Lithia Toyota of Billings

I went to Lithia, having visited at least seven other dealers in Wyoming and Colorado, looking for a small, used SUV having numerous options such as heated seats, XM radio, and other comfort items. I had dealers in Wyoming and Colorado, looking for a small, used SUV having numerous options such as heated seats, XM radio, and other comfort items. I had visited Lithia over a year ago, and was impressed with the friendliness and courtesy of the sales persons I met at that time; the same was true of Mr. John Bennett who worked with me in a friendly and knowledgeable manner throughout my experience. This includes follow-up phone calls even now, two weeks later, to try and unscramble the mess created by other persons in the organization. I settled on a 2009 Rav4, and the price seemed consistent with other information I had. During "negotiations", the first Red Flag arose. I was told by the sales manager, in the presence of a friend of mine who had accompanied me to Billings, that a warranty was available for extended 100,000 miles, covering bumper to bumper service, and that it could be included in the purchase. This sounded too good to be true, so I did question him about it at the time, and decided to buy it. The car I had decided upon had just been taken in the night before, in trade, and needed to go through the inspection and certification process, so it was agreed that I would return the following week to get the car. I requested that it be ready by the next Friday, as it would be needed for a trip to the airport in Casper; Mr. Bennett said he would let the service folks know the urgency. In meeting with Sarah Smith, who prepares the financial documents, I went ahead and signed a contract for purchase. This was on a Thursday. By Saturday, going through a "Buyer's Remorse" attack, I considered cancelling the purchase as I still did not have possession of the car and I understood that there was a 3-day escape law about purchasing and cancelling. In inquiring about this, the sales manager said that Montana does not have such a law and that "the car is mine". Subsequently, I discovered on the internet that there is in fact a Federal Trade Commission procedure to void such a large purchase but, as of the Monday following and as I did want that car, I pursued that no further. Then, during the week, I was told that the extra warranty would cover only the drive train components, not the bumper to bumper. I also did not want the GAP insurance, after talking about it with my insurance man. Furthermore, the sales tax had been included in the finance package; I did not want it there but was told that it was too late to make a change. Ms. Smith did tell me that I could remove the GAP insurance and warranty, and she would send me a form to complete in order to do so. Through a variety of phone calls, I continued to receive mixed messages regarding what is actually included in the extended warranty; some told me that it included drive train only, for 7 years and 100,000 miles; other said that it included bumper to bumper just as a new car; other said that it was the same as the new car warranty and had 12,000 bumper to bumper and the 100,000 drive train. The sales manager had told me that it could be serviced at any ASE certified mechanic; others said no, only at Toyota dealers under that warranty. Even today, Ms. Smith told me that everything is covered for the 100,000 miles. I want to see it in writing. Other problems arose. Apparently, the service folks did not "get right on it" and allowed the vehicle to sit for a couple of days before doing anything. Later in the week, as I was getting ready to leave on Friday to get the car, Mr. Bennett called and said it wouldn't be ready until Saturday a.m. We scheduled a 11 a.m. pickup, but that morning he called and said damage had been discovered on the windshield and it couldn't be replaced until Monday (MLK Day). Whoever did the inspection had screwed up. So finally, I drove back to Billings on Monday, in the loaner car they had provided. And what I hope is the final straw occurred; the certification packet which I was to receive WITH my car had not been done; it's now a week and a half later and I still have not received it. Mr. Bennett called me after checking on its whereabouts, and was told it's being sent by UPS to arrive this Thursday----after my wife and I leave to do some work of the US Dept. of Defense in South Korea! By the time I return, around Feb. 10, I may be outside of the 30 day limit on making any changes in the finance package regarding warranty and insurance. I still do not have the check to pay the Wyoming Sales Tax. All in all, this has been a terrible experience; the only bright spot was Mr. Bennett and his commitment to perform as best he could in spite of other persons' screw-ups. He is to be commended. Ms. Smith has been helpful in trying to understand my decisions, as they changed from day to day, but I still don't really understand what that warranty includes unless I could see it in writing. Perhaps someone can refer me to a website to see it, or email me a copy at rkrisko@yahoo.com I am available by phone at 307-760-0232 until Friday, the 31st, when I fly out of the country. More

very nice to work with. In all honesty I never thought I would own a brand new car, I am just too cheap. But they made it work. And I felt respected unlike at other dealerships I have been to. would own a brand new car, I am just too cheap. But they made it work. And I felt respected unlike at other dealerships I have been to. More

We stopped in to Lithia Toyota to check out the new Venza. We were just browsing. Jerry showed us around and we went for a test drive. We really liked the new quiet ride. We had a Venza and were ready Venza. We were just browsing. Jerry showed us around and we went for a test drive. We really liked the new quiet ride. We had a Venza and were ready for a new one. Jerry, thank you for the good job you did for us. He was very thorough with why he quoted us his price. He was very nice and we agreed on a price. We did not have our Venza with us at the time. We rushed home to get our car and when we got back the car was clean, gassed up and ready to go. Thank you Jerry. Bob and Eleanor More

My positive feedback towards the sales force at LithiaToyota is exclusively directed towards Max Erickson. Max is not only as asset to Lithia, but to mankind-an honorable gentleman. LithiaToyota is exclusively directed towards Max Erickson. Max is not only as asset to Lithia, but to mankind-an honorable gentleman. More

Max and company did a great job of servicing our needs recently when we purchased a used Hyundai from their lot. My Wife and I had eyed a vehicle last week. We had asked and received answers to prelim recently when we purchased a used Hyundai from their lot. My Wife and I had eyed a vehicle last week. We had asked and received answers to preliminary questions concerning the vehicle, so we dropped by one evening to discuss the vehicle. We test drove the vehicle and negotiated financing on the spot. Very pleasant experience. Max and company remained at the dealership well after closing to wash the vehicle and walk us through the vehicle. We were impressed that they were knowledgable about a Hyundai at a Toyota dealership. I would recommend, without reservation Max and company to anyone in the market for a vehicle because they care about what they do. More

Max Erickson is definitely best auto salesperson I have ever purchased a car from. I stopped by the dealership just to check out the new Toyota Rav's, not really planning to buy another car. I had purcha ever purchased a car from. I stopped by the dealership just to check out the new Toyota Rav's, not really planning to buy another car. I had purchased a RAV in 2005 when I lived in California. The 2013 RAV looked a bit more fitting for the Montana weather. Max spent a long time with me going over the new RAV 4; I never felt pressured to purchase the car. Since my purchase, Max has been very helpful in pointing out the differences in the 2013 & answering any questions that I have. My father owned a Chevrolet dealership in Texas. His customers always returned to trade or purchase another automobile from him because they trusted him. Max Erickson is much like that. I am very happy with the entire experience, and will definitely encourage my friends to buy Toyota (and to ask for Max)! More

Max Erickson was terrific to work with, and worked very hard to make sure we were satisfied with our price and vehicle. Once we signed, he went the extra several miles to make sure we were happy, taking al hard to make sure we were satisfied with our price and vehicle. Once we signed, he went the extra several miles to make sure we were happy, taking all the time we needed to teach us all we needed to know about the vehicle. He also took care of the insurance transfer from our old vehicle to our new one, which was a huge plus! Thanks, Max! More

I went to Lithia Toyota just to browse. I then met Max Erickson who introduced himself & asked if I needed assistance. I told him that I was just looking around & that I didn't want any pressure to buy. Erickson who introduced himself & asked if I needed assistance. I told him that I was just looking around & that I didn't want any pressure to buy. I told Max that I had seen a vehicle in Butte that I was rather interested in & explained what I liked about the vehicle. I was quite interested in a new camry and it had to be clear water blue. I also wanted to have dual climate control which meant that I needed to buy an XLE in order to have that feature. With that, Max did some searching for me. The car in Butte was not an XLE but he did find one in Spokane that he could get for me. He said that it would take a few days to get the car to Billings but that if I wanted to fly into Billings he would meet me at the airport to pick it up. Had Max been at all pushy I wouldn't have been nearly as interested. He was very pleasant and helpful. I wanted some extra features added to the car if I was going to purchase it. He was great about finding out all the details and the additional costs. I was impressed with his helpfulness and enthusiasm. He was honest & sincere. No question was a nuisance. Max is a fabulous salesman. Once I decided to purchase the car he had the details worked out very efficiently. He was great about letting me know when he found out the delivery date etc. etc. etc. He made buying a car a fun experience instead of a stressful situation. The company is fortunate to have Max as an employee. More

Max Erickson was superb in helping me to make sure all the things I wanted on the used Tacoma truck got done. He also is helping me to pick up the truck as I will be coming in by air to get it. Even thoug the things I wanted on the used Tacoma truck got done. He also is helping me to pick up the truck as I will be coming in by air to get it. Even though I had numerous requests he never acted as though I was a burden. In short I have never been treated so nice by a automobile sales person before.. More

Max Erickson was a very positive person who helped me finalize the purchasing process. His personality is very positive and he seemed to care whether I was satisfied with the product I was purchasing or finalize the purchasing process. His personality is very positive and he seemed to care whether I was satisfied with the product I was purchasing or not. He was enthusiastic when we were finalizing the paperwork. He helped bring the vehicles to the bay where I could my new car. He helped make the experience much more fun. He helped me relax becuase this was a big financial decision for me and my girls. I appreciated the moral support that Max provided during this process. He is a wonderful asset to your business. More