Tom Pardo | Page 14

OLD, REFURBISHED LEATHER SEATS ON NEW CARS? Phillips Toyota could have earned five stars, but the following review will show why they scored as just average, or below. Upon receiving my vehi Phillips Toyota could have earned five stars, but the following review will show why they scored as just average, or below. Upon receiving my vehicle, I noticed that the leather seats appeared to look as though they were possibly used. (I had the seat covers replaced with leather.) Upon pointing this out, the vehicle was reclaimed and driven all the way back to Leesburg, placing many miles upon it no less as I live at a great distance. But, ok, as long as they fix it, right? Well, the vehicle was returned to me with the seats showing the same symptoms of being possibly used. (It was not something that was easy to notice, but I had caught a glimpse of it when putting the rear seats down.) Tired of the back and forth (I had also had a few other issues which had to be worked out), I decided to drop the issue. It was clear to me they had not fixed the problem, but maybe the seats were ok after all and I was just reading too much into something minor. I had owned the vehicle about 7 or 8 months when I noticed that the front drivers seat appeared unusually worn. The leather was looking as though it had some dark staining across it. I attributed it to some clothing that I had purchased which I felt had dye issues, and wanted to be honest and not ask the dealer to replace something that I felt was perhaps not their fault. However, in the process of trying to see if this could be resolved, at least several people told me that they did NOT think it had anything to do with dye issues from my clothing. They insisted that it appeared as though the seats were perhaps already old, and had just been recovered to look new. When I questioned, one man insisted quite emphatically that given the age of the car, the seats should NOT look like they did. He felt that they looked "worn-in" the way I understood him. I was told that someone could have easily taken old seats, and repainted the leather. It was this "paint" that they claimed could be coming off, revealing the darker "shading" effect that was causing the seats to look permanently "dirty." This was at the location of a Toyota dealership by men who repair cars; not just mechanics who handle engines. I still was hesitant, however, and did not want to ask the dealership to replace something if it was not their error. The dealer was contacted before a year was up, but we did not hear back. (I did hear back from a former employee who now worked at another location, but not the dealership.) As a result, I let one year go by...and then some. I am now at one year and eight months of owning the vehicle, and the front drivers seat looks awful. Not only is it clearly darkened all over - very evenly - as compared to the other seats, but it looks so worn and broken in. I am not an expert in cars, but I am starting to wonder if my initial skepticism - that I was given used seats - was correct. It makes no sense why they look so broken in on top of the odd staining. To add to the matter, the SAME vehicle was purchased by another person who was with me just a few days or so before mine was purchased. This individual weighs much more than me (well over 200 pounds), and has a harder time getting in and out of their driver seat - having to slide in and out with more weight and pressure and difficulty. Yet their seats (factory seats) are not physically broken down as mine are by far - they still look strong and sturdy, virtually like new. The comparison for two cars purchased at practically the same time (just a matter of days difference) is striking Given all of these things, I am starting to wonder if the skepticism of others was correct, when they insisted that these were not new seats. One person who had told me that was at the location of a Toyota Dealership up north, who worked in the back lot restoring vehicles that were in not very good condition. Another was the man who details my car, and deals with cars constantly on a daily basis. He insisted that if I looked at the way the seats were worn and broken down (besides the dark staining) it was clear they were old. He just kept shaking his head, saying that no, these should not look as they do at their age. Sadly, the seat looks old, ad contributes to making my car look permanently dirty, and there is nothing I can really do about it. Furthermore, this dealership still owes me two other products that were purchased at the time the car was. A year and eight months later, I am still waiting on them. One they told me just to take somewhere else and have done, which made it more complicated and I just dropped it, which was a letdown as it was actually one of the things that had helped me to seal the deal with THEM - not another location. This is the reason why I am rating it as two stars. Yet at the beginning I mentioned that they could have had five stars - and this is true. The service was great in everything else, and they really went out of their way on a number of other things. I was going to give them a high rating initially, but all of this - and a few other things - has quite modified that. If you are going to buy here, be careful about adding leather to your seats, or any other alterations or modifications that you make. Unfortunately, two stars as a result of my experience with such things. Finally. I have noticed on at least one other site so far (and I am just getting started with car reviews, so I have not been to many other sites yet), that the dealership happily responds to the positive reviews, but not the negative ones. Hmmm... More

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Good Experience Sonny Rothwell was very knowledgeable about the vehicle I was interested in and was not pushy at all. The car was ready when promised and the whole e Sonny Rothwell was very knowledgeable about the vehicle I was interested in and was not pushy at all. The car was ready when promised and the whole experience was stress-free. More

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Buying a Toyota at Phillips of Leesburg FL I have purchased 5 Toyota Highlanders from Phillips, the last 3 from Sonny Rothwell. Sonny is very professional; develops an excellent Representativ I have purchased 5 Toyota Highlanders from Phillips, the last 3 from Sonny Rothwell. Sonny is very professional; develops an excellent Representative / Customer report; explains the entire process of buying a vehicle thoroughly well and is just a pleasure to deal with. I will be back again in a few years and hopefully Sonny will still be around to sell me a new vehicle.. More

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No pressure Sonny and Tom made my car buying experience easy. I felt like I was talking to a friend not a salesman. I will definitely recommend Phillips Toyota to Sonny and Tom made my car buying experience easy. I felt like I was talking to a friend not a salesman. I will definitely recommend Phillips Toyota to anyone looking for a new car. More

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Keep your ears opened This is a great place to buy a car . It is layed back and relaxed, Just watch out for things that they say and don't follow through with. This is a great place to buy a car . It is layed back and relaxed, Just watch out for things that they say and don't follow through with. More

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Honest and friendly. I can't express how happy I was with Toyota! This was the very first time I was on the buying end of a brand new car, although I had recently sat in w I can't express how happy I was with Toyota! This was the very first time I was on the buying end of a brand new car, although I had recently sat in with my Dad, who purchased a car from another dealership. I can honestly say the two experiences were night and day, and Toyota hands down won my business. From the sales man Tracy Zimmerman to the business manager Thomas Pardo, who were both very friendly, honest and went above and beyond the call of duty. From making sure we were all comfortable, and happy (including the two children) I had with me as this was a last minute decision, and a Saturday. To doing everything they could to get my payments and interest rate down to something I could afford. No surprise fees and I was even excited to learn of all their warranties for several years. The whole atmosphere was very friendly, and welcoming. Not chaotic, or full of tension as I have seen at other dealerships. They all work together. Thank you again for such a wonderful experience, Phillips Toyota. - Crystal Siblag More

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Fun and professional Worried about being pressured or over sold you can rest at ease. No pressure or hard selling. Just great people and very helpful. This is my second Worried about being pressured or over sold you can rest at ease. No pressure or hard selling. Just great people and very helpful. This is my second purchase here and I will be back for the next one. More

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Purchased RAV4 Platinum on May 22,1917. The best part of the process is working with Jamie Reed. Three years ago we leased our Camry from him and came back to him to buy our RAV4 Platinum. H The best part of the process is working with Jamie Reed. Three years ago we leased our Camry from him and came back to him to buy our RAV4 Platinum. He is as low pressure as a salesman can be. He makes you feel like a friend during the time you spend with him. He doesn't make you feel as if you are taking up too much of his time even though he is busy. Tom Pardo in finance is great as well. He also takes his time, answers your questions and offers you finance options. Overall they are a great team at Phillips Toyota. More

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Most positive buying experience Mr. Tracy Zimmerman (sales) met me on the lot of Phillips Toyota. He assisted me with my many questions and concerns until I narrowed down the car tha Mr. Tracy Zimmerman (sales) met me on the lot of Phillips Toyota. He assisted me with my many questions and concerns until I narrowed down the car that was right for me. Mr. O'dell provided valuable insight into the perks of owning a Toyota. Mr. Pardo made the financing a breeze. They are by far the most professional, knowledgeable, and courteous individuals I've encountered in the car buying business. Thank you! More

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Easy sale Horrible Service. Granny13850@yahoo.com Purchased 2013 RAV4 Sept. 8, 2016. December 13, 2016 car broke down in Fayetteville, NC on I-95 @ 2:00am. Tow truck arrived @ 4:00am & towed car to Purchased 2013 RAV4 Sept. 8, 2016. December 13, 2016 car broke down in Fayetteville, NC on I-95 @ 2:00am. Tow truck arrived @ 4:00am & towed car to Rick Hendricks Toyota Scion in Fayetteville, NC. Slept in car in Dealer parking lot till Dealership opened. Upon inspecting my car they discovered that the bolts under the hood were red, but my car was blue. They went to the car fax report & found my car listed with report of it being in bad accident in July 2016. The car had whole front end rebuilt with different car parts, then was painted to match the rest of the.car. Upon the rebuild something was not put together properly & now I had an electrical problem which is a very costly problem I was told. It would take a long time to find the problem & might not be repairable even if found. I was in the middle of moving from Leesburg, Fl to Royersford, PA & was to meet the moving van the next day so they could unpack my belongings into my new home. I called the extended warranty ins. Co. Was immediately told they do not cover electrical problems. The book said Gold Plus did have electrical coverage. They refused to help in any way- refused to get me a rental car when.book clearly states if customer is more than 100 miles from home a rental car is to.be provided. I was over 500 miles away which is a 7 hour plus drive- they refused! Next call to Phillips Toyota-the only way they would help was if I brought car back to their dealership. Car did not run, I was 500 miles away - they too refused a rental car or any help - so I was just stuck at the Fayetteville Toyota Dealership! Luckily my children were able to leave work & give entry to my new home to the movers. I never arrived till the 15th of December & was forced to purchase a brand new car as I did not have enough equity in Rav 4 with the short time that I had it! I am very very disappointed in Phillips Toyota Dealership! They should not be in business if they cannot do any better than this. I will never refer a soul to this establishment. More

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