TexasCHLforum.com

The Marshal wrote:
I think sometime customers just need to squawk enough and bring it to the owners attention.
Toyota may install all that signage as a matter of course when they build the dealerships.

I am addressing the "squawking" issue right here: http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=71720" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I strongly recommend everyone read that post, so that all of us could make a concerted and massive effort on that front.

Deltaboy wrote:It is not valid so I would ignore it.

I agree, and I did ignore it, but it really frustrated me on principle. A major dealership in the heart of Texas, albeit in a very liberal city, puts up a 30.06 on every single entrance. I disagree gun free zones anywhere, and the sign in a car dealership makes less sense than in most other places.

WildBill wrote:

Heisenberg wrote:I'm curious how a Japanese company's executive offices in California responded to your complaint about a dealership not allowing you to carry a gun.

Me too. I have worked for two Japanese companies so I am curious how they would respond to your call.

I haven't decided what to tell them yet. It will take some thought, otherwise it's not worth doing.

jmra wrote:A little birdie told me the dealership put up the 30.06 sign after they heard about ATDMs little incident with his XDS.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Cedar Park Dad wrote:Aren't these independently owned dealerships? I don't see how sending it to the US headquarters (especially in Cali) is going to be effective.

Although they are independently owned, I am sure that Toyota Corporation is interested in making more sales through the dealership. They may not be able to give orders, but they may be willing to request some type of policy change to protect their interests.

Regardless of that, it was the only choice I had, since there is absolutely no contact information (other than phone numbers) for Red McCombs management, or corporate, or even local dealerships.

Here is the reply I received to my email. I addressed it to Toyota Headquarters, since there is absolutely no info on how to contact Red McCombs corporation, other than phone numbers. And I thought talking to people, who answer phones, would be a waste.

Hello...,

Thank you for your email addressed to Mr. Lentz which has been forwarded to the Executive Offices of Toyota Motor Sales for review and response.

We apologize to learn of your concerns with your local Toyota dealership and appreciate you giving us an opportunity to assist you.

.... If you would like to discuss your experience further, please contact me at (310) 974-7519. I am available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., PST Monday through Friday.

It is through correspondence such as yours that we are able to continue to improve our services, and we sincerely appreciate the time you have taken to bring the matter to our attention.

Thank you,

Celeste Knight
Executive Analyst
Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
19001 South Western Avenue WC-11
Torrance, CA 90509
P: 310.974.7519 / F: 310.974.5345

I think, I am going to give them a call now. If y'all have any suggestions regarding how to express my opinion and what to tell them, please, let me know.

Teamless wrote:I would modify JImlongley's comments a bit:
Instead of point out it is not valid, I would card them and say simply, "I have purchased 3 vehicles in 6 years here, and now with this sign, my business is going elsewhere"
I would NOT let them know their sign is [possibly] invalid however.

That was my thought exactly. I just wanted to do it in a letter. The letter has a chance to reach higher than an office manager, who was, most likely, the one responsible for posting it anyway. I want that manager overruled, because I don't think I would change his mind.

jimlongley wrote:I would card them and point out that their signage is not valid, and that if they want to be valid, it will have to be large and ugly and prominently posted, otherwise they are not stopping anyone from carrying.

I didn't want to point that fact out, because it will make it yet one more place to keep legal carriers out for certain. I did want to express my disapproval in a well worded letter in hopes to make them reconsider the whole notion.

I have been Red McCombs Toyota customer for years. I bought 3 cars from them in the last 6 years alone, and today, when I went to buy yet another car, I was directed to the 30.06.

It was NOT posted conspicuously, it was just a printed sheet of paper, taped to a window and with the lettering that wasn't quite 1" in size; but it was close enough to the real thing to make it hard to fight in court, if it ever came to that. I forgot to take a picture of it. It was clear that they did just enough research to make it appear legitimate. It appears to be some sort of a knee-jerk reaction to something, as the sign was not well made and sloppily taped to a window. Not easy to spot at all.

It was very disappointing. I tried to email them an email, expressing my concern and disappointment, as their loyal customer, but there is nothing on their website that would allow me to send a simply email.

I already made an entry on the http://texas3006.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; , but I wish there was more I could do.