Robert Insani | Page 29

No place like Toothman Ford Seth Elsey an the entire team at Toothman Ford were outstanding! I saw the vehicle I wanted, Test drove it, and drove it home. I have to say vehicles Seth Elsey an the entire team at Toothman Ford were outstanding! I saw the vehicle I wanted, Test drove it, and drove it home. I have to say vehicles are cheaper in Grafton.. Same truck different color was more expensive else where in the state. Thank you again for the great experience of no hassle buying.. I will be back and am telling my friends More

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2012 Ram 1500 First off, my review is going to be a little more wordy than the average review because I write for a magazine and am a little verbose. My apologies First off, my review is going to be a little more wordy than the average review because I write for a magazine and am a little verbose. My apologies in advance to non-readers lol... I had been looking for a newer truck for quite a while, and found myself at Toothman Ford after I located a Ram in my price range utilizing the website. I greatly appreciated that the dealership was very forthcoming with ALL of the stats for every car they are offering, rather than play games with potential buyers by putting things like "Call for Price" or "Call for Mileage". Quite honestly, I likely would not have come to Toothman had they not provided this information simply because its just slightly "out of sight, out of mind" for me as I live in Fairmont. When I arrived on the lot, I was greeted by Seth Elsey, who kindly answered all questions I had about the Ram I ended up buying and another truck that I had also been considering from online. He offered a test drive, and I accepted. He rode with us, answering additional questions we had along the way. I didn't end up buying that day (a Saturday), but ultimately "slept on it" a couple of days before calling back on the following Tuesday to schedule another appointment to test drive it one more time before committing to purchase. Apparently, the truck I ultimately bought was being loaded on a tractor trailer for travel to an auto auction in Virginia. Thanks to Seth, he was able to get the truck back off of the auto carrier in the nick of time, or I wouldn't be writing this review. Ultimately, I ended up buying the Ram, but not before there was some general red tape that had to be dealt through before the purchase could be completed. Seth admitted to me that he was a newer employee (kudos for honesty to him...I greatly appreciate someone who is forthcoming about their experience rather than "faking it to make it" and just telling me what he thought I wanted to hear!), so he introduced me to Donnie McMillen who helped with negotiating the transaction. I was on the fence about trading in my 2003 Dodge Durango V8/4x4, but had it appraised anyway. First off, to be fair, the Durango did have a minor amount of damage to the bumper, but not to the point that it should have reduced the trade in price more than a couple of hundred dollars. Here is the first thing that caused me to choose only "four stars" instead of "five" in the rating... They gave me a lowball offer of $1000 for the Durango to begin. I had already discussed with family that if the trade in offer wasn't of a certain price, I would keep the Durango as a stand by vehicle for other family members who did not own a four wheel drive for use during the winter. Donnie saw my struggling to decide, then went up to $1500, for which I still didn't bite. He then offered $2000, which put me more on the fence, and finally $2200. I took it, only because I did want to reduce my payment. However, after it was all said and done, I did have some regret on letting it go, and here's why: I work for a financial institution, but because I really never dreamed I'd be making a deal soon, I didn't do the complete research on the value of the Durango. The NADA minimum trade in value for a Durango in less than perfect but still operating condition is $3000! My boss informed me of this the day after I made the purchase. This made me feel a little slighted after the fact (by about $800 to be exact ;) ). After the negotiation for the Durango was complete, I had noticed a small crack in the Ram's windshield on the test drive, and requested that the windshield be replaced as a condition of the purchase. An agreement was reached on this, so we moved forward. More on this in a moment... After the negotiation was complete, I was introduced to Robert Insani, who would take care of the financial paper work to complete the purchase. He fully explained everything that needed signed, and offered a 36,000 extended warranty agreement, which I accepted. The only complaint I have on this part is that I was told that they had checked for loan rates at multiple financial institutions, and the lowest interest rate I was offered was 5.3 percent from a larger bank that I had dealt with before (also, note that my credit score is above 800). I had assumed that they had checked all of the interest rates in the area, but unfortunately that was not the case. As I mentioned earlier, I work for a local financial institution which I told them when I was negotiating. I went into work the following morning, and a supervisor inquired about my new truck, and then asked which bank I went through and the interest rate, and after reviewing the rate tables based on credit score (btw, I do not receive a lower rate for being an employee...this is the rate for everyone!), discovered that our rate was 2.5%...less than half that of the other bank. Why wasn't I offered this? Why didn't they check? I ended up driving back that afternoon to re-sign everything. It was a minor inconvenience really, but still one that wouldn't have been necessary if it had been negotiated right to begin with. Lesson learned...research interest rates before going to the bargaining table. I take some blame for this since I didn't do this, but really, I shouldn't have to. Also, it wasn't an obscure thing where the dealership wasn't aware of my financial institution...they are very familiar with each other and work together often, per my supervisors who stated they are on a first name basis with the dealership. Almost done...! After the initial purchase was complete, a couple of weeks passed before I went back to get the windshield replaced. Unfortunately, another misunderstanding happened here: I had been under the impression that the windshield would be replaced by a "like-kind" piece of glass, which included a Ram logo near the rearview mirror. Even though this might seem like a frivolous extravagance to many, I assumed it would be inclusive of the Ram logo since that is standard on ALL Ram trucks...not a custom decoration. As it turned out, I had to pay $85 extra to get the logo, or otherwise have a generic replacement for free per the agreement. I chose to pay, as I wanted the truck to have its factory appearance in the event that I would decide to re-sell at a later date. While I guess I shouldn't have assumed the logo was included, it felt like a "bait and switch" maneuver, although it was likely just a misunderstanding on my behalf. With all that said...the bottom line is, I was still greatly satisfied with the service I received at Toothman Ford. The issues I had are really just a part of the bargaining business and are the expected norm in the auto-dealing business. I don't hold a grudge against them, I'd gladly buy from them again, and will recommend them to friends and family who are in the market for a vehicle. Seth...the new salesman...seemed very at ease and well studied for his customer service role. In dealing with the windshield/detailing, he corresponded with me via email (per my request rather than phone) and got the ball rolling, making things very simple and easy for me, including the arrangement for a rental car for the one night I had to leave the truck for the cleaning/windshield repair. He also was quick on offering details about the vehicles I was initially interested in...a memorization process which probably takes some time to grasp...but he got it! Regarding the issues that I had with Donnie, I realize he was only doing his job on the trade in and windshield. I realize fully that he had to try to give me the best deal that I would be satisfied with, and also try to do his job for the dealership to try to make them a few bucks. Again, I don't hold any blame on him for this...I'll just do my homework better next time before making a deal ;) . And Robert also was very helpful on everything. Again, I don't blame him regarding the bank interest discrepancy that occurred. He was following procedure in finding the rates, but the procedure needs to be updated to look at rates for every local bank rather than just the three or four that are most commonly used. I would assume that there was no "kickback incentive" to use the bank that they initially offered me, and if thats the case there is nothing for them to lose in finding the customers the best rate possible! It will make for far more satisfied customers! Again...to those of you who are still with me at this point...I DO highly recommend Toothman! Cars do seem to cost less there...the ads really aren't a lie! More

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2012 Ford Escape Sam Berlin was an amazing saleman that was able to work with me and get me into a 2012 Ford Escape. He made the whole process as easy as could be. Tha Sam Berlin was an amazing saleman that was able to work with me and get me into a 2012 Ford Escape. He made the whole process as easy as could be. Thank you Toothman Ford! More

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Awesome Buying Experience! All of the employees were extremely friendly and helpful. We got to test drive the vehicle, a 2014 Honda Pilot, without any hassle and our salesman w All of the employees were extremely friendly and helpful. We got to test drive the vehicle, a 2014 Honda Pilot, without any hassle and our salesman was not constantly trying to persuade us to buy it. We got an excellent deal on the vehicle - $6,000 below market value. The prices here are very competitive and the best we'd seen on the market. The negotiating process did not take long, and the deal we received was very fair. I was able to trade in my 2006 Honda Civic the same day, and all of the paperwork was taken care of efficiently. I highly recommend Toothman Ford!! More

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Great Price, Very Transparent Deal Cars really do cost less in Grafton! Found a great price on the internet and everything was as advertised. Very honest and straight forward deal, exa Cars really do cost less in Grafton! Found a great price on the internet and everything was as advertised. Very honest and straight forward deal, exactly what I was looking for. I will be sure to check Toothman when I am in the market for another vehicle. More

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Best Car Buying Experience Everyone at the dealership was friendly and polite. The process was fast and easy. They were honest and up front when asking questionsand talking abou Everyone at the dealership was friendly and polite. The process was fast and easy. They were honest and up front when asking questionsand talking about things such as figures. They really do treat you like family. I will definately go back to Toothman Ford in the future. More

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Excellent experience and quick sale Donnie was my first contact and Seth sold me the car. Both did a great job answering questions and making me a deal. Process was very quick. Great exp Donnie was my first contact and Seth sold me the car. Both did a great job answering questions and making me a deal. Process was very quick. Great experience More

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Great price and no hassle My wife and I were in the market for a new SUV and came across a 2014 Honda Pilot Touring at Toothman Ford. The price was more than $5,000 below it's My wife and I were in the market for a new SUV and came across a 2014 Honda Pilot Touring at Toothman Ford. The price was more than $5,000 below it's value and priced better than any other dealer I had visited. Once my wife and I got to Toothman Ford, we weren't pressured into buying and Seth (our sales associate) was very nice and easy going. I appreciated the friendly, laid back approach as well as the straight forward answers to every question I had. I will look at Toothman Ford again in the future for my families car needs. More

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Easy, Professional, Excellent! When we expressed interest in the Prius, Adam was very helpful. As a first time car buyer, I was apprehensive to the whole process, and they made us f When we expressed interest in the Prius, Adam was very helpful. As a first time car buyer, I was apprehensive to the whole process, and they made us feel welcome and informed throughout everything! Very thankful; I LOVE my car! More

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Great experience! Wonderful dealership, everyone was very polite and professional. Quick buying process and love our new car! Thanks Sam for making it happen. Highly re Wonderful dealership, everyone was very polite and professional. Quick buying process and love our new car! Thanks Sam for making it happen. Highly recommend Toothman Ford. More

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