I have yet to hear from Mr. Atwood, but I have reason to believe that we are being heard.
Please email Mr. Atwood if you haven't yet and encourage him to do the right thing.
I would hate to have to demonstrate my tenacity again.
I've never done this sort of thing before, but I pray that everyone here will respond to this article.
Our beloved DMW, Pastor John Duncan, has had his life turned upside down yet again, this time by a car dealership without character or integrity.
We're going to do everything we can to remedy that.
Here's the statement from Pastor John:
"I purchased from Toyota of Temecula on June 12th of this year.
I will restate the facts once more. On June 13th, when I had owned the car for only one day and took it out for the first time, the car overheated heating coil blew out, causing hot fluid to spew out on my bare foot and the air conditioning stopped working. I will state again that the car was in my possession for less than 24 hours at that point, and had registered just 42 miles.
I immediately informed the Toyota dealership that the car was unreliable and I wanted it replaced with a new car. They came and towed the Matrix back to the dealership, where it remained for 27 days before it was “repaired” and returned to me. The repair was faulty. It has since been back in the shop several times for various problems relating to the first breakdown.
The burned foot caused financial upheaval for me, because I am the sole caregiver for my wife, who is bedridden with Multiple Sclerosis, and am also trying to recover from severe heart failure, which occurred last fall. My doctor ordered me to stop caregiver duties immediately, because I could not bend the foot without risking breaking the skin. I was informed that due to my limited circulation, an infection in the foot could be very serious. With no other choice, I had to spend my own savings to hire round-the-clock care for my wife. This continued for the three weeks that I was ordered to stay
off the foot and cost me several thousand dollars. I had been working hard on my cardiac rehab program set by my cardiologist, and was up to walking over 3 miles in an hour, but after three weeks on no exercise, I have suffered a set back and I am down to less that 2 mile in an hour now.
It is clear that Toyota is responsible for this chain of events. No one else is to blame. I have repeatedly asked for a different car, and the response I have received is that “it’s my car and my problem and I can take it up with Toyota.”
The car has now been in the shop and out of service for well over the 30 days required by California law before it can be declared a lemon. Even after it was past to point of being a legal lemon the Matrix in question had an intermittent (unpredictable) overheating problem. Toyota could not get it to overheat when they had it in the shop, so they returned it to me with instructions (which I still have on a voicemail) to drive the car to them the next time it overheated. When it happened again, I tried to drive the overheated car from Lake Elsinore to Temecula a distance of about 20 mile however, the car only made it a few miles before starting to lurch and jerk back and forth. The “check engine” light came on and the air conditioner quit working. I was still only a few miles from home, and being that I have severe heart failure and could not risk being exposed to the heat, I drove it back home. They came again and have now towed the Matrix back into the shop. I don't believe they will be able to repair it this time, being that it is already a legal lemon, but they still will not give me my money back, or a new car or make a suitable offer for the medical expenses I incurred from this incident.
If you would could you please email Mr. Don Atwood, the owner to Toyota of Temecula and tell in politely how you feel about this, and how it makes you feel about Toyota USA."
email to datwood@toyotas4u.com
Shoot Mr. Atwood a polite email, folks.
If you have a blog, please post this letter.
If you know anyone at Toyota, show them this letter.
We're going to stand with the man who stood with us and Toyota needs to know that John has a very big, loving family.
Michael, UGM
Just sent this. I hate it when this stuff happens.
Dear Sir,
I would like to politely ask you to take care of John Duncans situation with his Toyota Matrix. I know that you have the direct ability to take care of this issue immediattely. When I think about the pain that this has caused the Duncan family it breaks my heart and when I combine those feelings with the overall impression I have about car dealers, it really breaks my heart! I think that you have the ability to cause alot of people who are hearing about this to change their minds about the industry that you work in and about your particular dealership. Please do the right thing and get John and his wife a new car and please handle his medical bills with integrity.
I appreciatte you taking care of this matter,
(name withheld)
Assistant Pastor, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Thank you, Scott!
Thank you LIL!
My e-mail has just been sent. I pray they do the right thing.
Thank you, Erunner!
Michael,
I have sent my letter, posted this on my blog and have emailed my son who is a manager at a large Nissan dealership. All of these guys know each other and I have ask him to contact his local Toyota dealer to enlist his help in this matter.
Thank you, LFT!
Great idea Michael! Awesome! Off to send my e-mail …
Email sent!
I know the sales manager or maybe the owner of Orange Toyota (In Southern CA) is a Christan. Many of the pastors at cccm purchase cars from there. I’m sure Dave Rolph knows him. Perhaps he can help.
Nancy, I don’t plan on making this a habit, but I’ll stand with DMW anywhere, any time.
Thank you!
Bob,
Anything that can get this resolved in a godly fashion is good!
Thank you!
I hould have thought of this before.
There’s a site: http://www.ripoffreport.com where he may be able to get information and/or find people who’ve had similar issues with same dealer.
I had an issue back in 1999 and the site was of great help to me.
Blessings
I just sent my “do the right thing” email to Mr. Atwood.
Praying for you DMW! with love, Nonnie
One would think in this time of recession this dealer would want to have a “good name” in this industry.
I have also sent an email to Toyota via their main website: http://www.toyota.com/avalon/index.html
We need national attention from the top on this one!
Email sent, Michael.
Anything for Deadman!
Keep us posted on the outcome.
HK,
I suspect that right about now, the sales manager is thinking this through again…
Thank you…we need as many emails as we can muster and get this incident behind brother John.
Email sent. I’m praying for you DMW and Debbie!
Well, Toyota USA has assigned an incident number. I hope that means a case has really been generated.
Incident: 080729-000203
This is their response so far:
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. We appreciate your consideration and hope to have your email addressed as quickly as possible. Our current office hours are Monday through Friday from 5 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 7 AM to 4 PM Pacific Time.
LFT,
Good work!
I suspect we’ve been noticed.
Let’s keep it going…
You also might want to include this section in your letter to Mr. Atwood. This is from his website:
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Customer satisfaction: two words that mean so much, two words that can make the difference between success and failure in today’s competitive world. At Toyota of Temecula Valley, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION is our most important product. Your satisfaction is important to our entire organization.
Our goal is to continue providing you with the kind of service and satisfaction that made you choose Toyota of Temecula Valley in the first place. You invest, not only in a fine vehicle, but also in a dealership dedicated to giving you quality service for as long as you own your Toyota.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
* Be absolutely relentless in all attitudes regarding quality.
* Hire only the best employees.
* Maintain our sparkling clean dealership in a competitive, professional way.
* Offer the best automotive products.
* Provide the highest level of customer service.
This may seem old fashioned, but we know it works. At the same time we fully believe we can always do a better job at making you, our customer, happy!
Scott,
We’ll see if they’re interested in keeping their word…
e-mail sent.
Praying as well …
Just sent mine.
I just sent Mr. Atwood an email…
Dear Mr. Atwood,
“My name is Ryan Couch. I am a long time Toyota owner and have bought several cars and trucks from our local dealership here in Bend, OR. I am disgusted by what I’ve heard from my friend and collegue Pastor John Duncan. Please sir…do the right thing and return Mr. Duncan’s money or replace his car. His wife is bed ridden with MS (he is her constant caregiver), he has major heart disease and he does not need this added stress. You and your dealership should be ashamed of yourself for putting him through this.”
I also posted this to my blog…
John,
http://www.toyota.com/help/contactus.html
There is a 800 number to call for Customer Service.
Mon - Fri, 5:00 am - 6:00 pm PST
Sat, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm PST
I had a situation where the dealer tried to reem me, but Toyota management happened to be onsite that day and picked up the cost of an engine rebuild. Check them out!
Thank you, Tim!
Thank you, Ryan!
John….done deal. I reminded him that we have Toyota vehicles in both our home and our businesses fleet of vehicles and that such treatment of a brother in Christ could change our mind about future purchases
Thank you. Papias!
I knew Linnea would come through…this is a unique way for the Body to come together.
My letter:
Dear Mr. Atwood,
I know that by now, you realize that John D. has many, many friends who love him and his wife and who feel he has been poorly treated. I feel confident that now that this situation has been brought to your attention that you will do the right thing.
God bless you,
Xenia Moos
I’ve sent my email, DMW and Michael.
I’ll post a thread to FTA tomorrow, too.
I’m in….
Thank you, Xenia and BrianD!
Thank you, London!
I can’t imagine Toyota not doing the right thing with all of this support. Per chance they choose to hold their ground we can always go to print and television media. This story is an example of what they like to pursue.
I’m in as well. I hope this not only changes things for John, but for the hearts of those individuals at the dealership…..
If I lived in the area, I’d do a sit-in. In the past, I’ve rectified some seemingly intractable situations by refusing to leave the premises.
Michael,
You might consider dropping this letter to the “Californian” a local Temecula Newspaper. When a local hotel ripped off some of our members during fire evacuation I wrote a short letter and it was published in both the electronic and hardcopy paper.
OBD,
That’s the next step…I’m hoping that our love for Pastor John melts some hearts and it’s not necessary.
We just a whopper of an earthquake.
Erunner…are you ok?
Oh Boy…that quake was pretty strong. I’m shaking!
I pray people are alright.
ERunner,
didn’t feel it here
my two cents:
I am writing you on behalf of John Duncan who is a friend of mine. He recently purchased a new Toyota Matrix from your dealership. I would hope that your dealership and Toyota USA would stand behind the good will of the Toyota name and replace his vehicle with one that is non-defective. It is apparent that the vehicle he purchased was not manufactured to the high Toyota standards, and I believe that the good faith in which he exercised in purchasing this vehicle should be honored. I’m asking you and Toyota USA to step up and honor this agreement and provide Mr. Duncan with a quality vehicle that he expected to receive when he purchased his Toyota.
No damage here and I think I heard it was centered possibly in Chino with a preliminary 5.8 magnitude. I was just stepping out of the shower.
Erunner,
Felt big down here 5.8
MLD… could you believe that? The worst ever!
It opened several drawers here in my home office.
The 2 grandkids slept right through it!
whoa…………… that’s fairly big
Here I would describe it as a Todd Bentley quake…… BAM!! A huge jolt and then the house must of “got some” as it was swaying back and forth.
I pray nobody is hurt.
I think it was much bigger than a 5.8…
my phones are out.
For those of us who live in the safer areas of the USA (re: Tornado Alley
), what happens in a 5.8 mag earthquake?
MLD,
Thought the whole house was going. I was getting my family out.
Tim,
the earth moves
My husband’s is out too.
Well, we know one thing, no one messes with DMW.
Solus,
Aren’t you a CA native? We look around and say “was that an earthquake?”
Earth quake … yikes!
Darn, the phones are back up - I use that as quiet time.
Was that God’s email to Toyota?
Solus, That 11:55 was classic. If not before, you are not a member of the Phoenix Preacher Good Humor Club!!
the news said that there were 3 3.8 after shocks - but I haven’t felt them.
MLD - lol
That Matt Drudge, Jessica’s man, is right on it:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Quakes/ci14383980.php
That quake was fun…
~ Everstudy
Thank you, Centy!
DMW,
Here’s a PROMISE:
Psalm 103:1-6
Especially verse 6
You WILL prevail!
Hello Erunner
MLD,
No. But, I’ve lived here for a couple of decades. Usually, they do not bother me too much, but this was a bad one. I honestly thought my house was going to collapse. I see one crack in the crown molding. Gives you a whole new respect for the power of an earthquake. Imagine losing your home to something like that! Goes to show you, material things can go in a flick of an eye! God’s love is forever and always.
Solus,
do you live in the IE?
Wow. Interesting to see people blogging in real time on the earthquake. Hope all are alright! You know eventually CA will become an island!
Anyways, what Pastor John needs to do is see an attorney. Chances are the Toyota dealership isn’t understanding the seriousness of situation. I attended law school and this easily falls under what is called tort law. Pastor John should sue and get his car, medical bills, etc paid for. Plus John has been a pastor for how many decades in Lake Elsinore? No jury is going to rule against a good pastor who is getting the run around.
Sending my letter off as well, and I also forwarded this to my husband. He works for the company who builds all the audio / gps for Toyota and Lexus. Actually the head of Lexus productions will be meeting with Steve on Weds afternoon. I asked him if he might know someone who would give a little nudge.
I’d leave the legal stuff as a LAST resort.
I fought State Farm when my wife (4 months pregnant at the time) was in a car accident where our car was *totalled.* A few months, a lot of prayers (including the kind of prayer where you pound your fist on the table) and a few back-and-forths on the phone and faxes and we got what we wanted.
THIS is going to work!
BTW, I sent a brief, polite email too.
Thank you, Sarah!
Thank you, Lord for the special message…
Centorian
A few miles from the coast.
Thank you, Kirk!
It amazes me the Toyota dealership doesn’t seem to be … at least not up until this point … concerned about it’s reputation. Seems odd that anyone in any kind of sales would not deal with this as quickly as possible. This whole thing couldn’t look much worse for them. Besides … even putting aside reputation … how can anyone live with themselves knowing they are adding to the struggles of this dear man???
Anyone heard anything from the Calvary’s in Chino? Are they ok?
We were just there last week…in Chino Hills…praying in a park because we’d missed our train home and needed to kill time before hopping on the train the next day! Eeesh!
Let us know what we can do to help you all in that area!
I was in the Bay Area in the 80’s in the bowels of a semiconductor fab area when we had several 4.0’s….didn’t even feel them. In LA in the later 80’s when one hit that felt like something hit the wall (no waves, just a BAM!)….I had just come back from a date with a guy from Disney, who by the way, was a jerk. My friends teased that the must have moved the earth
It didn’t!
Sending off an email on Johns Behalf,
Trusting that the emails and attention would cause the dealer to do the right thing so as to not entail attorneys and lengthy litigation>
I like that name… LIL
lemons into lemonade,
hope thats a prophetic word for John in this situation!
Sending a note, trusting these gentleman will do right by John.
solus,
I grew up a few miles from the coast and spent a lot of time on the north side of the HB pier………….
Just saw that there was a 5.8 back home…
wondering how everyone fared, and see that there are no initial reports of damage or injury,
Im with MLD on this one, 5.8… was that an Earthquake?
I remember the Northridge quake, 7or close to or at an 8
well in 1992 ,
The house shook horribly, the huge glass picture window flexed like jello… the earth felt like Jello, the house shook from after shocks all throughout the day….
Never got out of the house so fast, (9 months pregnant in my pajamas)
As I apologized to our neighbors for running out in my pajamas,
they said “no worries at all, at least you ran out in pajamas… the neighbor on the other side ran out in his birthday suit.”
The earthquake happened very early in the morning,
The moral of the story: If you live in Southern California, you never know when you might be compelled to run outside, so pay attention to how you want the neighbors to see you dressed, or not”
8 )
all the more reason CALIF, stands for “Come and Live In France”
Centorian,
In the land of In & Out Burgers?
A beautiful area indeed.
good news, Sister Christian and I have come together on an earth moving topic
Sister… that’s pretty cute!
centy,
I met my with in 1966 just south of the HB pier. Lifeguard station #3
yes.
I went to the one on Trask and Magnolia and they later opened one on Westminster Ave… (after I left the southland) just down the street from what is now CC Pacific Coast…………
sometimes I wanna move back………….. but then again……
Thank you everyone
———–
Papias
Jul 29th, 2008 at 11:13 am
John,
http://www.toyota.com/help/contactus.html
There is a 800 number to call for Customer Service.
Mon - Fri, 5:00 am - 6:00 pm PST
Sat, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm PST
I had a situation where the dealer tried to reem me, but Toyota management happened to be onsite that day and picked up the cost of an engine rebuild. Check them out!
—————
I have called them probably 20 times they will no long take my phone call and have done nothing to help me. They were crass and rude.
with = wife
Re: Earthquake
I am at work in Pomona (just North of Chino Hills) and boy did it shake here. We just received an automated phone call from the City of Pomona stating the city is still operational…but the Library and some other city buildings will be closed until further notice. Did anybody else receive automated calls? I don’t ever remember getting a call like that!
Centorion,
sometimes you wanna move back,,, Naaahh.
Gosh, we are having such a difficult time right now,
knowing we have to go back in just a couple of short weeks,
cant hardly bear the thought of leaving the friend we have made here,
the church and all…
Not even in light of In and Out burgers await us shortly after landing…
we always have to get In and Out as part our homecomming from international travel,,,
Oh, but boy does an In and Out burger sound incredibly good right now
On the brighter side,
Email sent out on behalf of Pastor John.
and My girls and I are blessed to have a week stopover at Dustys place on the journey back to So, Cal.
Im really looking forward to spending time with her again!
MLD~
It just goes to show,
theres always a way to find agreement and fellowship in something,
even when at times we seem so at odds with one another!
Michael, I just sent my email off and posted on my blog. DMW, I’m praying for you and your family!
MLD wrote, “I met my wife in 1966 just south of the HB pier. Lifeguard station #3″
MLD, that is sweet. What a nice memory.
Centorian, you area is beautiful too, I am sure.
Just emailed my letter to Mr Don Atwood. Hope he responds appropriately and quickly!
Thank you, Kevin and Sis!
A volley from the well of Dread ….
…has penetrated the camp of the enemy.
My letter is sent.
Dreadmaster General
Hello Roman Catholic Lurker,
We did not receive a call: that would be a little scary.
Hopefully, no one was hurt and no damage. Hope you are well.
Thanks, Dread!
Let me know if anyone gets a response…
Email sent to Mr. Atwood. I hope he does the right thing and helps Pastor John
solus,
well, as far as beauty goes, I’ve lived in more scenic places, but this place has it over socal in the scenery in a big way.
soemtimes I just get homesick, but I don’t know where home is. I’m looking forward to heaven.
Hi Solus!
Yes..we are all fine! Yes…the automated phone call from the Mayor was strange…I had never had that before! Are you in the area?
Jean
mld,
were you a longboard rider?
As sent, followed by my real name and address.
Don -
I have not been able to verify the situation with my friend John Duncan’s Toyota, nor has he asked me to help, but I have some familiarity with his life situation and the difficulties he has endured with the Toyota Matrix he recently purchased and has had serviced at your dealership.
We all know that Toyotas may be the finest product line in the history of auto manufacturing. But that may not always mean absolute perfection, I understand.
I am quite confident that you will be able to resolve his situation.
Thanks -
Bob
Re: hometown beauty…
If I can brag on Tyler for a minute - it’s absolutely beautiful here in the springtime. Check out this photo of our city rose garden:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/county/smith/rose/Rosepano1.jpg
In case it happens, forgive me for the double post.
I just want to brag on Tyler for hometown beauty. Check out this picture of our city’s rose garden.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/county/smith/rose/Rosepano1.jpg
That’s wierd…I just had two posts disappear. Did it not like my link?
I found 2 complaints on this dealship at Rip-Off Report:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchresults.asp?q5=Toyota Of Temecula Valley&q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search!&Search=Search
Darn, I was hoping that earthquake was in Temecula!
Pastor John,
I sent an email to your friends at that dealership. Keep us posted on what happens. Blessings on you for taking care of your wife as you do and for blessing so many with your insights.
stopped by to check on the history thread, so I’m joining the outcry. I sent an E (polite) to the Toyota agency. But I’m willing to bet its lawyer time. Find an established firm and let them handle it. I doubt that Toyota can be intimidated or worn down because:
Their insurance is thinking big time liability for injury (what’s a few lost sales compared with a big dollar claim). They will stone-wall and will do so right up to the courthouse steps at a minimum… IMNSHO
You might try to settle for a new car and your signature to a hold harmless declaration.
God keep the Duncans safe here.
Mail sent:
“My name is Eric Lyons. Having owned Several Toyotas in the past I was always quite impressed with the reliability of them. However, When I heard from Pastor John Duncan about his troubles with his new Toyota, and the lack of response from you or your dealership I must say I was shocked and Disgusted. I urge you to do the right thing, and rectify this with Pastor Duncan. He has dedicated his life to the people of Lake Elsinore, it may not mean much to you but I am certain his old congregation and their friends will not be happy to hear how you have treated this wonderful man of God. His wife is bed ridden with MS, he has Congestive heart failure and you are not aiding him nor yourselves in this shameful treatment. Rest assured sir, there is a God in Heaven and His vengence is a terrible thing, I urge you to remedy this situation.”
centy,
Strictly a body surfer
Might I add, this is why I only buy Ford, Mexicans make better cars than Americans do
I am contacting Toyota. This happened to a friend of mine and GM gave her a brand new vehicle 6 months later; hers was a lemon and she invoked the “lemon law”!! I am definitely contacting the dealership but also the company. This is an outrage. Pastor John needs a new car PLUS all his bills paid!! Praying for you DMW!!!!!
I just sent my email too.
Eric’s threat of divine retribution reminded me of one time, many years ago, the local TV channel canceled Pastor Chuck to run old episodes of Superman. We thought it would be cool to have the little kids in our school write letters of protest to Channel 13. One of the little 7 year olds wrote this: “Dear Channel 13. How dare you take our dear Pastor Chuck off the air for some Super Nothing. Either you put Pastor Chuck back on or, to deliver my soul I will say it, God will destroy you. Love in Christ, Cindy.”
C’mon Dave, just admit that you were the kid who wrote that letter. No need to change your name to “Cindy.”
I sent an email as well. Good grief… this kind of thing just ticks me off.
Dave that’s awesome out of the mouths of babes, and i have been accused of being a bit childish from time to time.
still, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengence is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
I just felt it was right to warn him of impending doom and falling pianos.
Not one word to me from Toyota yet. But I bet this got their attention,
keep it up
I enjoyed the earthquake. It shook pretty good out here, we were in the doctors office, and after 6 months of the doctors trying to scare me by telling me about my high risk of sudden death heart attack, to scare me into not eating salt or getting stressed out it was kind of nice to see I was the only person in the place that wasn’t scared or stressed out. I mean for the last 6 months I live like I could die any moment now anyhow. So an earthquake is not a bad way to go.. better than in a hospital with tubes up my nose. It was a little like being on a ride at Disney Land.
I am happy no one was hurt. I know it freaked out a lot of people. My Parrot usually acts weird right before earth quakes, but we were not home for him to warn us. Now he is leting us know before every after shock hits..
From Shake and Bake Elsinore DMW
Toyota’s slogan is “Moving Forward”
Is there an artist out there that can render a cartoon caricature of a Giant walking and trampling small people under his feet with a Tee Shirt that says “Toyota Moving Forward”
That wold be cool if someone could draw that for me and send it to me == at nowhereland@earthlink.net
dmw
I’m sort of disappointed that Mr. Atwood didn’t personally deliver a new Toy-O-ta to John’s house today! I was fully expected it. Oh well, he’s probably relaxing on his yacht off of Catalina Island.
I finally found some time to get off my complaint to Mr. Atwood.
Toyota of Temecula
Atten.: Mr. Don Atwood
Dear Mr. Atwood,
I am writing on behalf of my John Duncan. You and your dealership are a disgrace to the city of Temecula as well as the Toyota Corp. Your company needs to stand behind its products and replace his vehicle which has proven to be a complete lemon, or refund him his money. He is a very ill man as it is, suffering from heart disease, and he is the full time caregiver for his wife who is in advanced stages of MS. This ought to be incentive to treat him decently instead of ignore all of his requests and telling him the car is his problem, and between him and Toyota.
Your company also needs to pay for his medical bills which he has incurred as a result of having to deal with this car. If his health continues to decline because of your inaction, the legal liability you will face in a legal court will pale in comparison to what it will cost you now to do only what is right and stand behind your product.
I used to think about owning another Toyota, but now after hearing his story I do not think that I will ever own one again. Please have some compassion and human decency and do something in response to this complaint.
Thank you,
Jim B…
Scott,
I thinking Pastor John’s new car will arrive tomorrow. I figure it is just taking a little extra time for Mr Atwood to get all the extras put in the replacement car. I’m praying for a fully loaded Matrix … kinda a Matrix reloaded … in John’s favorite color.
That’s I’m thinking … not I
Hey John,
I am working in management at Toyota of Escondido just down the road from Temecula. They have a terrible reputation and it is due to the fact that they are not a “Signature” dealership. Some dealerships have chosen to use the Signature program that places emphasis on customer satisfaction. Toyota Motor Corp has little they can do at the dealership level, these are private business’. Our GM knows Atwood so that might be an in road for us. If you have time email me and I’ll send you my number. There is a way to get results from a dealership but the in your face aggressive tactics don’t work. Lemon law is the way to go at this point. There is the California Dispute Settlement Program. You should have a form in the books you recieved with the car. Contact me and I will do what I can on my end. Next time anyone is buying a car contact me first and I will be more than happy to give you the inside scoop even if you are not buying a Toyota from me! Here is my email: skhoury32@yahoo.com
Samer!
I’ll make sure John sees this.
Thank you and don’t be a stranger!
Dear Mr. Atwood,
My good friend, John Duncan has purchased a vehicle from you which cannot seem to be repaired. The stress of trying to have it repaired has placed a severe strain on his already failing heart (having had a heart attack recently). He has tried repeatedly to have your service department take care of the problem, to no avail. Your service department no longer takes his calls.
I’m certain that you may be aware of the fact that John Duncan is a pastor. His church affiliation is linked to over a thousand churches with hundreds of thousands of members, many of them in your local area.
If your company will not rectify this problem it may force a massive campaign to inform local congregations about this situation and to take John’s story to the media in your city and the surrounding cities.
Sincerely,
Oden Fong
Good morning, Oden!
Go Oden, go!
Wow Sam…I will sure keep your email address for advice
Just for the record, still no response from the corporate big boys! You can’t tell me even though Atwood is an independent dealer they can’t step in and correct this problem. If this is the way Atwood does Toyota business they need to remove him from their dealerships.
John is being much more patient than me. I would have already had the local media involved. They love a good human interest story. They also love alerting their audiences of “crappy” business practices.
I agree with LFT, the time has come to notify newspapers and television stations. I know, here in Bakersfield, the TV stations jump at human interest stories such as this one.
Good Morning Michael, Linnea, LFT, Everyone!
I agree with LFT, sometimes the only thing which will force buinesses to do what is right is to bring it to the media. It’s really bring it into the light.
Love you guys, gals,
Oden
Hi Oden,
Nice letter. Oh … and I agree with the morning thoughts … time to tell this story to more people. The more I think about this … the more steamed I get. If this dealership won’t even do the right thing under these circumstances … yikes! People need to know.
LFT,
That is the thing, it is not “their” dealership it belongs to Atwood. When you go there you will not find any plaques, awards or artifact from Toyota Motor corp. And yes John is being patient, more patient than most of us. Our efforts should be focused on the dealership and its owner.
Sam
Good to hear from you!
Hi Nancy! Miss talking with you! You sound (in writing) really good these days!
Samer,
Thanks for the info on how dealerships are run in the industry.
Hope you’re doing well. Did you graduate yet?
Oden,
Isn’t that a picture of Samer in his valedictorian robe and hear wear?
Mr. Atwood:
I am joining with others to respectfully request that your dealership act responsibly in the matter of John Duncan. To have this situation remain unresolved will only result in further damage to the reputation of your business, which I can’t imagine you would want. This is an opportunity to actually put a positive spin on an unfortunate situation by acting in accordance with the California lemon law and providing Mr. Duncan with an operational vehicle. Should things have to progress beyond phone calls and emails, it will be your business that suffers in the long run. If you have not yet noticed, this story is already spreading well beyond Tecumeh, as well as how this is behind handled. This economy is far too rough to risk this kind of publicity, please use common sense and act as a responsible corporate citizen in this matter.
Respectfully,
Susan Smith
Darn, I thought for sure John would be driving a new 4 Runner! Oh well, keep trying!
Again I Want to thank you all. I have indicators that Toyota USA has heard your voice, they have yet to actually do anything about it, but it seems I have their full attention. The whole central office of Toyota claims has spent the whole day discussing what to do about my situation.
Tomorrow we will see if they actually do something or not. If not, then I have the next phase ready to launch.
So far all I have is talk, but they said the will call me tomorrow and the person I spoke to siad she thnks I will be satisfied with their offer.. We’ll see— Talk is cheap
Thaks to all of you for standing with me
DMW
“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right, and part with
him when he goes wrong.”
- Abraham Lincoln
John
Thanks for the update. Keep us posted.
John,
I just left work and I spoke with my partner about your story. He is a former employee of Toyota Temecula. According to him Atwood has been trying to sell the dealership for years. His advice was to get a lawyer and sue Toyota Motor Corp for the car and Temecula for all damages including lawyer fees and emotional distress.
Be very careful with whatever offer they put in front of you. Please at least consult an attorney before you sign anything.
Oden,
I am working full time and hope to someday finish school. For now I will minister to my family by feeding them and let God dictate at what point if ever I can be involved in vocational ministry. Thanks for asking. I hope all is well with you. I haven’t been on PP for awhile because of work and then I log on and see Toyota all over the place I can’t get away from the job!!!
Hey Sam…good to see ya man! I had dinner with Kevin and Pat not long ago. It would be cool to hook up with you sometime.
Ryan,
Next time you are down here let me know. I would love to hang with you guys. Pat and I talk every couple of years and we always plan on hooking up but…
Hopefully we can make it happen sometime…blessings!
John -
I never thought I’d be saying this…but I agree with Sammy.
Do not sign anything unless you have an attorney look over the paperwork first.
damn it london I was hoping we could argue tonight! I guess if I hang around long enough we will find something.
Hey….I’ll argue with you..Haven’t had a good argument for a while….what do you want to argue about then?? Don’t make it too religious as my brain is on total overload right now. I should be asleep but my project is technically going live tomorrow and I’m all “giddy” about it. Plus…I’m just dumb. I just be sleeping while I have the chance.
So make it an easy argument..and I’m in.
any argument with me is an easy argument. i’m not too sharp and I usually just talk loud when I’m overmatched!
Yeah….I know some other people like that too. LOL!!!
I’m pretty much all argued out. Today had to argue with the knucklehead hotel manager who just canceled 14 rooms out from under me for my team next week without notice. Moved them next door but the whole point was to have everyone in one block of rooms cause it was easy to get ahold of them in the middle of the night if they needed to go in for any reason.
Just couldn’t believe he said “i’m oversold by 18″ I’ve had the rooms for months now…how the heck did he oversell and then think it was ok to move my team???? We’re here every stinking week for crying out loud! Dumb move on his part….
I wonder if he learned his customer service skills at that that Toyota dealership of Johns.
Sammy…gotta get some sleep. yak at ya later.
Thanks for the advice Sam. Now that I have their attention, I will tighten the thumb screws until I get what I want.
My ill will toward Toyota USA is pretty strong right now, and it will take really good offer from them to get me to back off, and even more if they want to win back my former good will I once had for them. Before I had to give up owning my own car, due to medical expenses for my wife, and drive what ever people donated to the church about 10 years ago. The last new truck I bought was a Toyota, I love it, but had to sell it to get money for medical equipment my wife needed. You wouldn’t believe some of the cars I have had to drive in that last 10 years. I was really looking forward to getting a car that had air conditioning that worked, and one that I didn’t have to open the hood and use pliers to turn on and off the heater, in a truck that the window wouldn’t open.. Then I get a car that literally fell apart every time I drove it. On one occasion three pieced of interior had fallen off while I was driving it. I went into their service department with my arms full of the parts that has literally just fallen off. And the woman wrote Customer claims that etc etc. — I looked at what she wrote and said you need to reword that one, what do you mean the customer claims– here are the parts on the counter right in front of you, I am not claiming anything, I am showing you. I was speaking pretty loudly being that the place was full of customers at the time, and she just left and someone else came in and tried to get me to quiet down, but I just spoke even louder about this piece of junk car they are forcing me to keep and finally he rewrote the work order wording it the way I told him. The tired to put wrong dates one of the times I picked up the car to make it look like it was ready two days before it actually was ready, and that I just hadn’t picked it up. They also tied to show on the paper work that they had given me a rental car during this time which they had not. I knew from the first day that I asked them to replace that car to read every invoice and every piece of paper that I signed. Twice I walked out and told them that when their paper work reflected what honestly happened to call me and I would come back and take the car. I have since heard several similar stories about that dealership. A friend of mine took her truck to them and they forgot to put the radiator cap on and the truck overheated and damaged the engine, and she had the same problem with them to get their paper work to state the problem was caused by their neglect.
my wife’s new 25k wheel chair broke yesterday, so I will be gone most of today taking it is to see if they can fix it. It usually takes weeks if they have to get factory help. Actually Murphy’s law is in full force in my house right now, I almost feel like I need to put a sign on the door warning people that being near me could cause them harm. I mean everything form my wife’s wheel chair to her hospital style bed, to the lift equipment is breaking down. My wife got Bell’s Palsy and her MS seems to be in a flair up, and she is on medication that means constant trips to the bathroom, which means little sleep for me, and trips to doctors and to MRI scans etc.. so I am wiped out. And I am not in a mood to be nice or compliant with Toyota today.
If nothing else breaks and I have time I will post an update later today. Pray that Murphy’s law will leave me alone for a while
DMW
Praying for you DMW… you are under attack. Jesus is your front and rear guard
Oh, by the way my Harley is Murpy proof., it is the only thing that is working right around here, but just to be safe I will stop pulling Wheelies for the next few days.
dmw
I just went though a bunch of cards I got from Children from CCLE Children’s Church.. One of them said
“My Mom hopes you fell beter, and Oh yeah and so do I love sam 8 years old”..
I love kids so much. They are so honest. I mean you know the if they like you or are afraid of you or don’t like you, they are just plain honest. With adults you never know for sure what they really feel about you.
DMW
DMW - LOL!
DMW,
Lifting you up in prayer this morning. Praying you get great news from Toyota. Praying wheelchair issues will be fixed quickly. Praying for relief for you and your wife. Praying Murphy’s Law will leave your home for a while.
DMW,
Though we’ve never met, my heart breaks for you. My wife and I will be lifting you up in prayer.
Blessings,
Kevin
DMW,
You are not alone. God is with you.
An update.
Lemon law only exist because unethical companies will not do what is right on their own.
Toyota just called and offered nothing as far as paying me back for the medical issues.
The will refund the money for the car. Which they really have to choice about anyhow. It is a legal Lemon and they are forced to do so by law. I still don’t know if I will actually get a refund, they said I will get a letter tomorrow explaining what I need to do to collect. So I will read it, but will probably have to get the personal injury attorney to read it just to make sure there are no implicating factors that will effect my future medical lawsuit that I am now forced by Toyota to pursue.
So in my book that are still unethical, and I will now have to get an attorney to deal with the personal injury issue. If any of you have ever been involved is a lawsuit, you know how stressful that is. Toyota doesn’t care about my current medical condition and simply said they will only meet their legal obligation to me. In my book that is not enough, I am still out a lot of money and still was put through months of hell.
I will never do business with Toyota ever again. Sorry Sam.
By the way this has noting to do with Toyota of Temecula, they are now out of the picture and you can stop witting them. This was Toyota USA.
Thank you all, I am sure if not for you I will have been stalled for months to just get this far.
DMW still steaming mad.
DMW~ Just roll it over onto the Lord and call your Attorney. There’s no need for you to get worked up to the point that it starts effecting your health anymore negatively than it already is.
Just rest brother, the Lord is in control. It’s ALL going to work out!
You know now that I think of her exact words today, she called it a buy back, which means they won’t declare it a lemon and won’t have to destroy it and they can sell it to some other unsuspecting sucker. I will have to look over what they send me tomorrow and make sure they have declared it a lemon for the next poor guy they would sell it too.
I just called Toyota and told them that without proof that they legally declare that car a lemon to protect the next person they would dump it on I will not accept their offer of a refund.
These people are not just unethical, I will wait to see the letter they send me today, but if it reads like a buy back, then I will know they are evil and intend on putting that car back on the market and will sell it to some other poor sucker.
I may need the money really bad, which I think they are banking on, but I will not let the problem car be sold to someone else just so I can get my money back a little sooner. I will recover all, in time. But it will take a lemon lawyer and a personal injury lawyer to do so.
If the information is that letter is what I suspect it will be, I will have to deal with the stress to Two Legal battles at one time. Even though my doctor told me not to get into a legal battle, he fears it could kill me, in a way knowing every day could be my last, which is true of everyone, but knowing it to be a much more likely thing for me has had to opposite effect I think the doctors warnings were meant to have on me. Being a pastor for 29 year, I have seen a lot of people die, and many different ways people die, and the thought of sudden death does not scare me at all, it just make me want to be sure I am doing something good when I drop dead..
DMW still at war
DMW…still praying for you.
DMW, Dude, Take the Money and Run!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFGZufk4HFs
DMW~ is this a hill worth dying on? Folks have gone to bat for you by prayer and writing. It’s in the Lord’s hands, roll it over onto him and watch him work through the whole situation.
Be at peace brother, I know what you’re going through as far as anxiety and such. However, there’s really not a whole lot more you can do at this point. Any attorney would advise you not to contact them anymore and attempt to dictate the terms of their offer.
My counsel would be to accept their offer and let it go, or let an attorney handle it. And whatever you do, PLEASE don’t do anymore wheely’s on your bike
I don’t think you understand. If Toyota puts an unsafe car back in service and someone else get injured from it, because I allowed them to do so, I can’t live with that.
If Toyota is doing buy backs of cars they know are lemons to avoid having to take unsafe cars off the market and to put money in their pocket I can’t accept that.
I wont drop dead over this, the doctors have been telling me I will drop dead if — etc etc since January.
The lawyers will take the stress for me, I will just call them and give them the needed paper work and they will do the rest. as far at the 20k goes I know for a fact that I WILL win that back in time. The car is so far past being a lemon and Toyota know it. So I will get that money back without any effort on my part, other than turning over the paper work to a lemon law lawyer. He will get paid his fees by Toyota anyhow. For me it is worth a little waiting. I am good at waiting after dealing the MS for 25 years. And if a little wait will save some other person from getting stuck with that car it will be worth it.
In my opinion Toyota id simply trying to do something unethical and wrong.
To sin by silence, when they should protest, makes cowards of men”
- Attributed to Abraham Lincoln
john
DMW, God bless you for considering the next person! That is truly loving your neighbor as yourself.
as far as taking the money, even if I do, I am still out thousand of dollars on the medical issues they refuse to take responsibility for
“If I don’t deal with it, someone else will have to.”
That’s what men who always do the heavy lifting for the rest of us say. I thank God for Pastor John and pray his example is true in my life as ‘the little things’ come up . . . how will I deal with them?
Jesus said “He who is faithful in little will be faithful in much.”
Since John has been faithful in the much, these ‘little’ details take on the long view.
I love John Duncan. Thank you for putting on Jesus this morning, and yesterday, and the day before . . .
John, I don’t understand? Sure, I understand. Your dilemma is real and personal, so are the one’s I’m going through and the next Guy.
My family is suffering economically because of the nature of business, much of it brought on by unscrupulous lenders, investors and greedy buyers and sellers looking to turn a quick buck. Now, the taxpayers are going to bear the brunt of it by bailing out these same people, my stomach is sick over it.
Maybe I should start a campaign against all of these evildoers so the next Guy won’t get hurt? Would do you say, maybe I can hire you to be my campaign manager? Oh wait, I can’t hire you because I don’t have any money to pay you!
OK — just spoke to a personal injury lawyer, he agreed with me that Toyota is trying to a buy back to avoid having that car declared a lemon, because if it is declared a lemon that will weigh in on the personal injury case against them.. so I was right to refuse to take the money at this time. Money that I am guaranteed by law to eventually get anyhow.
These people just move up a notch in my book from unethical to evil
DMW
DMW, I wonder if anyone owned that car before you got it.
Xenia
Aug 1st, 2008 at 10:42 am
DMW, I wonder if anyone owned that car before you got it.
———–
No it was brand new and I paid cash for it, It had 12 miles on the odometer when I got it, it had 42 miles when it had the first major break down that took them 27 day to repair then it had about 400 miles on it when it had the second major break down.. by the way, over 100 of those 400 miles were put on that car by there service department, who always got it with a full tank of gas and always returned with an empty tank, and refused to pay for the gas they used test driving it… So all total I have driven that car less that 300 miles.
DMW
Pastor John!
While reading through your comments, these Verses from Scripture came to mind:
“……. Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …….
You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
-2 Chronicles 20:15,17
I’m thinking, Pastor John …….. the Lord has “positioned” you, and by doing so, He’s caused the “can of worms,” He wants to deal with to be opened. He’s just got you standing there and He’ll do the rest via your lawyers and maybe mostly by Toyota’s own fear imploding on them.
In His time, which is the right time ……. you’ll have your reliable vehicle and recover your losses.
What puts a smile on my face is that it appears the doctors keep wanting to put you on a shelf. However and in spite of ……. God has got you on a front line.
I hope you are smiling too. It’s God alone who dictates our days on earth. What else comes to mind is that the Calebs among us are few and God knows who they are. Caleb was as strong and fit for battle at the age of 85 as he was at 40.
-Joshua 14:6-14
God Bless You Sir!
DMW is a Caleb on the front line because of his trouble with Toyota? LOL! That’s so funny!
I think I need a break from blogdom.
For what it’s worth, this is the response I got from the big boys at Toyota today:
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. We admire your interest in helping your friend.
We apologize for product issue he had with his new vehicle and with the service he received at Toyota of Temecula.
If Mr. Duncan has not done so already, we encourage him to contact us directly via email or phone at 800-331-4331 Monday through Friday 5AM to 6PM so that we may fully capture his request. You can be sure that Toyota is committed to providing the best possible service at Toyota dealerships and to making the dealership and product experience a favorable one. We encourage each dealership to maintain a professional level of performance at all times, and we were sorry to learn that you felt the service you received was less than satisfactory.
If you wish to discuss the matter in more detail, he can also contact the Customer Relations Manager at your Toyota dealership; we feel confident that he or she will address your concerns in a courteous and professional manner.
We look forward to hearing from Mr. Duncan to discuss his options.
Best regards, Jessica Corona Toyota Customer Experience
DMW,
I agree with you 100%. Stick to your guns and keep close to that attorney.
Xenia said..
DMW, I wonder if anyone owned that car before you got it.
That would be easy enough to check doing a VIN search. Odometers have been known to be turned back by less than reputable sales folks.
DMW,
Praying for you and Debbie. It is in God’s hands and will turn out OK.
I hope that Murphy isn’t visiting and that the wheel chair is fixed,
too. Take it easy and no more wheelies!!!!
I got some wrong information earlier. IF i accept the buy back which I will depending on what I have to sign, the car will have to sold as a lemon, the lemon label will follow that car from now on .. So it look like the battle over getting my money back from Toyota USA for the car will probably be over. The very fact that they are dong a buy back will weigh against them in the medical litigation.
And by the way I did call the Toyota help line dozens of times and finally they refused to talk to me on the phone and the only response I have gotten from them prior to the release of this story on PP was address to write to, which never responded. They did make a ridiculous offer on the medical but never offered to replace the car until this story became public.
Now it is lawyer time. I have contacted a personal injury from faulty products expert and will have all my medical records and will meet with him next week
Look like it really is a victory as far as the car goes. Now I will let the lawyer earn his percentage and let him take the stress for me.
thaks to all of you
You can stop emailing now, they heard you
good night
dmw
DMW,
That’s great news on the car. Looks like things are finally going in the right direction. I’m just so sorry this happened to you. Still praying for a fast resolution for all of it.
I am sure that with out your help Toyota would have fought giving me my money back for months and would have forced me to jump through endless loops an to use a lemon lawyer to do it. It is just not in the nature of a company like that to let go on one penny until they are forced to do so. The longer the keep the money they owe you, the more interest they earn on that money, and the longer they delay the more likely it is you will give up and accept a lesser offer..
so again thanks to everyone
DMW
DMW said
It is just not in the nature of a company like that to let go on one penny until they are forced to do so.
Boy is that right!
1 Timothy 6:10 KJV
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
read the thread and it occurs to me that Deadman or his lawyer could end up owning a Toyota agency in Temecula
DMW,
I am praying for you and Debbie.
Anchoreddeep