So let me preface this with I have never owned a Toyota before, I also only bought the Highlander because it was something I could get that day because the Dodge Journey had been in an accident earlier that week and I needed a car as quickly as possible that was comfortable for my bad back, reliable, n my price range (work pays), and that I could drive off the lot sort of thing. Also seeing as we were close to Model clear-out time it made options limited.
I took it in for a their free no-charge first service which was supposed to be done at 8,000km (5K miles) but I didn't have a chance to get in until now because I was busy at work prior to this week so I took it in with 12,000km (7500 miles). It's basically just a multi-point inspection, rotate the tires, top-off of fluids and an oil change. (I didn't take them up on this so no TGMO for me.) And yes the catch can was installed. They said nothing so I don't think they care unless it's a problem.
It was an arranged appointment for 6pm tonight. Got there and they took it right in. I sat in the nice waiting areas really comfortable couch and had a drink while I jumped on the WiFi. I could see my vehicle in view from the waiting area. Nice giant floor to ceiling glass that lets you look into the shop. Not once but twice someone came over and asked me if I needed anything while I was waiting and I told them I was good. 1 hour later the service guy comes and gets me and says my vehicle will be ready in a few minutes they are just washing it off and I'm welcome to see him whenever I'm ready to go through the visit report.
As he's printing out the paperwork he says that they topped off the coolant overflow bottle just so it was on the full mark but that it's perfectly normal that it used a little bit because it's just the vehicle working the air out in the system from the factory and that it should remain on full thereafter. (I knew this anyway)
He also said that they left me a little something on the front seat as a thank you for coming in. I said jokingly said but this visit was free though and he said it's just our way of thanking you for being a customer and that we appreciate your business.
I get out to the car, and realized that they gave it light vacuuming, threw out my empty coffee cup in the holder, cleaned out the cup holder from coffee drips, washed it and left me a BBQ flipper that is all stainless steel with the Toyota Logo in the flipper part along with a small thank-you card.
I sat in the parking-lot for a minute because I thought not only was that a nice touch all the "Extra's" they did to try an earn future visits but I was blown away by the service different from my local Chrysler and Hyundai dealers I had delt with in the past that while weren't bad experiences by no means, weren't anything extra like this had been with all the appreciative gestures.
Anyway, I just thought I would share the story. Not because I think all Toyota dealerships are like this and somehow superior to every other brand but that there are still quality dealerships out there trying really hard to actually earn your business and as a result I would be happy to deal with this and any other location owned by the operator of this one which I learned is a second Toyota dealer in my city and a Nissan dealership as well. Also because Parts/Service is open to 9pm Wednesday - Friday and that makes it super convenient for me after work.
For the locals it's Red-Hill Toyota and the other dealerships they own under the same operator are Upper James Toyota & Parkway Nissan. (That I know about, might be more)
I took it in for a their free no-charge first service which was supposed to be done at 8,000km (5K miles) but I didn't have a chance to get in until now because I was busy at work prior to this week so I took it in with 12,000km (7500 miles). It's basically just a multi-point inspection, rotate the tires, top-off of fluids and an oil change. (I didn't take them up on this so no TGMO for me.) And yes the catch can was installed. They said nothing so I don't think they care unless it's a problem.
It was an arranged appointment for 6pm tonight. Got there and they took it right in. I sat in the nice waiting areas really comfortable couch and had a drink while I jumped on the WiFi. I could see my vehicle in view from the waiting area. Nice giant floor to ceiling glass that lets you look into the shop. Not once but twice someone came over and asked me if I needed anything while I was waiting and I told them I was good. 1 hour later the service guy comes and gets me and says my vehicle will be ready in a few minutes they are just washing it off and I'm welcome to see him whenever I'm ready to go through the visit report.
As he's printing out the paperwork he says that they topped off the coolant overflow bottle just so it was on the full mark but that it's perfectly normal that it used a little bit because it's just the vehicle working the air out in the system from the factory and that it should remain on full thereafter. (I knew this anyway)
He also said that they left me a little something on the front seat as a thank you for coming in. I said jokingly said but this visit was free though and he said it's just our way of thanking you for being a customer and that we appreciate your business.
I get out to the car, and realized that they gave it light vacuuming, threw out my empty coffee cup in the holder, cleaned out the cup holder from coffee drips, washed it and left me a BBQ flipper that is all stainless steel with the Toyota Logo in the flipper part along with a small thank-you card.
I sat in the parking-lot for a minute because I thought not only was that a nice touch all the "Extra's" they did to try an earn future visits but I was blown away by the service different from my local Chrysler and Hyundai dealers I had delt with in the past that while weren't bad experiences by no means, weren't anything extra like this had been with all the appreciative gestures.
Anyway, I just thought I would share the story. Not because I think all Toyota dealerships are like this and somehow superior to every other brand but that there are still quality dealerships out there trying really hard to actually earn your business and as a result I would be happy to deal with this and any other location owned by the operator of this one which I learned is a second Toyota dealer in my city and a Nissan dealership as well. Also because Parts/Service is open to 9pm Wednesday - Friday and that makes it super convenient for me after work.
For the locals it's Red-Hill Toyota and the other dealerships they own under the same operator are Upper James Toyota & Parkway Nissan. (That I know about, might be more)