Sheldon Snavely

Tough lesson for us: I am sharing our experience to help future consumers navigate the sales and financing process at White River Toyota. During our purchase of a new Toyota Tundra (Stock #T30435), we were future consumers navigate the sales and financing process at White River Toyota. During our purchase of a new Toyota Tundra (Stock #T30435), we were charged $1,599.00 out of pocket for a "Zurich Shield" environmental and undercoating package, along with a $3,040.00 Platinum extended service contract (VSA) and a $1,700.00 prepaid maintenance contract. Because of the high costs, we explicitly asked both our salesperson, Sheldon Snavely, and the finance officer, Zack Roberts, if the undercoating protection plan was handled by an outside company and if the price could be adjusted. Both individuals stated directly to us that it was an independent third-party product, that it was not their company, and that they had no control over lowering the price. However, our final paperwork revealed a completely different story. The internal service routing invoice explicitly lists the undercoating work under "WR RECON" (White River Recon)—which is the dealership's own internal reconditioning department—carrying a standard internal "No Charge" cost code. The staff coordinated to tell us a direct untruth about who was performing the work simply to protect a massive in-house profit margin. Furthermore, we explicitly stated during the transaction that we were prepared to pay for the vehicle outright. We were told by staff that we had to finance the vehicle, under the claim that if we did not make at least three months of financing payments, our vehicle title "would get lost in transit." This is a completely fabricated scare tactic. In reality, dealerships receive a backend commission kickback from the lender that gets revoked if the loan is paid off in full during the first 90 days. Telling customers their legal title will be lost to protect a dealer commission is entirely unacceptable. We paid our truck off after one finance payment and got the title in s week! What you need to know about their warranty and maintenance pricing before you buy: You do NOT have to buy your official Toyota warranties or maintenance plans from the selling dealership. You can purchase the exact same factory-backed policies from out-of-state volume Toyota dealers online at any point before your factory 3-year/36,000-mile warranty expires. The price differences on our paperwork are staggering: - Toyota Platinum VSA Extended Warranty: White River Toyota charged us $3,040.00. You can purchase the exact same official factory Platinum VSA plan from a volume dealer for $1,800.00 or less ($1,240 markup). - Prepaid Maintenance Contract: White River Toyota charged us $1,700.00. A volume dealer sells the official factory maintenance extension plan for roughly $550.00 ($1,150 markup). Advice to future shoppers at this dealership: Do not take verbal assurances at face value in the finance office. You have the absolute right to pay cash outright without financing, and you have the right to refuse heavily marked-up, dealer-performed add-on packages. Demand to see all itemized line items on physical paper before signing anything, and buy your warranty products elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. Regarding Sheldon Snavely, we were there to replace our car but we ended up replacing our Tacoma with a Tundra. (We love our new truck!) My husband kept telling Sheldon to talk to me, as I was the shopper, but he only kept eye contact with my husband. He was also angry with me because I emailed him at @whiterivertoyota with a tire question. He asked me how I got his email (in the 21st century! Lol). Lastly, he promised to put both our phones on the infotainment system but conveniently only had time to add my husband’s. When I asked about mine he said he needed to work unless I wanted to feed his family. NK My husband was in the truck and did not hear him. My husband’s name was not added correctly, he has to see this every time he starts the truck. Snavely agreed to fix it, but we both decided not to return to White River Toyota. More

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Just had the best experience with Lucas. Incredibly efficient and amazingly warm and kind. Thank you Incredibly efficient and amazingly warm and kind. Thank you More

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Sheldon was prompt with communication through email which is very necessary as we are always multitasking these days. Pricing was straight forward and all of my questions were answered even before I walked is very necessary as we are always multitasking these days. Pricing was straight forward and all of my questions were answered even before I walked into the dealership. Would 100% recommend. More

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Got the vehicle I needed quickly and efficiently at the right price. Sheldon Snavely and Luca Mudge are a terrific team! right price. Sheldon Snavely and Luca Mudge are a terrific team! More

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Sheldon is, without a doubt, the BEST car salesperson I have ever worked with! Knowledgeable, courteous, helpful, very prompt in responding to questions and emails. Friendly, calm, and low-key, and an ex have ever worked with! Knowledgeable, courteous, helpful, very prompt in responding to questions and emails. Friendly, calm, and low-key, and an excellent problem-solver. I highly recommend him! More

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I went in for a minivan. I got a minivan. Sheldon made it happen. All I could ask for. He was easy to talk with. He answered all my questions timely and on point. No complain I got a minivan. Sheldon made it happen. All I could ask for. He was easy to talk with. He answered all my questions timely and on point. No complaints. Would recommend. More

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Helpful, honest, no slimy sales tactics like at some other dealerships, responsive, and attentive. Great experience. other dealerships, responsive, and attentive. Great experience. More

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My experience with Sheldon was excellent. He was honest and helpful throughout the entire car purchasing experience. He was honest and helpful throughout the entire car purchasing experience. More

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I had a great buying experience with Sheldon at White River Toyota. He was very professional and responsive, Sheldon was able to get me in a 4Runner for way less money than my local dealer, in fact I dro River Toyota. He was very professional and responsive, Sheldon was able to get me in a 4Runner for way less money than my local dealer, in fact I drove 4hrs from out of state to purchase it! Hands down I would purchase from him again! More

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We had a very good experience working with Sheldon and White River Toyota. Sheldon quickly answered email questions and kept us updated regarding the arrival of our vehicle. White River Toyota. Sheldon quickly answered email questions and kept us updated regarding the arrival of our vehicle. More

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