Okay, so we have all heard the horror stories about car sales manager's and how they can infuriate their customers. But how many are willing to infuriate a customer who comes from THREE generations of Toyota owners, two purchased by her parents, two purchased by herself and two purchased by her daughters? And of the six, four were purchased at Toyota of Waldorf.
Last week (Friday) I went to Toyota of Waldorf looking for a convertible Camry Solara. They had the SLE model which had several scratches and would need a visit to the body shop prior to releasing the car to me in order to remove/repair the scratches. I had purchased a Solara Coupe last December 2006 from Waldorf Toyota and could not have been happier with the sales manager John Link, but I was informed that Mr. Link no longer worked at Toyota of Waldorf. So I worked with the current sales staff ---the beginning of the nightmare. I was informed that my 11 month old vehicle was in "fair" condition and only worth $16,000, and my husband's 2001 Silverado was in "fair" condition and was worth $7,000. Needless to say I was insulted and infuriated that they actually had the audacity to present an offer of $16,000 on a car that I had purchased from them 11 months prior for $24,000+. When I asked them what was fair about the car, they offered no details. I requested a list of items that made it "fair" so I could bring it back to them for warranty work and bring it to "excellent" condition. Again---no response. Then, to my utter disbelief, and to add insult to injury, the sales manager, Wilson, had the nerve to inform me that, "well you only paid $500 over invoice when you purchased your car last year." Now, I ask you, what right did he have pulling my old sales data and using it at that very moment? If I had purchased the car at another dealer, he would NOT have had access to that information. So what was his point? Perhaps he was trying to make me feel small because I had received a good deal on my car 11 months prior and they were going to gouge the hell out of me now! At least that is the way I felt. Needless to say, I left the dealership, furious and insulted and will NEVER go back to Toyota of Waldorf
:to purchase another vehicle.
Well, on Saturday, I was in Lexington Park and wanted to see what they had to say about my car--I know, a glutton for punishment. Imagine my complete relief when I saw the smiling face of
Mr. John Link 
sitting behind the desk at Southern Maryland Toyota! My old friendly and honest sales manager! Well, we talked about the trade in of my vehicles and the purchase of a convertible Solara and I must say, he washed away the uglyness that was left on me by Toyota of Waldorf. Not only did he and I agree on "EXCELLENT" condition of my 11 month old car, but he offered thousands more than Waldorf had offered, and the same with the Silverado--he offered several thousand more! And finally, he found the vehicle I wanted, right color, right interior and $500 over invoice!
YIPPEEE.....I couldn't be happier and I owe my holiday happiness to Mr. John Link of Southern Maryland Toyota! So, if you have similar horror stories and want to be treated with respect and equitably, please go see Mr. Link at Southern Maryland Toyota in Lexington Park!
He is NOT your typical Toyota of Waldorf sales manager. 
Just a closing note, when one of the sales manager's at Toyota of Waldorf is the owner's grandson, we all know that he did not work his way up in the company, and his young age is a detriment to his skills working with the public. Because he was instrumental in escalating a bad situation into a worse one when he jumped up from the sales desk and started shaking the "BLACK BOOK" in my face and telling me "I am the one who said your vehicle was worth $16,000 and I actually gave you an additionall $500!" Of a total of three sales manager's on duty not ONE cared enough, or perhaps they were not experienced enough to try to defuse the situation. It is still unbelieveable to me that they let a 2nd generation customer walk out their doors with not so much as an apology!
I could not have been happier yesterday
, as I drove into Toyota of Waldorf to cancel my previous extended warranty and give my Toyota of Waldorf license plate holder back the sales manager's at the desk!
Anyone out there with similar experiences, please post.
I got what I wanted, took a heck of a long time got there at 430pm didnot leave there till almost 11pm on a Saturday night, and I didnt finance anything, but took one heck of a long time.
on the original poster. Far as I know you lose a few thousand in value the second you take ownership and drive off the lot (at least thats what I've always been told). So you lost 8k on a car that had been driven a year? That's not really unreasonable no matter the condition. You truly don't usually come out of the red on a new vehicle purchase until it is about 3 years old Used is used, whether fair or excellent condition the differences are minor. They have to sell that year old car, which given the fact that it is only a year old I think that would make it harder. I wouldn't buy a year old trade-in, I'd be questioning the real reason for trading it in after a year. I'd be skeptical of "The previous owner decided they wanted a convertible instead" regardless if it was in fact true or not. I would probably assume there is something truly wrong with the vehicle that may not be immediately apparent. Also only a fool would believe the dealership made a whole $500 on the new car, I bet your not the only one to get $500 over invoice. Do you honestly think they turn over enough inventory that they could stay in business by only making $500 in profit off of a car sale? In the event that this poster is being truthful, believe me when I say you paid for the actual price difference between what your trade-in was actually worth and what they offered you for it. It was cleverly disguised in the price of the new vehicle you purchased.
After reading all this, there is definitely an agenda.