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Balise Toyota of Warwick
Categories: Automotive Car Dealers Automotive Auto Repair Car Dealers, Auto Repair [Edit]
1400 Post RdWarwick, RI 02888
(401) 785-8900
5 reviews for Balise Toyota of Warwick
5 reviews in English
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Review from Brian S.
Warwick, RI
2/10/2010 13 photos
It was the
best of times
It was the
worst of times.....
I don't believe Mr Dickens had Toyota in mind when he wrote those lines but they do apply. Toyota has been an incredibly successful company; perhaps a bit too successful. The latest difficulties with brakes have been well documented and has sent a tremble throughout the company. Will this effect future business? We shall see.
We happen to own a 2001 Prius, one of the first ones sold in Connecticut. It has over 150.000 miles on it and is still kicking pretty good. We have taken that car up Mt. Washington, driven through sand and salt, blazing heat and freezing cold, abused the hell out of it and it never missed a beat. Until last week.
I was driving along and I started hearing some funny noises. Of course I pretended nothing was wrong and hoped it would go away and of course it didn't. After a few days it got worse and it started to dawn on me that it sure sounded like the wheel bearings were going. Since several things can happen, all of them very bad, might occur if you ignore bad bearings I knew I had to have it fixed. It's very easy to temporize on these things but never wise to do so.
I just happen to be going by Balise Toyota and decided on the moment to go in. Balise is a huge place with a gigantic service area and monstrous door that opens up and lets you drive right in. Very convenient and very impressive. That door is like something out of Star Trek. Someone came right over and I explained the problem. He said if I could wait 20 minutes they could take a quick look. Wow, no appointment or anything. The waiting area is pretty cool with clean, comfy chairs, a couple of TVs and some strong coffee.
Well, it did turn out to be the bearings. A somewhat expensive job but considering it's just about the first thing outside of routine maintenance not too bad. Even the much questioned and vituperated battery has over 150,000 miles, in some very cold, nasty weather and has never missed a beat.
I received a nice loaner car for the day and when I came back in the afternoon the job was completed. Everything was nice and clean, in fact probably cleaner than car had been in years and they even did a few other little details like washing the sand, salt and ever present seagull poop off for free. I've had dealings with other dealers that were about as pleasant as root canals and shopping with my wife. This was about as painless, efficient and friendly as possible. Balise sure seems like they have it down pretty well.
Toyota has a tough time ahead. I was talking to one of the mechanics and he just shook his head and said that there is going to be a lot of overtime in the next few weeks but they have to fix things right now. Quickly and correctly.
Would I ever buy another Toyota? Definitely. Our little Prius has been reliable, fun and just plain cooler than any other car we've ever owned. Would I buy it from Balise? Absolutely. It's easy to be nice when things are going great but things aren't going particularly great right now for Toyota. Yet the guys at Balise were still extremely efficient, pleasant, quick and friendly. You just can't ask for anything more than that. -
Review from Jonathan G.
Richmond, VA
8/9/2011
In my opinion, most car dealerships are still being run on a business model that the internet is rapidly destroying - pressuring poorly informed consumers to make rapid decisions that could cost them thousands. That being said, I have come to expect a little Glengerry-esque theater when I find myself in this arena, and I actually don't mind witnessing a little salesman showmanship; it's a dying art form. What I didn't fully expect was the absolute lack of professional or customer respect when it came time for me to have a simple $500 deposit returned to my credit card. After nearly two weeks, and after being misinformed and misdirected by what I can only assume is every employee in the building, I have finally been forced to have my bank act on my behalf and charge back the money. I can only be incredibly thankful I did not purchase a vehicle from them.
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Review from Sasha B.
Boston, MA
6/17/2010
Well they advertise cars they don't actually have. Sorry it's been sold, here's a similar one for more money.
They don't remove the cars from their web site and continue to post the "sold" vehicle on craiglist. -
Review from Kristina R.
Warwick, RI
12/23/2010
I will not go back here. The saleperson we delt with was nice. That's the only reason i'm giving it 1 stars. (that and you can't award 0 stars)
We walked in, looked at a few cars and were going to leave to go home and talking about leasing. They offered us a vehicle for the same pricing as leasing only to buy. It was used. But an awesome car. We went with it. 2 days later the financing person called us and said the bank changed it's mind, they can't offer us the financing we have signed up and agreed upon. He offered us a higher payment through a different bank. I returned the car.
I 100% blame the financing dept on this. We never lied about anything on the credit, they knew a car loan was already in place and this would be a second car loan. When it got to the gnitty gritty of it, they didn't think 2 car loans was ok on the credit. Why did the financing person act like the car loan that was already taken out wouldn't be an issue? Why did they let us sign the paperwork and walk out of there with a car like it was no big deal, then 2 days later offer us crazy payments totally out of the range we were originally talking about. Now here i am, without a decent car with winter coming. This has so bittered me on car buying i can't even fathom trying to find another vehicle any time soon. All they do is lie in order to guarantee the sale at the time. And then they spring changes on you so you've had the car several days, you're attached to it, and maybe you'll be swindled into higher payments.
MERRY CHRISTMAS BALISE. YOU SUCK. -
Review from Victoria K.
Cranston, RI
7/13/2010
Excellent with a capital E! I bought my car here almost 2 years ago and the experience was FAR more enjoyable than my horrible visit to Boch Toyota (don't ever buy a car there!). Since purchasing my car, I've brought my Corolla here for oil changes, recall visits, and other minor work. Every visit has been pleasurable. The new building is fantastic! My car is always fixed within a reasonable time, and if the job will take longer, they always hook me up with a rental. Mind you, my car is still under warranty so I cannot comment on prices of repairs and whatnot for a car that has passed the warranty date, but regardless, I will continue to bring my car here either way because the service staff knows how to treat customers and always do a great job. Thanks, Balise Toyota!
