Serra Toyota

In dealing with Serra Toyota in Birmingham, Al., the salesman(Tommie Dill), came from MSRP, to internet special(not really), then to a price that we could negotiate. Mr. Dill gave an offer of $30,266, a salesman(Tommie Dill), came from MSRP, to internet special(not really), then to a price that we could negotiate. Mr. Dill gave an offer of $30,266, after which I asked the usual question,"Can you help me any more?" He went to the sales manager, came back and told me the sales manager had agreed to 'Comp' the addition of the Premium HDD nav. system to the car. (I had told Mr. Dill previously in an email, that I was not willing to pay the $2000+ for the Prem. HDD sys.) The offer with the upgraded nav. system made a reasonable deal and I agreed to consider the $30,266 for the car. I had used 'Consumer Reports' "Build and Buy" online car pricing guide to get an idea of what to expect to pay. I received many offers from various dealerships, including the three following estimated prices, for the exact same car(without the Premium HDD nav. sys.) From TRUECar.com, the price was $27,781. From USAA, the price was $27,681. From Consumer Reports, the price was $27,681. Not that all or any of these online car shopping tools, actually sell cars but their expertise is very helpful to someone shopping for a vehicle. Adding the Premium HDD($2376-invoice, $2670-MSRP) for no extra cost, made for a pretty fair deal. I asked Mr. Dill what I needed to do to see if Toyota would build the car. (He had told me he wasn't sure if Toyota would build the car with my preferences.) Mr. Dill then asked for a $1000 deposit, (making no mention that the deposit was non-refundable and I was never told that fact until I refused to purchase the car that was not what had been offered). I then gave the $1000 deposit(by credit card over the phone), which Mr. Dill told me it could be 4-5 weeks before he would know about the car. Some weeks later, Mr. Dill called me to let me know that Toyota had received the order and would be building the car. Then, after considerable time, Mr. Dill called me to tell me the car had arrived. When I get there to pick up my car, it doesn't have the Premium HDD system. After quite a bit of discussion, I asked Mr. Dill for my deposit of $1000 back, to which he replied, "That ain't gonna happen." Only then did he tell me the deposit was non-refundable. I had even previously asked him while speaking to him on the phone, what would happen with the deposit, in case the car wasn't right. His response was to guffaw and say "Ah, Mr. Shepherd, you're being so negative, you've got to think positive man." Shortly after I had given the deposit, I began to be concerned because Mr. Dill, nor any one else at Serra would reply to emails I sent, asking for information as to what options were actually ordered. I had repeatedly, on the phone and by email, asked Mr. Dill to give me a detailed, itemized list of what they had ordered, which he never did. His only reply, "Mr. Shepherd, we have ordered exactly what you want." Now, both the salesman(Tommie Dill) and his manager(Tim Mergenthal) deny having offered the Premium HDD nav. system. Also, on the day I went to pick up the new car, Serra had my trade-in appraised and offered $4000 for it. Tim Mergenthal called me a few days later, saying he would like to work 'this' out. He, at this time denied offering the Prem. HDD, and now made this offer: Lowered the price on the new car from $30,266 to $28,484, a decrease of $1782, and he said that Mr. Dill had become aware that my trade-in was in worse shape than when appraised earlier, so the offer for my trade-in went from $4000 to $2000. And there still is no Prem. HDD as was definitely offered but which both Tommie Dill and Tim Mergenthal choose to deny. I have several emails that I had sent to Serra, only to get no reply, or receive incomplete messages, generic equipment information on a different vehicle, and other useless data. Phone calls from Mr. Dill to me also seemed intended to be non-informative, as indicated by his response, mentioned earlier,"We have ordered exactly what you want." This has the appearance of being a bait and switch scheme from the beginning, to me. More

Edwin Kennard is a great salesman. He got me a good deal on my new Toyota Camary. Go see him for your new vehicle purchase. on my new Toyota Camary. Go see him for your new vehicle purchase. More

Found Edwin Was Very Friendly And Easy To Work With. He Made The Entire Process Very Simple. I Spoke With Him On The Way To Dealership And By The Time I Got There, He Had Already Found Me The Perfect CaR!! Made The Entire Process Very Simple. I Spoke With Him On The Way To Dealership And By The Time I Got There, He Had Already Found Me The Perfect CaR!!! More

My salesman worked very hard to get the deal I wanted and the vehicle I wanted. He did exactly what I asked, and I was very satisfied with my service. the vehicle I wanted. He did exactly what I asked, and I was very satisfied with my service. More

VanDerrik was awesome. ...He made sure my experience at Serra Toyota was a memorable. Vanderrik as well as Mr. Larry ( the financial consultant) made me feel like family.I was satisfied from beginning to e Serra Toyota was a memorable. Vanderrik as well as Mr. Larry ( the financial consultant) made me feel like family.I was satisfied from beginning to end. Both VanDerrik and Larry gave me a great deal and a great vehicle. Thanks Serra for being the most valued in customer service and expertise. More

I was thoroughly impressed with Serra Toyota and my Sales Person Mr. Edwin Kennard. Mr. Kennard was professional, very knowledgeable and willing to do whatever it took to earn my business. He made this buyin Person Mr. Edwin Kennard. Mr. Kennard was professional, very knowledgeable and willing to do whatever it took to earn my business. He made this buying experience the one of the best of any previous purchases. I will recommend him to anybody who is looking to purchase a car. More

I was very satisfied with VanDerrick's quality of service during and even after purchasing my car. He really made my kids and myself feel like valued customers and VanDerrick was and still continues service during and even after purchasing my car. He really made my kids and myself feel like valued customers and VanDerrick was and still continues to show his concern with my satisfaction with my purchase. I am really impressed with his professionalism and friendliness. I really feel at home whenever I stop by the dealership and I know that I am a valued part of the Toyota family thanks to Mr. VanDerrick Long. More

Upon arriving at the dealership, Shannon was there to greet me with a smile and a handshake. The nervousness I intially felt about purchasing a new vehicle suddenly subsided because Shannon was honest an greet me with a smile and a handshake. The nervousness I intially felt about purchasing a new vehicle suddenly subsided because Shannon was honest and straight forward with me throughout the entire process. Not once did he try to force me into something. I was allowed to choose the car the best suited me. I will be sure to tell all of my family and friends about the service I received, and definitely send them to Shannon at Serra Toyota. This was definitely the easiest purchase I have ever made. More

My experience was great from the moment I drove on the premises. I was greeted with a smile and immediately offered assistance. Very polite salesman premises. I was greeted with a smile and immediately offered assistance. Very polite salesman More

vanderrik was really helpful with me and picking out the car of my choice . i told him what i wanted and he went there i told them the price i wanted and they worked with me. i love my new scion and vanderr car of my choice . i told him what i wanted and he went there i told them the price i wanted and they worked with me. i love my new scion and vanderrik is really helpful. He gave me a customer call not to long ago checking up with me to see if im liking my new car.i love it More