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A-1 Toyota

New Haven, CT

4.8
1,140 Reviews
In the early 60’s, the owners of a local garage received a postcard announcing the production of a new four-wheel drive vehicle. At the time, the automotive industry was producing only one other vehicle in this category, so the owners thought this might be a good opportunity to introduce a new four-wheel drive vehicle that they would be able to sell as well as service. The postcard was answered and the response was the founding of the first Toyota dealership in New England and the beginning of what has become a very successful endeavor for Dominic Galardi, Anthony Buglione and A-1 Toyota. The history of A-1 Service began before this. In January of 1951, Dom joined his father-in-law, Tony Buglione in a partnership that included a gas station and used cars. The station was located on the corner of Olive Street and St. John in New Haven. In the late 1950’s, a new highway system was breaking through the neighborhood, people started moving to the suburbs, and with the limited space they had already outgrown, A-1 looked for a new location. The new site they chose was in East Haven. The partnership grew to include Dominic’s brother, Andrew. Their new location, occupying a city block on Main Street and the sign reading A-1 Auto Service, Inc., became a landmark for many. In 1963, A-1 completed the building of the first Toyota showroom on the East Coast. In 1966, just three years after opening their dealership, A-1 became the second largest Toyota dealership in the country. Toyota’s line-up featured only two vehicles at the time, the four-wheel drive Land Cruiser and one of the first economy cars, the Tiara. Over the years, A-1 Toyota continued to grow and in 1980 moved to their current location on Amity Road in New Haven adding the Dodge franchise that dueled with Toyota until 1990. A-1 Toyota’s line-up looks far different than it did in 1963, but the basis for a successful business has continued. The business is still owned by the same family, and Domin
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50 Amity Road

New Haven, CT

06515

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Showing 1,140 reviews

May 17, 2017

Poor service disorganized I called and left a VM for service. No one called me back. My wife called the next day and they made an appointment for the wrong day. When I got ther More

by rdbernstein
Customer Service
Friendliness
Price
Quality Of Work
Recommend Dealer
No
Employees Worked With
Justin Loomer
May 18, 2017 -

A-1 Toyota responded

Hello, I'm Dawn Wheeler, Executive Assistant for AnnaLynn Wheeler with A-1 Toyota. Please contact me at 203-389-1521 so I can resolve the issue at hand. Thank you.

May 19, 2017 -

A-1 Toyota responded

Mr. Bernstein, I do apologize for the tough time getting through to our service BDC. I'm sure in the past you have had better experiences with our call center and in efforts to continue those positive experiences, moving forward, I am reaching out to you today to see if I could get a little more information on your experience. I can be reached Monday - Friday at 203-387-6691, and my direct extension is 177. Or feel free to contact me by email if that is more convenient for you at: wheelerd@a1toyota.com Regards, Daniel Wheeler Assistant Parts & Service Director A-1 Toyota

May 14, 2017

Competitive Prices, Good Customer Service, Thorough Had a great experience at A1 (for the second time). Kevin, our sales person, was very thorough with explanations about different features / packages w More

by baylor0205
Customer Service
Friendliness
Price
Quality Of Work
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Kevin Wright
5.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
May 11, 2017

Go to Hoffman Toyota I am not one to post negative reviews. However, in this case I must. Do NOT spend your time at A-1. Manager Gary dos Reis and I had been working on a More

by scatznjazz
Customer Service
Quality Of Work
Recommend Dealer
No
Employees Worked With
Gary Dos Reis
1.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
Kevin Wright
1.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
May 15, 2017 -

A-1 Toyota responded

Hello, I'm Dawn Wheeler, Executive Assistant for AnnaLynn Wheeler with A-1 Toyota. Please contact me at 203-389-1521 so I can resolve the issue at hand. Thank you.

May 15, 2017 -

A-1 Toyota responded

Mr. Vincent, I am sorry your perception of the events is as you think, but you are misinformed. Gary dosReis was absolutely correct when he explained to our guest that you can no longer order a 2017 TRD Pro 4 Runner from the factory. Not only did Gary speak to our Toyota District Sales Manager to verify that fact before informing you of this, but we also confirmed the information with him after you posted your unkind review. I don't know how you would get different information when you called the Corporate office. If you provide the contact name, I am eager to call them myself to understand their message to you. Gary even spoke to Hoffman Toyota's manager to see how they were able to order you the vehicle when we were informed it wasn't possible. It was explained to him that they DID NOT ORDER THE VEHICLE FROM THE FACTORY but traded two of their incoming TRD Pro Tacomas for an incoming TRD Pro 4 Runner that was on its way to another dealership - not a new order, but one already ordered months prior by the other dealer! Unfortunately, we could not make such a "trade" of inventory. When you informed Gary, he even wished you the best and told you it was unfortunate that we could not earn your business at this time. You even wished him the best. So I am very confused as to why you are so angry with our dealership. Losing a sale after spending time with a customer is not something that gives us any pleasure. If there had been a way to obtain the vehicle, we would have been most eager to do so for you. I take offense to the fact that you accused us of "deceptive numbers"! Since we couldn't obtain that vehicle for you, you never received a sales price from us for that vehicle. No one misled you to think otherwise. When you were considering the pickup truck, you were given a price for your trade. And as we clearly warn every person shopping at a negotiating store, in those dealerships, a trade value can be inflated to show a customer their desired figure and then absorbed by a higher sales price or additional added fees in the deal. I am not insinuating that occurred at Hoffman Toyota. They are an excellent dealer with a great reputation. I am merely pointing out that without all the details, I can't make an informed comment as to why you think there may be variables. I wish we could have obtained the vehicle for you but knowing you are their customer now, I know you will be well cared for by the good family at Hoffman Toyota. AnnaLynn Wheeler, General Manager

May 11, 2017

Great experience I bought a new Toyota Tacoma and was very pleased with my experience. There was no pressure and the truck was ready the same day. More

by New17tacoma
Customer Service
Friendliness
Price
Quality Of Work
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Kevin Wright
5.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
Other Employees : Angel Ramos
May 09, 2017

EVERY STAFF Person was.first rate as far as professionalism! Every person I encountered at A1 was helpful,polite, friendly, professional and knowledgeable. I have previously owned more than one Prius. First time More

by 2001
Customer Service
Friendliness
Price
Quality Of Work
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Other Employees : Not sure I know all the names of people that helped me...
May 08, 2017

Best Car Buying Experience For the last twenty-five years, I have been buying and leasing cars for myself, friends and family from brands such as Nissan, Mazda, Subaru and Infin More

by Arnie
Customer Service
Friendliness
Price
Quality Of Work
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Kevin Wright
5.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
Other Employees : Carlos Orozco, Angel Ramos
May 06, 2017

Excellent service! I purchased a certified pre owned Tacoma and could not be happier with the customer service. My salesperson, Kevin Wright, was friendly and knowledgea More

by tfh
Customer Service
Friendliness
Price
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Paul Wright
5.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
Kevin Wright
5.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
May 06, 2017

Quick and friendly Mr Brice is a good salesman process was easy and didn't take long at all, I am very pleased with my 2017 Camry, I would do business with him again. More

by Brentkd1
Customer Service
Friendliness
Price
Quality Of Work
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
David Bryce
April 30, 2017

Eddie and Carlos are the best! We purchased a 2017 Toyota Yaris iA this weekend at A-1 Toyota and highly recommend this dealership. Excellent customer service, extensive product kn More

by Mishka2017
Customer Service
Friendliness
Price
Quality Of Work
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Eddie Oliveras
5.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
Other Employees : Carlos Orozco
April 30, 2017

Great dealership My wife and I found the experience with all of the staff we dealt with very pleasing. I'v been in business for over 35 years and no how important in i More

by bobby-K
Customer Service
Friendliness
Price
Quality Of Work
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Paul Wright
5.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
Mike Querfeld
4.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
Other Employees : Mustafa, David Bryce
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