Mike Cote | Page 45

I have been in service industry myself for 30 years. I have never seen such dedication of the highest quality of customer service of any company, especially in a car dealership, as I have witness with Toy have never seen such dedication of the highest quality of customer service of any company, especially in a car dealership, as I have witness with Toyota of Wallingford. Here is what went down. After researching and visiting dealerships for about 2 months for a purchase of a used or new truck, I became quite disgusted. Everytime I went to a dealership, it was like going into battle. A war that seemed unwinnable. The most recent encounter with Branch Toyota in Middlebury (read my review on this website) has left me battle worned and emotionally drained. I had enough! Next day was a Sunday, I decided to go down to Toyota of Wallingford to look at sticker prices of the 2011 Tundra. All dealerships are closed Sundays (so I thought) and I just write notes with my wife and compare options, pricing, and so forth in peace. I been to Edmunds.com and other websites that help you with Invoice and MSRP prices. Not an exact science but you need to do your homework so you can obtain the best pricing. So here we are. My wife and I at the dealership, getting sticker prices of what's left of the 2011. My wife state she sees people walking into the showroom and someone is coming this way! CRAP! They are open on Sundays from 12-4 where every other dealership is closed. Didn't homework that! I was finishing a conversation to some other guy who was also in the parking lot sharing war stories of other dealerships. At this time Mike Cote was just waiting patiently, off in the distance but within ear shot. After my conversation with this guy was done, I approached Mike and asked him what was the sticker price of this vehicle since it was peeled off the window. Knowing what I just went through with the other dealerships, he acknolwedged that he understood my pain and was just going to provide me with my request and if I had any other questions, he would be available for me. That's it! Here is where everything turned around. Mike brought a paper over of the list of inventory, invoice and MSRP pricing. WOW! This guy is not a car saleman but actually someone is willing to help me obtain the best pricing within my range with the options I want. This gets better! We test drove the Rock Warrior addition. Beautiful truck! This was our 7th test drive. While my wife and I compaired our other drives with different models, Mike was silent in the back seat. Did not give us any sales pitches. Just answer our questions. Other test drives, sales people know that this is when the customer is most vunerable. Love the feel of a brand new vehicle, ride and features. I actually had to crank the stereo to drown out other saleman constant babbling. Mike was a perfect gentleman. I have been a Toyota person for 20+ years. 1989 Toyota Pickup with 277,000 miles before a truck hit it in my driveway! After that, 1998 Toyota 4Runner with 171,000 miles. Both just oil changes religiously, some common repairs, that's it. My 4Runner was up for trade-in but I didn't bring it with me. Without looking at the vehicle, Mike offered me $500 more than the other dealership and a $1,000 more than 1 other dealership. You know you are not going to get full retail unless you sell it on your own. I keep my vehicles in good shape and know what I can get. This was an OK trade-in deal I was reluctanty willing to settle. Now what happened next blew my mind! The next day, my wife and I drove the vehicle in for their assessment. Now we are dealing with Val Santos, the sales manager. Very friendly, open, and from my impression, honest. My battle scars are healing because of this dealership. Val reviewed our 4Runner and offered us $250.00 more! We split the difference of what I wanted in a trade-in and the price offered ($500) and gave me an additional 500 dollars off of the already low price of the new truck. I have to ask. What dealership is willing do this? Zero percent fiancing is a dealmaker. How can you beat this? In the long term, this is a sound fiancial decision. Saved us thousands in fiance charges of other dealerships and buying a used vehicle. Between Mike and Val, we finally agree on the price for the new Tundra. No hassles. No haggling. Just adults doing business the way business should be done. I have a hard time letting go of money. Mike and Val made it painless, enjoyable, and putting the customer first! I wanted to take off the decals of the truck stating Rock Warrior. No hesitation on their part. Done! Doing the paperwork after the deal was cemented by my signature, Paul Solomon explained everything to us per line item in our fiancial agreement. At this time, the owner came in. Yes, the owner! Mr. Zion shook my hands firmly as I stated it was an honor to meet him. As you are now aware, I do my homework. I researched Steve Zion to see what kind of man I would be giving my money to. His contributions of charity, giving full Christmas consisting of trees, food and toys to needy families is just outstanding! Really gave my wife and I a warm feeling. I inquired about this article I read. Being humble, Steve told me the reporter came up to him and asked him questions. He did not want publicity on this great humanitarian act and did not offer any information as the article did not quote him at all. It went to print anyways. I am sure there is more contribution that Steve Zion gave to society that we don't know about. The integrity of this man is without question. It shows because it filters down to the rest of his employees and staff. Diane Roberts also came into the room. She is the customer service manager. She was so wonderful and we had a pleasant 10 minutes or so with her and Steve Zion. I know how precious and valuable time is. Steve and Diane didn't dash in and out but actually took the time to talk to us. Diane even called my wife the next few days after we have taken delivery of our truck to see if everything is to our satisfaction. The deal was made and Diane still took the time to make a courtesy call. Outstanding! Still not done with my story. A week goes by and we notice there was a flaw in the driver's mirror. We all missed it. I discovered it when I put on a convex mirror for better viewing. Mike Cote brought a serviceman out immediately and stated that he will take care of everything. He will get in touch with the service manager, a new mirror will be ordered, and they will call me when it's in. No problems. I didn't have to do anything! My wife discovered a scratch betweeen the cabin and the bed. I told Mike I didn't care about this but he took care of it anyways and had the scratch removed. Just overwhelming! In conclusion, Toyota of Wallingford represents how other business, not just car dealerships, should conduct themselves. As a small business owner myself, they treat people the way they should be treated. With respect. More

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Michael Cote and Wallingford Toyota worked very hard to get this deal done. I will tell all my friends and family to visit this dealership. get this deal done. I will tell all my friends and family to visit this dealership. More

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I recently purchased a 2011 4Runner. I had a great shopping experience, they weren't pushy. They did everything i asked for. I would highly recommend purchasing a vehicle from Wallingford Toyota. Ask shopping experience, they weren't pushy. They did everything i asked for. I would highly recommend purchasing a vehicle from Wallingford Toyota. Ask for Ron Jackson,he is very easy to deal with,and was able to answer all my questions. More

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Marie and I had been to several Toyota Dealerships while shopping for her new Highlander and were very impressed with the professionalism and time we spent with Mike. It was his manner which convinced us to shopping for her new Highlander and were very impressed with the professionalism and time we spent with Mike. It was his manner which convinced us to decide to do business with Toyota of Wallingford. When we took delivery of the new Highlander Mike spent considerable time with us explaining the different features. We would certainly recommend Mike and Toyota of Wallingford to anyone in the market for a new or used car. We look foward to many years of enjoying the new Higlander. Sincerely, Bob and Marie McCarthy More

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I was very pleased by the service I received at Wallingford Toyota. The staff is very friendy and polite. My sales associate Mike Cote was extremely helpful. He took the time to answear any questi Wallingford Toyota. The staff is very friendy and polite. My sales associate Mike Cote was extremely helpful. He took the time to answear any question I had ,if all dealerhsips had a car salesmen as patient as him . I would deffinatley purchase another car from this dealer ship in the near future. Sincerily , Kimberly J Downing More

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After having a company car for many years, I was looking for a hassle free, easy process for getting a new car. Mike and the team at Toyota of Wallingford were great to work with and really made buying a c for a hassle free, easy process for getting a new car. Mike and the team at Toyota of Wallingford were great to work with and really made buying a car an extremely easy process! I look forward to my next purchase and sending lots of friends their way! More

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Customer service job one here. I was able to test drive the Camry as I desired. The sales staff was very accomodating. The car I wanted was not on their lot and finding the car elsewhere was handled withou the Camry as I desired. The sales staff was very accomodating. The car I wanted was not on their lot and finding the car elsewhere was handled without any hassle.I have had another car serviced here and the service department and parts department are outstanding. More

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Working with Salesperson Mike Cote made the experience very pleasant. I had purchased a Camry in 2002 from another CT dealership but decided to try Toyota of Wallingford because of the great reviews they very pleasant. I had purchased a Camry in 2002 from another CT dealership but decided to try Toyota of Wallingford because of the great reviews they received. I can honestly say that the positive reviews are well deserved. I was purchasing a RAV4 and wanted a specific color which was back ordered. When the car wasn't delivered prior to my vacation, even though there were no promises that it would be delivered by a specific date, Mike arranged for me to get a loaner which saved me over $800 because I didn't have to rent one. I would highly recommend Mike Cote if you are interested in purchasing a Toyota and I actually did recommend my daughter give Mike a call because she was relocating back to CT from a city where she didn't need a car. She met with Mike and purchased her own RAV4 less than a week after I purchased mine. Visit Toyota of Wallingford and ask for Mike Cote! More

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The friendliness of these employees was apparent upon entering this dealership. I was welcomed and felt an unpressured atmosphere immediately. As a potential customer I found the service exceptional. entering this dealership. I was welcomed and felt an unpressured atmosphere immediately. As a potential customer I found the service exceptional. The price was acceptable to me. These two employees were extremely professional, and I found the experience at this dealership to be completely rewarding. More

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Went to Toyota of Wallingford after securing a deal with a local Dodge dealership on a similar van. After meeting with Mike I had no doubt in my mind that I was going with Toyota instead. I cancelled the a local Dodge dealership on a similar van. After meeting with Mike I had no doubt in my mind that I was going with Toyota instead. I cancelled the deal with Dodge the next day and we love our Sienna. The whole experience was great. More

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