San Marcos Toyota

Shopping for a car is not the easiest thing to do. In fact I have to say I just dislike the whole process. About 3 weeks ago we decided we should get a new car as our old trusted Camry (11 year’s old ove fact I have to say I just dislike the whole process. About 3 weeks ago we decided we should get a new car as our old trusted Camry (11 year’s old over 200,000 miles) was on its last legs. My Wife and I had spent 2 weeks shopping at stores (on Sundays when they were closed) and online at home. We had narrowed our search down to a Corolla or a Matrix. Down to the last few steps we were ready make contact with a real person. We had sent for quotes to 8 dealers. We got six responses, two had no quote and were blatantly automated emails with the usual sales pitch call us stuff (Hot Air). The other four had a detailed quote and the best two were the quickest and best presented. We chose these as our top two dealers as there quotes were both reasonable and believable! The Phone Call! The phone was answered quickly and I could tell this guy was not a native Texan (no offence). I told him we would like to come and test drive both a Matrix and a Corolla. “No problem” he said, “I will have them ready for you when you get here”. That he did, He was very good with his presentation which gave me the impression that he really knew what he was talking about even making sure my wife understood what he was talking about. Then asked him for a price quote (We never told him we had shopped him on line we were just trying to compare the virtual world to the reality). We went inside and sat on the showroom floor, and not stuck in an office somewhere. Offered a cup of Joe (not the best but drinkable) and he arrived back with a Price quote on the Corolla we picked. It was readable and typed up, and a sample payment chart. The price was very similar to the quote we got online, and seemed to have more rebate than when we first looked. Then he said he would give us a few minutes to look over the numbers and left us alone. He seemed confident we would buy. When he returned he had a folder in his hand and asked how we would like to pay for the car. Mentioning that we can assist in Financing or we accept cash, personal checks, of our own Banks Financing (which we had an open draft in our pocket). We accepted his price, and he started to get everything ready for us to go and sign the papers, He did suggest that we give the Business Manager an opportunity to see if Toyota could get us some competitive financing suggesting we could keep a line of credit with our bank for emergencies. My wife thought this would be worth a try as we are planning to re model our kitchen in spring. We finally got to meet with the Business Manager her name was Patsy, very nice and explained everything in detail. We may have taken up to much time by reading everything, she never rushed us. In the end we got a slightly better rate from Toyota even got an extra $400 as a college Grad Rebate. Even though I am 58 the Sales person still asked me if I had graduated college in the last 2 years, said he always likes to ask as he can't tell by looking. I had just completed my PhD which qualified me. We finally finished the deal in just about 2 hour’s, We were ready to leave which we felt was perfect amount of time as we asked lots of questions. Andrew took us to our car which was clean and full of gas. Before we left he did a quick summary of the controls making sure that we could use them. He did mention to us that we were welcome back for our first oil change on the Dealership, pointing to the express lube. Just before we drove of he had us look around the car, we noticed a tiny scratch. Andrew Confidently took control and took care of the issue. He let us drive another car to go get something to eat. When we came back it look liked it was never there. We were very happy at the passion and effort he took to solve the issue he even brought the Customer Relations Manager to meet us. Over all we felt that we "May" have got $100 or $200 more better deal at another Toyota Dealership. We never purchase at the first place we visit, but I did not think that would have been a good investment of my time. Andrew had mentioned he has been at that dealership since 2003 this was assuring me he would be there after the sale if I had a question. I would have no problem sending him my friends and family to him. He was the exception to the rule or maybe it is that the type of salesperson these days are better equipped to be more customer orientated. Edward M More