on how to make the first payment. My wife is less than pleased with the whole affair, to say the least. My personal experience was, I felt, not too bad. I certainly had smoother experiences purchasing a car, but end the end, I am happy with my car and the experience. I am wholly dissatisfied with my wife's experience, as it has upset her. And while I'm likely to express my positive experience, it's going to be coupled with her negative one. Update: 9/18/2012 Given the way these reviews are set up, I had hoped to speak with someone from the dealership and voice my issues that I and my wife have encountered with Toyota Direct. This, of course, turned out not to be the case. My final word on the matter - be very cautious when buying a vehicle from this dealership. Expect to be ignored repeatedly and being required to follow-up on your own. This dealership can not be relied upon to complete paperwork in a timely manner, submit forms as required (thanks, Jake) or return phone calls as repeatedly promised (thanks, Ryan.) I love my car - I chose the Venza over the Murano and have not regretted my decision. The sales staff were attentive and helped where they could. If I had it all to do it over again, I would not have selected this dealership to buy anything. More

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I recently purchased a new scion from this dealer. Rich and Malek were beyond wonderful. Any and all car needs myself or my family has, I will be coming to see these guys! and Malek were beyond wonderful. Any and all car needs myself or my family has, I will be coming to see these guys! More

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For buying a new Toyota Venza a was shopping around all the TOYOTA dealers around Columbus, the way I was treated at Direct Toyota was great. the TOYOTA dealers around Columbus, the way I was treated at Direct Toyota was great. More

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I had been looking for a new car for about a week when I went to Toyota Direct. Malek Abed found the car I wanted and gave me the price I needed right off the bat, there was no negotiating the price, it was went to Toyota Direct. Malek Abed found the car I wanted and gave me the price I needed right off the bat, there was no negotiating the price, it was awesome. He was very polite and got right to business which I appreciated. I will recommend Malek to anyone I know looking for a car. Thank you for everything, I love my new car. More

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We live in West Virginia, and were referred to Toyota Direct through a buying service. Most of our business was conducted by email, with several brief phone conversations toward the end of the acquisiti Direct through a buying service. Most of our business was conducted by email, with several brief phone conversations toward the end of the acquisition process. We knew what we wanted, a Tacoma V6 access cab with SR5 and tow packages, and a manual transmission. It turns out that there aren't many of these vehicles around. We had several dealers looking for what we wanted, and Malek Abed was most helpful in finding what we wanted. Not only did Malek find what we were looking for, the final price was a little below the already low price the buying service said we could expect. On the day of delivery, the final purchasing process went without a hitch, and was handled in a friendly and professional manner. No hassle. No pressure. By the time I got home, I forgot some of the details of the maintenance program offered by Toyota. I sent an email to Malek, and got a quick response. Generally, I have been satisfied with my new vehicle purchase experiences, but I believe that this was by far the most pleasant experience ever. I would recommend Toyota Direct and Malek Abed withtout reservation. More

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Came from 500 miles away to purchase here. Vehicle was exactly as described and the service was great. They even worked extra after the dealerhsip had closed to get me an even better rate on the financin exactly as described and the service was great. They even worked extra after the dealerhsip had closed to get me an even better rate on the financing. Would definitely buy her again. More

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Our treatment by both Malek and Rich was great. Having working for 14+ years in sales I, personally, appreciated their interest, courtesy and review of paperwork and, more importantly, the operating detai working for 14+ years in sales I, personally, appreciated their interest, courtesy and review of paperwork and, more importantly, the operating details of the vehicle. We were introduced to Chris in the Service Dept. and to John who handled the finance end of it. The follow up has been super. Rest assured we will recommend Toyota Direct to our family and friends. In a couple years we plan to be back to purchase a vehicle for Phyllis. My hat is off to Malek and Rich and Toyota Direct. More

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One of the best car buying experiences I ever had. The salesmen found the car I wanted and had it available when I need it. Purchasing experience with the finance department also went smoothly. The store salesmen found the car I wanted and had it available when I need it. Purchasing experience with the finance department also went smoothly. The store was clean and quite modern. Instruction on how to use many of the features on the vehicle were thorough and easy to follow. Would go thru this experience again hands down! More

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This was my second car from Toyota, and the first one from Toyota Direct in Columbus. It was a great experience buying from Toyota Direct. I especially appreciate Mr. Malek, who helped me a lot, He expl from Toyota Direct in Columbus. It was a great experience buying from Toyota Direct. I especially appreciate Mr. Malek, who helped me a lot, He explained everything for me. He is a very nice guy. Before coming to Toyota Direct, I went to another Dealer. They offered me the same car and model with a price much higher than Toyota Direct (thousands more). When Mr Malek told me the price, First, I couldn't believe that. My first choice was a 4-cylinder, but later I decided to buy a Base 6-cylinder. They didn't have the 6V in Toyota Direct, Rich searched and promised me to bring for me in 2 days from another dealer and they did. I strongly recommend this dealership and especially Malek and Rich. Thank you Toyota Direct More

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